Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) are no longer just large, premium offerings. Over the past few years, they have firmly entered the mass-market space, with compact and sub-4 metre options now dominating sales charts.
Indian buyers have consistently demonstrated a strong preference for SUVs over hatchbacks and sedans, making affordability in this segment a crucial factor. Below is a closer look at the ten most affordable SUVs currently available in India, each priced under Rs 10 lakh.
Tata Nexon – Starting at Rs 8 lakh
Tata’s Nexon has become one of the most popular compact SUVs in India. Within the Rs 10 lakh bracket, buyers can choose from nine different variants across petrol-MT, petrol-AMT, diesel-MT, and CNG-MT options.
The 120hp, 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine is offered with 5-speed and 6-speed manual transmissions, and also with an AMT. In this price band, the 115hp, 1.5-litre diesel and 100hp, 1.2-litre CNG engine versions are restricted to manual gearboxes.
Kia Sonet – Starting at Rs 7.99 lakh
The Kia Sonet is a strong competitor in this space, offering seven variants under Rs 10 lakh. Powertrain options include an 83hp, 1.2-litre petrol engine with a 5-speed manual, a 120hp, 1.0-litre turbo-petrol paired with a 6-speed iMT, and a 116hp, 1.5-litre diesel with a 6-speed manual. Automatic options exist but are priced higher than Rs 10 lakh.
Mahindra XUV 3XO – Starting at Rs 7.99 lakh
Mahindra’s latest compact SUV, the XUV 3XO, is available in four trims below Rs 10 lakh. These entry variants do not offer automatics, but customers can choose between a 111hp, 1.2-litre turbo-petrol and a 117hp, 1.5-litre diesel engine, both with manual gearboxes.
Hyundai’s Venue, a rival to the Nexon, Sonet, and XUV 3XO, has seven variants priced under Rs 10 lakh. While the Venue offers three powertrain options in total, its lower trims only come with the 1.2-litre petrol and 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engines.
Toyota Taisor – Starting at Rs 7.74 lakh
Toyota’s Taisor line-up features six trims under Rs 10 lakh. Five of these carry a 90hp, 1.2-litre petrol engine, with both manual and AMT choices. A CNG variant producing 76hp is also available in this bracket. The higher-spec turbo-petrol engine, however, lies above the budget cut-off.