The compact SUV segment is currently one of the most crowded and competitive in the Indian car market. With nearly a dozen models on offer and powertrains ranging from petrol, diesel and CNG to fully electric, there’s plenty of choice for the customer. Thanks to their compact dimensions and affordability, compact SUVs often make a great first vehicle for the family, but choosing from so many options can get daunting. Here, we have boiled the list down to the best five compact SUVs in the price range of about Rs 7 lakh to Rs 15 lakh.
Hyundai Venue
Autocar India rating: 8/10
The Hyundai Venue is among the pricier models in the segment, but it is also among the best-equipped. Its cabin is premium, with sufficient space for passengers and luggage, and all three engine options – the 83hp naturally aspirated petrol, the 120hp 1.0-litre turbo-petrol and the 116hp 1.5-litre diesel – offer adequate performance. The Venue drives and rides well, too. It’s a true jack of all trades, edging ahead of others as the most well-rounded compact SUV for about Rs 15 lakh.
Skoda Kylaq
Autocar India rating: 8/10
The Skoda Kylaq is the most fun-to-drive SUV on this list, combining tidy handling and a well-judged ride quality with a strong 115hp 1.0-litre TSI engine. It misses out on some features compared to rivals, but it’s also the most affordable at the top end on this list. It is, however, the only SUV here to miss out on a diesel engine, and rear-seat space is cramped for three abreast.
Kia Syros
Autocar India rating: 8/10
The Kia Syros has the best interior of all. It feels the most premium, offers the most space and has the best-in-class features, especially for rear occupants, including a segment-only seat ventilation function. However, the ride isn’t as well-cushioned as that of the rivals, both the 120hp 1.0-litre turbo-petrol and the 116hp 1.5-litre diesel engines could have done with better performance, and the petrol is particularly thirsty. It is also the most expensive here.
Mahindra XUV 3XO
Autocar India rating: 8/10
The Mahindra XUV 3XO feels the toughest and most well-built; its ride and handling balance is spot-on, and its cabin is among the most spacious here. There are three engine options to choose from – a 111hp 1.2-litre MPFi turbo-petrol, a 131hp 1.2-litre TGDi turbo-petrol and a 117hp 1.5-litre diesel. It’s also strongest in terms of outright performance, but the interior feels a bit dated, boot space is limited, and the petrol engines aren’t as efficient as some of its rivals’.
Kia Sonet
Autocar India rating: 8/10
The Kia Sonet is the oldest model here, but it still feels polished and sophisticated. Interior quality, feature list and boot space, along with good performance and refinement from all engines (same as the Venue and in the same state of tune), are its strong suits. However, it has the most cramped rear seat, and the firm ride quality takes away some points from an otherwise fine product.