Best SUVs in India Under 12 lakh in 2021

by Vivaan Khatri | 21/06/2021
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Check out the list of best SUVs in India under 12 lakh in 2021. Within this price bracket, you will find various options from different sub-segment of the SUV market, from compact SUVs to sub-four-meter SUVs.

The growing segment of SUVs is providing a wide range of options for buyers. You can find a number of choices within any given budget, ranging from as low as 5 lakh to over crores. In another post, IndianAuto has introduced the lists of the best SUV cars in India for less than 10 lakhs. If you can stretch your budget for two more lakhs, check out the list of best SUVs in India under 12 lakhs.

Compact SUVs (above 10 lakh)

On the first part of the list, we will present the options with the starting prices around 10 lakh. For under 12 lakh, buyers can afford the lower-end variants of several premium compact SUVs. Compared to other variants of the segment below, these premium compact SUVs are larger, offering better interior space and comfort. However, with only around 12 lakh, you can only afford the lower variants of these models with limited features. If you prioritize the convenience, and abundance of features, these might not be the right fit for you.

Hyundai Creta

Price: Rs 9.99 lakh – Rs 17.53 lakh

Hyundai Creta remains a dominant presence in the Indian market for years now. The segment-leading SUV is available at the starting price of Rs 9.89 lakh (ex-showroom). The quality of the Hyundai Creta is unquestionable. For less than 12 lakh, you can buy the E and EX trims. The S trim with petrol variant which is priced slightly above the 12 lakh mark (Rs 12.05 lakh) is also a viable option. Starting from the EX variant, the Creta is available with some highlight features including an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, smartphone connectivity, voice recognition, 4-speaker audio system with two tweeters, multifunction steering wheel. The S variant is offered with some additional features like a rear parking camera, automatic climate control, cruise control, keyless entry and push-button start, and other exterior details.

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Hyundai Creta is on sale with two petrol engines and one diesel unit. The turbocharged petrol unit is only available on the higher-end variants that cost more than 12 lakh. It means that there are only 1.5-litre petrol and a 1.5-litre diesel version on offfer within the 12-lakh budget. Moreover, only the manual version of these engines fit this price range.

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Kia Seltos

Price: Rs 9.89 lakh – Rs 17.45 lakh

Another premium hatchback that you can get for less than 12 lakh is the Kia Seltos. The Seltos is also the direct rival of the Hyundai Creta. Launched in 2019, long after the Hyundai Creta, however, the Kia Seltos is still able to thrive in the highly competitive segment of compact SUV. Being the first model of Kia in the Korean market, the Seltos is equipped with various segment-leading features. However, only the lowest variants of the Seltos are priced under the 12 lakh mark. The good news is that Kia Seltos is well-equipped from the base variants.

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The base variant of the Kia Seltos is available with features like a 4-speaker audio system, a control-mounted steering wheel, rear AC vents, a UVO lite connectivity suite and a few exterior styling elements. From the HTK variant, it is added with a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple Carplay and Android Auto, a 6-speaker audio system and electrically adjustable ORVMs with in-built turn indicators. At the price of Rs 11.69 lakh, the HTK+ with petrol-manual powertrain gets some extra features like 16-inch alloy wheels, LED ambient lighting, power foldable mirrors, cruise control, one-touch up and down for driver window.

About the powertrain, the Kia Seltos is available with the same set of engine options on the Hyundai Creta. Similar to the Hyundai Creta, the lower variant of the Kia Seltos is available with two engines only which are the 1.5-litre petrol and a 1.5-litre diesel unit. However, only the manual version is available within the price range of under 12 lakh.

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Sub-compact SUVs (From Under 10 lakh) 

On the second part of this list, we will see some models that start below 10 lakh mark. It means that for 12 lakh, you can easily afford the mid-range or even the top-spec variants of these models. Let’s what these SUVs can offer for less than 12 lakh.

Hyundai Venue

Price: Rs 6.86 lakh – Rs 11.66 lakh

Hyundai Venue is one of the best SUVs in India under 12 lakh. The top-spec variant of the Venue costs Rs 11.66 lakh. With 12 lakh, you can afford the top-spec variant of this model with full features. The top-spec variant of the Hyundai Venue can offer some premium equipment, for example, wireless charging, air purifier, 60:40 split rear seats, smart key with push-button start, sunroof, cruise control, 8.0-inch touchscreen, BlueLink connectivity system, rear AC and more. In terms of safety, the Venue is offered with up to six airbags, electronic stability control, and vehicle stability management.

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About the powertrain, the Hyundai Venue is available with three engine options – 1.2-litre petrol, 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol unit and a 1.5-litre diesel unit. The N.A petrol unit is available with 5-speed manual gearbox. The turbocharged unit, on the other hand, gets two gearbox options, a 6-speed manual and a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The 1.5-litre diesel unit is paired to a 6-speed manual gearbox. Of course, all these engines options are available for less than 12 lakh.

Kia Sonet

Price: Rs 6.79 lakh – Rs 13.19 lakh

Kia Sonet is the latest model to enter the sub-four-meter SUV segment. At launch, the Kia Sonet is offered with various premium and advanced features. Similar to the relationship between the Hyundai Creta and the Kia Setlos, the Sonet also shares various parts with the Hyundai Venue, including the engine options. Under the hood, the Kia Sonet is available with the same engines from the Hyundai Venue. However, the gearbox options of the Sonet are slightly different.

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Instead of the 6-speed MT offered on the Venue, the turbocharged petrol unit gets a 6-speed iMT (clutchless MT). The only diesel engine also gets a 6-speed AMT gearbox besides the 6-speed MT. For 12 lakh, you can get the low-range to mid-range variants and even the top-spec trim GTX plus with the petrol-iMT powertrain.

Ford EcoSport

Price: Rs 8.19 lakh – Rs 11.49 lakh

Next on this list is the Ford EcoSport. The EcoSport was the first sub-compact SUV to make it big in the Indian market. Even though at this point, the Ford EcoSport could not compete with other newer and better-equipped models in the segment, it is still a decent option to go for. Moreover, you can also afford the top-spec Ford EcoSport with only 12 lakh. The top-of-the-line variant on Ford EcoSport’s range is available with premium features like sunroof, auto climate control, FordPass connected technologies, 9.0-inch infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple Carplay.

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Ford EcoSport is available with both petrol and diesel engines. The 1.5-litre petrol unit is capable of making 122 PS and 149 Nm while the 1.5-litre diesel version is good for 100 PS and 215 Nm. Both of these engines come with a standard 5-speed MT. However, only the petrol engine gets a 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox.

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Mahindra XUV300

Price: Rs 7.95 lakh – Rs 12.70 lakh

Another worth-considering SUV car under 12 lakh is the Mahindra XUV300. The compact SUV starts around Rs 8 lakh while the top-spec model can go up to Rs 12.70 lakh. For around 12 lakh, buyers can get different options from the lowest priced to some variants of the top-spec trim. Mahindra’s compact SUV scores highly in terms of equipment and performance. The top-spec Mahindra XUV300 is available with various premium features like sunroof, cruise control, a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment display, Android Auto and Apple Carplay support, connectivity technologies, rain-sensing wipers, automatic climate.

Mahindra XUV300 Exterior Three quarter front

Under the hood, the Mahindra XUV300 gets two choices of engines, a 1.2-litre turbo-petrol and a 1.5-litre diesel unit. These engines are good for 110PS/200Nm and 117PS/300Nm, respectively. The two engines share the same gearbox options, a 6-speed MT and a 6-speed AMT. However, the top-spec models with the diesel-automatic combination are priced above 12 lakh. So, with only 12 lakh, you will not get the diesel-automatic gearbox with full features. Under that price point, you will get full options of petrol engine and diesel-manual powertrain.

Tata Nexon

Price: Rs 7.09 lakh – Rs 12.79 lakh

Tata Nexon is another good SUV cars under 12 lakh in the market. Positioned in the premium sub-four-meter SUV space, the Tata Nexon offers various premium features, offering segment-leading comfort and convenience. It should be noted that the Tata Nexon is among the first Indian-made cars to receive the full score at the Global NCAP testing.

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Tata Nexon is available in 18 variants. The base model is priced from Rs 7.95 lakh while the top-spec model can cost up to Rs 12.70 lakh. All variants, except for the top-spec XZA Plus trim, are priced under 12 lakh.

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This sub-four-meter SUV gets two engine options, a 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol and a 1.5-litre turbo diesel unit. While the petrol unit is capable of making 120PS and 170Nm, the latter generates 110PS and 260Nm. Both engines are offered with 6-speed MT and 6-speed AMT.

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