Top 10 SUV Cars in India

1. Hyundai Venue

According to a November 2019 report, Hyundai sold more than 51,000 units of its brand new SUV, Hyundai Venue in the first 6 months of its lifecycle. Launched in the market in May of the same year, this SUV revolutionised the utility vehicle market in India. Hyundai Venue was awarded the coveted Indian Car of the Year prize for 2020. (1)

• Ex-showroom Price - Ex-showroom price in Delhi ranges between Rs. 6.55 Lakhs and Rs. 11.15 Lakhs for the various Hyundai Venue models.
• Mileage and Engine Cubic Capacity - The petrol variant offers a 998 CC engine with a fuel efficiency of 18.2 kmpl. The two diesel variants boast an 1197 CC and a 1396 CC engine, respectively, with a mileage of 23.7 kmpl.
• Diesel or Petrol - Available in both Diesel and Petrol variants
• Insurance Cost - Hyundai Venue Car Insurance by Digit starts from Rs. 14,015 (excl 18% GST). This includes a 1-year Own Damage cover + 3 years third party insurance.    

2. KIA Seltos

When listing out the top SUV in India, one cannot miss mentioning KIA Seltos. The Korean car manufacturer has highly impressed Indian consumers with this stylish SUV. Launched in August 2019, the vehicle comprises of a heads-up display, ventilated seats, and a Bose sound system. The feature-rich utility vehicle was awarded the Viewer’s Choice Car of the Year at the 2020 Autocar Awards. (2)

• Ex-showroom Price - Depending on the variant you pick, the Ex-showroom price for the Kia Seltos in Delhi ranges between Rs. 9.90 lakhs and Rs. 17.35 lakhs.
  
• Mileage and Engine Cubic Capacity - Kia Seltos comes in three variants when it comes to the engine cubic capacity – 1353 CC, 1493 CC and 1497 CC. Expect mileage between 16 and 21 kmpl.
• Diesel or Petrol - Available in both Diesel and Petrol variants
• Insurance Cost – Kia Seltos Car Insurance by Digit starts from Rs. 47,016 (excl. 18% GST). This includes a 1-year own damage cover, along with 3 years of third-party liability protection.    

3. Hyundai Creta

Another SUV from Hyundai, the Creta features a hexagonal grille. A touchscreen infotainment display also enhances the convenience for you while you are on the driver’s seat. This car also features a range of safety features, including stability control, safety windows, and impact sensing door unlock system. The Hyundai Creta won the Indian Car of the Year award in 2016. (3)

• Ex-showroom price - Hyundai Creta sports an ex-showroom price tag between Rs. 10 lakhs and Rs. 15.70 lakhs in New Delhi.
• Mileage and Engine Cubic Capacity - Hyundai Creta’s various models sport three distinct cubic capacities – 1396 CC, 1582 CC and 1591 CC. The mileage is between 15.29 kmpl and 21.38 kmpl.
• Diesel or Petrol - Available in both Diesel and Petrol variants
• Insurance Cost - Hyundai Creta Car Insurance by Digit starts from Rs. 40,545 (excl. 18% GST). This includes a 1-year own damage cover plus 3 years of third-party liability insurance.

4. Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza

Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza premiered at the 2016 Auto Expo. Development on this utility vehicle began in 2011. One of the few sub-compact SUVs, Vitara Brezza, ensures performance that matches the reputation of the Maruti Suzuki brand. In the 2018 edition of the Tech and Auto Awards, Vitara Brezza was awarded the SUV/MPV of the year. (4)

• Ex-showroom Price - Vitara Brezza sports a starting Ex-showroom price of Rs. 7.63 lakhs, while the most superior variant costs Rs. 10.60 Lakhs.
• Mileage and Engine Cubic Capacity - This car makes the top 10 SUV in India list due to its considerable engine capacity of 1248 cc. The vehicle is capable of delivering a mileage of 24 Kmpl.        
• Diesel or Petrol - Available in only Diesel variants but Maruti is expected to launch a petrol model of this popular car soon.
• Insurance Cost - Vitara Brezza Car Insurance by Digit starts from Rs. 22,057 (excl. 18% GST). This includes a 1-year own damage cover plus 3 years of third-party liability insurance.   

5. Mahindra XUV300

Mahindra XUV300 debuted in the market in February 2019. Its design is based on the SsangYong Tivoli, which was also an inspiration for some of Mahindra’s previous vehicles. The XUV 300 is another subcompact utility vehicle, with a six-speed manual transmission. Since its launch, the company also added an automatic variant of the car.

The Mahindra XUV300 is the safest India made vehicle, with a 5-star safety rating for adult passengers from the Global Car Assessment Program. (5)

• Ex-showroom Price - In Delhi, the car’s ex-showroom price starts from Rs. 8.30 lakhs and goes up to around Rs. 12.70 lakhs.
• Mileage and Engine Cubic Capacity - Comes in two engine capacity variants, including 1197 cc and 1497 cc. Mileage ranges between 17 and 20 kmpl.
• Diesel or Petrol - Available in both Petrol and Diesel variants
• Insurance cost - The Mahindra XUV 300 Car Insurance by Digit starts from Rs. 20,975 (excl. 18% GST). This includes a 1-year own damage cover plus 3 years of third-party liability insurance.    

6. Tata Harrier

Tata’s venture into the SUV market continued with the launch of the Tata Harrier in January 2019. Still, the Harrier became the first Tata SUV to sport the updated Impact 2.0 body design. If you buy this vehicle, you will enjoy a range of features, including rear parking sensors, projector headlamps, telescopic adjustable steering and much more.

Tata Harrier earned a nomination for the Design of the Year award in the Tech and Auto Awards 2019. (6)

• Ex-showroom Price - The base model sports an Ex-showroom price tag of Rs. 13.7 lakhs, while the premium model would cost around Rs. 20.25 lakhs.
• Mileage and Engine Cubic Capacity - The vehicle sports a 1956 cc engine, capable of delivering a mileage of 17 Kmpl
• Diesel or Petrol - Only Diesel variant available, but a Petrol model is expected to arrive soon.
• Insurance Cost - The Tata Harrier Car Insurance by Digit starts from Rs. 36,430 (excl. 18% GST). This includes a 1-year own damage cover plus 3 years of third-party liability insurance.     

7. Mahindra XUV500

The Mahindra XUV500 was one of the first utility vehicles in India. Launched in 2011, the XUV500 was marketed as the flagship vehicle from Mahindra & Mahindra. Since its release in the market, the car has undergone several updates and facelifts to help it compete with the newer SUVs.

The Mahindra XUV500 is one of the top-selling SUV in India and was even awarded the SUV/UV of the year at the 2012 Golden Steering Wheel Awards. (7)

• Ex-showroom Price - The ex-showroom price ranges between Rs. 12.30 lakhs and Rs. 18.60 lakhs.
• Mileage and Engine Cubic Capacity - The engine capacity for the car varies between 1997cc and 2179cc, while the listed mileage is 15 Kmpl.
• Diesel or Petrol - Only a diesel variant was initially available, but a petrol model was launched later.
• Insurance Cost - The Mahindra XUV 500 Car Insurance by Digit starts from Rs. 42,124 (excl. 18% GST). This includes a 1 year own damage cover plus 3 years of third-party liability insurance.

8. Tata Nexon

The Tata Nexon SUV was launched by the Indian auto manufacturer in 2017. The petrol variant comes with three cylinders, while the diesel models sport four 1.5-litre cylinders. In 2018, the Tata Nexon won the Subcompact SUV of the Year Award in the NDTV Car and Bike Awards. (8)

• Ex-showroom Price - The car’s Delhi ex-showroom price ranges between Rs. 6.95 lakhs and Rs. 12.70 lakhs.
• Mileage and Engine Cubic Capacity - The engine capacity varies in the various models, with 1198cc and 1497cc being the two varieties. The mileage ranges between 17 Kmpl and 21 Kmpl.
• Diesel or Petrol - Available in Diesel, Petrol and LPG variants
• Insurance Cost - The Tata Nexon Car Insurance by Digit starts from Rs. 16,326 (excl. 18% GST). This includes a 1 year own damage cover plus 3 years of third-party liability insurance.   

9. Jeep Compass

One of the more premium SUV offerings available in India, The Jeep Compass belongs to the highly reputable Fiat Chrysler Automobile brand. Although providing cutting edge technology, the fact that the Indian version is produced in India leads to limited price tags. Such is the popularity of the vehicle that it managed to amass around 26 awards across a variety of award ceremonies between 2017 and 2018. (9)

• Ex-showroom Price - The base model sports an ex-showroom price tag of Rs. 15.60 lakhs, while the premium model costs Rs. 25 lakhs.
• Mileage and Engine Cubic Capacity - The engine capacity for the petrol model is 1368cc, and for the diesel variant, is 1956cc. You can expect a mileage of around 15-17 kmpl.
• Diesel or Petrol - Available in both Diesel and Petrol variants
• Insurance Costs - Jeep Compass Car Insurance by Digit starts from Rs. 26,434 (excl. 18% GST). This includes a 1-year own damage cover plus 3 years of third-party liability insurance.     

10. Toyota Fortuner

Launched in 2009 in India, the Toyota Fortuner has undergone countless updates and facelifts since then. Increased luggage space and extensively adjustable driver seats make the Fortuner one of the best SUV in India. The vehicle sold 160,000 units in the country between 2009 and 2019. (10)

• Ex-showroom Price - The ex-showroom price varies as per the model, with the cost ranging between Rs. 28.18 lakhs and 34.20 lakhs.
• Mileage and Engine Cubic Capacity - Two variants come with a 2694cc engine capacity and a 10.2 kmpl mileage. Another variant sports a 2755cc engine, delivering up to 14.24 kmpl.
• Diesel or Petrol - Available in both Diesel and Petrol variants.

These are some of the best SUV cars in India at present. However, the market is set to further expand in 2020.     

Choosing an SUV may seem like a difficult prospect, but it is anything but tricky. If you know that you want to acquire an SUV and not a hatchback or sedan, the following tips will help you pick the perfect car:

• Evaluate your Requirements - You may have specific requirements from your vehicle. Enlisting these points should help you decide what you should look for in the market. For instance, if you like to travel with a lot of luggage, you should consider an SUV that sports sufficient trunk space. Similarly, if your primary need is fuel efficiency, pick a car that satisfies this need.
• Consider Whether the Brand is Dependable and Efficient - Efficiency does not signify just the fuel efficiency of your chosen vehicle but also how well it can adapt to the various road conditions. For instance, if you reside in a flood-prone area, you should purchase SUVs that can endure waterlogging without leading to engine damage. The brand also matters. Don’t just feel that a globally recognised car brand is the best choice. Check whether the company offers enough authorised service centres in India. Lacking such support, you may need to rely on assistance from third-party service providers.
• Prioritising Safety - Indian consumers often ignore the safety features, or the lack thereof, while investing in an SUV. However, you must remember that these are powerful vehicles capable of breakneck speeds. Without updated safety features, such as electronic brakes, rear parking sensors and others, your dream vehicle may suffer irreparable damage.

Moreover, you may be risking your life as well. Therefore, always check SUVs for the safety measures before purchasing. The best options generally, come bearing such features.

However, even with such measures in place, your car can suffer from accidents on the road. Opting for insurance should help you bear the financial liability for repairs after such accidental damage to the SUV.

Since car insurance is mandatory in India under the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988, all dealerships bundle an insurance policy when selling you a car. While you are free to avail an insurance plan from the dealer, it is always better to deal with the insurance providing company personally.

Listed below are some valid reasons why purchasing car insurance straight from the company is always beneficial:

• Car dealerships generally have tie-ups with specific insurance companies. Therefore, they will only bundle plans from these partner providers and not the others. When you deal directly with companies, you end up making the final call regarding your car insurance provider.
• Car dealerships may charge extra for your insurance plan than its actual worth. Therefore, to be sure about the cost of a plan, you can directly approach the provider and deal with them.
• When you purchase from a dealership, you cannot compare the various policies before buying. However, if you choose to buy insurance on your own volition, you can perform extensive research. This should help you make an informed decision, based on every aspect of the insurance policy.

Thus, when it comes to purchasing a car insurance policy, it is best to seek out the options available in the market and choose the one best suited to your requirements.