Top 5 Upcoming SUVs Under Rs 20 Lakh in India

SUV cars are the hottest things in the Indian automotive market currently. The segment has seen a massive surge in popularity over the last decade and has taken the place of sedan category in the sub Rs 20 lakh price bracket. Most automakers currently offer at least one SUV in their product lineup, while others are developing their own. With the segment expected to grow even further, it's no surprise that a slew of SUVs are slated for launch in 2023. Today we take a look at ‘The Top 5 Upcoming SUV Cars Under Rs 20 Lakh in India. 

Maruti Jimny 5-Door

The Jimny 5-door is arguably the most awaited new Maruti car in recent memory. The automaker will showcase and is expected to launch the SUV at the Delhi Auto Expo 2023.

Specifically developed for the Indian market, the Maruti Jimny 5-door is a considerably longer version of the 3-door model. Dimension-wise, the new SUV will have a longer wheelbase by 300 mm at 2550 mm compared to 2250 mm and a length of 3,850 mm. Visually though, the SUV looks very similar to its 3-door counterpart except for the second set of doors and a bigger bodyshell, this is not a bad thing as it already is a rugged and chunky-looking vehicle.

Powering Maruti’s new SUV will be the 1.5-litre K15b petrol engine that churns out 103 bhp with 138 Nm of peak torque. It will come mated to a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed torque converter automatic gearbox.

Mahindra Thar 5-Door

To compete with the Jimny, Mahindra and Mahindra will be launching a 5-door version of the ultra-popular Thar. Its test mule has been spotted several times, giving us an idea regarding the design of the upcoming SUV ahead of its launch around the first quarter of 2023.

The new Thar 5-door will be longer than the 3-door model, with an extended wheelbase to make space for the new set of rear doors. This will also mean that it will be more spacious on the inside. Elsewhere, the design will likely remain the same with a vertically slatted front grille, rugged front bumper finished in black, and round headlights. Unlike the 3-door model though, the new variant could come as a hard-top version only.

On the inside, the basic design will remain similar but there will be a few changes. Recent spy shots reveal a bigger boot, centre armrest and a recess for a bigger infotainment system like the one seen on the New Mahindra Scorpio N. The Thar 5-door could also come in 5 or 7-seat configuration.

Expect Mahindra to offer the same powertrain options for the Thar 5-door as its smaller counterpart. There will be a 2-litre mStallion 150 TGDi petrol motor that will churn out 150 bhp and 300 Nm of peak torque. While its 2.2-litre mHawk 130 engine will make a maximum power output of 130 bhp with 300 Nm torque. Transmission choices would include a 6-speed manual alongside a 6-speed automatic gearbox.

Mahindra XUV400 EV

The New Mahindra XUV400 EV is the pure-electric version of the XUV300 compact SUV. However, there are a few visual differences when compared to the latter. The front grille is closed off, featuring a bronze and black design. It also gets Mahindra’s new Twin Peaks logo finished in bronze, a contoured front bumper, projector headlights with DRLs, roof rails, and diamond-cut alloy wheels.

On the inside, the XUV400 features a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with inbuilt Apple CarPlay and Android Auto while the driver gets analogue dials with a MID sitting in the middle. Other creature comforts include multiple drive modes, ambient lighting, a 4-speaker audio system, auto headlights and wipers, and more.

Powertrain-wise, the XUV400 EV will use a 39.5 kWh Li-ion battery pack that powers a single front-axle mounted electric motor. It makes 148 bhp and 310 Nm of peak torque. Mahindra claims a range of 456 kms on a single charge for the XUV400 EV, the highest in the segment. The battery can be charged by a DC fast charger from 0 to 80 percent in just 50 minutes.

MG Hector Facelift

The MG Hector has been a successful offering for the brand in India. For 2023, the SUV will get a refreshed design and an updated interior with new features. It will be getting a new front end with sharper creases and more defined angles while the grille has grown in size as well. The LED DRLs stay similar but the headlights get a new pentagonal housing. Elsewhere, there are new 18-inch wheels and a new red strip connecting the new taillights.

The interior of the 2023 MG Hector Facelift will undergo a change getting a redesigned dashboard featuring a bigger 14-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen infotainment system with inbuilt i-Smart Connected Car Tech. The new model will also offer features like a digital instrument cluster, ambient lighting, ventilated seats, ADAS functionality, and more.

2023 Hector Facelift will retain the existing powertrain options of two 1.5-litre petrol units, one with mild-hybrid assistance, and a 2-litre turbo diesel engine. Transmission options here will include a 6-speed manual alongside a CVT automatic gearbox.

Read Also: Upcoming MG SUV: MG Hector Facelift - All You Need to Know

Honda Compact SUV

Honda is currently the only automaker in India that does not have an SUV offering in the market. The Japanese brand is gearing up to correct this notion with a new sub-4-metre compact SUV slated to launch next year. It will be based on the Amaze sedan and will share a design similar to the New Honda WR-V that was recently unveiled globally.

The new Compact SUV could share its powertrain options with the current–generation Honda City. This could include a 1.5-litre petrol engine alongside the hybrid version of the 1.5-litre Atkinson-cycle petrol unit. The former makes 97 bhp while the latter produces 109 bhp of power while the torque figures remain the same both at 253 Nm. There could also be a 1-litre 3-pot turbo-petrol motor in the offering. This engine is good for delivering 130 bhp and 200 Nm of peak torque.

Read Also: Difference Between a Sub-Compact SUV, Compact SUV and MPV