Best 10 suv under 15 lakh;

Best 10 SUV under 15 lakh;

Planning to buy a good looking and feature loaded automatic SUV under Rs 15 lakh? We bring you the top five options that will certainly help you make an intelligent choice.

SUVs or Sports Utility Vehicles have become an essential part of the Indian car market, especially in the last few years. While sedans and hatchbacks were seen as the prime picks of the buyers, SUVs have now become a preferred choice even for an average customer. One key reason for this is that manufacturers have started offering SUVs at competitive prices that come with some interesting features. Also, with the birth of a new category called compact SUV segment, more people have started considering such cars and within no time, the companies realised this thing too. The Ford EcoSport started the compact SUV segment in India in 2013 and after that, other manufacturers joined the race too, looking at the decent response from the audience. The recent example is the TataNexon that is being admired for its design and the high value for money quotient. For this reason, the SUVs are now not seen as something that only the middle-upper class can buy as they can be purchased at quite affordable prices. Furthermore, in order to step up the convenience factor, manufacturers are even offering an automatic gearbox with their cars. So, here is our pick of the top five SUVs with an automatic gearbox that you can buy in India under the Rs 15 lakh bracket.

 Ford EcoSport

The recently launched 2017 Ford EcoSport receives some impressive changes in comparison to the older model at almost no price change. The update brings with it the company’s signature grille up front that you can see in most of the Ford models. The sub-compact SUV essentially started the segment in India in the year 2013 and the latest update is one major facelift given to it in its lifespan. The new 2017 Ford EcoSport is available with two engine options. While the 1.5-litre diesel engine is good for 99 hp of power, the all-new 1.5-litre petrol mill develops 120 hp. The price of the 2017 Ford EcoSport in India starts at Rs 7.31 lakh and you can opt for the base automatic variant at Rs 9.34 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Renault Duster

The popular Renault Duster is also a worthy option if you are in the market looking for an automatic SUV under Rs 15 lakh. A few months back, the company had launched the petrol variant of the Duster in India. So now, the Renault Duster in total, gets three engine options to choose from. The 1.6-litre petrol engine churns out a power output of 103 hp while the 1.5-litre diesel engine comes in two different tunes generating 84 hp and 108 hp. The Renault Duster now comes with a winged grille up front along with hawk-eye cluster headlamps that look appealing. The car also comes with safety features like hill start assist, engine immobilizer, airbags, speed sensitive auto door locking and a lot more. The price of the Renault Duster Automatic variant in India starts at Rs 10.15 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The company will launch a new 2018 Renault Duster next year that has already been unveiled globally.

Hyundai Creta

The Hyundai Creta is one of the best options if you are planning to buy an automatic SUV under Rs 15 lakh. The 2018 version of Hyundai Creta has been spied recently and it is expected to be showcased at the Auto Expo 2018 next year. The 2017 Hyundai Creta comes with three engine options out of which one is petrol while the other two are diesel units. The 1.6-litre petrol engine produces a maximum power output of 121 hp while the 1.6-litre diesel mill develops 126 hp. Last, the smaller 1.4-litre diesel is good for 89 hp of power. The SUV comes with integrated Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) that look appealing and the dimensions of the SUV offer it a commanding road presence. The automatic variant of the Hyundai Creta can be purchased from as low as Rs 12.99 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Mahindra XUV500

The Mahindra XUV500 is one of the most popular products from the Indian carmaker's product portfolio and makes for a case of a good option when it comes to buying an automatic SUV under Rs 15 lakh. The SUV received its mid-life update in the year 2015. Powering the Mahindra XUV500 are three engine options. First, a 2.2-litre mHawk diesel engine produces a maximum power output of 140 hp. Besides this, there is also a recently launched a 2.2-litre petrol engine that generates 140 hp of power. Last, the 1.99-litre diesel engine makes an identical power output of 140 hp. The engines come paired with a standard six-speed manual gearbox while the Aisin sourced automatic transmission comes as standard. The price of the Mahindra XUV500 Automatic in India starts at Rs 14.87 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Honda BR-V

Honda BR-V is the Japanese manufacturer's first compact SUV. The front profile of the car features a bold grille and the wheel arches along with stylish alloy wheels give the BR-V an upmarket and premium appeal. The Honda BR-V sources its power from two engines. The 1.5-litre petrol engine churns out 117 hp of power along with a peak torque of 145 Nm. On the other hand, the 1.5-litre diesel mill is good for 98 hp and 200 Nm. A six-speed manual gearbox comes standard while CVT transmission is available only with the petrol variants. The car gets features like projector headlamps, electronically adjustable rear view mirrors, roof rails, cup holders, rear AC vents and a lot more. The price of the Honda BR-V CVT in India is Rs 12.32 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Tata Hexa

Price – Rs 10.96 – 16.24 Lakh
Last on our list is also the newest entry in the SUV market – the Tata Hexa SUV. Ever since Tata has adopted the DesignNext language, they have launched some really good looking and functional products. The Tata Hexa SUV is one of them and is the successor to the Aria MPV. The Hexa comes equipped with AWD system, automatic gearbox, has seven seats, Harman Kardon music system and much more, making it the best SUV offering in this price point.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Price – Rs 7.24 – 9.69 Lakh
First up is the most popular compact SUV in India, the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, which managed to attract 12000+ buyers in May 2017. While the Brezza doesn’t come with 7-seats or 4WD system, yet it's most popular among the compact SUV buyers. It can easily be placed under the new emerging Urban SUV segment, a segment for people who love to buy a car with SUV stance, but don’t want to take it for off-roading.

Mahindra Scorpio

The Mahindra Scorpio still is a hot favourite for those looking at a practical SUV

First introduced in 2002, the Mahindra Scorpio has been a hot favourite among SUV buyers, thanks to its rugged looks and ability to handle all sorts of terrains. Though its styling remained unchanged all these years, it received a new engine in 2006 and a minor facelift in 2008. However, in September, 2014 it got a new platform, chassis, transmission, features, interior design and slightly different exteriors. The new Mahindra Scorpio currently sells about 4000-5000 units/month and is one of the top choices in Tier II and III cities given the sheer practicality the model has to offer. Unlike the other SUVs on this list till now, the Scorpio is also capable of seating 7-8 passengers and is pleasantly efficient as well.

Engine Specs and Fuel Efficiency:

2.2-litre diesel - 75bhp and 200Nm - 15.4 kmpl
2.5-litre diesel - 120bhp and 280Nm - 15 kmpl

Price Range: ₹ 9.84 lakh - ₹ 13.92 lakh

Nissan Terrano

The Nissan Terrano is also offered with an AMT gearbox

Based on Duster SUV, Nissan Terrano is yet another worthy contender in this price range. The rugged SUV borrows styling cues from the French partner Renault's popular model Duster. Offering generous space inside, the SUV comes packed with some of the vital features. The facelifted version arrived earlier this year and has also added new features to the model. The AMT equipped version is also available on the Terrano and was introduced last year. What it does miss out on is 4WD, and that's disappointing for the good looking SUV.

Engine Specs and Fuel Efficiency:

1.6-litre petrol - 103 bhp and 145 Nm - 13.06 kmpl
1.5-litre diesel - 83 bhp and 200 Nm - 19.87 kmpl
1.5-litre diesel - 108 bhp and 248 Nm - 19.64 kmpl

Price Range: ₹ 9.99 lakh and ₹ 14.20 lakh

Tata Safari Storme

The Safari Storme is intimidation with its massive road presence

Tata Motors gave a comprehensive facelift to its popular sports utility vehicle Safari, which also got a new nameplate - Safari Storme. The bulky SUV gets a changed fascia and spruced up interiors. However, what has not changed is the go-anywhere capability of the SUV. Purists swear by its off-roading power, but it can also turn into a mile muncher on highways without compromising on passenger comfort. The Safari Storme remains one of the most lucrative SUVs you can purchase in the country, for the true rugged feel.

Engine Specs and Fuel Efficiency: 2.2 litre diesel engine- 154 bhp and 400 Nm - 12.3 kmpl

Price Range: ₹ 10.63 lakh to ₹ 14.11 lakh