KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Mahindra is the number one SUV maker in India.
- Bolero Neo has a seating capacity of 9 people.
- Thar comes with two diesel and one petrol engine.
The world is currently obsessed with SUVs, and in India, even people who are becoming first-time buyers are straight away choosing SUVs over sedans and hatchbacks, as they too are in love with the idea of driving a tall car. However, in the current tsunami of SUVs, there are only a handful of real ones with an RWD setup and ladder-on-frame chassis.
As the RWD is the most basic characteristic, which allows these big cars to climb steep inclines easily, and a ladder-on-frame chassis with their tank-like robustness allows drivers to go anywhere. So, here is a list of all the real SUVs you can buy under Rs 20 lakh. Let's start, and in the meantime, make sure to join the 91Wheels Whatsapp Channel to never miss out on automotive updates.
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From Most Affordable To Expensive
Mahindra Bolero
One of the oldest-selling SUVs in India, the Mahindra Bolero has seen the Indian automotive industry transform through every decade. Now, people don't buy this, but in rural parts of India, you can still see it being used for work purposes. The Bolero is the most affordable SUV with rear-wheel drive (RWD) and a ladder-frame chassis you can buy. It starts at Rs 9.79 lakh, and the top variant costs Rs 10.90 lakh ex-showroom. Another thing that makes the Bolero special is that it is one of the rare cars in current times with the least amount of electronics in it, so if you buy it, you will be driving it, not the computers.
Mahindra Bolero Neo/ Plus
This is basically a new-age Bolero, which previously used to sell as the TUV300, and is now very popular in North India. The Bolero Neo is mostly seen as a police escort vehicle and is known for its off-roading capabilities and powerful 1.5L 3-cylinder diesel engine that makes 100 ps and 260 Nm of torque. This SUV only comes with an RWD setup and starts at Rs 9.95 lakh, with the top model costing Rs 12.15 lakh. People who don't like the old-school styling of the Bolero, will appreciate its modern aesthetics.
Another iteration of this SUV is the Bolero Neo Plus, which is basically a stretched version that can accommodate 9 people inside. It's great for long travels with full families, plus luggage. A big change in this vehicle is that it comes with a 2.2L mHawk diesel engine, which makes 120 PS and 280 Nm of torque, so it's powerful enough to pull those massive weights. Now, again, this car isn't available in automatic transmission, but only in manual.
Mahindra Thar
This vehicle needs no introduction; the whole country is obsessed with it, and it has played a huge role in turning Indians towards SUVs. Now, the Thar 3-door is not getting much traction as the 5-door Thar Roxx is available, and it makes more sense to buy that over it, but still, it sells in great numbers. In total, 3 engines are available, and Mahindra also offers an automatic gearbox, plus locking differentials, to make full use of its 4X4 setting. And yes, this car in lower variants comes with an RWD option, and in the top variant, it comes with 4X4.
Maruti Jimny
The only true SUV from Maruti Suzuki comes standard with a 4X4 drivetrain, but inside, Maruti offers another gearbox to shift it into a 4X2, with another stick shift placed beside the gearbox. Now, the Jimny is the most off-road capable affordable SUV in India, which sells low, just because it doesn't have a commanding road presence. Apart from this, the engine feels underpowered, and if you drive the Jimny on plain roads, you'll feel how lethargic this engine feels here. Now, talking about its price, it starts at Rs 12.75 lakh and goes up to Rs 13.85 lakh.
Mahindra Scorpio Classic
The Scorpio Classic, a vehicle with millions of fans, still sells in outstanding numbers in spite of the presence of the Scorpio N. This real SUV is available in just two variants - S and S11. There are very few changes between them, mainly based on features, but both get the same old 2.2L mHawk engine with 131 ps and 300 Nm of torque. Again, this SUV is available with just one 5-speed manual gearbox.
Mahindra Thar Roxx
The Thar Roxx, the car of the year for 2024, has shaken the industry ever since it was launched on August 15, 2024. This is a great vehicle for family purposes and everyday driving, as it's easy to drive, comfortable, and feature-loaded. The standard drive setup for this car is RWD, but the top variants offer a 4X4 setup, which costs upwards of 20 lakhs. Now, the Thar Roxx is available with 2 engines a 2.0L petrol and a 2.2L diesel, both with manual and automatic gearboxes. For everyday usability, the diesel with the 6-AT gearbox makes the most sense.
Mahindra Scorpio N
The Scorpio N, the best-selling car with a massive waiting period, is the last vehicle on our list. This one starts at Rs 14 lakh ex-showroom and goes up to Rs 24.90 lakh for the all-new Carbon edition. The Scorpio N strikes a perfect balance between a comfortable, everyday usable SUV and a proper "go-anywhere" vehicle. In its standard models, you get RWD and a powerful choice of engines, which makes a lethal combination. The N badge takes forward the legacy of the Scorpio to the stratosphere, and the sales chart shows it. This expensive SUV is in the top 5 best-selling cars of 2024 list, which is a huge achievement.
Verdict
So, these are 7 SUVs that you can buy under Rs 20 lakh, and clearly, this list is dominated by Mahindra, as they are India's no.1 SUV maker who doesn't even build any other segment of cars like hatchbacks or sedans. Also, the Maruti Jimny is the anomaly here, as the only car with 4x4 as standard and the one that represents Japan.
