Top 10 Compact SUVs In India Under Rs 20 Lakh: Tata Nexon, Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Tata Harrier And VW T-Roc

Tata’s sub-4m SUV is the only one in its segment to receive a 5-star rating in the Global NCAP crash tests. With the 2020 facelift, the Nexon has seen a host of upgrades over the previous model -- not only visually but also in terms of features. These include safety equipment such as dual airbags, ABS with EBD, reverse parking sensors, and Electronic Stability Program (ESP) as standard. It also features projector headlights with LED DRLs, sunroof, 7-inch touchscreen with 8-speaker Harman audio unit, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, digital instrument cluster and connected technology. The Nexon gets two engine options: a 1.2-litre turbo-petrol and a 1.5-litre diesel, both of which get an AMT option as well.

Mahindra has quite a few offerings in the sub-4m segment, but none as feature-loaded as the XUV300. It comes with several segment-first features like seven airbags, dual-zone climate control, and rear disc brakes. It also gets heated ORVMs, 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, leatherette upholstery, rear parking camera, ESP, and Hill Start Assist. 

The engines on offer are a 1.2-litre turbo-petrol (110PS/200Nm) and a 1.5-litre diesel (117PS/300Nm). Only the diesel gets an AMT option.

This is the only Maruti SUV on sale right now. But it misses out on a diesel engine, which is expected from a high rider, and instead makes do with a 1.5-litre petrol with mild-hybrid tech delivering 104PS/138Nm. In typical Maruti fashion, the claimed figures of this engine are the highest in its class but only when paired with a 4-speed automatic. The numbers stand at 17.03kmpl for the manual and 18.76kmpl for the automatic. 

The Vitara Brezza is a popular pick owing to the peace-of-mind ownership experience that Maruti promises. It also has a decent feature list comprising LED headlamps with LED fog lamps, 7-inch infotainment unit with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, engine push start/stop, and auto climate control. For safety, there are dual airbags, ABS with EBD, reverse parking camera, Hill Hold Assist, and ISOFIX child restraint mounts.

The Venue took the sub-4m-SUV segment by storm when it was launched last year. Its bold looks, wide variety of features and engine options made it an instant hit and one of the top 10 best-selling cars in India. The Venue’s long feature list includes automatic projector headlamps with cornering function, 16-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, sunroof, and an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. For safety, it receives six airbags, ABS with EBD, rear parking camera with sensors, tyre pressure monitoring system, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and Hill Assist Control. 

Under the hood, you get the option of a 1.2-litre petrol, a 1.0-litre turbo petrol, and a 1.5-litre diesel engine. The two-pedal option is only available on the 1.0-litre turbo, which can be had with a 7-speed DCT as well.

The Ford EcoSport was one of the first to capitalise on the rising popularity of compact SUVs. It’s undoubtedly one of the best looking and most feature-loaded offerings in the segment. Ford has equipped it with quad beam reflector headlamps with LED DRLs, sunroof, rain-sensing wipers, push button start/stop system, and an 8-inch touchscreen with SYNC3 system, Apple CarPlay and Android system. The EcoSport was the first in its segment to offer six airbags, coupled with staples such as ABS, ESC, Hill Launch Assist, and ISOFIX child seats. 

Engine options are a 1.5-litre petrol that delivers 122PS/149Nm while the similar-sized diesel churns out 100PS/215Nm, paired to a 5-speed manual transmission as standard. A 6-speed automatic is optional only on the petrol.

This nameplate needs no introduction as it has continually ranked among the top-selling cars in India. In the new-gen avatar, it looks a lot more striking and gains added features. 

The Creta scores high on the features front with equipment like LED projector headlamps, 17-inch alloy wheels, panoramic sunroof, reclining rear seats, rear AC vents, air purifier, 10.25-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 7-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless charging, six airbags, eSIM-based connected technology, and Hill Start Assist. 

The Creta gets a 1.5-litre petrol (115PS/144Nm), 1.5-litre diesel (115PS/250Nm) and a 1.4-litre turbo-petrol engine (140PS/242Nm). A 6-speed MT is standard on the 1.5-litre units but both can be had with an optional automatic as well. The turbo-petrol comes as standard with a 7-speed DCT (dual-clutch transmission).

The Kia Seltos was launched amid much fanfare last year and boy did it deliver! It immediately started racking up sales numbers and has single-handedly made Kia the third highest-selling brand in India. 

The Seltos looks and feels like a premium SUV inside out. The spacious cabin features quality materials while the equipment list is rather impressive with LED illumination, sunroof, blindspot camera, air purifier, 8-inch heads-up display, sound mood lighting, Bose audio system, 10.25-inch touchscreen, 7-inch digital instrument cluster, six airbags, 360-degree camera, and front parking sensors. 

It gets the same engine options as the Creta: 1.5-litre petrol and diesel with the choice of 1.4-litre turbo. The only exception here is the availability of a manual transmission option with the turbocharged engine in the Seltos.

If you swear by the old Indian saying, ‘Bada hai to behtar hai’, you should consider the MG Hector with its bling on the outside and palatial space on the inside. It features projector headlamps with LED DRLs and fog lamps, a big panoramic sunroof, leather seats, 6-way power-adjustable driver seat, 10.4-inch touchscreen infotainment unit with iSMART connected technology, 7-inch MID, 360-degree parking camera, six airbags, front parking sensors, Hill Hold, ESP, and traction control. 

The Hector is offered in a 1.5-litre petrol which can also be had with a 48V hybrid powertrain. While a 6MT is standard, only the non-hybrid version can be paired with a 6-speed DCT. The diesel on offer is a 2.0-litre unit that delivers 170PS/350Nm and is available with only a 6-speed manual.

If you like big, burly SUVs, the Tata Harrier is for you. It has a massive road presence and is equipped with features like Xenon HID projector headlamps, 17-inch alloy wheels, a massive panoramic sunroof, automatic climate control, 8.8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 7-inch instrument cluster.  

The Harrier is the only SUV in this list to get just a diesel powertrain under its hood. It’s the familiar 2.0-litre diesel that belts out 170PS/350Nm and is mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. With the recent facelift, it also gets a 6-speed automatic transmission which adds to the convenience of handling this behemoth within city confines.

The VW T-Cross is different from all the other offerings in this list. How? Not only is it discreet and likes to lay low but it also comes in just a single variant with one engine. It’s priced slightly shy of Rs 20 lakh and comes with just a 1.5-litre petrol engine (150PS/250Nm), mated to a 7-speed transmission. But this engine features an advanced cylinder deactivation technology that switches two of the four cylinders under lower load to maximise fuel efficiency. 

It features LED illumination units, 12.3-inch virtual cockpit instrument cluster, dual-zone climate control, 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. For safety, it gets six airbags, ABS with EBD, ESC, front and rear parking sensors, reverse parking camera and tyre pressure monitoring system.