SUVs have taken over Indian roads, and it’s not hard to see why. With their high ground clearance and robust build, they’re perfect for navigating the country’s often diverse terrain. Not every road is like the Yamuna Expressway, and you’re bound to encounter potholed city streets, flooded roads, or places where roads don’t even exist. And it’s here where SUVs offer a sense of security and confidence that other vehicles can’t match. Beyond practicality, SUVs have also become status symbols. As India’s economy grows and infrastructure improves, more people are opting for SUVs, which now account for over half of all passenger vehicle sales. And with so many options in the market, here are the top SUVs on sale right now!
Hyundai Creta
The Creta remains a compelling choice in the midsize SUV segment, getting lots of things right. It is spacious with both front and rear seats being comfortable. The styling is also quite fresh and has been recently updated. What’s more is that you get so much kit and features for the money. With a Bose sound system, ventilated seats and screens that provide lots of information, there’s nothing more to ask for! The car is easy to drive with a great suspension too. All in all, if you’re after an SUV which has a comfortable ride, lots of features and great interiors. You cannot go wrong with the Creta!
Tata Punch
The Tata Punch is a funky (+ practical) hatchback-SUV. It makes a mark thanks to its attractive exterior design and a funky stance. It scores high on practicality with doors that open 90 degrees wide and a commanding view. In the cabin, the Punch has a layered design with good build. Its 319-litre boot space is also impressive and useful. The 1.2-litre engine is well mated to the manual gearbox that’s easy to use. The AMT is also a smooth experience in the city. Add the well-tuned suspension, stable handling and easy steering, and it is easy to see why the Punch is such a fun car to drive.
Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara
The Grand Vitara has carved out a strong position in the mid-size SUV segment. What’s really interesting is that there are two engine options! One is a normal petrol engine while the other is a strong hybrid system which offers great efficiency for people that are conscious about the environment. The Grand Vitara’s strong points have been its spacious and comfortable interiors with a well specced out dashboard. The well cushioned seats at both front and rear along with adjustable backrests help keep everyone at home. The commanding driving position makes it easy to drive in the city. What also works wonders are the stable handling and comfortable ride quality. And it’s great off-road as well.
Mahindra Scorpio
The Scorpio-N is a well-rounded, modern SUV. The Scorpio-N is a big, tough, butch car which delivers in all areas. On the inside, the interiors feel modern with everything at your fingertips. Even though the car is large, the handling and steering balance each other out. On the outside, the Scorpio-N looks imposing with its large size! What works wonders is its high and mighty stance and great road presence. Also worth mentioning is the fact that it is fun off the road too! All in all, the Scorpio-N delivers as a premium SUV.
Tata Nexon
The Tata Nexon is a well-rounded SUV that checks all the right boxes for those seeking a blend of style, comfort, and tech. Its modern design and revamped interiors make it a compelling choice. Inside, the Nexon boasts a 10.25-inch digital driver’s display and a 360-degree camera, which are really useful features. The ventilated front seats and rear AC vents ensure everyone stays comfortable. Plus, it gets a sunroof, cruise control, and automatic climate control, making long drives a breeze. The Nexon also offers drive modes like Eco, City, and Sports, which add to its versatility. With its strong safety record, including a five-star rating from BNCAP and six airbags as standard, the Nexon is a solid pick for families. Its ground clearance of 208mm and robust build quality make it capable on rough roads too.
Maruti Suzuki Brezza
The Brezza shines as a practical and comfortable SUV. For those looking for an SUV that’s easy to get in and out of, the Brezza is easy to move around. The high seat, soft seats, and smooth petrol engine offer superb comfort. Even during highway drives at high speeds, there is barely any noise coming from the engine. A boon for the Indian climate, it has excellent air conditioning that keeps you cool in scorching heat. The driving experience is enhanced through the SmartPlay Pro+ with Arkamys audio. It’s truly a no-nonsense SUV that excels in the basics!
Hyundai Venue
The Venue is a practical and feature-rich SUV, appealing to a wide range of buyers. The Venue impresses with its user-friendliness, and the light controls, refined engines, and spot-on ergonomics make it easy to drive. The availability of multiple engine and transmission options allow buyers to choose what works best for them. The cabin feels bright and spacious, providing a comfortable driving experience. It now gets new additions like LED headlamps and tail-lamps, electric adjustment for the driver’s seat, digital instrument cluster, drive modes (in the turbo-petrol DCT) and ambient lighting!
Mahindra Thar Roxx
The Mahindra Thar Roxx is the SUV that does it all! With its tough build, refined interiors, and go-anywhere attitude, the Roxx makes an impression on the road. Its robust ladder-frame chassis, combined with a sophisticated suspension setup, results in a comfortable ride even on rough roads. It’s fun off road too! The commanding driving position gives you a fantastic view of the road ahead and with that high ground clearance, there’s nothing to be afraid of. The Roxx is loaded with goodies like a large touchscreen, a digital instrument cluster, and even ADAS, enhancing the overall driving experience. It is a unique blend of ruggedness and refinement.
Kia Sonet
The Kia Sonet continues to be a strong player in the SUV segment with its updated looks and tech-loaded cabin. The design is sharper and more chiseled, which is something Indian SUV buyers love. Inside, the 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster borrowed from the Seltos elevates the experience. You still get features like cooled seats, a sunroof, and a Bose audio system, but now with a 360-degree parking camera and a 4-way power driver’s seat! Another big safety addition is level one ADAS features. With as many as six engine gearbox configurations to choose from it has strong performance, and it will appeal to enthusiasts. It feels more premium than before!
Summary
Overall, SUVs in India are in plenty, and it’s hard to go wrong with most of them. These are just some of the best options in the market! This article covers SUVs offered by several manufacturers, which come with their own personality and appeal, and would be a great addition to your garage. You are paying a premium price to buy your dream SUV, so it is advised to list out your priorities before making a choice, as the market is flooded with varied options as seen in this article. With a good budget of around Rs. 30 lakh, you should be able to find a well-rounded package which suits your needs in terms of styling, performance, utility and several other deciding factors.
FAQ’s
Q. Which SUVs are currently popular in India?
SUVs in general are very popular in India. Some of the best-selling models on the market right now are Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Tata Nexon, Mahindra XUV700, and Maruti Suzuki Brezza.
Q. What makes SUVs so popular in India?
Several reasons: they’re ideal for Indian roads and the diverse terrain we have, it’s easier for SUVs to glide over potholes and regions where roads are non-existent, they’re very comfy and spacious, they’re perceived to be safer (even if they might not be) and some see them as status symbols.
Q. Which SUV offers the best safety features?
Safety in general has improved a lot in cars, and the same goes for SUVs. Almost all SUVs from Tata and Mahindra are super safe with several scoring 5 stars on the Global NCAP tests. Other carmakers too have several cars that are safe. Some examples include – Tata Nexon, Tata Punch, Tata Safari, Mahindra Scorpio-N, Tata Harrier, Skoda Kushaq, Volkswagen Taigun, Mahindra XUV 3xo, Mahindra XUV700.
Q. Which SUV provides the best fuel efficiency?
Punch, Sonet and 3xo have excellent mileage. Hybrid models like the Innova Hycross, Grand Vitara Hybrid and others are hard to beat in terms of fuel efficiency though.
Q. Are SUVs suitable for city driving?
Yes, SUVs (especially the popular compact SUVs) are okay for city driving. Bulkier SUVs like Tata Safari, Fortuner, XUV700 etc… are a bit harder to drive on narrow roads, but models like the Tata Nexon, Maruti Suzuki Brezza and Sonet are much easier to drive.
ne big family!
