SUV cars in India (177)
SUV Cars - FAQs
SUVs offer higher ground clearance, a commanding driving position and a more practical cabin than most hatchbacks and sedans. Many SUVs also offer larger boots, higher seating capacity and all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive options, depending on the model.
SUVs generally offer higher ground clearance, a taller seating position and greater practicality. Sedans, however, often provide better ride comfort, handling and fuel efficiency. The right choice depends on your driving needs and priorities.
Many SUVs in India are available with six-, seven- or even nine-seat layouts. Popular options include the Mahindra XUV700, Mahindra Scorpio N, Tata Safari, Hyundai Alcazar, Jeep Meridian and Mahindra Bolero Neo+.
Yes. Compact and midsize SUVs are well suited to city driving, combining a higher seating position with manageable dimensions. Many models are also available with automatic transmissions, making them convenient for daily commutes.
SUVs are generally preferred for their styling, higher ground clearance and driving position, while MPVs focus on maximising passenger space and comfort. Buyers looking for seven- or eight-seat family vehicles should consider both body styles before making a decision.
No. Most popular SUVs sold in India are front-wheel drive, while selected models offer all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, particularly those designed for off-road driving or premium segments.
While SUVs have traditionally been less fuel efficient than hatchbacks, many modern SUVs are available with CNG, hybrid and electric powertrains that significantly improve efficiency. Fuel economy ultimately depends on the vehicle's size, engine and powertrain.
Trending Questions on Cars - Answered by Autocar Experts
I used to own a Tata Nexon AMT petrol for five years, but I had to sell it due to a serious manufacturing-related rusting issue and a poor service experience. I’m now looking to buy a new automatic petrol SUV with a budget of up to Rs 14 lakh. The car will mainly be used for weekend driving within the city, with perhaps one long trip every month. The annual running is expected to be only around 5,000- 6,000 km. A car that does not require much hassle in terms of servicing would be a major plus. Good power output and decent fuel efficiency are also important. What options can be considered?
Maruti Suzuki BrezzaTata NexonMahindra XUV 3XOSkoda KylaqI want to buy an SUV for family comfort and city driving. The car will cover around 40 km daily, with about 70 percent of the driving in the city and 30 percent on the highway. Good fuel efficiency and ADAS safety features are important, and the budget is around Rs 15–24 lakh. What are the available options?
Maruti Suzuki VictorisTata SierraHi Autocar, I’m looking for a petrol SUV under Rs 18 lakh with a manual transmission. I live in a small town and travel to Bengaluru occasionally. Most of my driving is a mix of city and highway use, with some hill driving, and I expect to cover around 5,000–8,000 km a year. I’m not looking for excessive features, as I feel the more electronics and automation a car has, the higher the maintenance costs can be. My priorities are a strong SUV stance and commanding driving position, good safety, annual maintenance costs below Rs 10,000, decent mileage, good road presence, predictable handling and comfortable ride quality. I also go trekking and take part in other outdoor activities, so some light off-road capability would be useful. Nothing extreme, but enough ground clearance and confidence to tackle rough patches and uneven roads. At the moment, I’m considering the Honda Elevate and Renault Duster, but I’m slightly concerned about long-term maintenance and after-sales support. From what I understand, Honda parts are generally sourced through its authorised network, while the Duster is not particularly known for having strong after-sales support. Could you please suggest which SUV would be the better choice for my requirements? Any other recommendations would also be helpful.
Renault DusterHonda ElevateI am looking for a car that I can keep for the long term, around 8–10 years, with a budget of under Rs 15 lakh on-road in Bangalore. I would prefer an automatic with an SUV stance. My usage will mainly be a 15 km daily office commute, along with occasional highway trips. I am looking for something that looks modern, has enough space, and offers good after-sales service. A few options I have shortlisted are the Hyundai Venue/Sonet with DCT and the Renault Kiger with CVT. My main concern is whether DCTs are reliable for long-term ownership if they are regularly serviced, especially with bumper-to-bumper traffic 2–3 times a week.
Renault KigerHyundai VenueKia SonetHi, I am a resident of Pune and currently drive a Tata Altroz XM+ petrol manual. I live close to my office, so my weekday car running is around 20 km. On weekends, I primarily use the car for family purposes and short trips. My current annual running is around 5,000-6,000 km. I am planning to upgrade my car with a budget of Rs. 15-18 lakh. I prefer a petrol automatic SUV and am not considering sub-4-metre SUVs, as I feel their dimensions are not significantly different from my current car. I am quite confused between the Kia Seltos and Maruti Suzuki Victoris. I am considering the HTK (O) variant of the Seltos and the ZXi (O) variant of the Victoris. Both offer a panoramic sunroof and have almost identical features. However, the Victoris gets LED headlamps and fog lamps, while the Seltos gets halogen headlamps. I often see recommendations favouring the Seltos, so I would like to understand how both cars compare overall before making a decision. Which one would be the better choice for my usage and requirements? Thank you.
Kia SeltosMaruti Suzuki VictorisLast Updated on: 16 Aug 2026