Compact SUVs in India are the most hotly contested segment in our country. With their high ground clearance for our bad roads, extensive feature lists, and comfortable cabins, it makes sense why people and carmakers choose to focus so much on this. Moreover, with the huge demand, there comes a huge supply: there are currently over 15 compact SUVs sold in India starting at just over Rs. 6 lakh! It becomes difficult to choose one out of so many tempting options, and thus, we have picked the latest cream of the crop for you.
Car | Fuel Economy | Ex-showroom price |
Nissan Magnite | 18.75-20 kmpl | Rs. 6.00 to 11.02 Lakh |
Tata Punch | 18.8-20 kmpl | Rs. 6.00 to 9.52 Lakh |
Renault Kiger | 18.2-19.45 kmpl | Rs. 6.50 to 11.23 Lakh |
Maruti Suzuki Fronx | 20.01-22.89 kmpl | Rs. 7.46 to 13.13 Lakh |
Hyundai Venue | 17.5-23.4 kmpl | Rs. 7.77 to 13.18 Lakh |
Kia Sonet | 18.4 kmpl | Rs. 7.79 to 14.89 Lakh |
Tata Nexon | 17.33-24 kmpl | Rs. 8.00 to 14.60 Lakh |
Maruti Suzuki Brezza | 17.3-19.8 kmpl | Rs. 8.29 to 14.14 Lakh |
Mahindra Bolero Neo | 16.8 kmpl | Rs. 9.63 to 12.14 Lakh |
Mahindra XUV300 | 15.8-18.4 kmpl | Rs. 8.41 to 14.60 Lakh |
Nissan Magnite
In India, the Nissan Magnite has been the brand’s most popular vehicle ever made. The Japanese compact SUV, like its twin, the Kiger, is one of the safest compact SUVs with a 4-star Global NCAP safety rating. The strength of Magnite rests in its aggressive pricing. Additionally, it provides you with a tempting selection of upscale features and a distinctive Japanese premium ride experience. Two engine choices are available for the stylish small SUV. A 1.0L petrol engine comes with a 5-speed manual gearbox, and a 1.0L petrol turbocharged engine is available with either a 5-speed manual or CVT automatic transmission.
Nissan Magnite Key Specs:
- Engine: 1.0-litre petrol and 1.0-litre turbo petrol
- Power: 72 PS and 100 PS (Turbo)
- Transmission: 5-speed Manual and CVT
- Fuel Efficiency: 18.75 kmpl and 20 kmpl (Turbo)
- Fuel Type: Petrol
- Seating Capacity: 5
Tata Punch
Being one of the safest cars in India, the Punch already has a strong reason to be one of the top contenders in the prospective list of compact SUVs for any buyer. Adding to this is the macho looks of the car, and the huge 190 mm ground clearance. Despite its tiny dimensions, which are comparable to that of a Hyundai Grand i10 Nios, the Punch manages to look and feel like a robust SUV, from both the outside and the inside. Adding to this is the abundance of trims available for the Tata Punch, and the sheer number of engine-gearbox configuration options means that there is something for everyone.
Tata Punch Key Specs:
- Engine: 1.2-litre engine
- Power: 86 PS
- Transmission: 5-speed Manual and 5-speed Automatic
- Fuel Efficiency: 18.8 km/l
- Fuel Type: Petrol
- Seating Capacity: 5
Renault Kiger
Renault is a brand that likes to stay out of the limelight, and thus, not surprisingly, the Kiger doesn’t get the attention it deserves. The Kiger is one of the best compact SUVs you can get without having to compromise on the essentials. It looks well proportioned and balanced, gets a long list of amenities to play with, has a refined turbo engine, and gets a very reliable and trouble free automatic gearbox all packed under Rs. 10 lakh! Moreover, the French car has a decent safety rating of 4-stars in the Global NCAP
Renault Kiger Key Specs:
- Engine: 1.0-litre petrol and 1.0-litre turbo petrol
- Power: 72 PS and 100 PS (Turbo)
- Transmission: 5-speed manual and 5-speed Automatic and CVT
- Fuel Efficiency: 18.24 kmpl and 20.5 kmpl(Turbo)
- Fuel Type: Petrol
- Seating Capacity: 5
Maruti Suzuki Fronx
The Maruti Suzuki Fronx is the latest entrant in the brand’s line-up and the brand is optimistic that it would provide the boost it has craved for to dominate the compact SUV market. Based on the popular hatchback Baleno, the Maruti Fronx is Maruti Suzuki’s first compact coupe SUV for Maruti’s premium brand Nexa. The car’s design is quite appealing and has a load of features taken straight from the Baleno for a compact SUV in its price segment. It has an excellent fuel economy ARAI rated at 20.01 km per litre, and also has the option of an automatic.
Maruti Suzuki Fronx Key Specs:
- Engine: 1.0-litre Turbo and 1.2-litre petrol engine
- Power: 100 PS (Turbo) and 90 PS (NA)
- Transmission: 5-speed Manual, 5-speed AMT, 6-speed AT
- Fuel Efficiency: 20.02 to 22.89 kmpl
- Fuel Type: Petrol
- Seating Capacity: 5
Hyundai Venue
Hyundai has always been known for striking the right balance between everything: from comfort, to features, and the right design. The Hyundai Venue carries on this tradition well, and was recently given a minor facelift in 2023. While the new Venue is certainly more polarising to look at, it still fits in the perfect definition of being a jack of all trades. The compact SUV is good enough for handling potholes and huge speed breakers through its 195 mm ground clearance. The small SUV can comfortably fit five passengers and lull them to sleep with its comfy interior. Its driving experience is equally good and you can unleash all of its potential through its supple manoeuvrability and light steering.
Hyundai Venue Key Specs:
- Engine: 1.0-liter turbo petrol, 1.2-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel
- Power: 120 PS (1.0-litre), 83 PS(1.2-litre) and 116 PS (1.5-litre Diesel)
- Transmission: 5-speed manual, 6-speed manual and 7-speed (DCT) automatic
- Fuel Efficiency: 17.5 to 23.4 kmpl
- Fuel Type: Petrol and Diesel
- Seating Capacity: 5
Kia Sonet
The stunning Kia Sonet is the Korean automaker’s attempt to take on well-known rivals like the Tata Nexon, and can also be called as the baby Kia Seltos, since they share the same design language. The Kia Sonet delivers an incredible amount of features as with any Kia car and has the driving characteristics of a larger SUV. One of the Kia Sonet’s best selling attributes is its wide range of trims and engine choices. Three engines are included with the SUV. A 6-speed iMT and a 7-speed DCT are coupled with a 1-litre turbocharged petrol engine. A 5-speed manual gearbox is paired with a 1.2L petrol engine. An automatic or manual 6-speed gearbox is mated to a diesel engine.
Kia Sonet Key Specs:
- Engine: 1.0-litre turbo petrol, 1.2-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel
- Power: 120 PS (1.0-litre), 83 PS (1.2-litre) and 115 PS (1.5-litre)
- Transmission: 5 & 6-speed Manual and 6 & 7-speed Automatic
- Fuel Efficiency: 18.4 kmpl
- Fuel Type: Petrol and Diesel
- Seating Capacity: 5
Tata Nexon
The throne of the most popular compact SUV of all time would easily go to the Tata Nexon, a car that has ruled the sales charts for almost half a decade now! There are not many reasons to dislike the Tata Nexon, and it certainly feels like the perfect fit for anybody that isn’t too picky. The Tata Nexon, with its stunning yet imposing appeal, offers impeccable comfort and convenience in its spacious and feature-rich cabin. In addition to having a 5-star Global NCAP safety certification, the Nexon is a very value for money package. Moreover, it is also available in an EV avatar, which is also the best selling EV car in India.
Tata Nexon Key Specs:
- Engine: 1.2-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel
- Power: 88 PS (Petrol) & 84.5 PS (Diesel
- Transmission: 6-speed Manual and 6-speed AMT
- Fuel Efficiency: 17 kmpl (Petrol) & 24 kmpl (Diesel)
- Fuel Type: Petrol and Diesel
- Seating Capacity: 5
Maruti Suzuki Brezza
The Maruti Suzuki Brezza is another compact SUV that fits the definition of the best all round urban commuter. Facelifted in 2022, it was the first Maruti car ever to get a sunroof, an Indian favourite feature. The facelift made the car up-to-date with several new features and a re-designed exterior. The Maruti Brezza is powered by an upgraded 1.5L mild hybrid petrol engine with SHVS and comes with a choice of a 5-speed manual or 6-speed automatic gearbox. Additionally, the new powertrain offers better fuel economy, with manual versions getting 20.15 km/l and automatic versions getting 19.8 km/litre.
Maruti Suzuki Brezza Key Specs:
- Engine: 1.5-litre petrol
- Power: 103 PS
- Transmission: 5-speed Manual and 6-speed Automatic
- Fuel Efficiency: 19.8 kmpl
- Fuel Type: Petrol and CNG
- Seating Capacity: 5
Mahindra Bolero Neo
The Bolero nameplate is quite legendary on its own, and is a favourite in tier-2 and tier-3 cities where roads are almost non-existent. The ladder-frame chassis of the seven-seater is shared with the Scorpio and Thar, and rear-wheel drive equips it for challenging terrain. It has a boxy, old school look to it, but its recent makeover, now gives some modern (read: essential) touches. The 1.5L diesel engine from the TUV300 continues to provide 260 Nm of maximum torque and 100 horsepower of power. However, the Mahindra Bolero Neo only has a 5-speed manual gearbox and is devoid of a much needed automatic gearbox.
Mahindra Bolero Neo Key Specs:
- Engine: 1.5-liter diesel
- Power: 101 PS
- Transmission: 5-speed manual
- Fuel Efficiency: 16.8 kmpl
- Fuel Type: Diesel
- Seating Capacity: 7
Mahindra XUV300
The XUV300 is the Mahindra’s take on the compact SUV segment, directly rivalling the Tata Nexon. While the Nexon is an already established player in the car market, with the highest sales, the XUV300 from Mahindra scores well in many areas too. It is quite zippy to drive with a 0-60 km/hr time of an impressive 5 seconds and scores well on the safety test with a 5 stars Global NCAP rating.
Mahindra XUV300 Key Specs:
- Engine: 1.2-liter turbo petrol, 1.2-litre GDi turbo petrol and 1.5-liter diesel
- Power: 110 PS (1.2-liter), 130 PS (1.2-litre TGDi) and 116 PS (1.5-liter diesel)
- Transmission: 6-speed Manual/ 6-speed AMT
- Fuel Efficiency: 17 kmpl
- Fuel Type: Petrol and Diesel
- Seating Capacity: 5
Conclusion
In all, the selection of compact SUVs is quite vast and has a lot of diversity. On one end, cars like the Magnite and Kiger offer immense value, while on the other, the Punch is a small city car that actually behaves like an SUV and isn’t just for namesake an SUV. Moreover, the price factor has a lot to play in here, which ultimately leads to the right decision!
FAQs about Compact SUVs in India
What is the best compact SUV in India?
The Tata Nexon is the best compact SUV in India for its perfect package of style, comfort, performance, and safety.
Which compact SUV has the best mileage in India?
The best mileage-producing compact SUV in India is Kia Sonet. Its diesel engine delivers the ARAI mileage of 24.1 km/l via a manual transmission.
Which is the safest compact SUV in India?
The safest compact SUV in India is Tata Punch which has a 5-star Global NCAP safety rating. It’s also the safest car in India.
Which compact SUV has the best ground clearance?
The 211 mm of ground clearance of the Kia Sonet is the best one among the all-compact SUVs in India.
Which is the cheapest compact SUV in India?
The Nissan Magnite and Tata Punch are the cheapest compact SUVs, both starting from Rs. 6 lakh.
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