COMPARO CRETA vs DUSTER AWD vs S-CROSS vs TERRANO vs ...in/documents/si… · COMPARO CRETA vs DUSTER AWD vs S-CROSS ... The Renault-Nissan siblings ... CRETA vs DUSTER AWD vs S-CROSS

Date: 01/09/2015

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C R E T A v s D U S T E R A W D v s S - C R O S S v s T E R R A N O v s X U V 5 0 0 A W D

Making your presence felt It's the battle of the SUVs as the Creta and S-Cross move to the front line

Words HalleyPrabhakar Photography IshaanBhataiya

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Copyright of the article is with the publication

C O M P A R O C R E T A v s D U S T E R A W D v s S - C R O S S v s T E R R A N O v s X U V 5 0 0 A W D

Whether you admit it or not, we are a country that likes to flaunt. 'Bigger is better' could well have been coined keeping us Indians in mind. How else could you explain the overflowing love for SUVs in this country! We love these

big beasts. They have the road presence which turns heads, gets that nod of appreciation from some and that look of longing from the rest. And the lunar cratcr-esque state of our roads only adds to the endless list of reasons as to why you should own a SUV.

But a few years ago, you wouldn't really be spoilt for choice with the few old-school ladder chassis-based SUVs available. But now, manufacturers arc realising that offering car like creature comforts in an SUV-shaped shell is an ingenious formula and the masses are lapping it up.

Which is why India recently has been witnessing a sudden influx of compact SUVs and crossovers. The Renault Duster can claim brownie points for being the pioneer in this field but now there are many more players in the market. Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai are

the top two carmakers in the country but they were conspicuously absent from this segment. Until now when the 'light bulb' moment of realisation occurred and they couldn't stay away from this lucrative, fast growing category of vehicles. So can the Hyundai Creta and the Maruti Suzuki S-Cross stand up against the proven heroes? Let's size 'em up.

DESIGN AND STYLING All the five vehicles that you see here are appealing in their own way, which means that the buyer has a lot of options. Between the Creta and the S-Cross, the newest members of the lot, the latter toes a simpler design line. The face has a lot of detail and the large headlamps arc eye-catching as well. However, the sides are bland while the rear is more hatchback than crossover. That said, it still is a proportionate design and draws attention. The Hyundai on the other hand shouts out from every angle - the design is its biggest USP and it looks like a proper SUV. The Santa Fe-like front along with those large vertical fog lamps adds to the overall presence. The

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S-Cross features an all-black interior with silver inserts to give it a sportier look. Dials are easy to read and offer a lot of information. Centre screen is great to use. It's also one of the first cars in India to offer Apple CarPlay connectivity. 353-litre boot is least spacious of the lot. Rear kneeroom, however, is impressive

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Creta interior is a class above the rest. Fit and finish is top notch. Large centre console features a touchscreen system and controls are well placed. Dials are sized well and feature a centre information screen. Kneeroom is good but rear seat could do with better support. Note rising window line that hampers rear visibility


edgy design theme does well in grabbing a lot of eyeballs. There's a lot of detail even in the alloy-wheel - the 17-inch multi-spoke unit, in fact, looks the most premium.

The XUV500 has been around for a long time but the recent facelift adds a bit of freshness to an already smart design. There are a few places that have been overdone, like the extra chrome around the fog lamps and the busy rear end. This Mahindra is still quite appealing and thanks to the larger footprint, high on road presence as well. Renault's Duster too has been available for a few years now but hasn't received any exterior updates. There is. however, a facelift planned very soon. It still is in demand thanks to its butch character. The simple styling actually makes it unique and helps it stand out from the rest. The flared fenders add to the muscle, an important trait for an SUV.

For those who however prefer a more stylish approach, there is the Nissan Terrano. It is based on the Duster but gets an entirely different face similar to the more premium Nissan SUVs available internationally. The sides are like the Renault so it still is muscular

while the rear end is slightly more contemporary thanks to the angular tail lamps. But if asked to choose at gunpoint, I would say the Creta is the best looking of the lot while the Duster is still the most rugged. The S-Cross scores points for its looks but being more of a crossover, it isn't as imposing as the rest.

INTERIOR AND SPACE Step inside a Creta and you will agree that the Hyundai offers the best-looking cabin. The dual-tone interior uses a modern approach and the entire design looks very SUV- and very car-like at the same time. The door handles merge well with the centre section like on premium SUVs and you even get that high-end feeling when seated inside. It definitely feels a class above when compared to its rivals. The fit and finish is much better too and the quality of materials used is top-notch. The only other car that comes close to the benchmark set by the Hyundai is the S-Cross. The all-black cabin is well laid out and gets a soft touch centre section with good detailing. Silver finished inserts and surrounds contrast well with the


Nissan updated the Duster cabin to give it a more premium feel but is now beginning to look dated. Dials are basic while the steering gets no controls. Dual-tone interior and mock wood inserts are elegant. 475-litre boot is easily accessible. Rear kneeroom is adequate but rear AC vent makes it a strict four-seater

black interior, giving it a more sporty character. There are a few parts that have been borrowed from its siblings and the plastics feel built to last. However, overall fit and finish isn't as good as the Hyundai despite it being positioned as a premium crossover.

Mahindra, meanwhile, have taken feedback positively and improved the XUV500 cabin. The design has always been smart but then gone is the weird purple/brown combination and in comes a more elegant beige/black interior. The attention to detail has improved and so has the quality of materials used. There are a lot of buttons in the car but operating them could have been easier and more positive. It's an improved SUV but it still isn't on par with the rest of the pack in this department.

Another SUV that gets an improved cabin is the Duster. The Renault was criticised for offering a basic interior when it rolled out about three years ago. Today, all the variants get a slightly better looking cabin and a few soft touch materials added to the dashboard. The AWD version seen here even gets a black/grey interior with silver inserts. The design theme is still simple and hence one

doesn't realise that the fit and finish is actually good. Nissan did a slightly better job at improving the Duster cabin a few years ago in the Terrano. Times have changed though and it's actually the Renault that offers a better interior today.

The XUV500 is the only SUV here to offer three-row seating but then the last row is good enough only for two adults on short drives. The front and second row seats are, however, large and comfortable. There is adequate support and thanks to a flat floor, the second row seat is comfortable even with three adults seated. Fold the third row and it's the XUV500 that offers the largest boot. There are quite a few storage points too but there could have been more since the cabin is larger than the rest.

The Creta in comparison gets more storage points and excellent front seats that offer great comfort and support. The rear seat could have offered more support but they're good for three adults. The rising window line, however, reduces visibility as the passenger sits quite low - like in a car. Kneeroom is slightly more than the Duster/ Terrano despite featuring a smaller wheclbase. The boot too is a bit


C O M P A R O CRETA vs DUSTER AWD vs S -CROSS vs TERRANO vs XUV500 AWD

XUV500 gets updated interior that features a new dual-tone dashboard and soothing blue lighting. Quality has improved but still not on par with rivals. Twin-pod dials look funky. 702-litre boot is best in class .Three adults can sit comfortably in the rear seat thanks to good shoulder room and fully flat floor

more spacious. The Renault-Nissan siblings have never been short on space but the front seats could do with more support. A from centre armrest is missing in these two while the rest of the pack gets it. The two-step driver seat height adjustment is a bit crude. It also makes the seat move back and forth under braking.

The S-Cross is a real surprise. There's plenty of room for all passengers. Rear kneeroom is the best of the lot but the floor isn't fully flat. There are quite a few storage points too. The seats offer good support, both front and back and are as good as in the Creta. Boot space though is not the best when compared to the rest but is usable.

ENGINES AND PERFORMANCE While most of the competition features an engine capacity between 1.5 and 1.6 litres, the XUV500 comes equipped with a larger 2.2-litre diesel motor. We will, however, come back to why it still isn't the quickest of the lot. The S-Cross features the much-awaited 1.6-litre DDiS engine sourced from Fiat. The newest engine of the lot produces 120PS of max power and a whopping 32oNm from as low as i,75orpm. The peak torque produced is comparable to larger diesel engines and it is surprising to see a smaller engine produce as much power. Crank the engine and it's silent inside the cabin.

On the road, the Suzuki gets calmer but there is prominent turbo lag until 2,ooorpm before all the torque kicks in to catapult the car


CRETA vs DUSTER AWD vs S -CROSS vs TERRANO vs XUV500 AWD

The updated Duster interior is better than before - fit and finish has improved too. The dials are new but chrome outline is loud. Centre touchscreen is offered as standard and features various functions including navigation. 475-litre boot is similar to Terrano. Rear kneeroom is adequate. Note no rear AC vent

ahead. The DDiS 320 is a powerful motor but features a small pow-erband and short gear-ratios. This makes it hard to keep the car in its sweet spot, especially while driving in bumper-to-bumper traffic. It does take time getting used to driving this car smoothly in town and to make things worse, the clutch is heavy. Get on to the highway and she cruises effortlessly at triple digit speeds and overtaking is effortless. The motor is efficient too - overall economy is surprisingly the highest at i6.5kmpl. A 6-speed transmission does duty and is smoother in operation when compared to the rest with the exception of the Hyundai.

The Creta, as we had expected, has borrowed its powertrain from the Verna. The 1.6-litre mill may not be the torque king on paper but the impressive 128PS on tap still makes it the quickest in this test. Power delivery is more linear and the engine is the most refined and silent of the lot. The clutch is the lightest when compared

to the rest and shifting gears doesn't require much effort making it a boon to drive in town. On the highway, the motor is relaxed and higher speeds are reached in no time. Even overall fuel efficiency is impressive at i6kmpl. Hyundai produce one of the best diesel units today and the Creta takes full advantage of it.

One cannot rule out the 1.5 dCi engine found under the hood of the Duster and Terrano. It is a lot more audible but has its strong points too. On paper, this diesel motor is the least powerful both in terms of power and torque. But on the road, it's quite involving. There is a hint of turbo lag but as speeds rise, a strong surge of power comes up, making it an ideal mile-muncher. In town, it's the heavy clutch that is a let down. I have gotten used to it since Team OD has practically lived with a Duster. The good news is that the AWD version features a slightly lighter clutch. This makes it easier to shift gears but the shorter ratios mean one has to

CRETA vs DUSTER AWD vs S -CROSS vs TERRANO vs XUV500 AWD

ROAD TEST NO. 1549-1553

Hyundai

Creta SX(O)

k k k k i

Mahindra

XUV500 WIO-AWD

k k k k t i

Maruti Suzuki

S-Cross Alpha 320

k k k i i::

Nissan

Terrano XV Premium

k k k i .fi-

Renault

Duster RxZ AWD

k k k k i <

HYUNDAI CRETA VS MAHINDRA XUVSOO AWD VS MARUTI SUZUKI S-CROSS VS NISSAN TERRANO VS RENAULT DUSTER AWD

ENGINE C7i.'i:n:«

Type lnline-4 turbo diesel lnline-4 turbo diesel lnline-4 turbo diesel lnline-4 turbo diesel lnline-4 turbo diesel

Engine capacity (cc) 1,582 2.179 1,598 1,461 1,461

Valvetrain 4-valves/cylinder 4-valves/cylinder 4-valves/cylinder 4-valves/cylinder 4-valves/cylinder

Max power [email protected] 140PS#3,750rpm 120PS@3,750rpm 110PS§3.900rpm 110PS®4.000rpm

Max torque [email protected],750rpm 330Nm.il.600-2800rpm 320Nm!®l,750rpm [email protected] 245Nm@l,750rpm

UNDERPINNINGS

Suspension (F) MacPherson strut with coil spring

MacPherson strut with anti-roll bar

MacPherson strut with coil spring

MacPherson strut with coil spring

MacPherson strut with coll spring

Suspension (R) Coupled torsion beam with coil spring Multilink with anti-roll bar Torsion beam with coll spring Torsion beam with coll spring Multilink with coll spring

Brakes (Front/Rear) Disc/Drum Disc/Disc Disc/Disc Disc/Drum Disc/Drum

Tyres 215/60 R17 235/65 R17 205/60 R16 215/65 R16 215/65 R16

PERFORMANCE

0-100kmpli 11.2s 12.6s 11.8s 12.7s 13.1s

Top speed 185kmph 181kmph 189kmph 172kmph 168kmph

FUEL EFFICIENCY §|| ••'Jjjf /I; Highway (kmpl) 21.4 16.8 23.9 21.6 19.2

City(kmpl) 14.2 11.9 14.1 13.9 12.1

Overall (kmpl) 16 13.1 16.5 15.8 13.9

GENERALDATA

LxWxH (mm) 4270x1780x1630 4585x1890x1785 4300x1765x1590 4331x1822x1671 4315x1822x1695

Wheelbase(mm) 2590 2700 2600 2673 2673

PRICE ION ROAD | MUMBAII ? 16.93 lakh •20.06 lakh v'16.03 lakh /16^7 lakh 17.04 lakh

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01 SERVO WORLD-CLASS LUBRICANTS


more often. Top speed also takes a hit and it's the Terrano with the longer gear ratios that boasts a higher top speed.

The 2.2-litre mHawk engine in the XUV500 is a refined and quiet unit. 140PS and 33oNm of torque even makes it the most powerful motor in this test. But the Mahindra weighs almost 700 to 800 kilograms more than the rest. It still is pretty quick for its size and impressive on the highway. The 2015 update has improved drive-ability at lower speeds and one can feel it, especially in town. It is a lot more responsive and is in fact better suited to drive around in heavy traffic than the S-Cross and Duster/Terrano. Turbo lag isn't a concern and the clutch isn't as heavy. The gearbox though is still crude to operate and doesn't go well with the refined motor. Overall fuel efficiency of i3.ikmpl is the least of all but total range is as good as the rest thanks to a larger fuel tank.

RIDE AND HANDLING The Duster AWD and the XUV500 are the only SUVs here that offer fully-independent rear suspension. However, the Duster AWD makes better use of the suspension. The Mahindra is happy only on a smooth highway. In fact, the Terrano that uses a torsion beam setup like the regular Duster is better at gliding over potholes and rough sections. Where do the Creta and S-Cross fit then? The Hyundai is as good as the Duster and Terrano but since the suspension setup is softer, it rides better at slower speeds. The S-Cross is set up more towards the firmer side and though it doesn't ride as well, it's balanced well.

In terms of handling, the Duster and Terrano are still the most involving to drive. The steering is most precise despite the strong kickback especially over undulated surfaces. High-speed stability is spot on while braking is impressive. The Creta's steering is light and good at slower speeds but as speeds rise, the feedback that one expects is missing. There is more body roll too and it isn't well planted at high speeds. Since the S-Cross is the successor to the SX4 internationally, one expects the car to shine in terms of dynamics. However, the electric steering isn't as direct and at higher speeds

the chassis doesn't feel well balanced. Body roll is, however, controlled and braking is good. The XUV500 feels heavy around corners and displays the most body roll. High-speed stability is better when the vehicle is fully loaded.

CONCLUSION While every model you see here is available in various trims, we decided to compare the top-end models. The XUV500 and Renault Duster you see here are both AWD variants. While both aren't hardcore off-roaders, the system still lets one venture out into terrain where the others wouldn't. Priced at ^20.06 lakh, on-road, Mumbai, the XUV500 is also the most expensive of the lot. It is ?3 lakh more than the Duster AWD but offers two more seats, a lot more space and extra comfort features including a sunroof, electric driver's seat, projector headlamps and leather seats. But if these add-ons aren't really important to you, the Duster AWD is the better choice and is a more capable off-roader too. It also makes sense over a Terrano as it gets more features and AWD for a premium of just ^75,000. The lop-end Creta is priced at ^16.93 lakh, that's about ?io,ooo less than the Duster AWD. The S-Cross at ?I6.03 lakh is the most affordable of the lot but it's also overpriced as it is essentially a large hatchback. The Suzuki is feature loaded and the 1.6-diesel is impressive but the Hyundai is a real SUV that offers a lot more features and a better die-sel for a small premium.

This battle then, eventually boils down to the Creta and Duster AWD. The Renault is ideal for those looking for proven SUV credentials and good dynamics, but that's where its advantages end. The Creta offers so much more. This Hyundai features better styling - both inside and out. interior quality is a class above the rest, the diesel engine offers excellent performance and refinement. Not to mention, the long list of comfort and safety features that are offered as standard equipment.

What this unmistakably indicates is that Hyundai may have entered this segment in India only recently but the Creta takes it right to the top. ED

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