Best Compact SUV Under ₹10 Lakh: Our Top 6 Picks for 2025

Best Compact SUV Under ₹10 Lakh? Presenting the Updated List of Top 6 Cars for 2025

If you are planning to buy a brilliant compact SUV for yourself or your family within a budget of ₹10 lakh, you’ve come to the right place. After analysing more than 18 models on the market, reading online reviews, and gathering customer feedback, we have prepared this definitive list of the 6 best options for 2025.

In this list, we have only included cars that stand out in terms of performance, features, safety, and overall value for money. Our ranking is in reverse order, meaning the car at number 6 is our lowest recommendation, and the one at number 1 is our top recommendation.


 

Best Compact SUV
Best Compact SUV

Rank 6: Nissan Magnite / Renault Kiger

Why Buy? – Stylish Design and Strong Safety

This list begins with the duo of the Nissan Magnite and Renault Kiger. Both cars are known for their stylish looks and a 4-star Global NCAP safety rating. Our suggestion leans more towards the Nissan Magnite, as the company claims improved build and interior quality in its recent facelift (October 2024). If you want a feature-loaded and safe family car, the Magnite is a solid choice.

  • Our Recommendation: Magnite XV Premium
  • Ex-Showroom Price: ₹9,19,000
  • On-Road Price (Approx.): ₹10,49,000

Key Specifications:

  • Engine: 1.0L Petrol (71 bhp, 96 Nm)
  • Transmission: Manual / AMT / CVT
  • Ground Clearance: 205 mm
  • Boot Space: 336 Litres
  • Safety: 4-Star Global NCAP

Key Features of this Variant:

  • 6 Airbags, ABS with EBD
  • Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
  • 16-inch Diamond-cut Alloy Wheels
  • 8-inch Touchscreen System (Wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay)
  • 360-degree Camera, Rear AC Vents

 

Best Compact SUV

Rank 5: Tata Nexon

 

Why Buy? – Futuristic Design and 5-Star Safety

The Tata Nexon is an extremely popular and one of the safest cars in the Indian market. With a 5-star safety rating, this car is excellent for those who want a powerful package of design, robustness, and features. Thanks to its futuristic look and solid build quality, it consistently finds a place on the top-selling charts.

  • Our Recommendation: Smart+
  • Ex-Showroom Price: ₹8,69,000
  • On-Road Price (Approx.): ₹10,01,000

Key Specifications:

  • Engine: 1.2L Turbo-Petrol (118 bhp, 170 Nm)
  • Mileage (Petrol): 17 kmpl (approx.)
  • Ground Clearance: 208 mm
  • Boot Space: 382 Litres
  • Safety: 5-Star Global NCAP

Key Features of this Variant:

  • 6 Airbags, ABS with EBD, ESP
  • LED Headlamps and DRLs
  • 7-inch Touchscreen Infotainment System
  • Hill Hold Assist, Reverse Parking Sensors
  • 2-Spoke Steering Wheel with Illuminated Logo

 

Best Compact SUV

Rank 4: Hyundai Venue / Kia Sonet

Why Buy? – Refined Engine and Premium Features

These two Korean cars, built on the same platform, are renowned for their smooth, silent, and vibration-free engines. If your priority is a comfortable driving experience, premium interiors, and advanced technology, the Venue and Sonet are excellent choices. Their 4-cylinder engine gives them a distinct edge in the segment.

  • Our Recommendation: Venue S
  • Ex-Showroom Price: ₹9,11,000
  • On-Road Price (Approx.): ₹10,51,000

Key Specifications:

  • Engine: 1.2L, 4-Cylinder NA Petrol (82 bhp, 113 Nm)
  • Mileage: 16 kmpl (approx.)
  • Ground Clearance: 195 mm
  • Boot Space: 350 Litres
  • Safety: 4-Star (Adult), 3-Star (Child) Global NCAP

Key Features of this Variant:

  • 2 Airbags, ABS with EBD, TPMS
  • 8-inch Touchscreen (Wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay)
  • All four Power Windows
  • Electrically Adjustable ORVMs
  • Rear AC Vents

 

Best Compact SUV

Rank 3: Mahindra XUV 3XO

Why Buy? – Powerful Performance and Segment-First Features

This new version of the XUV300 (the 3XO) was launched in April 2024 and immediately shook up the segment. It is one of India’s safest cars (5-star NCAP) and is known for its powerful engine that generates tremendous torque. If you want a spacious, safe, and high-performance SUV, the 3XO is a fantastic choice.

  • Our Recommendation: MX1
  • Ex-Showroom Price: ₹7,49,000
  • On-Road Price (Approx.): ₹8,60,000

Key Specifications:

  • Engine: 1.2L Turbo-Petrol (110 bhp, 200 Nm)
  • Mileage: 18 kmpl (approx.)
  • Ground Clearance: 201 mm
  • Boot Space: 364 Litres
  • Safety: 5-Star Global NCAP

Key Features of this Variant:

  • 6 Airbags, ABS with EBD
  • Electrically Adjustable ORVMs
  • All four Power Windows
  • Front Armrest and Rear AC Vents
  • Push Start-Stop Button

 

Best Compact SUV

Rank 2: Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Why Buy? – Unmatched Reliability, Low Maintenance, and Excellent Resale Value

The Maruti Brezza holds the second spot on this list for clear reasons – an incredibly reliable and refined 4-cylinder engine, zero vibrations, the lowest maintenance costs, and fantastic resale value. It’s one of the few Maruti cars to have earned a 4-star safety rating. If you want a car that runs for years without any trouble, there’s nothing better than the Brezza.

  • Our Recommendation: LXI
  • Ex-Showroom Price: ₹8,34,000
  • On-Road Price (Approx.): ₹9,70,000

Key Specifications:

  • Engine: 1.5L, 4-Cylinder NA Petrol (101 bhp, 137 Nm)
  • Mileage: 17 kmpl (approx.)
  • Ground Clearance: 198 mm
  • Boot Space: 328 Litres
  • Safety: 4-Star Global NCAP

Key Features of this Variant:

  • Dual Airbags, ABS with EBD
  • Reverse Parking Sensors
  • Electrically Adjustable ORVMs
  • Rear AC Vents, Shark Fin Antenna
  • LED Tail Lights similar to the top model

 

Best Compact SUV

Rank 1: Skoda Kymaq

Why Buy? – A Fusion of Power, Performance, and German Engineering

At number one on our list is Skoda’s brand-new offering – the Skoda Kymaq. This car is built for those who love to drive. This marvel of German engineering offers the segment’s most powerful engine, solid build quality, and fantastic driving dynamics at a budget-friendly price. It is the only car that strikes a perfect balance between excellent safety and thrilling performance. Furthermore, its 446-litre boot space makes it the most practical choice in the segment.

  • Our Recommendation: Classic
  • Ex-Showroom Price: ₹7,79,000
  • On-Road Price (Approx.): ₹8,79,000

Key Specifications:

  • Engine: 1.0L TSI Turbo-Petrol
  • Boot Space: 446 Litres
  • Ground Clearance: 188 mm
  • Safety: 5-Star (Expected)

Key Features of this Variant:

  • Dual Airbags, ABS with EBD
  • Touchscreen Infotainment System
  • Height-Adjustable Driver Seat
  • Rear AC Vents, Cooled Glovebox
  • Single-pane Sunroof

 

Conclusion: Which Car is Best for You?

फीचर / मॉडल Skoda Kushaq CL XUV 3XO AX2 Tata Nexon Smart+ Brezza LXI Hyundai Venue S Nissan Magnite Tn+
Price (On-Road) ₹8.80 L ₹9.85 L ₹9.70 L ₹9.00 L ₹10.00 L ₹9.75 L
Engine (Petrol) 1.0L TSI Turbo 1.2L Turbo 1.2L Turbo 1.5L NA 1.2L NA 1.0L NA / Turbo
Power (PS) 115 PS 110 PS 118 PS 101 PS 82 PS 71 PS (NA) / 100 PS (T)
Mileage (kmpl) 19.2 18 17 17 (Petrol) 18.4 20.0+
Airbags 6 6 6 2 2 6
GNCAP Safety ★★★★★ (5-Star) ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★ ★★★★ ★★★★
Boot Space (Ltr) 446 354 350 328 350 336
Ground Clearance 188 mm 200 mm 208 mm 198 mm 195 mm 205 mm
Touchscreen Size 8″ 10.25″ 7″ 7″ 8″ 7″
Sunroof ✅ (S+) ✅ (2024 facelift)
ADAS / Smart Features ✅ (Level-2)
Transmission 6MT 6MT / AT 6MT / AMT 5MT / 6AT 5MT / iMT / DCT 5MT / AMT / CVT
Interior Quality ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐
Best For Drive Feel, Build Tech + Safety Family + Safety Low Cost + Resale Urban Use + Features Budget SUV with Style

 

Also Read: Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) Checklist for New Cars: A Complete Guide to Check Your Car Before Delivery

We hope this list helps you make the right decision based on your needs. We strongly recommend taking a test drive of any car before you finalise your choice.

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