Buying an SUV under ₹15 lakh in 2025 can be confusing, as there are over 20 models available. To make your decision easier, here’s a list of the top 10 SUVs under ₹15 lakh, ranked on safety, performance, features, mileage, resale value, and overall reliability.
Tata Curvv
- Stylish coupe-design SUV (petrol, diesel, and EV options).
- 1.2L turbo petrol, 118 bhp, 170 Nm torque.
- Mileage: ~12 km/l (city).
- Boot space: 500L (largest in this list).
- Bharat NCAP: 5-star safety rating.
- Price: ₹10–19.5 lakh | Best pick: Creative S variant (₹14.8 lakh on-road).
Kia Carens
- Boxy compact SUV inspired by EV9.
- 1.0L turbo petrol, 118 bhp, 172 Nm torque.
- Mileage: 14–15 km/l.
- Boot space: 465L.
- Bharat NCAP: 5-star safety.
- Price: ₹9–17.8 lakh | Best pick: HTK+ Turbo DCT (₹14.7 lakh on-road).
MG Astor
- Underrated SUV with strong build and modern features.
- 1.5L NA petrol, 109 bhp, 144 Nm torque.
- Mileage: ~15 km/l.
- Boot space: 448L.
- Global NCAP: 5-star, but only 2 airbags.
- Price: ₹11.3–17.5 lakh | Best pick: Shine variant (₹14.4 lakh on-road).
Hyundai Venue
- Popular compact SUV with advanced safety features (ESC, VSM, Hill Assist).
- 1.0L turbo petrol, 118 bhp, 172 Nm torque.
- Mileage: ~13–14 km/l.
- Boot space: 350L.
- Global NCAP: 4-star (adult), 3-star (child).
- Price: ₹7.9–13.6 lakh | Best pick: SX(O) Turbo (₹14.4 lakh on-road).
Maruti Suzuki Brezza
- Reliable compact SUV with smooth driving.
- 1.5L NA petrol, 102 bhp, 137 Nm torque.
- Mileage: 16–17 km/l.
- Boot space: 328L (lowest in this list).
- Global NCAP: 4-star safety.
- Price: ₹8.7–14.1 lakh | Best pick: ZXi+ (₹14.4 lakh on-road).
Honda Elevate
- Proper mid-size SUV based on Honda City’s platform.
- 1.5L i-VTEC petrol, 119 bhp, 145 Nm torque.
- Mileage: ~15 km/l.
- Boot space: 458L.
- Bharat NCAP: 5-star safety.
- Price: ₹11.9–16.7 lakh | Best pick: V MT (₹14.9 lakh on-road).
Mahindra XUV 3XO
- New-gen compact SUV (successor to XUV300).
- 1.2L turbo petrol, 119 bhp, 230 Nm torque.
- Mileage: ~15–16 km/l.
- Boot space: 364L.
- Global NCAP: 5-star (adult + child).
- Price: ₹8–15.5 lakh | Best pick: AX7 Turbo (₹14.7 lakh on-road).
Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara
- Mid-size SUV competing with Creta.
- 1.5L NA petrol, 101 bhp, 136 Nm torque.
- Mileage: 16–18 km/l (petrol), 24–25 km/kg (CNG).
- Boot space: 373L (less in CNG).
- Safety: Not yet tested, but expected 4-star (same as Brezza).
- Price: ₹11.4–19.7 lakh | Best pick: Delta variant (₹14.5 lakh on-road).
Hyundai Creta
- Best-selling SUV in India.
- 1.5L petrol, 113 bhp, 145 Nm torque.
- Mileage: ~14 km/l.
- Boot space: 433L.
- Global NCAP: 4-star (adult), 3-star (child).
- Price: ₹11.1–20.5 lakh | Best pick: EX Optional (₹15.2 lakh on-road).
Skoda Kushaq (Kayak)
- Compact SUV with German engineering and strong build.
- 1.0L turbo petrol, 114 bhp, 178 Nm torque.
- Mileage: ~17–18 km/l.
- Boot space: 446L.
- Global NCAP: 5-star safety.
- Price: ₹7.8–16.5 lakh | Best pick: Prestige variant (₹15.3 lakh on-road).
Final Recommendation
- For middle-class buyers: Honda Elevate or Maruti Grand Vitara (better mileage + safety).
- For premium buyers: Hyundai Creta or Skoda Kushaq (better features + brand value).
- For maximum mileage: Grand Vitara CNG.
- For power + safety: Mahindra XUV 3XO or Skoda Kushaq.