Snapshot – SUVs are synonymous with imposing street presence, high seating position, rugged build and a go-anywhere nature. The last bit depends mainly on four wheel drive and all wheel drive systems. A four wheel drive system evenly distributes the torque generated by the engine to all four wheels of the SUV while an all wheel drive system delivers powers to two or four wheels depending on which set of wheels are losing traction. CarToq has put together an updated list of all the sub-30 lakh rupee SUVs/Crossovers with four/all wheel drive systems in India. Price listings reflect ex-showroom Delhi figures.
Maruti Suzuki Gypsy 4X4
Affectionately known as the mountain goat for its off road prowess, the Maruti Suzuki Gypsy is the least priced, petrol powered four wheel drive SUV in India. The Gypsy is powered by a 1.3 liter petrol engine (80 Bhp-110 Nm) that is mated to a 5 speed manual gearbox. Prices of the Gypsy start at 5.42 lakh rupees and the SUV is available in both soft top and hard top variants.
Mahindra Thar 4X4
The Mahindra Thar is a diesel powered off roader that blends timeless and traditional Jeep looks with modern day mechanicals. The Thar is sold with two diesel engine options, both displacing 2.5 liters in a four cylinder layoyut. The 2.5 liter DI engine outputs 63 Bhp-182.5 Nm while the 2.5 liter NEF CRDe diesel engine outputs 105 Bhp-247 Nm. The Thar DI 4X4 starts at 5.3 lakh rupees while the Thar CRDe 4X4 is priced at 7.35 lakh rupees.
Mahindra Scorpio Getaway 4X4
For those who want the utility of a pick up truck with the convenience and creature comforts of a twin cabin, the Scorpio Getaway is an ideal option. The Scorpio Getwaeay 4X4 features a torquey 2.6 liter CRDe turbo diesel (115 Bhp-280 Nm) engine and a five speed manual gearbox. The 4X4 mechanism is a Borg Warner unit that comes with an electric switch to toggle between different drive modes. The Scorpio Getaway 4X4 starts at 8.77 lakh rupees.
Mahindra Scorpio 4X4
India’s best selling ladder frame SUV, the Scorpio is sold with rear wheel drive and four wheel drive options. The diesel engine on the SUV is a 2.2 liter mHawk motor that outputs 120 Bhp-290 Nm. The four wheel drive system is available on the LX and VLX variants. The LX variant starts at 9.92 lakh rupees while the VLX variant is priced at 12.17 lakh rupees. While the Scorpio’s manual variants are equipped with a 5 speed stick shifter, the automatic variant gets a 6 speed gearbox with the four wheel drive function. The Scorpio VLX with 4X4 and an automatic gearbox costs 12.33 lakh rupees.
Tata Xenon XT 4X4
The Tata Xenon XT is another well rounded pick up truck aimed at the lifestyle buyer. The Xenon XT is powered by a 2.2 liter DICOR turbo diesel engine with 140 Bhp and 320 Nm outputs. The pick up truck gets a shift-on-the-fly four wheel drive system with a rotary switch, similar to the one found on the Scorpio Getaway and the Scorpio models. The Xenon XT 4X4 is priced at 10.5 lakh rupees.
Tata Safari Storme 4X4
A flagship SUV in the Tata Motors range, the Safari Storme is a revamped and restyled version of the Safari line up. The Storme is powered by a 2.2 liter VARICOR turbo diesel engine that it shares with the Xenon XT. The engine outputs 140 Bhp-320 Nm and is mated to a five speed manual gearbox. The Safari Storme 4X4 is priced at 13.82 lakh rupees, making it a pricey proposition for many.
Mahindra XUV500 AWD
Mahindra’s flagship vehicle is a crossover and it is called the XUV500. The XUV500 features the mHawk turbo diesel engine in a higher state of tune (140 Bhp-330 Nm) and gets a six speed manual gearbox. An all wheel drive system is available on the top end, W8 variant of the crossover. The XUV500 W8 AWD variant is priced at 14.48 lakh rupees and the crossover competes with the likes of the Tata Safari Storme and the Aria.
Tata Aria AWD
Tata Motors’ most expensive vehicle sold in India is the Aria crossover. One of the better finished Tata vehicles, the Aria gets an all wheel drive layout in the top end Pride variant, which is priced at 14.74 lakh rupees. The Aria 4X4 is also the most powerful diesel car sold by Tata Motors, with its 2.2 liter turbo diesel engine producing 147 Bhp of peak power and 320 Nm of peak torque. The gearbox is a five speed manual affair.
Skoda Yeti AWD
The Skoda Yeti is a compact SUV that is quite a spirited performer on and off the road. Powered by a 2 liter TDI turbo diesel engine, the Yeti gets a six speed manual gearbox and an all wheel drive system with a Haldex clutch. The Yeti’s 2 liter TDI motor outputs 140 Bhp and 320 Nm. The Yeti is available in Ambition and Elegance trims, priced at 17.17 lakh rupees and 18.82 lakh rupees respectively.
Ssangyong Rexton 4X4/AWD
The Ssangyong Rexton is the South Korean SUV maker’s maiden offering in the Indian market. The Rexton gets a four wheel drive system with low ratio in the RX5 variant and RX6 variants while the RX7 variant makes do with an all wheel drive system. The RX5 and RX6 variants get a five speed manual gearbox while the RX7 variant makes do with a 5 speed automatic gearbox. All three variants are powered by a 2.7 liter-5 cylinder turbo diesel engine. On the RX5 (18.88 lakh rupees) and RX6 (19.96 lakh rupees) variants, this engine outputs 162 Bhp-340 Nm. On the RX7 variant (21.11 lakh rupees), the engine outputs 184 Bhp-402 Nm.
Ford Endeavour 4X4
The Ford Endeavour SUV is the American car maker’s top of the line product for the Indian car market. The 3 liter engined version of the Endeavour gets outputs 154 Bhp and 380 Nm. A five speed automatic gearbox and a four wheel drive system are standard. The Endeavour 4X4 is priced at 23.06 lakh rupees.
Toyota Fortuner 4X4
The Toyota Fortuner is India’s best selling luxury and the SUV’s sales numbers reflect its bomb proof reliability and quality levels as much as its butch looks and imposing street presence. The Fortuner is powered by a 3 liter D-4D turbo diesel engine that outputs 169 Bhp-343 Nm. The engine is paired with a 5 speed manual gearbox and a four wheel drive system. The Fortuner 4X4 is priced at 23.06 lakh rupees.
Mitsubishi Pajero Sport 4X4
A Toyota Fortuner rival, the Pajero Sport is Mitsubishi’s only product offering in India. The 7 seat luxury SUV is powered by a 2.5 liter diesel engine that pumps out 178 Bhp and 400 Nm. The gearbox is a 5 speed manual unit. The Pajero Sport is a ladder framed SUV with Triton pick up truck origins. The SUV’s four wheel drive system comes with low and high ratios. The Pajero Sport is priced at 23.5 lakh rupees.
Honda CR-V AWD
A car-like crossover from Honda, the CR-V is known for its finesse. A five seat crossover, the Honda CR-V is sold with petrol engines only. The 2.4 liter-4 cylinder petrol engined version of the CR-V gets an all wheel drive system on the top end variant. The 2.4 liter petrol engine outputs 187 Bhp of peak power and 226 Nm of peak torque. A six speed automatic gearbox is standard on this variant, which is priced at 24.36 lakh rupees.
Chevrolet Captiva AWD
The Chevrolet Captiva is General Motors’ most expensive product in India. The 7 seat SUV is powered by a 2.2 liter turbo diesel engine that outputs 184 Bhp and 424 Nm, making it one of the most powerful SUVs this side of 30 lakh rupees. A 6 speed automatic gearbox and an all wheel drive system are standard on the Captiva 2.2, which is priced at 25.09 lakh rupees. A lower priced, 2 liter diesel engined, manual gearbox equipped, front wheel driven variant is also on offer.
Renault Koleos AWD
A well mannered diesel crossover that is compact enough for most urban streets, the Koleos is Renault India’s most expensive offering. The four wheel drive version of the Koleos gets a low ratio and comes with a 6 speed automatic gearbox. The Koleos is powered by a 2 liter M9R turbo diesel engine that outputs 170 Bhp and 360 Nm. The crossover is priced at 26.19 lakh rupees.
Hyundai Santa Fe AWD
The latest version of the Hyundai Santa Fe was launched earlier this year. The flagship Hyundai product with an all wheel drive function is powered by a 2.2 liter turbo diesel engine (194 Bhp-437 Nm) making it the most powerful luxury SUV in the sub-30 lakh rupees segment. The Santa Fe gets a 6 speed automatic gearbox in the all wheel drive version, and is priced at a steep 27.9 lakh rupees.
Audi Q3 TFSI Quattro AWD
The Q3 TFSI Quattro is a high performance petrol crossover that is Audi’s entry level product. The 2 liter petrol engine of the Q3 TFSI outputs 208 Bhp and 350 Nm. The crossover gets a seven speed automatic gearbox and a Quattro all wheel drive system. The Q3 TFSI is priced at 28.60 lakh rupees. Audi also offers a 2 liter diesel engined (174 Bhp-380 Nm) version of the Q3 with a Quattro gearbox for 30.46 lakh rupees.