10 SUVs with the Best Interiors in India

SUVs were once known for their rugged and utilitarian cabins but the onslaught of modern SUVs has raised the bar in this area. Nowadays, SUV offerings are required to be roomy, should feel premium, and must offer a comfortable driving experience. With SUV sales dominating the Indian car market, there are lots of choices for new car buyers. We have put together this list of 10 SUVs that offer the best interior experience for those looking for such an SUV.

1. Skoda Kylaq

The Skoda Kylaq is the smallest SUV from the Czech car maker, and while space is not its main ally, it manages to impress with its cabin quality levels and features list. The cabin colour is predominantly black, although certain trims are finished in beige as well. The dashboard features multiple trims with textured patterns and a thin green accent. 

Features such as ventilated front seats and a sunroof put it on par with other segment rivals. At the same time, the Skoda Kylaq also introduces power adjustable seats for both the front driver and passenger, which is a segment first feature and highly desirable. The 10.25 inch touchscreen is slick to use, and Skoda has tried to differentiate the Kylaq from its other cars by giving it new graphics. The digital instrument cluster is the same as the Kushaq’s which is quite well designed. The glove box is cooled as well and features an inbuilt spectacle holder.

In a segment where there are many contenders, the Kylaq is making a mark by forging its own identity and not following segment benchmarks. Its user experience is top notch, however, its rear bench seat features aggressive bolstering. It works well for two people, but becomes uncomfortable when used by three. If the space in the Kylaq feels less, then you can also check out some used Skoda Kushaq’s.

Skoda Kylaq Key Interior Features

2. Hyundai Creta

The Hyundai Creta is the best selling SUV in India and a big reason for that is its interior experience. Hyundai has used two different tones of grey for the Creta’s cabin. A special Knight Edition variant features a blacked out interior with brass inserts and looks sporty. The quality of materials used inside the cabin feels top notch and the dashboard features a clean design and a horizontal trim element on the passenger side.

Hyundai’s design engineers have neatly squeezed the 10.25 inch digital instrument cluster and the 10.25 inch touchscreen into one single housing, which in itself is subtly inset into the dashboard. Put together, it creates a highly premium visual effect. The Creta also features a panoramic sunroof and combined with the light interior colour, it creates a great sense of space. The 8 speaker BOSE sound system adds another feather in the Creta’s cap.

The Creta impresses on multiple fronts inside the cabin. The seats of the SUV are well accommodating and offer the right amount of softness for longer journeys. The Creta’s rear seat recline angle is quite good as well. If you are looking for a great interior, a used Hyundai Creta can be a good option too as all models of the Creta have had a great interior.

Hyundai Creta Key Interior Features

3. Kia Seltos

The Kia Seltos shares its underpinnings with the Hyundai Creta, but as far as the interior is concerned, both SUVs are poles apart. The Kia Seltos focuses on offering a more minimalist experience with its clean lines in the interior. The dashboard is the biggest example of this. It features different layers, but most of them are finished in a similar shade. However, on the quality front, the materials used in the Seltos’s interior are on par with segment benchmarks.

The 10.25 inch digital instrument cluster and the 10.25 inch infotainment touchscreen are the same as the Creta’s. However, they have been given a different housing and it fits rather neatly into the dashboard. The user experience of both screens is great. The Seltos also has a panoramic sunroof and an 8 speaker BOSE sound system. More or less, the features are the same as the Creta’s.

In the compact SUV space, the Kia Seltos is an all-rounder and the story is similar when it comes to its interior. What ties it all together is a clean design that makes the interior easy to use. If a new Seltos doesn’t fit your budget, you can look towards used units of the Kia Seltos as older models feature similar design cues.

Kia Seltos Key Interior Features

4. Tata Harrier

The Tata Harrier offers a lot of choice for the interior. You can spec it in different colours based on the variant and colour you pick. In its top spec guise, the Harrier’s interior is finished in black. If you pick the Sunlit Yellow colour, you get body coloured accents in the interior as well. The dashboard also features mood lighting which looks quite premium at night.

The 12.3 inch touchscreen is a free-standing unit and it runs Tata’s latest OS, which features highly sharp and premium graphics. The Harrier’s steering wheel also stands out with its piano black finish. The Tata logo is lit and disappears when the ignition is turned off. There is ample space on offer inside the Harrier’s cabin and the seats offer good back and thigh support. The JBL sound system offers excellent clarity and the audio experience sets benchmarks in the segment.

The Harrier’s cabin offers great overall comfort and features which makes the interior experience stand out. The all black cabin also has the advantage of appearing less dirty than a lighter shade interior. If interior space is what you prioritise, then, a used Tata Harrier can be a rewarding option.

Tata Harrier Key Interior Features

5. Tata Safari

The Tata Safari also comes with loads of interior choices. Tata calls them themed interiors, and as you move up the variants, the interior colours change. Black is used in most of them, and the top-end variants have a mostly blacked-out interior. The dashboard design of the Safari is similar to the Harrier’s and the mood lighting once again takes centre stage. Tata offers dual tone interior themes on the Safari, and this includes the steering wheel which is a unique touch and makes it stand out.

The touchscreen is a 12.3 inch free-standing unit like the Harrier and features similar graphics. The piano black finish on the steering wheel with the lit Tata logo is found in the Safari as well. Charging ports and a cup holder are available for third row passengers too. Furthermore, the central armrest in the front row features a chilled interior which can be used to keep beverages cold. The JBL sound system adds to the ambience of the cabin and makes the Safari’s interior feel thoroughly premium.

In the Safari, Tata has paid special attention to amenities for third row occupants, and if you often have passengers in the last row, it makes a great case for itself. A used Tata Safari can be ideal for those looking for a family car without breaking the bank.

Tata Safari Key Interior Features

6. Hyundai Tucson

The Hyundai Tucson is the flagship SUV from the Korean car maker, and its interior is dressed for the occasion. Hyundai has used a combination of black and light grey for the interior, and the Tucson’s cabin radiates a sense of space. The dashboard is broadly split into two halves with the upper half finished in black and the lower half finished in white.

The 10.25 inch touchscreen is neatly inset into the dashboard and also tilted towards the driver. All the regular HVAC and audio controls are ergonomically positioned underneath the touchscreen. The quality of buttons on the steering wheel stands out in the Tucson. The cooled and heated seats lend a fully loaded experience to the cabin, and the heated seats will come in handy when visiting cold areas such as Ladakh. The panoramic sunroof stretches over the heads of second row passengers and offers an encompassing experience.

The Korean car maker has positioned the Tucson as a premium offering and its cabin and price tag both reflect that. If you are looking for a similar experience without having to shell out for the top variant, a used Hyundai Tucson can help be a great middle ground.

Hyundai Tucson Key Interior Features

7. Jeep Compass

The Jeep Compass has been sold in India since 2017, and since the very beginning it has been a premium proposition. That sentiment extends to the Compass’ cabin as well. The dashboard features multiple layers and trims but its all black nature gives it a cohesive appearance. The door handles feature a metallic finish, and they stand out against the black cabin.

The 10.1 inch touchscreen is arranged in a free standing configuration and it features bright graphics which too lends contrast to the cabin. The touch experience is great and the user experience is slick to say the least. The instrument cluster is digital too, and highly customisable. It can be arranged in a modern digital layout and the screen can mimic an older analogue layout as well. The Compass’ seats are quite comfortable and extend a rather luxurious experience to both first and second row passengers.

The Jeep Compass is priced across a broad range, however, it is only the top end variants of the SUV that offer a premium interior experience. To strike a better balance, a used Jeep Compass can offer a similar experience but at a lower price.

Jeep Compass Key Interior Features

8. Volkswagen Tiguan

Finding a Volkswagen Tiguan on the road can be a daunting task, and that’s mostly because it does not sell in high numbers. The SUV is positioned as a halo car by Volkswagen, and when it comes to the interior, the Tiguan sets its own benchmarks. The cabin uses two different shades of grey and it looks classy. The dashboard is split into two halves and the design looks quite sophisticated.

The 8 inch touchscreen is small, when you take into account the price of the Tiguan, but the user experience is sophisticated and the screen has been seamlessly integrated into the dashboard. The Tiguan’s controls are driver focused and ergonomically laid out, and it's easy to operate most of them from the driver’s seat without taking one’s eyes off the road. The 30 colour ambient lighting proves highly helpful in lighting up the cabin at night.

The Volkswagen Tiguan comes across as a niche SUV, with an old school approach to the interior layout and design while offering most modern amenities. In short, it offers a similar experience as Volkswagen’s of the past and if you are looking to buy one, you can check out some used Volkswagen cars.

Volkswagen Tiguan Key Interior Features

9. Skoda Kodiaq

The Kodiaq is Skoda’s biggest SUV, can seat a total of seven people and is known for its interior quality. Skoda has employed beige as the primary colour of choice and black as a secondary colour to offer visual contrast. The upholstery of the Kodiaq, including the steering wheel and gear lever, uses genuine leather and the texture feels highly premium.

The touchscreen is an 8 inch unit and is similar to that of other premium Skoda cars such as the Superb. It's small compared to the screens we are used to seeing in cars today, but the graphics layout and the touch interface are flawless. The Kodiaq also offers a nap package for second row passengers which allows occupants to nap without their heads moving from side to side. The panoramic sunroof floods the cabin with enough light and makes it feel highly spacious. The seats of the Kodiaq are comfortable and offer great support.

The Kodiaq offers abundant space, light interiors and a petrol engine which highly reduces the NVH levels of the SUV. It is a great option for those who value refinement in a vehicle above all else. Other cars from the brand offer a similar experience and you can check out used Skoda cars to browse further.

Skoda Kodiaq Key Interior Features

10. MG Gloster

The MG Gloster is the largest SUV in its segment. The size advantage translates inside the cabin as well and all three rows of the Gloster feel highly spacious. MG design engineers have used black for most of the interior with the seats finished in brown. The colours compliment each other and look premium. The upholstery uses a mix of genuine and synthetic leather, and it feels premium to touch.

The Gloster’s touchscreen is wide, but not very tall. It is positioned in a floating configuration and doesn’t obstruct the road ahead. The captain seats in the second row are a great luxury feature and offer great comfort on long highway drives. The added recline level on these seats is quite practical as well and makes them quite versatile.

With space being abundantly available, the Gloster makes for a great family SUV for road trips. While it is diesel powered, the NVH levels have been kept under check and the refinement is on par with other similar SUVs. If you are looking for a second hand Gloster, you can browse through these used MG cars.

MG Gloster Key Interior Features

List of 10 SUVs with the Best Interiors in India

Conclusion

Quite simply, a great SUV interior has to have everything. It should offer a comfortable experience, be full of features, and high quality materials should dominate the cabin. It is trickier to achieve this blend with smaller SUVs compared to mid-size or large SUVs due to the space constraints. As you move up the price range, SUVs with better interiors become a common sight.