SUVs are the most popular cars in India because they handle bad roads well, offer good space and feel comfortable for daily use and long trips. Right now, some of the best SUVs in India include the Mahindra XUV700, Hyundai Creta, Tata Nexon, Kia Seltos and Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder.
For mileage, hybrid SUVs like the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder perform the best. Buyers on a budget often choose compact SUVs like the Tata Nexon or Maruti Suzuki Brezza. For families, mid-size SUVs such as the Mahindra XUV700 and Hyundai Creta are widely preferred.
Ultimately, the right SUV depends on your budget, fuel preference, driving style and usage. Always factor in long-term costs like fuel efficiency, maintenance and car insurance before buying.
SUVs are everywhere now. At signals, in parking lots, outside schools, lined up like they own the place.
Most of us did not plan to buy one at first. It just sort of happened. Roads got worse, families got bigger, trips got longer and suddenly a taller car made more sense. An SUV feels reassuring in daily chaos. You see better, sit comfortably and worry less about what lies ahead. Still, picking one is not easy anymore. Every brand has options. Prices overlap and comparative features blur together.
So, where do you even start? Do you drive more in the city or do you do highways and long trips? Do you need space for people, luggage, or both?
Some SUVs are calm and practical. Some feel rugged and bold. A few try to balance everything and mostly succeed. What works for one driver may feel wrong for another and that’s the honest truth. Below, you’ll find a clear look at the top 10 SUV cars in India today. No noise, no shortcuts. Just the details that actually help you decide.
Top 10 SUV Cars in India (2026)
SUVs are everywhere now. In cities, on highways, etc. But not every SUV fits every buyer. Some are built for comfort, some for power and some just make daily life easier. Here is a clean, side-by-side look at the top 10 SUVs in India for 2026, based on popularity, everyday usability and long-term ownership sense.
|
SUV Name
|
Price in India (Ex-Showroom)
|
Engine & Performance
|
Mileage (ARAI / Approx)
|
Why Should You Buy This?
|
|
Tata Nexon
|
Rs. 7.3 - Rs. 14.2 lakh
|
1.2L / 1.5L petrol/diesel; punchy city driving
|
~17-23 kmpl
|
Safety-focused everyday SUV
|
|
Hyundai Creta
|
Rs. 10.7 - Rs. 20.2 lakh
|
1.5L petrol & diesel, refined
|
~17-21 kmpl
|
Family SUV with good balance
|
|
Kia Seltos
|
Rs. 10.9 - Rs. 19.9 lakh
|
1.5L petrol & diesel options
|
~17-20 kmpl
|
Feature-hungry buyers
|
|
Mahindra XUV700
|
Rs. 13.7 - Rs. 25.1 lakh
|
2.0T petrol / 2.2 diesel
|
~15-17 kmpl
|
Tech + safety value
|
|
Mahindra Scorpio N
|
Rs. 15.8 - Rs. 29.5 lakh
|
2.0L petrol / 2.2 diesel
|
~14-16 kmpl
|
Power + road presence
|
|
Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder
|
Rs. 10.9 - Rs. 19.7 lakh
|
1.5L petrol & hybrid
|
~20-27 kmpl (hybrid)
|
Mileage seekers
|
|
MG Hector (Facelift)
|
Rs. 11.9 - Rs. 18.9 lakh
|
1.5 turbo petrol / diesel
|
~13-16 kmpl
|
Roomy highway SUV
|
|
Tata Sierra
|
Rs. 11.5 - Rs. 21.3 lakh
|
1.5L petrol/diesel
|
~15-18 kmpl
|
Style + daily comfort
|
|
Volkswagen Taigun
|
Rs. 11.7 - Rs. 19.9 lakh
|
1.0 & 1.5 turbo petrol
|
~18-19 kmpl
|
Driving enthusiasts
|
|
Maruti Suzuki Victoris
|
Rs. 11.0 - Rs. 17.0 lakh*
|
1.5 petrol; new SUV
|
~16-19 kmpl*
|
Balanced city + highway
|
Petrol vs Diesel SUVs in India
This argument never really ends. And to be honest, there isn't one right answer. It depends on how your car fits into your daily life.
So, which one is better for driving in the city?
When driving in cities, SUVs that run on petrol usually feel better. They cost less to buy in the first place, are quieter and drive more smoothly in traffic. If you mostly drive short distances, like to school or work, petrol makes your life easier.
And which one is better for highways?
On highways, diesel SUVs really shine. They feel stronger when they pass and are better at driving long distances. If you drive on highways a lot or have a full car, diesel engines usually feel less stressed and work better.
SUV Price Comparison Table
Before features and looks come into play, most buying decisions still begin with price and mileage. Car insurance, registration and taxes all add up. So this table looks at SUVs the way buyers usually do, with practical numbers and options laid out clearly.
|
SUV
|
Approx Ex-Showroom Price (India)
|
Fuel Options
|
Mileage (Claimed / Real-World)
|
|
Tata Nexon
|
Rs. 7.32 - Rs. 14.15 lakh
|
Petrol, Diesel
|
~18-20 kmpl claimed; ~17-19 kmpl real-world
|
|
Hyundai Creta
|
Rs. 10.79 - Rs. 20.20 lakh
|
Petrol, Diesel
|
~19-22 kmpl claimed (diesel)
|
|
Maruti Suzuki Brezza
|
Rs. 8.26 - Rs. 13.01 lakh
|
Petrol
|
~19.8 kmpl claimed
|
|
Mahindra Scorpio-N
|
Rs. 13.20 - Rs. 24.17 lakh
|
Petrol, Diesel
|
~12-16 kmpl (diesel better)
|
|
Mahindra XUV700
|
Rs. 13.66 - Rs. 23.71 lakh
|
Petrol, Diesel
|
~17 kmpl claimed (diesel)
|
|
Kia Seltos
|
Rs. 10.99 - Rs. 19.99 lakh
|
Petrol, Diesel
|
~15-17 kmpl real-world
|
|
Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder
|
~Rs. 10.95 lakh onwards
|
Petrol, Hybrid
|
~20-27 kmpl (hybrid)
|
|
MG Hector (2026 facelift)
|
Rs. 11.99 - Rs. 18.99 lakh+
|
Petrol, Diesel
|
~15-17 kmpl claimed
|
|
Skoda Kushaq
|
Rs. 10.58 - Rs. 19.19 lakh+
|
Petrol
|
~17-19 kmpl claimed
|
|
Volkswagen Taigun
|
Rs. 10.58 - Rs. 19.19 lakh+
|
Petrol
|
~19-20 kmpl claimed
|
Note: Prices are ex-showroom estimates. They vary a bit from city to city and depend on variant, color, accessories and state taxes. Mileage figures here include claimed ARAI numbers plus real-world reports where available.
Upcoming SUV Cars in India
This year feels like SUV season all over again. Most of the early action is around 2026, with a mix of petrol, hybrid and electric models expected to hit showrooms soon. There’s something for every kind of buyer, whether you care about mileage, tech or all-electric driving. Here’s a snapshot of the upcoming SUVs you might hear a lot about:
|
SUV Model
|
Expected Launch Time
|
Expected Price Range (India)
|
|
Renault Duster (All-New)
|
Early 2026
|
Rs. 10 - Rs. 20 lakh*
|
|
Tata Sierra EV
|
First half 2026
|
Rs. 20 - Rs. 24 lakh*
|
|
Maruti Suzuki eVitara (Electric)
|
Early 2026
|
Rs. 17 - Rs. 22 lakh*
|
|
Next-Gen Kia Seltos
|
Early 2026
|
Rs. 12 - Rs. 21 lakh*
|
|
Mahindra XUV 7XO (Facelift)
|
Early 2026
|
Rs. 14 - Rs. 25 lakh*
|
|
Toyota Urban Cruiser EV
|
Early 2026
|
Rs. 20 - Rs. 25 lakh*
|
|
Skoda Kushaq Facelift
|
Early 2026
|
Rs. 12 - Rs. 22 lakh*
|
|
Volkswagen Taigun Facelift
|
Early 2026
|
Similar to Kushaq
|
|
Nissan Tekton
|
Mid 2026
|
Rs. 10 - Rs. 20 lakh*
|
|
Renault Bigster (7-Seater)
|
Mid to Late 2026
|
Rs. 13 - Rs. 22 lakh*
|
Note: Prices above are expected ranges, not final showroom figures. Final prices will depend on variants, taxes and location.
Must-Read Guides From SMC
Wrapping Up
If there’s one thing that stands out about SUVs in India today, it’s choice. The landscape has grown from a few models to an entire ecosystem that has something for everybody. At the end of the day, picking the right SUV depends on a car that fits how you live and how you drive. City traffic, weekend trips, school runs, long stretches on the highway - a good SUV ought to make all of that feel easy, not stressful. And for optimal stress-free driving, choose to purchase car insurance from SMC.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this platform is intended for general awareness and educational purposes. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, some details may change with policy updates, regulatory revisions, or insurer-specific modifications. Readers should verify current terms and conditions directly with relevant insurers or through professional consultation before making any decision.
All views and analyses presented are based on publicly available data, internal research, and other sources considered reliable at the time of writing. These do not constitute professional advice, recommendations, or guarantees of any product’s performance. Readers are encouraged to assess the information independently and seek qualified guidance suited to their individual requirements. Customers are advised to review official sales brochures, policy documents, and disclosures before proceeding with any purchase or commitment.