2017 Maruti Suzuki S-Cross First Drive: Now With Wolf’s Clothes

The 2017 Maruti Suzuki S-Cross now looks a lot more aggressive, but under the bonnet, the mechanicals are familiar.

The 2017 Maruti Suzuki S-Cross now looks a lot more aggressive. 

(Photo: The Quint)

The latest crossover by Maruti Suzuki – the S-Cross utility vehicle – has just become a lot meaner. The makeover gives it a much more aggressive look when compared to the earlier model, that was launched in August 2015.

The S-Cross is available in four variants – Sigma, Delta, Zeta and Alpha – all equipped with a 1.3-litre DDIS multijet diesel engine only. The earlier 1.6-litre diesel variant (which enthusiasts loved, but not many bought) has been discontinued.

Prices of the 2017 Maruti S-Cross start at Rs 8.49 lakh and go up to Rs 11.29 lakh.

Watch the video review:

The biggest visible change to the S-Cross is in the front end of the car. 

What's New with the Maruti Suzuki S-Cross?

The 'all-new' 2017 Maruti Suzuki S-Cross primarily gets cosmetic enhancements to make it look bolder. However, there are some subtle tweaks that have been made to the mechanicals, as well such as the suspension and steering, making it a little sportier to drive.

The rear looks identical to the earlier model, except for the slight change in the tail lamps. 

The big news is that the 1.6-litre diesel engine has been discontinued, and now, all variants come with the 1.3-litre DDIS diesel unit only, along with Suzuki's Smart Hybrid system.

The Smart Hybrid system is also offered on the Maruti Ciaz and the Maruti Ertiga. It is an integrated start-generator system that provides a little additional torque to the engine upon acceleration, and features regenerative braking that charges the battery on deceleration. It also has a start-stop system that cuts off the engine when the car is idle.

The big change in looks to the S-Cross is noticeable up front, with a bold, chrome, vertically slatted grille that makes it look menacing – sort of like Darth Vader in Star Wars. The headlamps are all new with LED projectors and daytime running lamps and so is the front bumper and muscular bonnet.

While the earlier S-Cross had a polite “Hey, please let me pass” look, the new one seems to scream “Get out of my way”.

At the rear, the changes are very subtle – the tail lamps now get LED units. In profile, the reworked front end is still visible. It also gets a new alloy-wheel design with wider 215/60 R16 tyres. The S-Cross comes with disc brakes on all four wheels, two airbags and ABS as standard on all variants.

Features of the All-New S-Cross

The S-Cross looks more dominating now. 

Step into the S-Cross and you will be greeted by a familiar interior. Nothing much has changed – it still gets an all-black interior. However, look closely, and you will see minute differences such as leather seats (in the Alpha variant), a soft-touch plastic dashboard, subtlely brushed aluminium finish, and a different look to the instrument console, with a wider, more comprehensive, multi-information display.

The rear seats have a 60:40 split-folding arrangement and two recline positions. The steering is adjustable for height and reach. Boot space is 375 litres and can be increased to 810 litres with the rear seat folded.

The Alpha variant gets a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple Car Play, Android Auto, GPS navigation and reverse camera. The car also features automatic headlamps, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, power-folding outside mirrors, cruise control, push-button ignition, and handsfree telephone controls.

Driving the all-new S-Cross

The all-new Maruti Suzuki S-Cross. 

Watch for a detailed video on the all-new Maruti Suzuki S-Cross coming soon. Here's a quick summary of what it's like to drive.

The S-Cross now comes with only the tried-and-tested 1.3-litre DDIS multijet diesel engine, that powers everything from the Maruti Ignis to the Swift, Dzire, Brezza, Ertiga, and Ciaz in different states of tune. It also gets the 90-bhp power/200 Nm torque version (called the DDIS 200), mated to a 5-speed manual transmission powering the front wheels. There is no automatic variant on offer, neither is there a petrol engine at the moment.

The S-Cross weighs in at 1,240 kg kerb weight and next to the 7-seater Ertiga, this is the car where the engine has to work the hardest. It is quite drivable in city, with torque coming in early and it pulls away cleanly. The cabin is quite refined and you don't feel the engine drone inside.

However, it’s not very peppy for enthusiastic driving and has a pretty linear feel to it. The steering has a good amount of heft, and the suspension is pretty firm, yet supple enough to offer good ride quality.

The S-Cross may have lost some of its oomph from the 1.6 litre engine, as it now comes only with the 1.3 litre, but it has gained a lot more road presence and practicality. Since more than 80 percent buyers went with the 1.3-litre variant earlier, I expect sales of the S-Cross will only gather pace now.

The S-Cross is available in five colours, including the Nexa Blue (seen here), Caffeine Brown, Granite Grey, Premium Silver and Pearl Arctic White.