In recent years, our market has seen a growing breed of affordable, off-road-focused SUVs, making off-roading more accessible than ever while also giving an impetus to the culture as a whole. One doesn’t need to spend a big fortune on a capable off-roader, and it doesn’t have to come at the cost of creature comforts or daily usability. With the affordable 4WD SUV space getting competitive by the day, here’s a list of 8 4WD SUVs you can buy for under Rs 30 lakh in India. And while there are a handful of reasonably capable AWD vehicles that also fit this price range, we have only considered full-time four-wheel-drive SUVs that pack in some serious ability off the tarmac.
Maruti Jimny
Price: Rs 12.76 lakh-14.96 lakh
With a starting price of Rs 12.76 lakh and 4x4 as standard, the Maruti Jimny is currently the most affordable off-roader in the country. The 4x4 hardware, robust suspension, light kerb weight and narrow track make it extremely capable. The compact dimensions of the Jimny also make it very manoeuvrable in tricky off-road situations.
It gets Suzuki’s AllGrip Pro hardware that can mechanically switch between 2WD high, 4WD high and 4WD low. Further helping its off-road capabilities are the 36-degree approach, 47-degree departure and 24-degree breakover angles; solid front and rear axles; and electronics like hill-start assist, hill-descent control, ESP and an electronic braking differential (front and rear).
Mahindra Thar
Price: Rs 15.20 lakh-17.62 lakh
The Mahindra Thar gets 4x4 with its 2.2-litre diesel and 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine options, with prices starting from Rs 15.20 lakh. It comes with a low-range gearbox, a 650mm water-wading capacity, 226mm ground clearance, 41.8-degree approach, 36.8-degree departure and 27-degree ramp breakover angles, all adding to its off-road prowess. Plus, there’s no beating the image of a Thar as a quintessential off-roader, especially in its 3-door guise.
Also on offer is an electronic brake-locking differential and a host of electronic aids, including ESP, hill-start assist and hill-descent control. The off-road-specific instrumentation is yet another weapon in its off-road arsenal. The Thar has a tough-as-nails construction and a mountain goat–like ability to tackle hostile terrain.
Force Gurkha 3-door
Price: Rs 16.75 lakh
The Gurkha 3-door is a direct rival to the Mahindra Thar. The lifestyle SUV is available in a single variant priced at Rs 16.75 lakh. The Gurkha gets a 2.6-litre Mercedes-sourced diesel engine making 140hp and 320Nm. Along with standard 4x4, it also gets manual differential locks at the front and rear, as well as a low-range transfer case.
The Gurkha 3-door boasts 39-degree approach, 37-degree departure and 28-degree breakover angles, along with a 700mm water-wading capacity thanks to the snorkel. In addition, the Gurkha 3-door has a gradeability of up to 35 degrees, along with a class-leading 233mm ground clearance. And while it is thoroughly capable, the Gurkha’s top-heavy structure makes it a little intimidating while tackling certain obstacles, for instance, the ones involving high wheel articulation.
Force Gurkha 5-door
Price: Rs 18 lakh
The Force Gurkha 5-door shares its mechanical bits with the 3-door version, including the powertrain and off-road hardware. While it adds additional doors for more practicality, the 5-door version gains 325kg over the already heavy Gurkha 3-door (2,800kg). Owing to its longer wheelbase and length, the Gurkha 5-door doesn’t have the same off-road angles, but it offers the same ground clearance, water-fording capability and gradeability.
As an off-road vehicle, the Gurkha feels near invincible. Locking the differentials requires a hard pull and a firm twist of the levers on either side of the gear lever, but the Gurkha will pull you out of almost any sticky situation.
Mahindra Thar Roxx
Price: Rs 19.39 lakh-23.39 lakh
Unlike the Thar 3-door, the Thar Roxx can be your only car, thanks to the added practicality and extensive equipment list that goes neck-and-neck against some of the most well-equipped midsize SUVs. The Thar Roxx bridges the gap between hardcore off-roader and everyday family vehicle.
It’s worth noting that 4x4 is only available with the diesel engine in MX5 MT, AX7L MT, AX5L AT and AX7L AT variants. Based on Mahindra’s fourth-generation (4G) body-on-frame chassis, the Roxx addresses some of the drawbacks of the 3-door version, like the bumpy ride, heavy steering and off-roader dynamics. It has a stiffer and lighter ladder frame and a new multi-link suspension system with a Watt’s linkage (to control body roll). The Thar Roxx also gets an electronic rear diff lock, a brake-limited-slip differential and multiple terrain modes. Despite the plethora of creature comforts, the Thar Roxx is still an off-roader at heart.
Mahindra Scorpio N
Price: Rs 18.35 lakh-25.42 lakh
The Mahindra Scorpio N aims to offer the best of both worlds – off-road capability along with sophisticated on-road manners. 4WD is only available with the diesel engine in the body-on-frame SUV, and it is limited to the mid-spec Z4 and top-spec Z8 and Z8L trims. The top-spec trims also get the option of an automatic gearbox with 4WD.
The 4x4 system combines a low-range gearbox and brake-locking and mechanical-locking diffs with a set of terrain modes accessible via a rotary dial. There’s also generous ground clearance and a claimed 500mm of water-wading capability. While it isn’t as capable as the Thar, you’ll be surprised how far it will take you all while looking a lot more urbane than most other SUVs on this list.
Isuzu V-Cross
Price: Rs 26.77 lakh-31.46 lakh
The only offering in this list which isn’t an SUV, the Isuzu V-Cross, is currently one of the only two pickup trucks on sale in India. The 4x4 variants are priced from Rs 26.77 lakh onwards and get either a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 6-speed AT. It gets a shift-on-the-fly 4WD rotary knob. Despite the 3,095mm-long wheelbase, the V-Cross boasts a 206mm ground clearance as well as a gradeability of 30 degrees. It gets an independent double wishbone suspension up front, along with a leaf spring setup at the rear. The 1.9-litre diesel engine produces 163hp and 360Nm.
Owing to the large cargo base, the rear overhang hampers departure angle, and when the bed is unloaded, the rear struggles for traction in off-road scenarios. Still, there’s an air of indestructibility, and the cargo bed offers use cases unlike any other offering in this list.
Tata Harrier EV QWD
Price: Rs 28.99 lakh
The Tata Harrier EV stands out as the sole electric SUV under Rs 30 lakh with a four-wheel-drive system. This has been made possible with the use of two electric motors – one on each axle – although this configuration is reserved only for the top-spec Empowered trim with the 75kWh battery. Combined output from the two electric motors stands at 313hp and 540Nm – the highest of any SUV on this list. The Harrier EV isn’t based on a rugged, ladder-frame chassis like all other models on this list, but the instant torque from the electric motors is something unique that distinguishes the Harrier EV.
The Harrier EV’s 25.3-degree approach, 16.6-degree ramp breakover and 26.4-degree departure angles aren’t class-leading, but it has got a host of electronic aids to get you out of a sticky situation. It’s got Off-Road Assist that works like an off-road cruise control, allowing you to set a speed as low as 5kph. It has off-road modes – Snow/Grass, Mud Ruts, Rock Crawl and Sand – that alter the power balance between the front and rear axles, ESC intervention, and more, depending on the selection. It’s also got 600mm of water-wading capacity.
