Fri. Mar 29th, 2024
Top Five Compact SUVs in India

What if I tell you that today is the day to talk about the SUVs? Now one might be wondering about the massive sized Toyota Fortuner, mighty Ford Endeavour, powerful Mahindra Alturas G4 and all other ladder-on frame SUVs for the obvious reasons. However, compact SUVs right now are the most trending segment in India. Well! All credit goes to practical cabin space, size, ample amount of ground clearance and the VFM factor. Further, it is a segment that is larger than the sub 4 meter SUVs but is smaller when compared to the full-sized SUVs available in India.

Kia Seltos 

Kia Seltos Top Five Compact SUVs
Image Source: Carscoops

Kia Motors made its debut with the introduction of the Kia Seltos in India. The all-new Kia Seltos with an aggressive front, tiger-nose grille, LED headlights with DRLs, 17-inch alloy wheels and shark fin antenna does feel premium.
Meanwhile, it shares the powertrain to its Korean sibling, Hyundai Creta with three engines on offer. Features such as ventilated seats, air purifier, 10.25-inch floating touchscreen infotainment system, rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlights, etc. remain the focal point on the all-new Kid Seltos. Apart from this, with so many features on offer, it is a safer place to be in with 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, ESC, HAC, VSM, etc. among others.

Key Specs

  • Engine – 1493cc (Diesel), 1497cc (Petrol), 1353cc (Turbo Petrol)
  • Mileage – 16.1kmpl to 20.8kmpl
  • Power – 113.4BHP (Diesel), 113.4BHP (Petrol), 138BHP (Turbo Petrol)
  • Torque – 250Nm (Diesel), 144Nm (Petrol), 242Nm (Turbo Petrol)
  • Transmission – Manual and Automatic

Positives

  • Fit and finish inside the cabin.
  • Multiple first in segment features.

Negatives

  • Poor after-sales service.
  • Lacks underthigh support at the rear.

Ex-Showroom Price, New Delhi: Rs.9.89 Lakh to Rs.17.45 Lakh

Hyundai Creta

Hyundai Creta
Image Source: Autocar India

Teased and spied multiple times, the all-new Hyundai Creta made it to the Indian shores at the Auto Expo 2020. Meanwhile, it is the second generation Hyundai Creta that is up for sale now and this time with an all-new refreshing look. Design language was one the most subjective point on the 2020 Creta. However, still, it could not hamper the sales of the SUV in any manner.
With 3 part LED DRLs, massive grille, 17-inch alloy wheels, non-functional roof rails, etc. the all-new SUV does look refreshing. Further, it is also a feature-loaded one with a panoramic sunroof, a slick 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, cooled glovebox and ventilated seats. Hyundai also offers three drive modes on the 2020 Hyundai Creta including – Comfort, Eco and Sport. To conclude, it is also available with 3 engines on offer.

Key Specs

  • Engine – 1493cc (Diesel), 1497cc (Petrol), 1353cc (Turbo Petrol)
  • Mileage – 16kmpl to 21kmpl
  • Power – 113.4BHP (Diesel), 113.4BHP (Petrol), 138BHP (Turbo Petrol)
  • Torque – 250Nm (Diesel), 144Nm (Petrol), 242Nm (Turbo Petrol)
  • Transmission – Manual and Automatic

Positives

  • Cabin gives you an airy feeling
  • Multiple powertrains on offer

Negatives

  • Subjective design
  • Some features are missing

Ex-Showroom Price, New Delhi: Rs.9.81 Lakh to Rs.17.31 Lakh

MG Hector

MG Hector
Image Source: MG Motors

MG Motors has recently launched the 2021 MG Hector and the updates were mostly limited to the exterior. Coming to the design, there is a large grille with MG badging, LED DRLs with integrated dynamic swipe indicators, squared-off wheel arches and diamond-cut alloy wheels among others. Further, as per the latest trend, the headlamps sit lower down below.
Being a feature-rich SUV it comes with power-adjustable seats at the front, 10.4-inch vertical touchscreen infotainment system, panoramic sunroof and multiple USB charging ports as well. Safety aids such as 6 airbags, ABS, EBD, ESP, etc. are also available on the MG Hector. Meanwhile, other features such as a powered tailgate, voice commands adapted to Indian accents and a 360-degree parking camera is also a part of the all-new MG Hector.
Apart from this, mechanically, this SUV can be opted with either a 2.0L turbo diesel engine or a 1.5L turbo petrol unit.

Key Specs

  • Engine – 1956cc (Diesel), 1451cc (Turbo Petrol)
  • Mileage – 13.96kmpl to 17.41kmpl
  • Power – 167BHP (Diesel), 141BHP (Turbo Petrol)
  • Torque – 350Nm (Diesel), 250Nm (Turbo Petrol)
  • Transmission – Manual and Automatic

Positives

  • Spacious cabin
  • Many first in segment features

Negatives

  • Weak after-sales service
  • Infotainment system is not the slickest

Ex-Showroom Price, New Delhi: Rs.12.89 Lakh to Rs.18.32 Lakh

Tata Harrier 

Tata Harrier
Image Source: Car & Bike

Built on the OMEGA ARC platform and an engine from the Fiat Group, Tata Harrier is one of the most exciting SUVs in this segment. Design-wise, it comes with dual-tone 17-inch alloy wheels, xenon projector headlamps with halogen, DRLs with integrated indicators, etc. among others. Meanwhile, the company has also redesigned the wing mirrors as per the feedback and they are now on the smaller side as compared to the older variant.
Powered by a 2.0 Kryotec turbocharged diesel engine that churns out 170HP alongside a peak torque of 350Nm it feels fun to drive. Further, the SUV is now available with a 6-speed manual gearbox as well. Coming to the features, it gets an auto-dimming IRVM, rain-sensing wipers, climate control and an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system that supports Android Auto as well as Apple CarPlay. There is a new panoramic sunroof on the all-new Harrier with anti-pinch technology and rain-sensing closure. Apart from this, multiple safety features such as Hill Descent Control, 6 airbags and a rearview camera are also available on the 2020 Tata Harrier.

Key Specs

  • Engine – 1956cc (Turbo Diesel)
  • Mileage – Upto 17kmpl
  • Power – 167BHP (Turbo Diesel)
  • Torque – 350Nm (Turbo Diesel)
  • Transmission – Manual and Automatic

Positives

  • Ride quality
  • Elegant Look

Negatives

  • No response from the steering wheel
  • AWD could have been a plus point

Ex-Showroom Price, New Delhi: Rs.13.84 Lakh to Rs.20.30 Lakh

Renault Duster

Renault Duster
Image Source: Drive2

With a timeless design, Renault Duster is still on this list just because of its responsive ride and handling. Further, the carmaker has recently introduced the 1.3L turbocharged petrol engine that churns out 156HP and a peak torque of 254Nm.
However, features on the Renault Duster still remain basic with the climate control, 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, power-folding OVRMs and cruise control. The infotainment system on the other side does support Android Auto and even Apple CarPlay. On the outside, it comes with functional roof rails and a set of 17-inch alloy wheels that does improve the look of the compact SUV to a great extent. Even the safety features on the Duster does feel outdated as it comes with dual airbags, ABS, a rear parking camera with sensors, ESP and Hill Start Assist among others.
Right now, it is available with a BS6 compliant – 1.5L naturally aspirated as well as a 1.3L turbo petrol engine. Another cool fact about the Renault Duster is that it is the most affordable SUV with a turbo petrol engine in this segment.

Key Specs

  • Engine – 1498cc (Petrol), 1330cc (Turbo Petrol)
  • Mileage – Upto 16.42kmpl
  • Power – 104.55BHP (Petrol), 156BHP (Turbo Petrol)
  • Torque – 142Nm (Petrol), 254Nm (Turbo Petrol)
  • Transmission – Manual and Automatic

Positives

  • Best in segment ride and handling
  • Timeless design

Negatives

  • No diesel engine
  • Outdated features

Ex-Showroom Price, New Delhi: Rs.9.57 Lakh to 13.87 Lakh

We have tried to cover almost all the details of the top five compact SUVs in India. This segment is right now one of the most competitive segments and thus prominent names such as Nissan Kicks are still missing our list. However, if you are planning to buy any of them do compare their features, specification and powertrains to crack a value for money deal.

That’s it from our side. Until then stay tuned and for similar articles keep reading ‘The Indian Wire’.

By Harsh Rana

Full-time management student and a part-time automobile enthusiast. Not much happy about EVs taking over the V8, V10 and V12 motors.