The SUV market in India was born with the Tata Safari. Mahindra picked it up and ran with the Scorpio which captured a large chunk of the market. At that time, SUVs were at the higher end of the price bracket with limited appeal in the eyes of many. However, the increase in the purchasing power of the Indian consumer along with the appearance of small SUVs meant that the market grew exponentially. The SUVs of today are the preferred choice of a large swathe of the Indian automotive consumer. So we dive into the reasons why so many Indians love SUVs today.
Clear Sightline
SUVs tower over other vehicles on the road. It is especially a boon for those who like to visit their ancestral villages or take a spin over dirt roads for an enjoyable getaway over the weekend. Tarmac or kaccha roads, it’s all the same to the SUV. The high position of the driver enables them to have good visibility which helps in manoeuvring the SUV through traffic or while overtaking other vehicles. This also assists in narrow roads and traffic jams, where the driver is able to see and negotiate past obstacles on the road. Potholes and rough patches which are a staple of our roads are similarly dealt with the greatest of ease. Want to feel like you rule the road? Get behind the wheel of an SUV.
Rugged Build and Design
SUVs are known for their imposing size and design language which looks intimidating and menacing on the roads. Indian car buyers do tend to prefer flash and road presence where butch looks play an important role. What makes them particularly appealing in the eyes of many who either own or covet one, is the widely held belief that other vehicles give them the right of way without challenge, and even the most obdurate pedestrian jaywalking on the street quickly gets out of the way of one. This makes them a must have in light of India’s chaotic traffic conditions where rules are sometimes given the miss by most. SUVs normally have a rugged build, stiffened suspension and a reinforced undercarriage in order that they can power through any breaks and rough patches in the roads. Safety is also widely held to be better in SUVs than either sedans or hatchbacks but this is not strictly true. However, it would be remiss not to point out that the first car to earn a five star GNCAP rating is the Tata Nexon, a compact SUV.
Off-road Capability
SUVs are normally equipped with a four wheel drive system. This makes them particularly useful when the roads you have to drive on are pretty much dirt tracks or if you live in the hills. Broken roads and rough terrain are dealt with summarily if you are behind the wheel of an SUV. Let us not forget that most of the SUVs sold in India do not have four wheel drive systems but the state of our roads encourage most consumers to go in for them. The high ground clearance enables them to sail over potholes or navigate through water logged roads without the attendant risk of breaking down as would be a major problem were you to try the same in a sedan or a hatchback. High ground clearance and torquey engines on most SUVs give them the ability to tackle poor roads with ease, making them a permanent fixture in rural India. The Mahindra Bolero, Tata Sumo, and Thar are common sights in areas where the term “road” is used to define a recognizable path in the dirt.
Comfort and Great Features
You have a large family and find that other vehicles are not suited to your needs. SUVs are available in configurations that ensure you can transport seven or eight people comfortably. Though sub 4 metre SUVs like the Brezza can seat just five people, others like the XUV700 are just a little over 4 metres and yet have seven seats. The generous legroom and headroom on offer and the considerable boot space for luggage requirements also make them attractive choices.
Driving features like Hill start assist and control, ESP and roll over mitigation, ABS and disc brakes along with a host of ADAS features mean that you can now enjoy a safe and secure drive allied to superb handling characteristics. Top of the shelf features like sunroofs, climate cooling, automatic gearboxes are among the many choices you have while buying an SUV ensuring that your ownership experience is a pleasant one and your passengers are always comfortable.
Value for Money
SUVs are value for money propositions starting at under Rs 10 lakhs which is not far removed from hatchbacks like the Baleno or Jazz or sedans that also fall within this price range. The average customer is thus spoiled for choice and can buy an aspirational vehicle without having to stretch the budget. SUVs are easy on the eye, are loaded with features, have a rugged feel and are easy to maintain.
Aspirational
SUVs are one category which have seen their price drop considerably over a generation or two. Once considered the upper class and elite luxury rides of politicians, actors and industrialists among other high net worth individuals which made them highly aspirational purchases for the car loving public at large, they are now within the reach of the average Joe. This holds especially true for the baby SUVs which are now so affordable that they have become volume drivers for this rapidly expanding car segment driving up profit margins of the car manufacturers. The competition for the Indian automotive customer is the fiercest in this segment.
Summary
SUVs are the fastest growing segment in the Indian automotive market today. A high stance , an intimidating road presence, a feature packed cabin, powerful engines and an ability to tackle all obstacles in its stride combine to make them the car of choice for most today. It appeals across the spectrum to people young and old seducing them with a timeless appeal to the heart.
