Top 5 SUVs to Buy Under Rs 15 Lakh This Diwali

With Diwali approaching, now is the perfect time to invest in a new car, especially an SUV that offers more style, versatility, and convenience. Whether you're commuting in the city or embarking on a family road trip, SUVs provide greater comfort and features compared to other vehicles. They come in a variety of sizes and styles to fit the budgets and preferences of different buyers. If you're looking to purchase an SUV under Rs 15 lakh this Diwali, here are some options to consider.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

The redesigned XUV300, with a new name and look, is one of the most affordable SUVs to buy under Rs 15 lakh. It has nine core variants (MX1, MX2, MX2 Pro, MX3, MX3 Pro, AX5, AX5 Luxury, AX7, and AX7 Luxury), and eight colour options (Citrine Yellow, Deep Forest, Dune Beige, Everest White, Galaxy Grey, Nebula Blue, Stealth Black, and Tango Red). The SUV starts at Rs 7.79 lakh (ex-showroom).

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The XUV 3XO offers three engine options: a 1.2-litre turbo-petrol (110bhp/200Nm), 1.2-litre TGDi turbo-petrol (129bhp/230Nm), and a 1.5-litre diesel (115bhp/300Nm). The SUV boasts a new 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission for petrol engines. While a 6-speed manual transmission is standard, the diesel motor also has an optional 6-speed AMT.

Tata Nexon

The Nexon is a popular SUV in India, with several drivetrain options (CNG, EV, and ICE). The ICE-powered variant is priced at Rs 8 lakh, while the EV version costs Rs 12.49 lakh. The CNG model, on the other hand, retails for Rs 8.99 lakh. These are starting and ex-showroom prices.

The Nexon ICE comes with two engine options: a 1.5-litre diesel and a 1.2-litre turbo-petrol. The turbo-petrol unit generates 118bhp and 170Nm, whereas the diesel engine produces 113bhp and 260Nm. The EV model, on the other hand, is available in long-range (40.5kWh) and medium-range (30kWh) battery configurations. In contrast, the CNG model (equipped with a 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine) produces 99bhp and 170Nm.

Tata Curvv ICE

The Curvv is a new offering from Tata Motors, designed to capture attention with its striking aesthetics and innovative features. The ICE-powered model has three engine options (1.2-litre direct injection turbocharged petrol, 1.2-litre turbo-petrol, and 1.5-litre diesel). While a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission is optional, all three engines have a 6-speed manual as standard. The car sits on Tata's new vehicle architecture, ATLAS (Adaptive Tech Forward Lifestyle Architecture), which supports multiple engine options.

The Tata Curvv ICE comes in multiple colour options – Flame Red, Pristine White, Daytona Grey, Opera Blue, Gold Essence, and Pure Grey. It has a starting price of Rs 10 lakh (ex-showroom). 

Hyundai Creta

The Creta is among the preferred options in the compact SUV segment. It sold 15,902 units sold in September 2024, representing a rise of 25.05% from the previous year's 12,717 units. The Hyundai SUV has seven primary variants: E, EX, S, S (O), SX, SX Tech, and SX (O). It is available in six monotones and one dual-tone colours (Titan Grey, Abyss Black, Atlas White, Fiery Red, Ranger Khaki, Robust Emerald Pearl, and Atlas White with Black Roof (dual-tone).

The Creta SUV comes with three engine options: a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated (NA) petrol, a 1.5-litre diesel, and a new 1.5-litre turbo-petrol. The NA petrol unit produces 113bhp and 144Nm, while the diesel mill generates 114bhp and 250Nm. The turbo-petrol motor, on the other hand, develops 158bhp and 253Nm. The available gearbox options are a 6-speed MT, 6-speed AT, iMT, CVT (iVT), and a 7-speed DCT. Price-wise, the SUV starts at Rs 11 lakh (ex-showroom).

Mahindra Scorpio, Scorpio-N

The Mahindra Scorpio has long been an iconic name in the Indian SUV market, known for its rugged design, powerful performance, and off-road capability. The Scorpio Classic has five exterior colour options: Galaxy Grey, Red Rage, Everest White, Diamond White, and Stealth Black. The Scorpio-N, on the other hand, is available in six colour schemes (Deep Forest, Everest White, Napoli Black, Red Rage, Midnight Black, and Dazzling Silver).

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Mechanically, The Scorpio classic packs a single 2.2-litre diesel engine that produces 130bhp and 320Nm and is mated to a six-speed manual transmission. On the other hand, the Scorpio-N gets two engine options: a 2.2-litre diesel (130bhp/300Nm or 173bhp and up to 400Nm) and a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol (200bhp/ up to 380Nm). 

The Classic version starts at Rs 13.62 lakh, while the N model costs Rs 13.85 lakh. Both are starting and ex-showroom prices.