Suzuki S-Cross vs Mahindra XUV500

What's the difference?

VS
Suzuki S-Cross
Suzuki S-Cross

$26,989 - $41,990

2024 price

Mahindra XUV500
Mahindra XUV500

2018 price

Summary

2024 Suzuki S-Cross
2018 Mahindra XUV500
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Turbo 4, 1.4L

Diesel Turbo 4, 2.2L
Fuel Type
-

Diesel
Fuel Efficiency
6.2L/100km (combined)

6.7L/100km (combined)
Seating
5

7
Dislikes
  • High prices
  • Dated design
  • Needs 95 RON premium unleaded

  • Underwhelming safety
  • Steering that requires plenty of guesswork
  • Cheap-feeling interior
2024 Suzuki S-Cross Summary

Would you consider a European-made small SUV with a terrific turbo engine from one of our all-time favourite hot hatches, a reliable torque-converter auto, ample room for five plus luggage, and all from under $40K?

You’d be at the very least a bit curious, right?

Behold the latest Suzuki S-Cross! Okay. It’s been around the sun nearly a dozen times. And you can clock its age in a couple of key areas.

But this crossover from the class of 2013 is not even close to being the oldest-in-show (stand up, Mitsubishi ASX). And, as our testing revealed, the S-Cross can still teach far newer rivals like the Kia Seltos, Mazda CX-30, Haval Jolion and Subaru Crosstrek a thing or two.

Because thoughtful design is timeless. Time, then, to crack open the S-Cross.

View full pricing & specs
Interested in a Suzuki S-Cross?
2018 Mahindra XUV500 Summary

Just in case attacking Australia's crowded SUV market with a virtually unheard of Indian brand wasn't a high enough hurdle to leap over, Mahindra had made its task even harder - think a Bollywood version of Mission Impossible - by launching its XUV500 SUV here with a diesel engine (which nobody wanted) and a manual gearbox (which few could even remember how to use). 

Fortunately, it fixed one of those issues late in 2016, finally adding an automatic transmission to the line-up. And now, at long last, it's fixed the other.

This, then, is the petrol-powered XUV500 SUV. And, on paper at least, it's the most sense-making Mahindra to date. 

For one, it's a ferociously cheap way into a new seven-seat SUV. For another, it's pretty well equipped, even from the base level. There's a long warranty, an equally long roadside assistance offering, and there's capped-price servicing, too. 

So, should the mainstream SUV players be looking over their shoulders?

Spoiler alert: no.

View full pricing & specs
Interested in a Mahindra XUV500?

Deep dive comparison

2024 Suzuki S-Cross 2018 Mahindra XUV500

Change vehicle