Best SUVs under 10 lakh in India

Love them or hate them, compact and subcompact SUVs offer the most value for your money. You essentially get a practical and relatively tall-riding car instead of a low-slung sedan or a small hatchback. This translates to more cabin room, boot space and a tall-seating position, all of these welcome additions in a family car. These advantages combined with the versatility and bad-road usability makes SUVs the most preferred body style in India. This also means there are far too many options for your budget. Let’s say you want an SUV under Rs. 10 lakh in India. There are sub-4m SUVs from every other car maker in India making this process even more complicated. 

The term SUV is something that carmakers use religiously in India. So crossovers also come under the SUV umbrella. Keeping that in mind, here are some of the best SUVs money can buy today in no particular order.

Overview

Tata Punch

Tata’s attempt to tap into the nascent mini SUV segment materialised as the Punch. It is a small SUV/crossover based on the same platform as the Altroz. However, the Punch follows a different path, and combines a tall stance with rugged styling cues for the SUV looks. It is powered by a 1.2-litre Revotron petrol engine that develops 86 PS and 113 Nm of torque mated to either a 5-speed manual or an AMT gearbox. The Punch is an impressive product from Tata’s portfolio as it looks butch despite its small footprint, with a cabin that also follows the same theme. For families with a hatchback budget looking for something a bit more practical, the Punch delivers. Offered in 4 variants, this mini SUV is priced between Rs. 6.00 Lakh and Rs. 10.10 Lakh (ex-showroom). 

Tata Punch Specifications

• Engine: 1.2-litre petrol
• Transmission: 5-speed manual/AMT
• Airbags: 2
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Seating Capacity: 5

Hyundai Exter

The Tata Punch’s only direct rival, the Exter, is Hyundai’s take on the mini SUV segment. Based on the Grand i10 Nios, the Exter uses clever design elements to mask its hatchback underpinnings. Offered in 4 variants and priced from Rs  6.13 Lakh – Rs. 10.28 Lakh, the Exter is identical to the Punch in terms of positioning and price. However, you get to choose between two engine options: a 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol motor with 84 PS and 114 Nm or a CNG version that uses the same engine developing 68 PS and 95 Nm. Gearbox options include a 5-speed manual or an AMT. Crowned the Indian Car Of The Year, the Hyundai Exter has got some interesting tech and features a spacious cabin. 

Hyundai Exter Specifications

• Engine: 1.2-litre Kappa petrol, 1.2-litre petrol
• Transmission: 5-speed manual, AMT
• Airbags: 6
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Seating Capacity: 5

Citroen C3

The Citroen C3 is a well-engineered mini SUV/crossover (as Citroen calls it) with the best ride and handling in its segment. It also features a punchy 1.2-litre turbocharged unit (110 PS / 190 Nm) along with a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated version as well. However, the C3 misses out on some crucial features which work against it. Citroen is struggling to push numbers and the C3 has the least market share in its segment. The lack of an automatic gearbox is one of the reasons for its limited popularity. All said and done, if you want the best handling and driving crossover in India, the Citroen C3 remains the benchmark. It is also funky and offers more space than we expect. 

Citroen C3 Specifications

• Engine: 1.2-litre petrol, 1.2-litre turbo petrol
• Transmission: 5-speed manual
• Airbags: 2
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Seating Capacity: 5

Nissan Magnite

Offering exceptional value for your money is the Nissan Magnite that stands apart from the Tata Punch and the Hyundai Exter, with more size and presence at the same price point. Currently, the only offering from the Japanese giant, the Magnite, is available in different special editions and is offered with two engine options. The first is a 1.0-litre engine offering 72 PS and 96 Nm and a 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine developing an impressive 100 PS and 152 Nm. Gearbox options include a 5-speed manual or a CVT. This Nissan offers great value, but buyers should consider Nissan’s comparatively limited dealer and service network before taking the plunge. 

Nissan Magnite Specifications

• Engine: 1.0-litre petrol, 1.0-litre turbo petrol
• Transmission: 5-speed manual, CVT
• Airbags: 2
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Seating Capacity: 5

Renault Kiger

The Renault Kiger is Nissan Magnite’s non-identical sibling and it carries forward all the promising traits of the latter. It features the same two engine options: a 1.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine (72 PS and 96 Nm) and the 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine (100PS/160Nm) mated to either a 5-speed manual or an AMT for urban use. The Renault Kiger adds flair to the package while building up on the space and practicality. There are some features missing, but for what Renault’s asking, the Kiger is adequately loaded and a great option for SUV buyers on a tight budget. 

Renault Kiger Specifications

• Engine: 1.0-litre petrol, 1.0-litre turbo petrol
• Transmission: 5-speed manual, CVT
• Airbags: 2
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Seating Capacity: 5

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

The ever-so-popular Maruti Suzuki’s latest avatar ushers in a novel design language that is a far-cry from its predecessor. Although a hit or a miss design, it seems to still hold on to the title of one of the best-selling SUVs in India. Maruti Suzuki has kept the basics simple and delivered a compact SUV that does everything well and nothing more. It is powered by the 1.5-litre K12C petrol engine which puts out 105 PS and 138 Nm of torque. Gearbox options include a 6-speed manual or an automatic. Maruti Suzuki’s proven track record, reliability and unbeatable dealer network are some of the pros, while you also get a feature-loaded SUV that is hard to fault. 

Maruti Suzuki Brezza Specifications

• Engine: 1.5-litre petrol engine
• Transmission:6-speed automatic, 6-speed manual
• Airbags: 6
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Seating Capacity: 5

Hyundai Venue

Hyundai Venue is currently the 9th best-selling car in India and that says a lot. This Hyundai has been a runaway hit for the brand as it is a sub-4m SUV with an impressive features list. It is powered by three engine options including a turbo petrol along with not one or two, but 3 gearbox options. The 2024 Venue is priced from Rs. 7.94 lakh to Rs. 13.44 lakh (ex-showroom). This means the lower and mid-spec variants are only available under the Rs. 10 lakh budget. In this day where diesels are disappearing, the Venue stands out as one of the rare few that also come with a punchy diesel engine to munch miles effortlessly. 

Hyundai Venue Specifications

• Engine: 1.5-litre diesel, 1.5-litre petrol engine, 1.0-litre turbo petrol
• Transmission: 5-speed manual, 6-speed manual, 7-speed DCT
• Airbags: 6
• Fuel Type: Diesel/Petrol
• Seating Capacity: 5

Tata Nexon

The Tata Nexon followed right after Ford tasted success with the EcoSport. As we all know, Ford and the EcoSport is long gone, but the Tata soldiered on to become the best-selling car in India. In December 2023,Tata sold over 15,000 units of the Nexon, serving as a testament to its abilities. With the latest facelift, Tata has upped the game with contemporary styling, features, and packaged everything with great pricing. There are two engine options: 1.2-litre turbo petrol and 1.5-litre diesel engine mated to 5-speed manual, 6-speed manual/AMT and a 7-speed DCT option. Minus the quality niggles and some uneven fit and finish, the Nexon is a great SUV and currently the benchmark in terms of market share.

Tata Nexon Specifications

• Engine: 1.5-litre diesel, 1.2-litre turbo petrol
• Transmission: 5-speed manual, 6-speed manual/AMT, 7-speed DCT
• Airbags: 6
• Fuel Type: Diesel/Petrol
• Seating Capacity: 5

Kia Sonet

The Sonet is Kia’s version of the Venue and it is the most premium compact SUV by a good margin. Just like other Kia models, the Sonet’s USP is the comprehensive list of features. Everything from ADAS to ventilated seats are on offer, and if you really want the most feature-loaded SUV, the Sonet is hard to beat. It is powered by the same engine options as the Venue, but the Sonet looks and feels premium than all of its competition. All of this also comes at a price as the range-topping Sonet variants are priced around Rs 16 lakhs (ex-showroom) making it grossly expensive in comparison. The base variants are priced reasonably and for under Rs 10 lakhs, these variants do offer some value. 

Kia Sonet Specifications

• Engine: 1.5-litre diesel, 1.5-litre petrol engine, 1.0-litre turbo petrol
• Transmission: 5-speed manual, 6-speed manual, 7-speed DCT
• Airbags: 6
• Fuel Type: Diesel/Petrol
• Seating Capacity: 5

Mahindra XUV300 

The Mahindra XUV300 is the least popular compact SUV from this bunch. Dated cabin design and low boot space did not help its case. However, Mahindra is planning to bounce back with a facelift that aims to fix things. At present, the SUV comes with three engines: a 1.2-litre turbo petrol, 1.5-litre diesel and a punchy 130 PS 1.2-litre TGDI engine. Another miss in the XUV300 is the lack of a proper automatic gearbox as Mahindra only offers an AMT at the moment. If you like to stand out from the usual crop of compact SUVs, the XUV300 is a great option. 

Mahindra XUV300 Specifications

• Engine: 1.5-litre diesel, 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine, 1.2-litre turbo petrol TGDI
• Transmission: 6-speed manual/AMT
• Airbags: 6
• Fuel Type: Diesel/Petrol
• Seating Capacity: 5

Summary

There’s quite literally an SUV for everyone under Rs 10 lakh in India. Thanks to a variety of options, a buyer will most likely find exactly what they want. If you prefer a safe option, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza or the Tata Nexon would be a good bet, also considering their popularity. If features are your thing, the Hyundai Venue and the Kia Sonet are sure to impress. But if you are on a shoestring budget, the Tata Punch and the Hyundai Exter deliver in dollops. But striking a perfect middle-ground between all of these SUVs are the Renult Kiger and the Nissan Magnite. These two SUVs offer unbeatable value while also offering potent engines, good ride and handling and all the features that you need in a car today. So, which brand’s dealership do you fancy visiting?  

Which is the most-affordable SUV under 10 lakh for city use?

The Tata Punch, Nissan Magnite and the Renault Kiger are the most affordable SUVs under 10 lakh in India.

Which is the most feature-loaded SUV under 10 lakh in India?

The Kia Sonet is the most feature loaded SUV under 10 lakh in India.

Which is the safest SUV under 10 lakh in India?

The Tata Nexon is the safest SUV with 5-star GNCAP crash test rating.