Maruti Suzuki S-Cross petrol launched at Rs 8.39 lakh

The Maruti S-Cross has been re-introduced to the Nexa line-up with a BS6-compliant petrol engine. With the update, the S-Cross price now starts at Rs 8.39 lakh* for the entry-level Sigma variant and tops off at Rs 12.39 lakh* for the range-topping Alpha automatic trim. The crossover makes a comeback after the BS4 diesel model was discontinued earlier this year. 

• Updated S-Cross prices range from Rs 8.39-12.39 lakh* 
• BS4, 1.3-litre diesel replaced with a BS6-compliant, 1.5-litre petrol engine
• Manual and auto options available, both with mild-hybrid system

2020 Maruti Suzuki S-Cross petrol engine details

Like its sibling, the Maruti Vitara Brezza, the S-Cross has gone from being diesel only to petrol only for BS6. The automaker’s decision to abandon diesel engines has seen the 90hp, 200Nm, 1.3-litre oil burner being replaced by a 1.5-litre, naturally aspirated petrol engine that puts out 105hp and 138Nm of torque. The K15B motor is shared with the Ciaz, Ertiga, XL6 and the Vitara Brezza and comes equipped with the company’s mild-hybrid technology, which includes fuel-saving engine stop-start.

In addition to the petrol engine, this latest update also introduces an auto gearbox to the S-Cross in India for the first time, the same 4-speed torque converter as its aforementioned siblings with the same engine. As before, a 5-speed manual transmission is available as standard, and yes, the SHVS mild-hybrid system is available with both gearboxes.

Coming to the fuel efficiency, the petrol-manual version has an ARAI rating of 18.55kpl, while the petrol automatic is rated at 18.43kpl. For reference, the BS4-compliant, diesel-mild hybrid model was good for 25.1kpl.

2020 Maruti Suzuki S-Cross features

The 2020 S-Cross continues to sport the look that first debuted on the 2017 facelift, and there have been no major feature revisions either, except the introduction of the newer Smartplay Studio touchscreen infotainment system, with its slicker interface.

Standard safety equipment on the S-Cross includes dual airbags, ABS, ISOFIX child seat mounts, rear parking sensors, front seatbelt reminders and a high-speed alert system, along with a hill hold assist function for the automatic variants.

The range topping S-Cross Alpha continues to pack in equipment like LED projector headlamps and DRLs, 16-inch alloy wheels, leatherette upholstery, auto headlamps and wipers, keyless entry and go, a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a rear-view camera and cruise control.   

2020 Maruti Suzuki S-Cross price comparison with rivals

With small-car tax sops not being applicable to the 4.3m-long S-Cross, the replacement of the 1.3-litre diesel with a larger-capacity petrol unit hasn’t had a negative impact on prices. On the contrary, the petrol-manual version of the crossover is positioned more aggressively than the old diesel, which commanded a price of Rs 8.81-11.44 lakh*.

The S-Cross comes across as quite affordable when compared with the likes of the Renault Duster, Nissan Kicks, Kia Seltos and Hyundai Creta. At a starting price of Rs 8.39 lakh, it undercuts all the aforementioned models, with even the fully-loaded petrol automatic priced substantially lower than equivalent models from the competition. The aggressive pricing is also to help compensate for the change-over to petrol power in a crossover that was previously diesel only. Though it never sold as well as its sibling, the Brezza, the Maruti S-Cross still managed to pull in respectable numbers, so let’s see if it can continue to do so in this new petrol mild-hybrid guise.

*Prices, ex-showroom, Delhi

^Prices, ex-showroom, India

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