Best Compact SUV: What’s Your Pick

SUVs were once a luxury that most Indians could not afford. Fortunately, that’s not the case anymore. The introduction of compact and subcompact SUVs has made the segment market more competitive now. With the comfort and features available at an affordable price, Indians just cannot get enough of SUVs. Whether it’s the ego-satisfying big-car mentality or the accommodating space inside, SUVs are the top cars in every aspect in the market. Most carmakers are increasing their SUV range and it can be a right headache to select the right one -- especially when it comes to compact SUVs. Be a part of making the right choice by participating in our Auto Premier League, where you get to pick the best compact SUV. To make things easier for you, we’ve put out a list for you to pick from:

Mahindra Scorpio 

Introduced in 2002, the Scorpio made a lot of noise because of its affordability and different choice of chassis. Yes, it used a ladder-frame chassis instead of a monocoque body. But there was just something about those vertical tail lamps that caught everyone’s attention and hasn’t let go of it since. The 7-seater capacity and city driveability made it a preferable choice for a lot of people, especially those with families. 

Pros:

• The Scorpio drives great on city roads, despite being an SUV.

• Its road presence makes other cars automatically move out of the way.

Cons:

• Ride quality involves a lot of bumps and body roll.

• Poor ergonomics.

• The fit and finish quality on the Scorpio is not up to the mark.

• No automatic option 

• Getting pricier with every update 

For more detailed information about the Mahindra Scorpio, click here.

MG Hector  

MG entered the Indian market with a storm. The exciting prospect of a technology-driven affordable SUV arrived in the form of the Hector. While the jury’s still out on whether bigger is better, the internet SUV made for a strong case compared to its rivals. Among the fair competitors in this list, the SUV features the biggest touchscreen. MG has spared no expense in the features department with their first Indian offering, right from the base variant.

Pros:

• Easy-to-drive petrol and diesel engines.

• Safety across the range.

• Generous cabin space.

• Well-loaded with features even in the base variant.

• Standard 5 year/unlimited kilometre warranty.

• Buy back program powered by CarDekho.

Cons:

• Design, while distinctive, may not be to everyone’s taste.

• Gizmos could be more polished.

• Interior quality is good but not great.

• Seats could offer better underthigh support, even for people under 6ft tall.

• Diesel automatic missing 

For more detailed information about the MG Hector, click here.

Tata Harrier

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The Tata Harrier was the first car from the company to be built on a Land Rover platform. Launched in January 2019, the monocoque body SUV took a BS6 upgrade to receive an automatic option as well as polish its equipment list. It comes loaded with features like auto dimming IRVMs, a massive sunroof, and a 6-way adjustable powered driver’s seat. It is one of the best-selling mid-size SUVs in the Indian market.

Pros:

• More power makes the Harrier's highway performance stronger.

• 6-speed AT is smooth, and adds convenience.

• Cabin space is among the best. Proper 5-seater.

Cons:

• No petrol engine available. No AWD variant either.

• New features limited to top-spec XZ+ variant only.

• Ergonomic issues.

For more detailed information about the Tata Harrier, click here.

Nissan Kicks

Nissan entered the SUV race in India with their only offering, the Kicks. The SUV was recently granted the BS6 upgrade with which came a CVT gearbox and a 1.3-litre turbo-petrol powerhouse, doing away with the 1.5-litre diesel engine completely. With the new engine, the Kicks has become the most powerful offering in the segment with 156PS at the disposal of your right foot! 

Pros:

• Quality interior.

• Noise insulation.

• Mature ride.

• 360-degree parking assist.

• Powerful new 1.3-litre turbo petrol engine makes 156PS/254Nm.

Cons:

• Ergonomic issues.

• Feature misses like auto dimming IRVM, 6 airbags & more.

• No diesel engine option.

For more detailed information about the Nissan Kicks, click here. 

Mahindra Bolero

Another 7-seater SUV from Mahindra, the Bolero has always been the go-to car for utilitarian purposes. The toughness of the car is why you can see it in extreme areas around the country. 

Pros:

• Tough built quality, hard to damage.

• Built to take punishment.

• Ride quality soft to suit no road conditions.

Cons:

• Noisy cabin.

• Utilitarian layout.

• Bare bone features.

For more detailed information about the Mahindra Bolero, click here. 

Maruti Suzuki S-Cross

If the diesel-only S-Cross was a letdown for you, Maruti is expected to launch a petrol engine for the car by early June. The S-Cross is also expected to get the new mild-hybrid tech and 4-speed AT that the facelifted Vitara Brezza sported. 

Pros:

• Solid build quality.

• Ride quality.

• Lengthy feature list.

Cons:

• No rear-AC vents.

• Archaic 4-speed automatic.

For more detailed information about the Maruti Susuki S-Cross, click here.  

Hyundai Creta

The Creta has made waves in the Indian market since its launch. One of the best-selling compact SUVs, Hyundai has launched an even better second-generation Creta with the same engine as its cousin, the Kia Seltos. With additional features over its predecessor, the Creta now comes with an air purifier, a panoramic sunroof, and Hyundai’s BlueLink connected car tech.

Pros:

• One of the most feature-loaded compact SUVs.

• Multiple engine and transmission combos.

• Offers an expansive suite of connected features.

• Improved rear seat experience.

Cons:

• Automatic transmission limited to the top two variants.

• Feature misses like 360-degree camera & front parking sensors.

• Dual-tone colour only on the turbo-petrol variant.

For more detailed information about the Hyundai Creta, click here. 

Renault Captur

 

The younger sibling to the recently upgraded Duster, Renault’s second compact SUV in India has yet to receive a BS6 upgrade of its own. Expected to launch soon, the Captur is a decent option and comes loaded with features.

Pros:

• Feature loaded.

• Very flamboyant French crossover styling.

• Ride quality is among the best in its class. 

Cons:

• Front seats are a bit too high-set. Will be uneasy for taller drivers.

• No automatic transmission on offer.

• No diesel engine option

For more detailed information about the Renault Captur, click here.  

Kia Seltos

Just like its cousin, the Hyundai Creta, Kia’s debut product for the Indian market has been highly successful since its launch. An edge over the Creta in terms of features, the Seltos gets a 360-degree parking camera, a heads-up display, and a blind view monitor. The first in its segment to get an air purifier and an 8-speaker sound system shows Kia was definitely not ready to compromise on features with their Indian debut offering.

Pros:

• Driver MID.

• Cabin build and quality.

• Lots to choose from.

• Automatics with all three engines.

Cons:

• Underthigh support.

For more detailed information about the Kia Seltos, click here. 

Renault Duster

With the BS6 upgrade, the Duster has lost its diesel engine and is now a petrol-only offering. Another major hit to the car was the loss of the automatic transmission and all wheel drive option. On the bright side of things, the Duster Turbo is set to be launched soon. It will feature a turbocharged petrol engine and additional features such as remote cabin pre-cool and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. An automatic option in form of a CVT is set for a comeback as well with the new engine. 

Pros:

• Competitively priced.

Cons:

• Interior looks and feels basic.

• Basic safety kit.

• Loses out on the automatic and AWD option with the BS6 upgrade.

• No diesel engine on offer.

For more detailed information about the Renault Duster, click here.  

Mahindra XUV500

While the next-gen of the XUV500 is expected to be launched around early 2021, it has received its BS6 upgrade for now. Like the Renault Duster, the Mahindra XUV500 bid farewell to the AWD option and automatic transmission with the BS6 upgrade. The 12 variants that were on offer have been reduced to just 4. 

Pros:

• In terms of performance, the XUV500 is an all-rounder.

• Feature Loaded.

• The XUV500 has a lot of road presence.

Cons:

• Quality of some of the switches and the AC vents aren’t up to the mark.

• Even though it is a 7-seater SUV, the third row is not a comfortable place to be in.

• With all seats up, the amount of space left for luggage is very less.

• No automatic option.

For more detailed information about the Mahindra XUV500, click here. 

Jeep Compass

The Jeep Compass can be considered as both, a rugged SUV, and a comfortable household car. Off-road enthusiasts also get a nod in the form of the Trailhawk variant. The already feature-loaded SUV will probably get major updates with the facelift that will be announced soon. 

Pros:

• Off-road ability with intelligent shift-on-the-fly 4x4 system.

• Jeep Compass has a powerful and frugal diesel engine.

• Standard safety features.

• Value for money.

• Compact on the outside, spacious on the inside.

Cons:

• Cruise control is limited to the AT variants.

• Infotainment system can face lag at times.

For more detailed information about the Jeep Compass, click here.