Maruti S-Cross Facelift clocks 11k bookings; Beats Renault Duster compact SUV in sales

The Maruti Suzuki S-Cross Facelift is doing well. The crossover has already registered 11,000 bookings in about 40 days of launch. Maruti has also managed to dispatch 5,510 units of the S-Cross to dealers in October 2017. This makes the S-Cross the second best selling compact SUV in India, just behind segment-leader Hyundai Creta. In terms of sales. the S-Cross Facelift has already beaten other compact SUVs such as the Renault Duster (919 units) and Nissan Terrano (236 units).

This is an encouraging sign for Maruti as the S-Cross is available with a single engine option – the 1.3 liter Fiat Multijet with 90 Bhp-200 Nm. This engine is less powerful than the ones available with the Hyundai Creta, the Renault Duster and the Nissan Terrano. The other SUVs also offer petrol engine options, and automatic transmissions. The S-Cross is available only with a 5 speed manual gearbox.

Sometime next year, Maruti is expected to add a 1.5 liter petrol engine to the S-Cross. This petrol engine is called the M15A and produces 108 Bhp-138 Nm. In fact, Maruti already exports the S-Cross Petrol from India. So, adding this engine will be quite easy for the company. Once that happens, S-Cross sales could remain strong as many SUV buyers in India are now opting for petrol engines.

The S-Cross Facelift gets aggressive looks with a redesigned front end. The macho front grille and contemporary LED headlamps make the crossover a lot more appealing than its plain jane predecessor. The rear remains more or less intact. Maruti has also revised the design of the alloy wheels on the latest S-Cross. Interiors have also become plusher. The vehicle also gets a mild-hybrid system designed to boost fuel efficiency and acceleration performance. Prices of the crossover start from Rs. 8.49 lakhs, making it the cheapest diesel powered vehicle in its segment.