Maruti S-Cross Axed As Grand Vitara Takes On The Mantle Of Flagship

• The S-Cross has been on sale since 2015, but has now been axed. 

• It’s been replaced by the new Grand Vitara that’s a proper compact SUV.  

• The S-Cross missed out on premium features that the competition already provided. 

• A new Baleno-based SUV in the works will slot below the Grand Vitara. 

Following the Grand Vitara’s price announcement, Maruti has taken the S-Cross off its official NEXA website. Now, the larger and better equipped 2022 Grand Vitara has taken its place as the new flagship SUV in the marque’s lineup in India.

Why was the S-Cross discontinued? 

The S-Cross had existed in India since 2015 as Maruti’s then flagship SUV. Initially, it was offered with 1.6-litre and 1.3-litre turbodiesel engines; the former version is still an enthusiast’s favourite. But this powertrain option was short-lived due to dismal sales and the S-Cross later continued with the 1.3-litre diesel unit.

Also, the styling of the car back then was deemed as a large hatchback instead of a crossover. Maruti later rectified that with a facelift that added more muscle to the crossover’s design.

In 2020, during the switch to BS6, Maruti swapped out the tiny diesel motor for a quiet and refined (but less torquey) 1.5-litre petrol engine and added some much needed feature updates.

Unfortunately, the competition had already grown strong with the introduction of SUVs such as the Kia Seltos and Hyundai Creta that offered better equipment levels. Besides, in 2021, Suzuki replaced the S-Cross with a new generation SUV in overseas markets, while the India-spec version remained unchanged.

Amid rising competition and with the S-Cross getting a bit long in the tooth, its sales suffered, especially with more and newer compact SUVs being made available in the market by rival brands.

• Next-Generation Suzuki S-Cross: All Details In 10 Images

Now, Maruti has come up with an all-new SUV, the 2022 Grand Vitara, to woo buyers with better features, proper compact SUV-like styling and stellar fuel economy. It gets the latest generation 1.5-litre K-series engine alongside a new Toyota-developed strong-hybrid drivetrain option. 

New Baleno-based SUV in the works 

We are sad to see the S-Cross go, but there’s good news for those looking for a less expensive family Maruti SUV than the Grand Vitara (the Brezza already provides a lower entry-point for Maruti SUVs). An upcoming Baleno-based SUV is in the pipeline and it has been spied on public roads on multiple occasions.  

Maruti Baleno hatchback interior for representational purpose

We expect it’ll have similar equipment levels as the Baleno, with a nine-inch touchscreen, six airbags and 360-degree camera. It could even bring back Maruti’s peppy 1-litre Boosterjet turbo-petrol engine and will be retained through Maruti’s NEXA chain of dealerships.

Also read: 

• New Maruti Baleno-based Crossover SUV Spied With Grand Vitara-inspired Styling

• Maruti Suzuki To Discontinue S-Cross To Pave Way For Upcoming Hyryder-based Grand Vitara

The S-Cross will be missed, but on the bright side, Maruti has a lot more up its sleeve, including the new Jimny five-door that’s set to arrive in early 2023.