The Mahindra Thar has been one of the most popular 4x4 SUVs in India and has been serving as the entry point for anyone looking to get into hard-core off-roading. However, with the launch of the new-gen model, the Thar has now become a viable choice for even those who are not interested in off-roading, rather simply looking for a stylish SUV. It comes with a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol and a 2.2-litre diesel engine both mated to either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic unit. It's currently priced at Rs. 12.78 lakh to Rs. 15.08 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). While the Mahindra Thar doesn't have a direct rival in India, if you are looking for a stylish SUV that offers all the necessary creature comforts and can also fit a family of 5 (which the Thar can't), then here are five other alternatives for you. Mind you, these aren't off-road SUVs and neither do they come with 4x4.
Despite its category, the Thar competes in the compact SUV space, and the Hyundai Creta has been the undisputed leader of this space. The SUV offers a range of smart creature comforts, including connected car technology. This too comes with a pair of 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engine options along with a 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine. The SUV comes with 5- and 6-speed manual gearboxes along with 3 automatic transmissions - iVT, DCT and AT. The Hyundai Creta SUV is priced at Rs. 9.99 lakh to Rs. 17.70 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).
The Kia Seltos is based on the same platform as the Creta, in addition to the powertrain options, the SUVs also share most of their features. However, the Seltos gets Kia's own connected car tech and few additional features over the Creta, like an iMT (Intelligent Manual Transmission) for the 1.5-litre petrol engine. The Seltos is priced from Rs. 9.95 lakh, going up to Rs. 17.85 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).
The Renault Duster is one of the more capable SUVs in this segment if driving dynamics and performance is your main criteria. While the SUV no longer comes with a 4x4 option, it's still a capable SUV, and now it also comes with a 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine, with a 6-speed manual or an optional CVT automatic unit. The Duster also gets a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine with a 5-speed manual gearbox. The Duster is priced in India from Rs. 9.86 lakh to Rs. 14.25 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).
The MG Hector is yet another feature-rich SUV in this segment, the company launched the facelifted version of the SUV earlier this year. Like the Seltos and Creta, the Hector too is a fully connected SUV and offers a range of smart features. The Hector comes with a 1.5-litre petrol motor along with a 2.0-litre diesel engine. Transmission choices include - a 6-speed manual and a DCT automatic transmission. It is currently priced in the range of Rs. 13.17 lakh to Rs. 18.43 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).
The Skoda Kushaq is the latest addition to the hotly contested compact SUV segment in India. It is built on an India-specific MQB-A0-IN platform with over 95 per cent of local content. Like the Duster, the Kushaq is also a petrol-only SUV, and this too comes with two petrol engines - a 1.0-litre TSI and 1.5-litre TSI. Transmission choices include a 6-speed manual, 6-speed torque converter, and 7-speed DCT automatic. The Skoda Kushaq SUV is priced in the range of Rs. 10.50 lakh to Rs. 17.60 lakh (ex-showroom, India).
