Top 5 SUVs in India Under Rs 15 Lakh: Mahindra Thar, Kia Seltos and More

Cars are no longer a luxury in India. With the introduction of several budget-friendly cars by manufacturers in different segments, owning a four-wheeler has become easy. In India, SUVs observe the lion's share of sales. According to several market reports, Indian car buyers prefer SUVs over their counterparts due to good ground clearance, rugged appearance, high seating position, strong off-road capabilities, more space, and comfort. There was a time when only elites had the privilege to access SUVs, which were limited and expensive. Today, with so many options in the market at affordable prices, buying an SUV is not difficult. Here's a list of the top 5 SUVs under Rs 15 lakh. So, without further ado, let's know more about these cars. 

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

The Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara retails in India at a starting price of Rs 10.45 lakh (ex-showroom). The carmaker has jointly produced the model with Toyota for the hybrid drivetrain. In India, the powerful hybrid versions of the model cost Rs 17.99 lakh (ex-showroom). The Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara is currently in competition with vehicles like the VW Taigun, the MG Astor, the Kia Seltos, the Skoda Kushaq, the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, and the Hyundai Creta.

Mahindra Thar

In 2020, the New Mahindra Thar was launched at a starting price of Rs 9.80 lakh (ex-showroom). Recently, the carmaker released the RWD Thar at an introductory price of Rs 9.99 lakh (e- showroom) in the market. A 2.0-litre mStallion turbo-petrol engine, which is only available with a six-speed automatic transmission and produces 150bhp and 320Nm, powers the Mahindra Thar 2WD version.

Also Read: Upcoming Sedans in India: Honda City Facelift, 2023 Hyundai Verna and More

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

The Urban Cruiser Hyryder, co-developed by Toyota and Maruti Suzuki, comes in both mild hybrid & strong-hybrid engine options. This car shares its platform with the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara. The mild-hybrid variants come with a starting price tag of Rs 10.48 lakh, whereas the strong-hybrid versions cost start with Rs 19.49 lakh in India. All prices are ex-showroom. In terms of market competition, the model competes with the likes of the Hyundai Creta, the Kia Seltos, the MG Hector, the VW Taigun, and the Skoda Kushaq, among other mid-size SUVs. 

Mahindra Scorpio N

The initial cost of the Mahindra Scorpio N was Rs 11.99 lakh (ex-showroom). Recently, the carmaker increased the price of the Scorpio-N model in India. Now, the base petrol Scorpio-N costs Rs 12.74 lakh (ex-showroom), while the top-tier diesel automatic with 4WD costs Rs 24.05 lakh (ex-showroom). Features-wise, the 2022 Mahindra Scorpio-N comes equipped with several features. The top-of-the-line models of the car have dual-zone climate control, analogue dials with a sizable coloured MID, front and rear cameras, auto start-stop, cruise control, and more.

Also Read: Upcoming Maruti Suzuki Cars in India: Jimny, Fronx, Brezza CNG and More

Kia Seltos

The Kia Seltos was one of the models from the company's lineup that reportedly contributed to the sales growth of January 2023. Currently, the model has an introductory price of Rs 10.69 lakh (ex-showroom). The popular SUV by Kia India goes against the vehicles like the Tata Harrier, the Jeep Compass, the Mg Hector, the Hyundai Creta, and more. For our market, Kia India is gearing up to launch the new Kia Seltos facelift sometime in the second quarter of 2023. The 2023 Kia Seltos facelift is already on sale in select international countries, including South Korea and the US. The new SUV boasts an improved interior, a new petrol turbocharged engine, and changes to the exterior styling.