Adil Jal Darukhanawala
There is something of a love-hate relationship between Maruti-Suzuki and Hyundai Motor India, akin very much to that of their two nations given their tumultuous history. It is therefore that very interesting to see the clientele for these two car makers in India being just as polarised to one or the other with just a small overlap between the two!
Things therefore just can't be helped when both release their handiwork for the same minds and monies of Indian consumers in the same segment - compact SUVs - albeit taking different styling, design and engineering approaches and first glance throws up the striking differences instantly. Let's start with the Hyundai Creta first as it beat its Maruti Suzuki compatriot's media unveiling by four days. The Creta absolutely underlines the fine art of a single platform underpinning various body styles and using Hyundai's latest Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 design expression it features a proper SUV stance and proportion with crisp lines that make it stand out.
However what is at the real heart of the matter is the exceedingly strong monocoque that the Hyundai engineers have endowed the Creta using a mix of latest generation steel panels that encompass both strength and light weight. This has many positives including of course very low levels of NVH along with very high rigidity that delivers exceeding ride and handling characteristics. A small ride and drive session at the factory's test track at Sriperambudur gave mega hints to these attributes and this could be quite possibly the biggest key being the Creta's feel good aspects for the majority of its customers.
And then of course there is the choice of drive lines that are offered and these include a choice of a singleton 1.6-litre VTVT gasoline motor and two diesels displacing 1.4 and 1.6-litres respectively. There is a choice of 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission with the top of the line 1.6-litre CRDI VGT diesel which is a first for its segment and possibly a big draw for buyers in this category.
And like any other Hyundai, the Creta is loaded with tonnes of equipment to pamper its occupants with convenience features that makes it the envy of its rivals. This feature-rich interior along with finely crafted materials makes for a sensory and ergonomic delight which should further heighten the lure of this car that has the likes of the Renault Duster and its Nissan Terrano sibling plus the Ford EcoSport in its crosshairs. Further, going solely on the basis of the small session I had with the car at the test track, let me stick my neck out and state that the Creta does hit all the targets as its product planners and engineers intended it to! Pricing is the only aspect that isn't in the public domain but here as well expect it to be on the sharp end to worry rivals.
Shift up north to Gurgaon where Maruti Suzuki makes its S-Cross and you can't but see an altogether different sort of large crossover, more saloon-hatch than SUV even though you can see cues of BMW's baby X1 in its makeup sans the sizzle. This car has been four years in the making for India having been seen as a concept last February at Auto Expo. Frankly speaking the styling of the S-Cross is underwhelming and it just doesn't ooze the sex appeal the Hyundai dishes out effortlessly. This isn't to say the S-Cross doesn't have its charms and the most important attribute is that S for Suzuki badge firmly up front on the grille which indicates reliability, stature and peace of mind for millions of car buyers in the country.
Speaking of numbers, Maruti Suzuki officials have said the S-Cross represents one of its most significant models that will help it in its medium-term plans to achieve its goal of doing 2 million cars per annum by 2020! And to do that the company is using a new sales channel strategy it terms NEXA which is its acronym for a New Exclusive Automotive Experience. A very important aspect to think here is that Maruti Suzuki is under constant threat in its small segments and it also wants to go up market where its rivals enjoy pride of place even though volumes are pretty low. What is key is that Maruti Suzuki has never been able to crack that mind barrier of a people's car maker trying to deliver rich and its string of attempts with Baleno, SX4, Kizashi and even the Ciaz hasn't delivered rich dividends at all.
This doesn't infer that the S-Cross won't be able to. And it is a different way to how Maruti normally plays the game. It is the first car from its stable that dispenses gasoline engines completely and is offered with a choice of either a DDiS 200 or the all-new DDiS 320 diesel. Both these are Fiat power plants with the former being produced in India while the new latter and larger mill is sourced from Italy. The figures in the engine nomenclature indicate the torque outputs and the smaller engine comes mated with a 5-speed manual while the larger diesel employs a 6-speed manual gearbox. There is no automatic transmission nor all-wheel drive and this is further indication of the firm's large saloon-hatchback orientation.
