Quickest Luxury SUVs in India – A Compilation

Snapshot – Diesel dominates proceedings in the Indian luxury SUV pack. Diesel power means truck loads of torque, and torque means acceleration, that feeling of being pushed back in your seat when you hot foot the loud pedal. Some of the luxury SUVs sold in the Indian car market can give D-Segment sedans stiff competition in the acceleration stakes. We list five of the India’s quickest luxury SUVs that are priced under 30 lakh rupees.

Chevrolet Captiva 2.2 AWD

The Chevrolet Captiva shares its 2.2 liter VCDi turbo diesel engine with the Cruze sedan. Since the Captiva is a heavier vehicle, the men in white coats at General Motors have endowed this engine with a bagful of extra torque, all 424 Nm of it. The engine also makes more power than it does on the Cruze, with 184 horses unleashed through the 6 speed automatic transmission. A monocoque body keeps weight manageable while the all wheel drive system ensures that grip isn’t lost to spinning tyres. All these factors come together to give the Captiva 2.2 AWD an acceleration timing of 9.5 seconds, making the SUV the quickest accelerating vehicle in its class.

Skoda Yeti 4X4 TDI

The Skoda Yeti 4X4 compact SUV uses a 2 liter TDI turbo diesel engine that puts out 138 Bhp of peak power and 320 Nm of peak torque. This engine is standard fare on multiple Volkswagen group cars, from sedans to SUVs. The diesel motor is paired with a 6 speed manual gearbox that transmits torque to all four wheels by means of the Haldex clutch equipped all wheel drive system. The Yeti 4×4 AWD is a monocoque bodied SUV that carries five adults. The smaller carrying capacity means that kerb weight is relatively light, at 1,543 kilograms. The Yeti sprints from 0-100 Kph in just 10 seconds.

Honda CR-V 2.4 AT AWD

Diesels means torque but petrols mean high rpm performance and quick engine response on account of lighter motor internals. The CR-V is the only petrol powered SUV to make it this diesel dominated list, with its 2.4 liter i-VTEC petrol motor outputting 187 Bhp-226 Nm, and propelling it to 100 Kph from standstill in just 10.5 seconds. The CR-V uses a 5 speed automatic gearbox that powers all four wheels. With its car-like ride and handling, the CR-V is one of the best equipped SUVs to handle the rapid acceleration that its engine delivers. Known for high refinement levels, this crossover continues to enjoy a small but loyal bunch of buyers.

Hyundai Santa Fe

With a 0-100 Kph run of 11 seconds, the imposing Hyundai Sante Fe makes for a menacing sight in lesser car’ rear view mirrors The Sante Fe is powered by a 2.2 liter turbo diesel engine, which is the most powerful vehicle in the segment, with 194 Bhp-437 Nm outputs, which are specific to the 6 speed automatic transmission equipped variants. This SUV is offered with front wheel drive and all wheel drive options. Known to be feature rich and laden with luxury, the Sante Fe is a decent seller for Hyundai India. The monocoque bodied SUV is also the most expensive in its class, with the top end variant retailing for a hefty 29.79 lakh rupees, ex-showroom Delhi.

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport luxury SUV seats seven and uses a ladder frame chassis, courtesy its pick up truck underpinnings. A ladder frame chassis brings with it big weight, and yet the Pajero Sport manages to sprint its way into the top 5 accelerating luxury SUV list, by dispatching the 0-100 Kph run in 12.5 seconds. The Pajero Sport is powered by a variable geometry turbocharger equipped 4 cylinder diesel motor with a 2.5 liter displacement. In terms of power and torque numbers, this motor makes 178 Bhp-400 Nm. A five speed manual gearbox drives the rear wheels of this SUV, which also gets a shift-on-the-fly four wheel drive option.