A list of the 9 best family SUV cars in India|Kia Sonet|Hyundai Venue|Maruti Suzuki Brezza|Tata Nexon|Mahindra XUV300|Hyundai Creta|Kia Seltos|Toyota Fortuner|Mahindra XUV700

Family SUVs in India are not only gaining in popularity, they are dominating the automotive space in the country. Some of the reasons why SUVs are the preferred choice of buyers is their styling, interior space, seating capacity, comfort and engine performance. But some may ask the question, “Which is the best family SUV car in India”?

With the state of roads in India being in despair, the SUVs high ground clearance and good suspension keeps the vehicles from getting damaged while trying to manoeuvre pot holes, speed bumps and inundations in the road.

Some of the best-selling SUVs in the country are the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Hyundai Creta, Tata Nexon, Toyota Fortuner and Mahindra XUV700. The Indian buyer has a wide choice of SUVs to select from, depending on the price range and budget they are looking for.

The following list of best family SUV cars in India, should help you get a better idea of the sports utility automotive scene and narrow down your choice if you are planning on buying one.

Best Family SUV Cars in India

 
Let’s have a closer look at the best family SUV cars in India. Here is a list of 9 SUVs that are vying for the number 1 position.
 

Kia Sonet

Kia Sonet
 
This entry level SUV from Kia is one of the most popular compact SUVs in India. It is a 5-seater with a 1.5 litre petrol engine that has a power output of 113 BHP @ 4000 rpm and torque of 250 Nm @ 1500-2750 rpm. Respectable figures for a car of this size. There is also a diesel engine on offer.
 
The Kia Sonet wins on features such as electric sunroof, ventilated front seats, a large infotainment touchscreen unit, Bose sound system and much more. Transmission options for the Kia Sonet are manual, AMT, automatic torque converter and Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT).
 

Hyundai Venue

Hyundai Venue
 
 
The compact SUV from Hyundai is available with three engine options: a 1.5 litre diesel, 1.2 litre petrol and a 1 litre turbo petrol that comes mated to a 7-speed dual clutch transmission. The Venue has a sporty design and looks a lot like a small version of Hyundai’s standard SUV offering, the Creta.
 
Interior cabin space is ample and features like the infotainment touchscreen unit, storage for small items, and a boot that is large enough for a lot of luggage makes the Venue a desirable compact SUV.
 
The 1 litre turbo petrol engine produces 120 BHP, is silky smooth and powerful at the same time. The manual transmission is slick and slots in well, while the automatic transmission is a major boon for urban traffic crawling.
 
Ride quality is above par, with bumps and inundations being soaked up well by the advanced suspension unit. The Hyundai Venue is an excellent choice in the compact SUV segment.
 

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Maruti Suzuki Brezza
 
 
The best-selling SUV in the Indian market is the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza. The SUV is popular because of its affordable price tag, low maintenance costs, frugal engine and inexpensive cost of spares. The Vitara Brezza is powered by a K-series 1.5 litre petrol engine that produces 103 BHP of power and 138 Nm of torque. Transmission options include a 5-speed manual and an automatic torque converter gearbox available with smart hybrid technology.
 
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The Brezza offers good ground clearance and can seat 5 passengers in comfort. Boot space is an impressive 328 litres and the SUV gets a mileage of 17 kmpl. It gets LED headlights and alloy wheels as options while on the inside, passengers can be entertained by a touchscreen infotainment system. The interior is spacious and offers a high driving position.
 
The Vitara Brezza gets a light, power assisted steering that is easy to drive. Suspension is really good, and low speed bumps and potholes are not a problem with the Brezza. Also read upcoming cars by maruti Suzuki.
 

Tata Nexon

Tata Nexon
 
 
This compact and stylish SUV from Tata is available with multiple engine and transmission options. There is a 1.2 litre petrol manual, petrol AMT, 1.5 litre diesel manual and diesel AMT.
 
On the exterior, the Nexon is well proportioned and fashionable and the inside is comfortable, spacious and practical. Engine performance is not outstanding on the Nexon but it does its job decently well.
 
Steering is well weighted and turns directions with confidence while the suspension is good enough to soak up bumps and potholes on the road with ease. Ride quality is excellent, which is why the Tata Nexon is preferred for long distance drives.
 
The Nexon gets features like keyless entry, push button start/stop and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Also read Tata Nexon EV max launch.
 

Mahindra XUV300

Mahindra XUV300
 
 
This SUV from Mahindra has proved to be very popular among car enthusiasts because of its performance and sophisticated automatic transmission. It is available in a 5-seater layout and offers features like electric sunroof, rain sensing wipers and cruise control.
 
In regards to safety, the XUV300 offers 7 airbags, corner braking control and parking sensors. It is available with petrol and diesel engine options mated to manual transmissions. The diesel gets the option of an AMT gearbox. The XUV300 has received a 5-star rating on the global NCAP testing standard.
 
The XUV300 sports an advanced suspension that can absorb bumps while driving on unpaved surfaces, although it is on the firm side and ride quality emphasises this stiff feeling. Engines are refined and quiet and performance is decent. Something unique on the XUV300 is the option to adjust the weight on the steering.
 
It has a fairly conventional interior with lots of cabin space and a premium feel to it. Comfort and space are good however boot space is a little limited which may come in the way of some long-distance drives. Also read Nissan Magnite vs Mahindra XUV 300.
 

Hyundai Creta

Hyundai Creta
 
 
The Creta from Hyundai is known for its smooth diesel engine that delivers great fuel economy even at speed. It delivers torque to provide for a gentle and calm driving experience unlike other diesel engines. But the extremely efficient diesel engine can be a real advantage in these times of rising fuel prices.
 
Hyundai Creta is a feature rich SUV with wireless phone charger, a Bose sound system, digital instrument cluster, air purifier, ventilated seats, large infotainment touchscreen system, panoramic sunroof, tyre pressure warning system and electronic handbrake. It is the perfect all-rounder when it comes to looks, luxury and performance.
 
This SUV has a magnetic appeal to it, bold yet aggressive styling and a premium interior that is filled with features to keep the driver and passengers occupied. The ride quality is impressive with the comfortable cabin and soft suspension that is among the class leading SUVs in India.
 
The Hyundai Creta is a desirable, well-equipped and comfortable family SUV for the big city. Maybe the best family SUV car in India some may say. Probably the reason why there are so many Cretas on our roads today.
 
Engine options include a 1.5 litre petrol with either a 6-speed manual or CVT transmission. A 1.5 litre diesel paired with a 6-speed manual or an automatic torque converter. And a 1.4-litre turbo petrol that comes mated to a 7-speed dual clutch transmission automatic.
 

Kia Seltos

Kia Seltos
 
 
The Korean manufacturer is keen to have the Seltos make its mark in India with its attractive styling, affordable price tag and wide range of engine options and transmission choices.
 
Engines on offer include a 1.5 litre petrol, a 1.4 litre turbo petrol and a 1.5 litre diesel engine with the options of manual and automatic transmissions.
 
The Kia Seltos is a full-size SUV with small enough proportions for urban city driving. The thing that sets the Seltos apart from other brands is the quality of the interior which looks pricy and premium. Features offered also add to the upscale fell of the cabin with a large infotainment touch screen, ventilated seats, ambient lighting, heads up display, 360-degree parking camera and air purifier.
 
The engine and transmission options of the Seltos are very refined, strong, smooth and easy going. Gearboxes are responsive and quick to shift adding a pleasant feeling to the drive. Steering is well weighted and turns directions well while the suspension is good with low speeds soaking up bumps and confidence at high speeds.
 

Toyota Fortuner

Toyota Fortuner
 
 
Toyota’s big SUV has been a hit right from day one due to its imposing looks, rugged character, seating for 7, strong diesel engine and the presence of a Toyota badge.
 
The Fortuner is now in its second generation and is available with a range of engine and transmission options including a petrol manual and automatic, and a diesel manual and automatic. There is a four-wheel drive available with the diesel engine option.
 
The proportions of the Fortuner are large all round giving the SUV are commanding look which demands respect on the road. The cabin is high set and offers a good view for the driver and passengers.
 
Three rows for passengers make the Fortuner a comfortable 7 seater with ample space for all occupants and a large boot space to carry luggage. The cabin quality is decent and equipment levels are premium and high quality.
 
The 2.7 litre petrol engine produces 166 BHP but is not the favourite among buyers. The diesel 2.8 litre is more popular and produces a whopping 204 BHP, giving excellent performance and refinement.
 
The 6-speed manual transmission is slick and slots nicely. The Toyota Fortuner employs a ladder frame chassis that is suited for off road use. Drivers will be surprised how far the SUV can go on tough terrain, and the four-wheel drive makes for easy climbing on rough roads.
 

Mahindra XUV700

Mahindra XUV700
 
 
Probably the best family SUV car in India at the moment, the Mahindra XUV700 ticks all the right boxes in terms of engine refinement, interior cabin space, stylish looks, features and ride quality and comfort.
 
The XUV700 is considered a robust SUV for the Indian market, and the SUV has challenged other in the segment quite fiercely. It has a rugged and aggressive appeal that buyer like to see in a large SUV. Mahindra’s XUV700 is also an extremely safe vehicle, earning 5 stars in the NCAP safety rating.
 
On the inside, the XUV700 has a long list of upmarket features and modern interiors. Steering is light when manoeuvring and the cabin is spacious and comfortable. It is a true 7 seater and the ride quality is plush and absorbs bumps in the road with ease.
 

Conclusion

 
The SUV segment is one of the most sought-after car category in India. Even globally, there has been a trend towards SUVs due to their practical, all-round performance and comfort.
 
In the following years, we are sure to see more and more manufacturers focus on SUV models from the budget entry level to the ultra-luxurious.
 
SUVs are on their way to becoming the best-selling cars in the Indian market. Full size SUVs are more expensive, but compact and sub compact SUVs have been released to market to the entry level segment and therefore be more accessible to a wide range of buyers.
 
One of the biggest selling points for SUVs are their high ground clearance which makes them ideal for Indian roads. SUVs are also more rugged and stylish than smaller cars. Powerful engines mean more punch especially when going offroad, and SUVs come with more interior space and comfort.
 
This article has outlined the best SUV in India for the family, and we hope that it will help you gain more knowledge on the segment.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Q1. What does the term SUV cars mean?

Ans. SUV stands for Sports Utility Vehicle. It is used to refer to cars that are big, tall, have lots of cabin space, usually 3 rows of seats and a very powerful engine and transmission to tackle off-road obstacles. As that was the original definition, today it is used to call any car that has a fair amount of ground clearance and has large proportions. Small cars that mimic larger vehicles like the Renault Kwid and the Maruti Suzuki S-Presso are sometimes known as micro-SUVs. A more accurate example of an SUV would be Toyota Fortuner or Ford Endeavour.
 

Q2. Name some of the best SUV in India?

Ans. Some of the best SUVs in India are:
 
·        Renault Kiger
 
·        Toyota Fortuner
 
·        Mahindra Thar
 
·        Tata Punch
 
·        Mahindra XUV700
 

Q3. What is the seating capacity of an SUV?

Ans. Standard SUVs can seat 5 people comfortable, while some SUVs have three rows of seats and can accommodate 7 people. The Mahindra XUV700 is an example of an SUV that can seat 7. Tata and MG are working on new models that can seat 7 people in comfort.
 

Q4. How does an SUV differ from a compact or sub-compact SUV?

Ans. A compact SUV is usually smaller than a standard SUV. Compact SUVs are usually less than 4.5 meters in length, are more affordable and are designed for on road use rather than off road. Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos and Renault Duster are example of compact SUVs.
 
Standard SUVs benefit from 4WD or AWD powertrains, have more cabin space and are much larger than compact SUVs. Examples of standard SUVs are the Jeep Compass and Hyundai Alcazar.
 
Compact SUVs have less powerful engines than standard sized SUVs.
 
 
 
 

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