BHPian advenk999 recently shared this with other enthusiasts:SUZUKI GLOBAL TECT C-PLATFORM YET TWO VERY DIFFERENT CARS While both cars are underpinned by Suzuki’s Global C (TECT) platform-also used in the international Vitara and the first-gen Brezza-they feel surprisingly different from behind the wheel. The platform is fundamentally solid, offering a rigid monocoque chassis with good crash safety and decent handling potential. But the way these two cars are tuned results in vastly different driving experiences.1) The SCROSS : An underrated championThe S-Cross carries a distinctly European flavour in the way it drives. Its suspension is on the firmer side, which means you do feel the sharper edges and surface imperfections at low speeds. But once you hit highway speeds, the S-Cross feels rock-solid. There’s barely any vertical movement, and the body control is tight. Expansion joints, undulations, and high-speed curves are all handled with composure. The chassis feels planted and inspires confidence even at triple-digit speeds. It’s one of those rare Marutis that you can truly enjoy on long expressway runs. 2) The HYRYDER: A no-nonsense, practical Hybrid CrossoverThe Hyryder, on the other hand, is tuned for comfort above all else. It rides beautifully at city speeds-soaking up potholes, rough patches, and speed breakers far better than the S-Cross. The softer suspension setup, especially at the rear, paired with the near-silent EV mode in traffic, makes it an incredibly relaxed urban cruiser. However, this comfort bias begins to show its compromise as speeds increase. At 100+ km/h, you start to notice a bit of floatiness and rear-end vertical movement over long-wave undulations, especially when the car is loaded. It’s never unnerving, one doesn’t really notice it but owning both cars, you know that minor difference. Steering :The difference in steering feel is also quite pronounced. The S-Cross has surprisingly good steering for a Maruti which is relatively heavier than the Hyryder. It’s light (heavier than HY) at parking speeds but gains weight progressively and offers decent feedback once you’re cruising. There’s a good sense of on-center stability, and the car responds predictably to quick lane changes or corners. The Hyryder’s steering, by contrast, is tuned for ease and comfort. It’s feather-light in the city and effortless to maneuver, but at higher speeds it feels vague and disconnected. Although this is a direct steering, there’s a noticeable dead zone around the center, and it doesn’t offer the same assurance as the S-Cross when pushing through curves. Though heavier than its counterparts, the heft is not as much as the Cross which feels more reassuring. The Hyryder is a much easier car to drive though with a lower turning radius. Ride and Handling: Around bends, the S-Cross again feels more sorted. With a lower kerb weight (around 1150 kg) and firmer suspension, it remains flat and composed through corners. The Hyryder, which weighs close to 1275 kg in hybrid form, rolls more noticeably and prefers a relaxed pace. You can hustle the S-Cross a bit and it rewards you with predictable handling. The Hyryder prefers that you drive it gently-it’s smooth, but not sporty. The Scross can dart and its lower ground clearance (180mm vs 215mm) definitely adds to the handling advantage. Braking:Braking also feels more natural in the S-Cross. Its conventional braking setup is linear and confidence-inspiring. The Hyryder uses regenerative braking, and while it works well once you’re used to it, the pedal feel can be inconsistent-especially in traffic or during sudden braking. It sometimes feels grabby at low speeds and mushy at higher ones. Powertrains: The powertrain characteristics reflect their philosophies. The S-Cross uses a 1.5L naturally aspirated petrol engine (K15B) paired to a 4-speed torque converter. It’s old-school but reliable. Throttle response is predictable and linear, and the gearbox, while dated, shifts smoothly. At 100 km/h, the S-Cross sits at around 2300-2400 rpm, and holds 120 km/h at about 2800 rpm. It’s not a quick car, but it’s consistent and has a mechanical, connected feel that’s easy to get used to. The Hyryder’s hybrid setup is an entirely different experience. In the city, it runs fully electric up to around 40-45 km/h with a light foot. It’s eerily quiet and vibration-free in traffic, and the e-CVT makes acceleration seamless. On the highway, it cruises at 100 km/h at just 1500-1600 rpm, and even at 120 km/h, stays under 1900 rpm, making it feel relaxed and unhurried. But when you demand a sudden burst of speed, the engine whines and the e-CVT’s rubber-band effect becomes evident. The car picks up well in Normal and Sport mode, but it does come with its drawbacks of being noisy with the Petrol engine coming in play. It’s clearly tuned for efficiency over performance though there is nothing to complain about in terms of performance. Efficiency: Speaking of efficiency, this is where the Hyryder truly shines. In our usage, the Hyryder consistently returns 20-23 km/l, especially in mixed city-highway driving. The S-Cross, in comparison, delivers around 13-14 km/l on the highway and 10-11 km/l in city conditions. For someone with regular long commutes, the hybrid starts making financial sense quite early in the ownership cycle. To sum it up, while the S-Cross and Hyryder share the same underlying platform, they cater to different driving styles. The S-Cross feels more involving-firmer suspension, better steering feel, and more high-speed stability. It’s not quick or flashy, but it feels reassuring on long drives and twisty roads. The Hyryder is for those who value comfort, silence, and exceptional fuel efficiency. It’s effortless to drive in traffic, soaks up bumps beautifully, and sips fuel like nothing else in its segment. In our garage, the S-Cross remains the preferred car for leisure long road trips and spirited highway runs, while the Hyryder is the go-to car for daily city commutes and highway work trips considering the cost factor. Same bones, very different souls. Both the Japs in pictures : Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.
