Driving in India necessitates a high ground clearance. Large speed bumps, craters, patches, and potholes may be present anywhere. Their capacity to go anyplace will be a crucial purchasing factor if you're an SUV person who values the "utility" component of the SUV label. To hold its own off-road, an SUV needs to have good ground clearance. The space between a vehicle's axles and the pavement is known as ground clearance. An SUV with a high ground clearance can drive through heavy snow drifts or rocky off-road terrain without damaging its underside or becoming trapped. According to the vehicle, getting the optimum clearance can need four-wheel drive, a specific trim level, or optional extras such an adjustable-height air suspension. Indian automakers are providing automobiles with the highest ground clearance feasible to enable more maneuverability in light of this. We bring you a list comprising top 5 SUVs in India that offer high ground clearance and can be purchased under the Rs 10 lakh price range.
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Tata Nexon
Tata Nexon is the first model on our list. The Nexon sports 209 mm of ground clearance and 16-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels. The SUV is powered by two engines: a 1.2-litre turbo petrol and a 1.5-litre diesel. The turbo petrol engine produces 118bhp and 170Nm of peak torque. The diesel engine, on the other hand, produces 108bhp and 260Nm of torque. A 6-speed manual transmission and an optional AMT handle transmission duties. The Nexon has a flat-bottom steering wheel, a 7.0-inch infotainment system, a fully digital instrument cluster, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, an air purifier, automated climate control, cruise control, and other features. In terms of safety, the SUV has dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, an electronic stability programme (ESP), a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), a rear-view camera, rear parking sensors, and ISOFIX child-seat anchors. For those who are unaware, the Tata Nexon SUV is the first Indian car to receive a five-star safety rating in the Global NCAP crash test, and since 2018, the Tata Nexon has prioritised safety with a seatbelt reminder (as standard) for all occupants.
Nissan Magnite
The Nissan Magnite is the next car on the list. The SUV has 16-inch alloy wheels and a ground clearance of 205mm. The subcompact SUV currently costs between Rs 6 lakh to Rs 11.02 lakh (ex-showroom, India). It is available in five variants: XE, XL, XV Executive, XV, and XV Premium. The SUV is offered with two engines: a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine and a 1.0-litre 3-cylinder petrol engine. The former has a maximum power output of 99bhp and a peak torque of 160Nm, while the latter has a maximum output of 71bhp and 96Nm. There are two gearbox options available: a 5-speed manual and a CVT. Both engines have been certified as BS6 Phase II compliant.
LED headlamps, automatic climate control, a 360-degree camera, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, 50+ connected car features, Smartwatch connectivity, and more features abound in the Nissan Magnite.
Renault Kiger
The next model to feature on our list is the Renault Kiger. The Kiger rides on 16-inch alloy wheels and has a ground clearance of 205mm. The Nissan Magnite and the Renault Kiger are both built on the same platform. The Renault Kiger is powered by two engines: a 1-litre NA and a 1-litre turbo-petrol. The turbocharged engine has 99bhp and 152Nm of torque, while the normally aspirated engine has 71bhp and 96Nm. These engines are available with a 5-speed manual transmission, a 5-speed AMT (NA-petrol), or a CVT (turbo-petrol).
Renault updated the list of safety features for all of its vehicles, including the Kiger, in February 2023. The electronic stability program (ESP), traction control, hill-start assist, and tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) are now standard features on the SUV. Additional safety features include up to four airbags and a reversing camera. The SUV is priced between Rs 6.50 lakh to Rs 11.23 lakh. Prices are all ex-showroom. In the Indian market, the Kiger competes with the Citroen C3, the Maruti Suzuki Fronx, and sub-4m SUVs such as the Tata Nexon, the Nissan Magnite, and others.
Kia Sonet
The Kia Sonet is another SUV that made it to the list. The Sonet has 16-inch alloy wheels and a ground clearance of 205mm. The carmaker launched the 2023 Sonet with an updated powertrain in March this year. Prices of the SUV range between Rs 7.79 lakh and Rs 14.89 lakh. Prices are ex-showroom. The petrol engine range of the Sonet is now RDE compatible and can run on E20 fuel, a mixture of 20% ethanol and 80% petrol. Mechanically, the vehicle continues to be powered by a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine producing 118bhp and a 1.2-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine producing 82bhp. The same transmissions that were previously offered for the petrol versions—a 7-speed DCT, an iMT, and a 5-speed manual—are available for them as well.
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Maruti Suzuki Brezza
The fifth car on the list is Maruti Suzuki Brezza. The SUV gets 16-inch alloy wheels with 200mm of ground clearance. In June 2022, Maruti Suzuki introduced the revised Brezza to the Indian market, with a starting price of Rs 7.99 lakh (ex-showroom). The SUV is currently priced between Rs 8.29 lakh for the entry-level LXi variant and Rs 14.14 lakh for the highest-spec ZXi+ model. The prices are both ex-showroom. The Brezza is available in four different configurations, each with a petrol or CNG engine.
Although the new Brezza is driven by the same 1.5-litre four-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine as its predecessor, it has a few more modern amenities. The K15C component replaces the K15B component in the previous version of the engine. The biggest practical difference between the two engines is the K15C's dual-jet technology (two injectors per cylinder). To compensate, the power and torque outputs have been decreased marginally to 102bhp from 103bhp and 137Nm from 138Nm, respectively. Like the previous version, all variants are fitted with a 5-speed manual transmission. The 6-speed torque converter in the new model has replaced the previous 4-speed unit in the automatic form, which also sports paddle shifters. Similarly, mild hybrid technology is now standard on all manual and automatic variants.
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