Under the Creta’s sculpted bonnet is Hyundai’s tried and tested 1.6 CRDi, displacing 1,582 cc and putting out 128 PS at 4,500 RPM and 260 Nm of peak torque at 1,900-2,750 RPM — this unit has proved itself an able performer. The S Cross, however, hides Maruti Suzuki’s latest weapon — the 1.6-litre DDiS, which displaces 1,598 cc and makes 120 PS at 3,750 RPM and max torque of 320 Nm at 1,750 RPM. Both engines are mated to slick shifting six-speed manual transmissions. At idling, both engines feel equally refined with a quiet thrum emanating from under the two bonnets.
On the go, however, is where the difference between the two cars becomes far more apparent. Driving across the city, there is no doubt the Maruti Suzuki S Cross is the more difficult vehicle to drive. The engine suffers from massive turbo lag (there is, in fact, no sense of urgency until the revs climb to 2,000 RPM), which means frequent gear changes. The problem is compounded by the fact that the clutch feels heavy, which doesn’t really help when driving through stop-and-go traffic. Once the needle does get to the 2,000 RPM marker on the tacho, then all the power and torque arrive in a single sweep that can often have the driver off his feet if he isn’t careful.
The Creta’s engine also suffers from turbo lag but the lag vanishes at around 1,500 revs (500 sooner than in the S Cross); thereafter the power delivery is very linear. As a result, the Creta’s progress with respect to throttle inputs is more predictable. Once past the turbo lag zone in both cars, however, the Maruti Suzuki gathers pace with a sudden alacrity that can be disconcerting if you’re not prepared for it. Unfortunately for the S Cross, despite the 60 Nm advantage which sees it post a quicker acceleration time (while the Maruti does it in 11.78 seconds, the Hyundai takes 12.48 seconds), the Creta posts a higher top speed of 175.83 km/h against the S Cross’ 174.8 km/h. And, at the cost of repetition, the Creta is far easier to manage than the turbo-lagged S Cross. So where engine characteristics are concerned, I’d stick my neck out and give it to the Hyundai.
