The compact SUV or the sub-4 metre SUV space was carved out to meet the demands of buyers wanting to graduate from a hatchback. It had to cater to the aspirations of first-time car buyers who wanted to buy an SUV at the price of a premium hatchback. The cars in this segment were created with three things in mind: it had to have the presence of an SUV, drive like a front-wheel-drive hatchback and come loaded with features.
The segment was created almost four years ago, following the success of the compact sedans. Now, almost every automaker has a compact SUV in its portfolio, and the segment has plenty of options for buyers.
A look at some of the best in the segment.
Vitara Brezza
The Vitara Brezza marks Maruti Suzuki’s entry into the segment. The vehicle, priced at Rs. 6,99,000 (ex-showroom Delhi) and Rs. 7,35,983 (ex-showroom Mumbai), is available only with a 1.3-litre diesel mill that has a maximum power output of 89 bhp. The company has claimed a fuel efficiency of 24.3 kmpl, the highest in the segment. The car comes with a ‘floating roof’, bull horn-shaped LED lights, projector headlamps and an infotainment system, among others.
Hyundai Creta
The Creta comes in three engine options — a 1.6-litre Dual VTVT petrol, a 1.4-litre and a 1.6-litre CRDi diesel. Among the more expensive ones in the segment, the car sells in the price bracket of Rs. 8.59 lakh to Rs. 13.60 lakh. Creta’s petrol avatar manages a decent fuel efficiency of 15.2 kmpl and its diesel variant, 21.3 kmpl
Ford EcoSport
The EcoSport, one of the company’s best-selling models, received an update this year and it was not just a cosmetic one. It now comes with a more powerful diesel engine that churns out 99 bhp against the previous power output of 90 bhp. And the good news is that Ford has slashed the price of the compact SUV, which now sells between Rs. 6.68 lakh to Rs. 9.75 lakh (ex-showroom New Delhi).
Renault Duster
Launched in 2012, the Duster has raked in good numbers for Renault. The car has been receiving a string of updates in the last few years, with the latest being the addition of an AMT (automatic transmission). The car is available in two engine options — a 1.6-litre petrol unit and a 1.5-litre dCi diesel unit. Prices start at Rs. 8.7 lakh (ex-showroom Chennai).
Mahindra TUV300
Mahindra entered the crowded segment last year with its TUV300. The car comes fitted with a 1.5 litre turbocharged diesel engine that has a maximum power output of 84 bhp. One of the more frugal cars in the segment, the TUV300 has a fuel efficiency of 18.5 kmpl. It is priced at Rs. 7.2 lakh and upwards.
Nissan Terrano
This Duster lookalike from Nissan is positioned in the ‘premium compact SUV’ category. The car is available in eight trims, having both petrol and diesel engine options. Prices start from Rs. 10 lakh.
