Maruti, Hyundai Launch Compact SUVs in Indian Market

MUMBAI – India’s two largest automakers, Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai, are jumping into the increasingly competitive compact SUV segment.

The Hyundai Creta and Maruti S-Cross, both of which launch in July, are spacious, offer upmarket, car-like features and good driving dynamics.

The Creta isn’t Hyundai’s first entry into the compact SUV market. The automaker 11 years ago introduced the Tucson, which many considered a minibus and failed to gain acceptance with a Rs1.4 million ($21,875) price tag.

The Creta, with dimensions similar to those of the Hyundai ix25 on sale only in China, is the automaker’s first low-cost compact SUV for the Indian market. Its starting price is Rs800,000 ($12,500) and tops out at Rs1.2 million ($18,750).

“Highly aggressive pricing is expected to make Creta a formidable model in India,” says Rakesh Srivastava, senior vice president.

The Creta is 168.1 ins. (4,270 mm) long and ineligible for the tax break granted to vehicles 157.5 ins. (4,000 mm) in length but, combined with a wide floor, the 5-seater offers generous headroom and legroom.

Maruti’s S-Cross, also a 5-seater, has a 6-speed manual transmission linked to a Fiat-sourced 1.6L diesel engine making 118 hp. It will be sold only through Maruti’s new Nexa premium outlets along with two other premium vehicles, the YBA compact SUV and YRA hatchback.

The Creta and S-Cross join a segment whose top sellers currently are the Mahindra Scorpio and Ford EcoSport. Other compact SUVs on the Indian market include the Renault Duster, Nissan Terrano and Mazda CX-3.