Top SUVs of 2023: Maruti Suzuki Jimny, Honda Elevate, Hyundai Exter and More

The year 2023 was filled with success and excitement for numerous carmakers and automotive lovers as an array of SUVs arrived on the scene. Many auto giants, including Hyundai and Maruti Suzuki, launched their eagerly anticipated cars this year and grabbed a significant share of the segment. In India's family-oriented automotive market, SUVs are favoured over hatchbacks or sedans owing to their spaciousness, increased road presence, more elevated driving position, and high ground clearance. As these large-body type cars sell better and make greater profits, manufacturers put money into developing or upgrading them. In the year 2023, a significant number of SUVs made their way to India. If you missed out on some of the latest additions to the Indian SUV market, we have compiled a list of the top five SUVs that joined the automotive landscape. Without further delay, let's take a closer look at them.

Maruti Suzuki Jimny

The Jimny was the most anticipated car on the market that went on sale in June with a starting price of Rs 12.74 lakh. However, the manufacturer recently brought down the cost of the car through the release of a limited-run model - the Jimmy Thunder variant, which retails for Rs 10.74 lakh (ex-showroom). The new Jimny 5-door has two variants: Zeta and Alpha, and a single 1.5-litre naturally aspirated K15B petrol motor, which produces 134Nm of peak torque at 4,000rpm and 103bhp at 6,000rpm. 

Also Read: Top Hatchbacks of 2023: Tata Altroz iCNG, MG Comet EV, 2023 Hyundai i20 N Line and More

There are a total of seven exterior shades offered for the new Jimny, featuring two dual-tone and five monotone colour options. The lifestyle SUV has a 9-inch multimedia display called SmartPlay Pro+, six airbags, side-impact door beams, 3-point emergency locking retractor seatbelts, ISOFIX child seat anchors, a seatbelt pretensioner, rearview cameras, and an anti-lock braking system. The SUV is 1,720mm in width, 1,645mm in height, and 3,985mm in length. Its wheelbase stands at 2,590mm.

Citroen C3 Aircross

The starting price of the Citroen C3 Aircross is Rs 9.99 lakh (ex-showroom) in India. The 1.2-litre Gen3 turbo-petrol motor, beneath the bonnet of the new C3 Aircross, produces 190Nm of max torque at 1,750rpm and 108bhp of highest power at 5,500rpm. With this arrangement, the mid-size SUV ensures an ARAI-certified fuel efficiency rating of 18.5km/l. The car's engine comes with a 6-speed manual transmission. While there is no formal announcement at this point, speculations on the market suggest that an automatic gearbox is also in the pipeline. The SUV has a wheelbase of 2,671mm and a ground clearance of 200mm.

The Citroen C3 Aircross comes equipped with multiple features such as a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connection, automatic climate control, USB ports, dual front airbags, a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster, steering-mounted controls, segment-first roof-mounted air vents, connected car tech, rear parking sensors, ABS with EBD, an electronic stability programme, and more.  However, it is imperative to keep in mind that the feature list may vary depending on the model selected. The car is offered in three variants: You, Plus, and Max. In conjunction with these three different kinds of variants, the car is also available in a 5+2 seating version called the Flexi Pro (available only for Plus and Max editions).

Hyundai Exter

The new Hyundai Exter won the ICOTY (Indian Car of the Year) 2024, defeating popular cars like the Jimny, Elevate, and more. The car has been in the headlines since its introduction for a variety of reasons, ranging from higher bookings to contributions to monthly sales. The SUV has a 1.2-litre, 4-cylinder Kappa petrol engine that produces 83bhp and 113.8Nm. It comes with two transmission options - a 5-speed manual and a 5-speed automatic. Additionally, there is a CNG option available, which has a 5-speed MT and delivers 68bhp and 95.2Nm. The car has five primary variants: S, EX, SX(O), SX, and SX(O) Connect. However, only the mid-spec models, the S, and the SX, are available with the CNG specification.

The Hyundai SUV is equipped with many amenities, such as an 8-inch HD touchscreen infotainment system synced with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, automatic climate control, automated headlights, electronic stability control (ESC), vehicle stability management, hill assist control, and ABS with EBD. The Hyundai Exter retails for from Rs 6 lakh to Rs 10.15 lakh (ex-showroom) and faces off against models like the Nissan Magnite, the Renault Kiger, and the Tata Punch.

Honda Elevate

The Elevate is a mid-sized Honda SUV that retails for Rs 11 lakh (starting price, ex-showroom) in India. It features only one powertrain including a 1.5-litre iVTEC petrol motor, that also propels the City sedan. With this setup, the car delivers 120bhp and 145Nm of performance figures. A 6-speed manual and a 7-speed CVT are the available gearbox choices. In terms of size, the Elevate is 1,790mm wide, 1,650mm tall, and 4,312mm long. Its 458-litre storage capacity is the largest in the segment. The Honda Elevate, like the City, comes in four trim levels: SV, V, VX, and ZX. All four models come standard with a 6-speed manual transmission, however, the V, VX, and ZX variants feature a 7-speed CVT. 

The Elevate claims to keep its passengers safe with features like an ADAS suite, rear parking sensors, an emergency stop signal, and a multi-angle rear-view camera. However, it is vital to keep in mind that the list varies based on the variant chosen. 

Tata Nexon, Nexon.ev Facelifts

With introductory costs of Rs 8.10 lakh and Rs 14.74 lakh, respectively, the revamped iterations of the Tata Nexon and the Nexon.ev Facelifts are available for purchase in India. In terms of mechanical specifications, the ICE-powered Nexon preserves the same set of engine choices: a 1.5-litre diesel engine with 113bhp and 260Nm and a 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol unit with 118bhp and 170Nm. The only improvement to the vehicle is a greater number of transmission choices for the turbo-petrol unit. The arrangement includes a 5-speed manual, 6-speed manual, 6-speed AMT, and a 7-speed DCT. For the diesel motor, however, there are only two gearbox options: a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed AMT. 

Next, for the Nexon eV, there are two battery pack configurations on offer: Medium Range and Long Range. A larger 40.5kWh battery powers the Long-Range model, while the smaller 30kWh battery powers the Medium-Range version. As far as performance is concerned, the LR variant produces 215Nm and 127bhp, whereas the MR variant delivers 143bhp and 215Nm. It's interesting to note that the torque rating has gone down by 30Nm on the MR variant as well as by 38Nm on the LR version, although the power outputs continue to be the same.

The Nexon.ev has beefed up its safety package with several new amenities, such as electronic stability control (ESC), blind spot monitoring, rain-sensing wipers, automated headlights, ISOFIX child seat mounts, and six airbags. The EV also has a 12.3-inch touchscreen with an updated user interface in its feature list.

Also Read: Top 5 EVs of 2023: Tata Nexon EV Facelift, MG Comet, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and More

On the other hand, the 2023 Tata Nexon comes equipped with an array of attributes, such as a voice-activated sunroof, wireless charging, air conditioning, a new 10.25-inch floating infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connection, a two-spoke steering wheel, and height-adjustable and ventilated front seats. For safety, the ICE-powered Nexon has a 360-degree camera with a blind view monitor, and ABS with EBD, among other features.