Best Sub-4m SUV In India: Which One’s Your Pick?

The past couple of years have seen carmakers focus heavily on SUVs in India. To be more specific, the sub-4 metre SUV segment. While they are largely similar in length, each one of them packs something different to stand out. While Maruti may have had the upper hand with the Vitara Brezza, there is some serious competition from the Tata Nexon, Mahindra XUV300, Hyundai Venue and the likes. The question then is, which one’s the ideal pick. Well, you get to answer that via the Auto Premier League awards where YOUR opinion counts. Round two of voting begins on June 10 and here are your options:

Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza

Kicking off the list of nominees is none other than the Vitara Brezza from India’s largest carmaker. It’s also the highest-selling sub-4m SUV in India. Technically, it may not have been the father of the sub-4metre segment, but its x-factor stems from its versatility, Maruti’s expansive service network, affordability and fuel efficiency. 

Pros:

• Looks better with LED projector headlamps and a new grille.

• The LED DRLs double up as turn indicators.

• Gets more features like auto day/night IRVM and rain-sensing wipers.

• Finally gets a petrol automatic option. 

• Still remains good value for money for an everyday city-centric SUV.

Cons:

• Its 4-speed automatic feels sluggish on inclines and highways.

• Still misses out on premium bits like a sunroof, rear-AC vents, side and curtain airbags.

• Interior plastic quality hasn't improved.

• Ride quality is a bit stiff.

• Lack of a diesel engine.

For more detailed information about the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, click here.

Hyundai Venue

The latest entrant to the sub-4m segment, the Venue made a mark in the segment right from the get-go. It is a global product with a design that may be polarizing to some but still looks the most striking of the lot. It offers a variety of engine and transmission combos, premium features and connected car technology to make it a feature-loaded yet pricey offering in this segment.

Pros:

• Easy ingress/egress, spot-on ergonomics.

• Feature-rich with an air purifier, 8-inch touchscreen, sunroof, cruise control, wireless charging and first-in-segment e-SIM connected car tech.

• Features a youthful exterior design.

• Peppy and smooth 3-cylinder turbo-petrol.

• Comfort-oriented suspension setup.

Cons:

• The 1.5-litre diesel engine on the Venue doesn’t get an automatic option.

• Weird feature misses (SX+ DCT does not get rear wiper!).

• Strictly a 4-seater.

• Brake pedal feel could be better. 

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

Tata Nexon

Since its debut in 2017, the Nexon has earned many accolades, with the most notable one being the first made-in-India car to get a 5-star Global NCAP safety rating. It’s quite loaded with features like a sunroof, touchscreen infotainment and connected tech. But the ace up its sleeve is that this is the only car in its category that you can lap up with an electric powertrain as well. 

Pros:

• Feature-rich and spacious SUV.

• Powerful petrol and diesel engines with Automatic gearbox option (AMT).

• One of the most economical SUVs in the segment.

Cons:

• AMT doesn’t offer the refinement for a conventional automatic. 

• The touchscreen is not the best in the segment as it lags at times.

• The rearview camera is grainy to say the least.

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

Mahindra XUV300

The Ssangyong Tivoli-based Mahindra XUV300 made its debut in India back in February 2019. It boasts a plethora of segment-first features steering modes, dual-zone climate control, front parking sensors, seven airbags and heated outside rearview mirrors (ORVMs). Unsurprisingly, this makes it one of the pricier options out there.

Pros:

• Comfortable ride quality.

• Torquey diesel engine that makes highway overtakes a breeze.

•  A vast feature list consisting of class-leading safety and convenience features.

Cons:

• Ergonomic quality is questionable with poorly fitted panels, mushy switches and flimsy stalks.

• Small boot will be a hassle. 

• Cabin space is average at best.

For more detailed information about the Mahindra XUV300, click here.

Ford EcoSport

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Arguably the first model to push the sub-4m SUV classification in India was the Ford EcoSport, it’s well known for featuring a powerful petrol engine and a refined automatic transmission. It was also one the first vehicles in India that advertised the benefits of a smaller turbocharged petrol engine via the 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder Ford EcoBoost unit which, unfortunately, has now been discontinued.

Pros:

• All its variants are well equipped.

• Decent engine options to play with; both engine options are fun to drive.

• Sports an appealing design with an SUV-like stance.

Cons:

• 2nd row can get a little bumpy due to the stiff suspension setup.

• Strictly a four-seater, which isn’t ideal for a large family.

• Lacks a diesel-automatic option.

• Higher end variants are a little pricey.

For more detailed information about the Ford EcoSport, click here.

Mahindra TUV300

Mahindra’s first entry in the sub-4m SUV segment came in 2015 in the form of the TUV300. While it’s not a looker like the XUV300, it has some rugged appeal. On the positive side, it has gotten many updates over the year and yet, it is a cheaper alternative to the XUV300.

Pros:

• Rugged appeal with good road presence.

• Built for beating.

• Spacious cabin and offer jump seats at rear

Cons:

• No petrol engine.

• No automatic transmission, AMT discontinued. 

• Limited features while competing in a pool of feature-rich rivals.

For more detailed information about the Mahindra TUV300, click here.