Five Best Value-For-Money SUVs Under 10 Lakh
Key Highlights:
- The Magnite-Kiger duo are the most affordable SUVs in their category, which provide great value for money.
- The Exter is a well-rounded package under the micro-SUV segment that offers a great balance between space, features and performance.
- The 2nd-gen Hyundai Venue is the newest offering in this budget range.
- While the Fronx is the most fuel-efficient offering, the XUV 3XO is the most powerful among all.
While road conditions in India have improved significantly over the years, the low stance and ground clearance of sedans and hatchbacks are still a concern for many. And that’s why SUVs nowadays have become the first choice for Indians, not only due to their elevated ride height, but also for their commanding road presence. Here, we’ve compiled a list of the top 5 SUVs priced under Rs. 10 lakh that offer excellent value for their money.
Nissan Magnite/Renault Kiger
- Magnite: Rs. 5.62 lakh and Rs. 10.76 lakh
- Kiger: Rs. 5.76 lakh and Rs. 10.34 lakh
Both the Nissan Magnite and Renault Kiger are sub-4m SUVs, priced in a similar range and share their platform, powertrains and equipment lists. They are a great offering for those who seek spacious, feature-rich compact SUVs on a small budget. Their ride quality is also exceptional in their segment.
They come with two petrol options: a 72PS 1-litre naturally aspirated and a 100PS 1-litre turbocharged, both offered with manual and automatic transmission options. Regarding features, they get amenities like automatic LED headlamps, 16-inch alloy wheels, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, digital instrument cluster, auto AC, rear AC vents, wireless charger, six airbags, ABS with EBD, TPMS, ISOFIX anchors and much more.
Both SUVs also offer a generous boot space of approximately 400 litres.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Ample space inside the cabin. Automatic gearbox options with both engine options. Powerful turbo-petrol engine with smooth CVT automatic. Decently loaded. Competitive pricing. | Hard plastic materials inside the cabin. Lacks a sunroof. Low mileage with a turbo engine |
Hyundai Exter
- Price Range: Rs. 5.68 - 9.61 lakh
Priced from Rs. 5.68 lakh, the Exter is Hyundai’s most affordable SUV on sale in India. With its refined engine options, high-quality cabin and spacious interior, the Exter is an excellent option for those seeking a feature-rich, rugged-looking SUV that is high on practicality.
Hyundai offers it with a 1.2-litre, 4-cylinder, petrol engine (83PS/114m), that can be paired with either a 5-speed manual or 5-speed AMT. It is also available with a factory-fitted CNG kit (69PS/95Nm), which features a dual-cylinder technology enabling ample boot space for your weekend getaway.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Spacious interior, with plush material quality. Excellent NVH levels. Feature-rich offering, including the segment-first dashcam. Usable boot with CNG. | Polarising exterior design. Drive lacks a fun element. |
Maruti Suzuki Fronx
- Price Range: Rs. 6.85 - 11.98 lakh
The Maruti Suzuki Fronx is essentially the Baleno-based utility vehicle, which boasts rugged design elements and increased ground clearance to give it an SUV-like character.
It can be had with three engine options: -
- 1.2-litre NA petrol, paired with 5-speed Manual or AMT (90PS/113Nm): Known for its excellent NVH levels, high fuel efficiency and low maintenance nature. It claims 21.79 km/l with MT and 22.89 km/l with AMT.
- 1.2-litre petrol-CNG with 5-speed manual (77.5PS/98.5Nm): Despite lower output, the difference in performance isn’t substantial enough in real-world usage when compared to its petrol-only version. It claims a high fuel efficiency of 28.51km/kg.
- 1-litre turbocharged petrol (100PS/148Nm): Offers strong performance to make the ride more enjoyable. At 21.5 km/l (MT) and 20.1kmpl (AT), it is fuel efficient too.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Attractive styling; looks like a mini Grand Vitara from the front. Excellent fuel efficiency and ride quality. Spacious, practical cabin. Strong service network support. High resale value. | Use of hard plastic materials. Lacks amenities like a sunroof and ventilated seats in higher variants. |
Hyundai Venue
- Price Range: Rs. 7.90 - 15.69 lakh
The Hyundai Venue, which has recently undergone a generational change, comes in eight variants across three engine options. However, three of them (HX2, HX4 and HX5 petrol) are priced under Rs. 10 lakh. Out of these, the HX5 offers the most value for money in Venue’s entire variant lineup. It comes with both 1.2-litre NA petrol (83PS/114Nm) and 1-litre turbo-petrol (120PS/172Nm) engines, mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox. For its automatic and diesel versions, one needs to push their budget over Rs. 10 lakh.
Nevertheless, if you’re looking for a manual-gearboxed compact SUV, the Venue HX5 feels well-rounded and would be an ideal pick. And with the latest update, the Venue has emerged as a more mature offering, which has not only grown in size, but also features a completely new design inside and out, and underpins a reinforced chassis with a strong emphasis on safety and comfort.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Feature-packed. Multiple engine options: two petrol and a diesel. Improved cabin and boot space. Strong resale value. | Turbo-petrol engine offers low fuel efficiency in city conditions. Higher variants feel overpriced. |
Mahindra XUV 3XO
- Price Range: Rs. 7.28 - 14.40 lakh
For those looking for a well-rounded SUV with a strong focus on performance and safety, the XUV 3XO would be a great pick. Those variants priced under Rs. 10 lakh can be had with either a 1.2-litre turbo-petrol (112PS/200Nm) or a 1.5-litre diesel (116PS/300Nm). The gasoline mill also gets a 6-speed torque converter automatic option in the aforementioned price range for added convenience. However, you’ll be required to extend your budget in order to get diesel-AMT or the more powerful 1.2-litre TGDi petrol engine options.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Roomiest cabin in its category. Lower variants are also very well-equipped. Powerful engine options. Comfortable ride quality. | Polarised design. Limited boot space. Owners complain about the sales experience. |
All prices, ex-showroom.
FAQs
1. Which is the most powerful SUV under 10 lakh?
The Mahindra XUV 3XO has the most powerful engine on offer.
2. Which SUV under 10 lakh claims the highest fuel efficiency?
The Maruti Suzuki Fronx CNG claims the highest fuel efficiency, rated at 28.5 km/kg.
3. Is there any 7 Seater SUV under 10 Lakh?
Yes, the Mahindra Bolero and Bolero Neo are 7-seater offerings under Rs. 10 lakh.