India's fastest accelerating budget petrol SUVs

Crude oil is trading at a multi-year low, and diesel prices have been deregulated. Petrols are back, and how. Almost every new car launch is giving equal attention to both petrol and diesel engined variants. Why, even utility vehicle major Mahindra is readying up a slew of petrol engines that will power every SUV that it sells in India. The scales are now tilting towards petrol engined cars, and this is a reason why more SUV makers are betting on petrol power. Petrol engines are light, responsive and also quick off the blocks. Today, we take a look at India’s 5 fastest accelerating budget petrol SUVs.

Ford Ecosport Ecoboost

The petrol version of the Ford Ecosport sub-4 meter compact SUV is one of the fastest in the country, with a 0-100 Kph sprint of 11 seconds. This fast accelerating version of the Ecosport is powered by a 1 liter-3 cylinder turbocharged Ecoboost petrol engine with outputs of 125 Bhp and 170 Nm. A five speed manual gearbox transmits torque to the front wheels. Well priced and available with the option of six airbags, the Ecosport’s Ecoboost variant also happens to be a safety leader in its segment.

Hyundai Creta 1.6

The newly launched Hyundai Creta is sales champ. Over 7,000 buyers opted for this compact SUV in August 2015, making that the best sales ever for an SUV in India. While the diesel engined Creta is a leader in its segment when it comes to sprinting, the petrol powered model is more relaxed. Now, it’s only the diesel version’s scintillating numbers that make the petrol pale in comparison. But don’t be fooled. The Creta 1.6 Petrol (121 Bhp-158 Nm) is still a formidable sprinter, taking 12.7 seconds for the 0-100 Kph run. A 6 speed manual gearbox turns the front wheels of the Creta Petrol.

Renault Duster

The Renault Duster was the first compact SUV in India to be served up with a petrol engine, in this case a 1.6 liter-4 cylinder motor with 104 Bhp and 140 Nm. The Duster’s petrol variant uses a 5 speed manual gearbox that powers the SUV’s front wheels. Though not a match to the diesel variant when it comes to power and torque, and acceleration numbers, the Duster 1.6 Petrol manages to perform creditably enough, making for a 13 second 0-100 Kph run.

Ford Ecosport 1.5 Ti-VCT

The 1.5 Ti-VCT petrol engine of the Ecosport is the other flavour that this compact SUV is available in. This motor puts out 110 Bhp and 145 Nm, and is offered with two transmission choices, a 5 speed manual and a 6 speed twin clutch automatic. The automatic variant is the faster of the lot, with a 13 second timing for the 0-100 Kph run. Also, the Ecosport is the only petrol-automatic SUV in its segment. The crossover’s automatic variant offers both convenience and pep, a combination that’s rare in the SUV world.

Nissan Terrano

If you don’t like the way the Renault Duster looks, the Nissan Terrano is a logical option for you. A badge engineered vehicle based on the Duster, the Terrano shares its engines and transmissions with the former. This means that the 1.6 liter petrol motor also powers the Terrano, and makes for a similar 0-100 Kph sprint number of 13 seconds. The Terrano is slightly more expensive than the Duster but the discounts on offer balance out the higher price tag. Also, the interiors of the Terrano feel more upmarket than those of the Duster.