Compact SUVs seem to be the flavor of the season with almost all the
big guns of the auto industry launching their own contenders. While Renault and
Ford led the charge in India with the Duster and Ecosport respectively, Hyundai
answered the war call with their Creta which proved to be a massive hit amongst
consumers. Coming a little late to the party Maruti Suzuki also launched their
uber urban Vitara Brezza while Honda plans to launch their BR-V in a few months.
With the Indian compact SUV market getting over crowded, buyers may
be left confused with the various options on offer. Motown India narrowed down
the list by simply choosing the best amongst the lot on the basis of Style,
Features, Engine performance, Comfort and Price. Here are the top 5 compact
SUVs one can buy this summer.
NUMBER 5: MAHINDRA TUV 3OO
(OVERALL SCORE: 15/25)
As the Indian buyers are evolving and developing a richer taste of
things, Mahindra has also done its best to keep abreast with the changing
times. The company is offering a variety of utility vehicles but this one had
to be featured on our list simply due to its rugged SUV appeal. The TUV is
powered by a 1.5L diesel mill which produces 84bhp and 230Nm of torque. The
starting price for the TUV is Rs. 7.3 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) which goes up
all the way to Rs 9.5 lakh for the AMT version of the SUV. This may not be the
fastest SUV out there but can go right up to the 156kmph mark and has a
0-100kmph time of 13.9 seconds. The TUV also returns a good mileage of 18.4kmpl
to the litre. Another added advantage to have on the TUV is the seating option
for 7 people, which is not being offered in any other compact SUVs except the
ones that Mahindra is making. The fully loaded version of this vehicle comes
with some handy features like bluetooth connectivity, USB & AUX input but
one does not get too many features on this compact SUV leaving you wanting for
more from Mahindra.
Design
and Styling:
3 stars
Features
& Safety:
2 stars
Engine
Performance:
3 stars
Comfort:
4 stars
Price:
3 stars
NUMBER 4: RENAULT DUSTER (OVERALL
SCORE: 16/25)
The Duster was the first to be launched in India in this segment and
has been Renault's crowning jewel for their conquest of the Indian auto market.
The Duster is available with a highly capable 1.5L diesel dCi engine as well as
a 1.6L K4M petrol mill. While the dCi diesel version of the car comes with two
different engine outputs of 83.8bhp/ 200Nm and 108.45bhp/ 245Nm, the petrol
mill produces a well balanced 102.53bhp and 148Nm of torque. The advantage one
gets in choosing the diesel option over the petrol is a better fuel efficiency.
The petrol variant of the Duster returns 13.06kms to the litre while the diesel
85PS version returns 19.87kms per litre and the 110PS variant returns 19.6kmpl.
On the performance front the Duster K4M petrol variant is the quickest of the
lot with a 0-100kmph time of 11.5 seconds while the 85PS dCi diesel takes 13.9
seconds to get there and the 110PS diesel variant takes 12.5 seconds. The 110PS
dCi diesel however is the fastest with a top speed of 160kmph while the petrol
K4M version has a top speed of 160kmph and the 85PS dCi diesel can go up to
156kmph. On the features front the top model for the Duster comes loaded with
handy equipment like cruise control, navigation, bluetooth integration, USB
& AUX connectivity and much more. The Duster comes at a starting price of
Rs. 8.6 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) for the petrol version and 9.6 lakh
(ex-showroom Delhi) for the diesel version. The range goes up all the way to
Rs. 14 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) for their AWD variant. The Duster is definitely
one tough cookie and also is the only contender on the list with an All Wheel
Drive system making it Number 4 on our list.
Design and Styling:
4 stars
Features & Safety:
3 stars
Engine Performance:
4 stars
Comfort:
3 stars
Price:
2 stars
NUMBER 3: FORD ECOSPORT
(OVERALL SCORE: 18/25)
Soon after the success of the Duster in the Indian market, Ford set
its best foot forward with the Ecosport. The Ecosport on many fronts is one of
the best contenders in the market today and offers customers a solid bang for
their buck. It is available with three different engine configurations, a 1.5L
TDCI diesel, a 1.5L TI VCT petrol and a 1.0L Ecoboost Petrol mill. While the
1.5L petrol mill produces 110.4bhp and 140Nm of torque the 1.0L Ecoboost petrol
engine produces 123.24bhp and 170Nm of torque. On the other hand the diesel
TDCI engine produces 98.59bhp and 205Nm of torque. The quickest of the lot is
the 1.0L Ecoboost variant which can go from 0-100kmph in 11 seconds flat and
can achieve a top speed of 180kmph. The 1.5L petrol TI VCT goes from 0-100kmph
in 16 seconds and can achieve a top speed of 182kmph while the 1.5L diesel TDCI
version has the same top speed of 182kmph but gets to the 100kmph mark from
standstill in 13.5 seconds. This compact SUV comes loaded with feautres like
automatic climate control, air quality control, leather upholstery, voice
control but misses out on features like a Navigation system and Cruise control.
This definitely one of the most worthy contenders in the segment and offers a
wholesome package to consumers. The Ecosport is now available for a starting
price of Rs. 6.7 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) for the 1.5L petrol variant and Rs.
7.3 Lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) for the 1.5 L diesel variant. The Top end diesel
variant is available for Rs. 9.8 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) which in our opinion
is a steal.
Design and Styling:
3 stars
Features & Safety:
4 stars
Engine Performance:
4 stars
Comfort:
3 stars
Price:
4 stars
NUMBER 2: HYUNDAI CRETA
(OVERALL SCORE: 21/ 25)
Launched in the mid of 2015, this compact SUV has literally set the
benchmark for manufacturers. The Creta boasts of bold styling backed by a power
packed engine. The Creta is available with a 1.4L diesel CRDI engine, a 1.6L
diesel CRDI mill and a 1.6L VTVT petrol motor. The 1.4L diesel is the same one
which powers the i20 and produces 88.7bhp and 219.7Nm of torque while the 1.6L
diesel mill produces 126.2bhp and 259.9Nm of torque. The 1.6L CRDI diesel
engine has been borrowed from the Verna and is one of the most powerful engines
found in this segment. The 1.6L VTVT petrol mill produces 121.3bhp and 151Nm of
torque. If numbers are what make you tick then the Creta is undoubtedly the
fastest in the lot with the 1.6L CRDI engine powering the car from 0-100kmph in
just 10.5 seconds and reaching a top speed of 190kmph. The 1.6L VTVT version is
also not far behind if petrol motors spark your interest, it makes good ground
with a 0-100kmph time of 11.2 seconds and can achieve a top speed of 185kmph.
The 1.4 L CRDI is for those looking for a better fuel efficiency mark but does
not lag on the performance front. It can go from 0-100kmph in 12.5 seconds and
reach a top speed of 165kmph. The 1.4 diesel mill is also one of the most fuel
efficient machines on our list with an average of 21.3kmpl while the 1.6 diesel
also returns a decent 19.67kms to the litre. The petrol mil returns an average
of 15.29kmpl which is not too bad considering the power output of motor. The
vehicle comes kitted up to the brim with a touch screen Navigation system to
push button start/ stop, rear ac vents, bluetooth audio streaming, climate
control and air quality control. The only space where we found the Creta lack
was price. This Compact SUV is available at a starting price of Rs. 9.1 lakh
(ex-showroom Delhi) for the petrol version and Rs. 10.1 lakh (ex-showroom
Delhi) for the diesel version. The top end diesel variant goes all the way up
to Rs. 14.4 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) which according us is a bit too
steep.
Design and Styling:
5 stars
Features & Safety:
5 stars
Engine Performance:
5 stars
Comfort:
5 stars
Price:
1 star
NUMBER 1: MARUTI SUZUKI
VITARA BREZZA (OVERALL SCORE: 22/25)
Most of the consumers who are interested in this segment have been following
Maruti Suzuki closely. When the Vitara Brezza was launched this became quite
evident from the number of hits our website and channels started getting. The
Brezza tops our list because of its unique design and styling, customisable
options and plenty of kit all at a very reasonable price. The Brezza however
does not come with a petrol option and for an SUV does seem to have an under
powered diesel engine. But that is not the case as informed by our editor who
tested it earlier this year, the Brezza can reach a top speed of almost 160kmph
and can go from 0-100kmph in almost 15 seconds. The Brezza is powered by a 1.3L
DDiS 200 diesel mill which puts out 88.5bhp and 200Nm of torque. It is the same
engine which powers the Suzuki Ciaz sedan and is quite a peppy motor. The
Brezza also has the best fuel average in the segment with the compact SUV
returning 24.3kms to the litre. This compact SUV also comes loaded with
features like engine start/ stop, navigation, bluetooth audio streaming, stereo
remote control, automatic climate control, air quality control, voice control,
cruise control, automatic headlamps and rain sensing wipers. Maruti Suzuki has
been the last to till date to enter this segment but has brought forth a worthy
contender. The Brezza offers style, performance, features and all at a
competitive price. The vehicle is available for Rs. 7.0 lakh (ex-showroom
Delhi) and goes up to Rs. 9.7 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) for the top variant. It
is also the cheapest diesel option of the segment.
Design and Styling:
5 stars
Features & Safety:
5 stars
Engine Performance:
3 stars
Comfort:
4 stars
Price:
5 stars