Best SUV Under 15 Lakhs in India in 2024 – Specifications, Features, and Price

Welcome to the thrill of the open road and the excitement of the Indian SUV battlefield, where the gladiators of the automotive world vie for dominance. If you're in the market for the ultimate machines that redefine power, performance, and style, then you're in the right place. The Best SUVs in India under ₹15 lakh are the elite of the elite—fierce and unyielding, just like their ancient Roman counterparts.

But what makes these SUV cars under ₹15 lakh so special? It's their versatility, their adaptability to any terrain, and their unbeatable combination of luxury and ruggedness. And with so many options available, choosing the best SUV under ₹15 lakh in India can be an overwhelming experience. That's why we've compiled a list of the crème de la crème, the very best of the best SUVs in India under ₹15 lakh.

Join us as we take you on a wild ride through the ultimate list of best SUVs under ₹15 lakh in India. Our curated selection features everything from adventure-ready beasts to luxurious family-friendly rides, ensuring there's something for every SUV enthusiast out there. Get ready to be thrilled, amazed, and inspired by these remarkable SUVs—the true gladiators of the Indian roads.

1. Mahindra Thar

The second-generation Mahindra Thar is a highly sought-after off-road vehicle in India that offers an exceptional driving experience. In addition to its stunning design, the Thar is known for its outstanding performance. 

It is equipped with either a 2.0L turbocharged petrol engine that delivers 130 bhp of power and 300 Nm of torque on manual, and 150 bhp of power and 320 Nm of torque on automatic or a 2.2L diesel engine that produces 130 bhp of power and 300 Nm of torque. The Thar comes with a 6-speed manual gearbox as standard, and it is also available with a 6-speed automatic transmission.

Ex-showroom Price (Delhi): ₹13.59 lakh-₹16.29 lakh

Used Car Price: ₹14.86 lakh

Mahindra Thar Key Features: 

What's Good:

• Off-road capability with high ground clearance, 4x4 drivetrain, and low-range gearbox
• Unique and retro-inspired exterior design with a convertible top option

What's Not Good:

• The ride can be bumpy and uncomfortable, especially on rough terrain
• The cabin can be noisy and lacking in sound insulation, especially at higher speeds.

Check out our collection of Used Mahindra Thar Cars in India

2. Hyundai Creta

The Indian market is abuzz with the arrival of the upcoming compact SUVs in 2024. Among the lineup, the Hyundai Creta facelift is the talk of the town. This mid-life refresh is set to bring about substantial changes to the popular SUV's exterior and interior. 

Hyundai has taken inspiration from its Tucson for the Creta's updated front fascia, sporting a new parametric grille and LED daytime running lamps that stretch right to the edges of the SUV. The cabin of the 2023 Hyundai Creta facelift will feature a 10.25-inch digital cluster, as seen on the Alcazar, and ADAS technology borrowed from the Tucson. The SUV will make its grand entrance in May/June 2023, offering the same powertrain and transmission options as the current model. Ground Clearance 190 mm. 

Ex-showroom Price (Delhi): ₹10.87 lakh-₹19.20 lakh

Used Car Price: ₹7.6 lakh-₹16 lakh

Hyundai Creta Key Features: 

What's Good:

• Spacious cabin with excellent build quality and premium features
• Good ride quality, handling, and braking performance on both city and highway drives

What's Not Good:

• The base model lacks some important features that are present in the higher variants
• The diesel engine can be noisy and the steering wheel feels a bit disconnected

Check out our collection of Used Hyundai Creta Cars in India

3. Kia Seltos

The Kia Seltos, though one of the older cars on this list, stands out with its diesel engine, setting it apart from the rest. With its 1.5-litre diesel engine and torque converter, this car boasts one of the smoothest powertrains in the market. 

The gearbox is especially ideal for urban driving, delivering excellent fuel efficiency, while still being capable of handling the demands of highway driving with ease. The Seltos' gearbox is remarkable for its ability to provide a smooth and seamless driving experience, whether driving in stop-and-go traffic or cruising on the open road.

Ex-showroom Price (Delhi): ₹10.89 lakh-₹19.65 lakh

Used Car Price: ₹11.89 lakh

Kia Seltos Key Features: 

What's Good:

• Attractive and modern design
• A well-equipped and spacious cabin

What's Not Good:

• Expensive compared to some competitors
• Limited rear visibility

Check out our collection of Used Kia Seltos Cars in India

4. Maruti Grand Vitara

The Maruti Grand Vitara is a stylish and powerful SUV that is designed for adventure seekers. Available in both petrol and CNG variants, this car delivers a maximum power output of 91 bhp (petrol) and 86 bhp (CNG), making it a great car for off-roading and long drives. 

The car's 1490 cc engine provides ample power and the manual and automatic transmission options ensure a smooth driving experience. The Grand Vitara also comes equipped with features such as power steering, power windows front, anti-lock braking system, air conditioner, driver and passenger airbags, automatic climate control, alloy wheels, and a multifunction steering wheel, making it a well-rounded package for adventure enthusiasts.

Ex-showroom Price (Delhi): ₹10.45 lakh onwards

Used Car Price: ₹8 lakh onwards

Maruti Grand Vitara Key Features: 

What's Good:

• Robust build quality and a reliable engine that delivers decent performance on both on-road and off-road terrains
• Spacious interiors, comfortable seats, and a good ground clearance of 200 mm

What's Not Good:

• The car is not fuel-efficient and the maintenance cost is on the higher side
• Limited service network and availability of spare parts may be an issue in some areas

Check out our collection of Used Maruti Grand Vitara Cars in India

5. Skoda Kushaq

The Skoda Kushaq is a sleek and stylish compact SUV that has carved a niche for itself in the Indian automotive market. It is a perfect blend of comfort, style, and power. The Kushaq comes in a wide range of colours, giving customers the freedom to choose the one that suits their style and personality.

Under the hood, the Kushaq is powered by a 1.0-litre TSI engine that produces a maximum power of 114 bhp at 5,000 rpm and a peak torque of 178 Nm at 1,750 rpm. This engine is mated to a manual transmission, ensuring a smooth and effortless ride.

The Kushaq also comes packed with an array of safety features, including 2 driver-side airbags, child seat anchor points, seat belt warnings, an anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), electronic stability program (ESP), and traction control system (TCS).

Ex-showroom Price (Delhi): ₹11.59 lakh-₹19.69 lakh

Used Car Price: ₹12.09 lakh

Skoda Kushaq Key Features: 

What's Good:

• Well-built and spacious cabin with high-quality materials and comfortable seats
• Smooth and responsive turbocharged petrol engine with the option of a DSG automatic transmission

What's Not Good:

• Limited rear-seat legroom compared to some competitors
• Narrow boot space may be a concern for some buyers

Check out our collection of Used Skoda Kushaq Cars in India

6. Toyota Urban Cruiser

Derived from the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, the Toyota Urban Cruiser is a compact SUV that boasts a bold and striking presence. Its front grille flaunts a chrome accent that perfectly complements its LED projection headlights and a sleekly sculpted hood.

Under the hood, the Toyota Urban Cruiser is powered by a single 1.5-litre petrol engine that produces an impressive output of 104 horsepower and a maximum torque of 138 Nm. Paired with either a four-speed automatic or five-speed manual transmission, this vehicle offers a smooth and enjoyable ride.

Ex-showroom Price (Delhi): ₹8.62 lakh-₹11.4 lakh

Used Car Price: ₹10.34 lakh

Toyota Urban Cruiser Key Features: 

What's Good:

• Attractive exterior design with a spacious and comfortable cabin
• Efficient engine options with good fuel economy and low emissions

What's Not Good:

• Limited luggage space compared to some competitors
• The interior styling can be dull and lacking in flair

Check out our collection of Used Toyota Urban Cruiser Cars in India

7. Mahindra XUV300

We have already seen the type of SUVs produced by Mahindra but things only get better with the XUV300. It has rugged looks and performs better than most of the SUVs in its price bracket. The XUV300 also offers a range of features like dual-zone automatic climate control, a sunroof, a touchscreen infotainment system, leatherette upholstery, a rearview camera, and front and rear parking sensors. Safety features like 7 airbags, ABS, EBD, ESP, hill start assist, and disc brakes on all four wheels are also available. 

Additionally, the XUV300 has been awarded a 5-star safety rating by Global NCAP, making it the safest SUV in its segment. The XUV300 has become a popular choice among Indian car buyers looking for a combination of style, performance, and safety.

Ex-showroom Price (Delhi): ₹8.41 lakh-₹14.07 lakh

Used Car Price: ₹8.82 lakh

Mahindra XUV300 Key Features: 

What's Good:

• Spacious and well-built cabin with comfortable seats and good visibility
• Efficient and powerful diesel engine with the option of an automatic transmission

What's Not Good:

• Limited rear-seat legroom compared to some competitors
• Some interior quality issues, particularly with hard plastic surfaces in the lower trims

8. Tata Punch

Tata Punch has a sleek, sturdy, and aerodynamic design, and has also been awarded an excellent 5-star G-NCAP rating, making it one of the safest cars in India. What's great about the Tata Punch is that it's compact yet powerful, and its taller seating position, premium interiors, and upmarket features add a touch of luxury to the driving experience. 

If you're looking for the best value-for-money option in the Tata Punch line-up, then the Tata Punch Accomplished will be the ideal fit for you. This variant packs in a host of features that will keep you entertained and comfortable on your journeys. The 7.0-inch Harman touchscreen infotainment system, rear-view camera, and cruise control are just a few of the many features that make the Accomplished variant stand out.

Ex-showroom Price (Delhi): ₹5.93 lakh-₹9.49 lakh

Used Car Price: ₹7.99 lakh

Tata Punch Key Features: 

What's Good:

• Attractive and youthful exterior design with a high ground clearance
• Spacious and comfortable cabin with good visibility and practical storage spaces

What's Not Good:

• Limited engine options, with only a petrol engine available
• Rear-seat legroom can be tight for taller passengers

Check out our collection of Used Tata Punch Cars in India

9. Tata Nexon

With its bold and muscular exterior, the Nexon is like a car lover's dream come true. While it can seat up to five passengers, the Nexon also boasts a range of premium features, ensuring maximum comfort and convenience for all. What's more, the Nexon has been awarded a 5-star safety rating by G-NCAP, offering peace of mind for passengers.

The  XZ Plus variant is available in both petrol and diesel with manual and automatic transmission options. In addition, it comes equipped with a range of features such as steering-mounted controls, automatic climate control, a touchscreen infotainment system, and a sunroof. All in all, the Tata Nexon XZ Plus variant is the perfect balance of style, comfort, and performance.

Ex-showroom Price (Delhi): ₹7.60 lakh-₹14.08 lakh

Used Car Price: ₹11.54 lakh

Tata Nexon Key Features: 

What's Good:

• Attractive and modern exterior design with a solid build quality
• Spacious cabin with good rear-seat legroom and large boot space

What's Not Good:

• The ride quality can be bumpy on rough roads, especially for rear-seat passengers
• The infotainment system can be slow to respond at times

Check out our collection of Used Tata Nexon Cars in India

10. Renault Kiger

The Renault Kiger is a true anomaly in the Indian SUV market, offering both affordability and impressive performance. This sleek SUV boasts a 1.0L naturally aspirated petrol engine that generates 72 bhp of power and 96 Nm of torque, as well as a 1.0L turbo-petrol engine that produces an impressive 100 bhp of power and 160 Nm of torque. 

Drivers can choose between a 5-speed manual or AMT with the naturally aspirated engine, and a 5-speed manual or CVT with the turbo-petrol motor. Despite its wallet-friendly price tag, the Kiger holds its own against mid-tier SUVs, proving that Renault doesn't do things the conventional way. 

Ex-showroom Price (Delhi): ₹6.50 lakh-₹11.23 lakh

Used Car Price: ₹6.72 lakh 

Renault Kiger Key Features

What's Good:

• A stylish and sporty exterior design with attractive LED lighting elements
• Comfortable and spacious cabin with good storage space and a practical layout

What's Not Good:

• Engine noise and vibrations can be noticeable, especially under hard acceleration
• Ride quality can be bumpy on rough roads, particularly for rear-seat passengers.

Check out our collection of Used Renault Kiger Cars in India

11. Maruti Brezza

The Maruti Brezza, with its imposing presence on the road, is a stylish compact SUV that has made a significant impact on the Indian market. For eco-conscious drivers, the Maruti Brezza is available in a CNG variant. Equipped with a 1462 cc engine, the CNG-powered Brezza delivers maximum power of 86.63 bhp at 5,500 rpm and maximum torque of 121.5 Nm at 4,200 rpm. 

It has a seating capacity of five and comes with a five-speed manual transmission. The Brezza also offers a competitive mileage of 17 km/l, making it an economical option for daily use. Other notable features of the Brezza CNG include wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, ABS and EBD, AC with automatic climate control, and automatic headlamps.

Ex-showroom Price (Delhi): ₹9.28 lakh onwards

Used Car Price: ₹6.25 lakh onwards

Maruti Brezza Key Features:

What's Good:

• Spacious cabin with ample headroom and legroom for passengers
• Smooth and efficient petrol engine with the option of an automatic transmission

What's Not Good:

• Rear seat comfort could be better, especially on long drives
• Interior fit and finish could be improved, with some hard plastic surfaces

Check out our collection of Used Maruti Brezza Cars in India

Conclusion

In conclusion, finding the best SUV under ₹15 lakh in India can be a challenging task, but with the information provided in this blog, you are now equipped with the necessary knowledge to make an informed decision.

From the rugged off-road capabilities of the Mahindra Thar to the spaciousness of the Kia Seltos, and the fuel efficiency of the Maruti Grand Vitara, each SUV in this list has something unique to offer. It all comes down to your personal preferences, driving needs, and budget.

So, whether you're a city specialist or an off-road veteran, embrace your inner adventurer and let your imagination run wild. Picture yourself cruising through the winding roads of the countryside or charging through the rugged terrains of the mountains. With any of these SUVs, the possibilities are endless.

FAQs:

Q. What are the safety features available in the top 5 SUVs under ₹15 lakh in India?

The top 5 SUVs under ₹15 lakh in India have safety features like dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors, speed alert system, and electronic stability control. Additionally, some of these SUVs also have features like hill start assist, hill descent control, and traction control.

Q. How does the Mahindra Thar compare to other SUVs in terms of off-road capabilities?

The Mahindra Thar is known for its excellent off-road capabilities. It has high ground clearance, a 4x4 drivetrain, and an advanced off-road suspension system. These features make the Thar a great SUV for off-roading, especially when compared to other SUVs in this price range.

Q. Which SUV is the most spacious among the top 5 SUVs under ₹15 lakh in India?

The Kia Seltos is the most spacious SUV among the top 5 SUVs under ₹15 lakh in India. It has a longer wheelbase than most of its competitors, which translates to more legroom and headroom for passengers.

Q. What is the difference between the petrol and diesel variants of the Tata Nexon in terms of mileage and price?

The petrol variant of the Tata Nexon has a mileage of 17.5 km/l, while the diesel variant has a mileage of 21.1 km/l. Additionally, the diesel variant is more expensive than the petrol variant by about ₹1.5 lakh-₹2 lakh. However, the diesel variant provides better fuel economy and higher torque output.

Q. What are the top 5 SUVs under ₹15 lakh in India?

Even though the Indian automotive market is home to an impressive range of SUVs under ₹15 lakh, Mahindra Thar, Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Grand Vitara, and Skoda Kushaq are easily among the top 5 SUVs.