Most powerful ICE SUVs under Rs 25 lakh

SUVs are not only extremely popular in the Indian mass market but are also highly aspirational. With aspiration comes the demand for higher power outputs, and many carmakers have answered that call by offering sporty and powerful SUVs to mass-market buyers. Therefore, we’ve put together a list of the most powerful ICE SUVs available under Rs 25 lakh. The rankings are based on power output in ascending order.

10. Volkswagen Taigun and Skoda Kushaq 1.5 turbo-petrol

150hp, 250Nm

Both the Taigun and Kushaq are among the most fun-to-drive options in the midsize SUV segment, largely thanks to the 150hp 1.5-litre direct-injection turbo-petrol engine – the only mill on this list to feature active cylinder deactivation, which can shut off two of its cylinders at cruising speeds to save fuel. Volkswagen and Skoda offer the 1.5 TSI only in higher variants of the Taigun (GT Plus and GT Plus Sport) and Kushaq (Prestige and Monte Carlo), that too with a sole 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.

The Taigun 1.5 TSI price starts at Rs 19 lakh and extends to Rs 19.3 lakh, whereas the Kushaq 1.5 TSI ranges from Rs 18.79 lakh to Rs 18.99 lakh.

9. Kia Seltos and Hyundai Creta, Alcazar 1.5 turbo-petrol

160hp, 253Nm

Launched in early 2026, the second-gen Kia Seltos carries forward its predecessor’s powertrains, including the 160hp 1.5-litre direct-injection turbo-petrol, which is offered from the HTE(O) trim onwards. Gearbox options for the Seltos turbo-petrol comprise a 6-speed iMT and a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. The Seltos turbo-petrol is priced from Rs 12.91 lakh to Rs 20 lakh.

Hyundai’s venerable Creta and its 7-seater derivative, the Alcazar, get the same turbo-petrol engine, too, albeit with slightly different transmission options. The standard Creta turbo-petrol is available in the top-spec King trim with the 7-speed DCT, while the SUV’s sportier N Line variants additionally offer a 6-speed manual. Meanwhile, the Alcazar gets the turbo-petrol engine from its base Executive trim onwards and can be had with a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed DCT.

The standard Creta turbo-petrol is priced at Rs 19.91 lakh, whereas the N Line variants start at Rs 19.03 lakh and top out at Rs 19.95 lakh. Interestingly, the Alcazar turbo-petrol, priced from Rs 14.51 lakh to Rs 21.1 lakh, has the lowest starting price of all Hyundai SUVs equipped with this engine.

8. Tata Sierra 1.5 turbo-petrol

160hp, 255Nm

The Sierra is the first Tata model to use the carmaker’s 160hp 1.5-litre direct-injection turbo-petrol ‘Hyperion’ engine, which is offered from the SUV’s Adventure+ trim onwards. Unlike most SUVs on this list, though, the Sierra turbo-petrol can be had solely with a 6-speed torque-converter automatic. The Sierra turbo-petrol price starts at Rs 17.99 lakh and goes up to Rs 20.99 lakh.

7. Renault Duster 1.3 turbo-petrol

163hp, 280Nm

The new Renault Duster is the most powerful midsize SUV you can currently buy, thanks to the 163hp 1.3-litre direct-injection turbo-petrol engine available from the one-above-base Evolution variant. This mill is paired with either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed wet-clutch DCT – the Duster is the only SUV on this list to offer the latter gearbox. The Duster 1.3 turbo-petrol price range is Rs 12.99 lakh to Rs 18.49 lakh.

6. Tata Safari, Harrier 1.5 turbo-petrol

170hp, 280Nm

Not long after the launch of the Sierra, Tata started offering its 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine under the bonnets of the Harrier and Safari as well. However, the engine features a higher state of tune for the Safari and Harrier – up 10hp and 25Nm over the Sierra – and can even be had with a 6-speed manual gearbox in addition to the 6-speed torque converter.

The Harrier petrol is priced from Rs 12.89 lakh to Rs 24.14 lakh, while the Safari price range is Rs 13.29 lakh-24.85 lakh. Cosmetic packages such as Dark, Red Dark and Stealth cost extra.

5. Tata Safari, Harrier and Jeep Compass, Meridian 2.0 diesel

170hp, 350Nm

The Tata Harrier and Safari have long offered a Fiat-sourced 2.0-litre diesel engine in the same 170hp state of tune. These diesel SUVs can be had with either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque-converter automatic. The Harrier diesel price range is Rs 14 lakh to Rs 25.3 lakh, whereas the Safari diesel starts at Rs 14.75 lakh and tops out at Rs 26.05 lakh (excluding premiums for cosmetic packages).

Both of Jeep India’s mass-market offerings, the Compass and Meridian, also come with the same 170hp 2.0-litre diesel engine. However, the Compass and Meridian differ slightly in terms of gearbox options, offering a 6-speed manual or a 9-speed torque-converter automatic. The Compass and Meridian also offer 4x4 as an option in higher variants.

Prices for the Compass start at Rs 17.99 lakh and go up to Rs 30.45 lakh, whereas the Meridian is priced from Rs 23.33 lakh to Rs 37.48 lakh. These prices are exclusive of special editions.

4. Mahindra Scorpio N, Thar Roxx 2.2 diesel

Up to 175hp, 400Nm

Mahindra sells both the Scorpio N and Thar Roxx SUVs with a 2.2-litre diesel engine, albeit in varying states of tune. From the Z6 trim onwards, the Scorpio N diesel develops 175hp, but the torque varies depending on the gearbox: 370Nm with the 6-speed manual and 400Nm with the 6-speed torque converter. Meanwhile, the lower Scorpio N Z2 and Z4 diesel MT variants produce 132hp and 300Nm.

The Thar Roxx diesel offers the same transmission options as the Scorpio N and makes 175hp and 400Nm in its higher-spec AX5L AT and AX7L AT variants. Lower variants of the Thar Roxx diesel generate 152hp and 330Nm. Both SUVs are available with 4x4 in higher-spec diesel variants as well. Prices for the Scorpio N diesel start at Rs 13.99 lakh and go up to Rs 24.95 lakh, while the Thar Roxx diesel costs Rs 13.86 lakh-22.82 lakh.

3. Mahindra Thar Roxx 2.0 turbo-petrol

Up to 177hp, 380Nm

The Thar Roxx is also available with Mahindra’s 2.0-litre direct-injection turbo-petrol ‘mStallion’ engine, though outputs vary depending on the gearbox. With the 6-speed manual equipped, the Thar Roxx petrol develops 162hp and 330Nm, whereas with the 6-speed automatic, the output is bumped to 177hp and 380Nm. The Thar Roxx petrol price range is Rs 12.4 lakh-20 lakh.

2. Mahindra XUV 7XO 2.2 diesel

185hp, up to 450Nm

Like the Scorpio N and Thar Roxx, the Mahindra XUV 7XO gets a 2.2-litre diesel engine but in a more powerful 185hp state of tune. When paired with the 6-speed manual, the XUV 7XO diesel develops 420Nm, and with the 6-speed torque-converter automatic, that figure rises to 450Nm. The XUV 7XO diesel is also offered with AWD in higher variants. Prices for the XUV 7XO diesel start at Rs 14.96 lakh and go to Rs 24.92 lakh.

1. Mahindra XUV 7XO, Scorpio N 2.0 turbo-petrol

203hp, up to 380Nm (370 MT SCN)

The turbo-petrol versions of the Mahindra XUV 7XO and Scorpio N are officially the most powerful SUVs you can buy under Rs 25 lakh. Their 2.0-litre direct-injection turbo-petrol engine develops a healthy 203hp across all variants. While the XUV 7XO petrol puts out 380Nm for both its manual and automatic transmission options, the Scorpio N petrol makes 370Nm with the manual and 380Nm with the automatic.

The turbo-petrol variants of the XUV 7XO are priced from Rs 13.66 lakh to Rs 23.64 lakh while those of the Scorpio N range between Rs 13.49 lakh and Rs 22.45 lakh.

All prices are ex-showroom, India.