Best SUVs Under 50 Lakh in India

When you think about SUVs, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Are you looking for a high-riding vehicle that can tackle all kinds of roads and keep you comfortable while doing so, or do you prefer the road less taken and actually intend to use your SUV off-road? No matter which side of the coin you fall on, picking the right SUV for your needs can be a bit challenging with the plethora of options that are present in the market today.

Then, there are some people who want to indulge in a bit of both as well, and so, to put an end to which SUV would be better for you, we have put together a list of the 7 best SUVs that have an ex-showroom price tag of under Rs. 50 lakh.

Toyota Fortuner/Legender

The Toyota Fortuner is an age-old name in the Indian car market. The current generation Fortuner is available in two avatars – the regular Fortuner and the Legender. The basic difference comes down to aesthetics and features, and underneath, the two are pretty much the same. Toyota offers the Fortuner with a petrol engine as well, but the preferred choice is the highly potent diesel engine. Both engines can be had with manual or automatic transmissions, however, the 4×4 hardware is reserved only for the diesel model. The Fortuner can then do the urban grind really well. However, if you are someone who loves exploring the 4×4 potential of SUVs, the Fortuner, once again makes a case for itself. Just in its 4×2 avatar, the Fortuner is capable of taking over most terrain, but with the 4×4 hardware, it becomes a great overlanding vehicle. It then is a great SUV under Rs. 50 lakh that can pretty much do it all. Although the top-end variant of the Fortuner is priced slightly over Rs. 50 lakh, the base variants start from as low as Rs. 33 lakh.

Toyota Fortuner/Legender Specifications

• Engine: 2.7 litre petrol, 2.8 litre diesel
• Transmission: 5 speed MT, 6 speed MT, 6 speed AT
• Mileage: NA
• Airbags: Seven
• Fuel Type: Petrol, Diesel
• Seating Capacity: 7
• Body Type: SUV

MG Gloster

The MG Gloster is the current halo product of MG Motor in India and one step inside its cabin shows the premium attention on offer. The Gloster’s cabin is littered with premium materials and houses big spacious captain seats with a load of room to spare. It makes a great case in the tech department as well, with modern amenities, such as a 64 colour-palette ambient lighting setup, a 360 degree camera, and an air purifier present onboard. What really stands out though is the ride quality of the MG Gloster. It is super comfortable at slow speeds but once you pick up the pace, it holds steady. Both of these things make it a great car for both city and highway journeys. When it comes to picking the powertrain, MG offers two diesel engines, the difference being an additional turbo in the second engine. The latter is quite powerful and responsive, and simply a hoot to drive. The former feels adequate for an SUV of its size. There is 4×4 hardware on offer as well with the more powerful diesel engine, which works well in low traction areas, especially snow. The one thing that doesn’t go in the favour of the MG Gloster, if you are into off-roading, is that it has quite a long wheelbase, which is not so desirable in off-road situations.

MG Gloster Specifications

• Engine: 2.0 litre diesel, 2.0 litre twin-turbo diesel
• Transmission: 8 speed AT
• Mileage: NA
• Airbags: Six
• Fuel Type: Diesel
• Seating Capacity: 6 – 7
• Body Type: SUV

Citroen C5 Aircross

The C5 Aircross is unlike any other SUV you will see at this price point, but then, Citroen is unlike any other manufacturer too. The C5 Aircross immediately stands out for its chic design. It’s unlike anything else, and is in fact a departure from the big boxy SUVs that mostly dominate the headlines. Citroen offers the pairing of a powerful 2.0 litre diesel engine with a torque converter automatic and if comfort is what you are after, it is a match made in heaven. This pairing perfectly compliments the ride quality of the C5 Aircross, which is amongst the softest in the segment. The C5 Aircross is decked out with all the essentials like a 10-inch touchscreen and wireless smartphone charging. However, when you compare it to cars in its class, it does miss out on bits like a 360 degree camera and ventilated seats. It also misses out on 4×4 hardware, although it does offer the most ground clearance of any other car on this list.

Citroen C5 Aircross Specifications

• Engine: 2.0 litre diesel
• Transmission: 8 speed AT
• Mileage: NA
• Airbags: Six
• Fuel Type: Diesel
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: SUV

Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda’s name is an established one in the Indian market, be it for their sedans or SUVs. The Kodiaq is simply another example of a well-crafted Skoda vehicle. In its latest avatar, Skoda only sells it with a petrol engine in the Indian market. There is a 7-speed dual clutch transmission on offer along with AWD tech as well, standard on all variants of the Kodiaq. While it looks like a typical Skoda on the outside, on the inside, the cabin is quite practical and comfortable. A particular highlight is the nap package feature which lets passengers enjoy a sleep in their seats without their heads rolling from side to side while being driven. While the performance is spirited, the Kodiaq misses the punch that only a diesel engine could bring. However, it swaps that out for high levels of refinement. When it comes to off-roading, the Kodiaq is a bit of a soft-roader. Its AWD system is quite capable at shifting power to the wheel that has the most grip, but its size, lower ground clearance, and lack of protection around the lower edges means it is not very comfortable off-road. The Kodiaq is then mostly suited to those who want the big, refined SUV experience.

Skoda Kodiaq Specifications

• Engine: 2.0 litre turbo-petrol
• Transmission: 7-speed DCT
• Mileage: 13.32 km/l
• Airbags: Nine
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Seating Capacity: Seven
• Body Type: SUV

Hyundai Tucson

The Hyundai Tucson has the distinction of being the least expensive SUV on this list, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have the ability to impress. Right from the get go, its exterior design stands out in a sea of boxy SUVs. Following Hyundai’s global design language, the Tucson looks futuristic. Being a Hyundai, it is loaded to the gills with features such as ADAS among others. The cabin is done up using both light and dark materials and projects a spacious ambience. The ride quality is soft and it soaks up most of the stuff that Indian roads throw at you. The petrol engine is sedate and refined, although if its performance you are after, you will be better left looking at the diesel. Both engines only get the option of an automatic transmission, and the 4WD setup is reserved for the diesel engine. Hyundai’s 4WD technology works pretty well with the standard tyres installed on the SUV, although the suspension is a bit too soft for any proper off-roading.

Hyundai Tucson Specifications

• Engine: 2.0 litre petrol, 2.0 litre diesel
• Transmission: 8 speed AT
• Mileage: NA
• Airbags: Six
• Fuel Type: Petrol, Diesel
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: SUV

Jeep Meridian

The Jeep brand is known for making renowned SUVs, and the Meridian is their way of pleasing markets such as India and South America. An extension of the Compass already sold in India, the Meridian is a three-row SUV that packs in equal amounts of practicality and a go-anywhere attitude. The cabin feels more spacious than the proportions would suggest, especially in the third row. The cabin also feels pretty special with a handsome use of premium materials everywhere within an arm’s reach. As for the engine, the trusted 2.0 litre from the Compass makes its way into the Meridian as well. There is a manual transmission version with base variant of the Meridian, but everything from there on comes an automatic. The 4×4 setup is reserved for the higher variants of the SUV. It can take on rough trails and go over serious obstacles too, but beyond a point, the 2.0 litre engine starts to struggle with the Meridian’s additional weight.

Jeep Meridian Specifications

• Engine: 2.0 litre diesel
• Transmission: 9 speed AT
• Mileage: NA
• Airbags: Six
• Fuel Type: Diesel
• Seating Capacity: 7
• Body Type: SUV

BMW X1

There was a time when premium luxury SUVs would be a dime a dozen under the Rs. 50 lakh mark, but that is all in the history books now. One of the few SUVs still worth their weight in salt within this budget is the BMW X1. To be fair enough, it is only the petrol variant of the X1 that is just south of the 50 lakh mark. The diesel version, which has all the same features, is a couple of lakhs above it. However, it is within reasonable range, and therefore we have decided to include it on the list. As for the performance itself, the driving dynamics are as surefooted as one can expect from BMW’s. The steering feels sharp, and despite its SUV-like nature, the body feels agile. As for the petrol engine, it’s got enough to get you excited but doesn’t really offer strong doses of adrenaline. The diesel solves that problem, and is actually the variant to buy. The BMW X1 also doesn’t get an AWD system, and its  ground clearance at 183 mm is also the lowest of any other car on this list. It is not great at off-roading, and in fact is the least spacious as well as it is the smallest of the lot. It however offers a great ride quality, the driving pleasure is next to none, and there is the badge value as well.

BMW X1 Specifications

• Engine: 1.5 litre turbo-petrol, 2.0 litre diesel
• Transmission: 7 speed DCT
• Mileage: 16.35 – 20.37 km/l
• Airbags: Six
• Fuel Type: Petrol, Diesel
• Seating Capacity: 5
• Body Type: SUV

7 Best SUVs under Rs. 50 Lakh Summary

Picking the right SUV under Rs. 50 lakh comes down to purpose. There are great options in this range. Some of them are super focused towards their purpose whereas others come across as jack of all trades. A simple way of figuring out the best car for yourself is to put yourself on the same scale, and see how much of a car’s ability will you be able to use over its lifetime. Once you do that, all you have to do is pair it with the right SUV.