Indians are crazy about SUVs. The demand for SUVs is growing exponentially, and it is projected to take a 56% share of total car sales in India by 2026, as per the Crysil report. It includes both SUVs and MUVs. The report also states that the demand for these segments would see a 48% increase in the first nine months of 2022 itself. Sensing the nation’s mood, car companies have also launched some amazing SUVs in various price segments in India. One such very popular, attractive, and the enthusiastic segment is SUV under eight lacks in India. This segment is dominated by youngsters who have just started to earn after hard work in studies and want to celebrate their success by owning a solid SUV.  

We have compiled the list of the best 8 SUVs in their budget of 8 lacks. We have compared the SUVs based on: Budget, Body type, fuel type, transmission type, seating capacity, and added features that the SUV offers.

The cars which we feel are the best SUV under eight lacks in India are: 

• Tata Nexon
• Kia sonet
• Nisan Magnite
• Hyudai venue
• Maruti Vitara Brezza
• Tata Punch

Tata Nexon:

The first thing that attracts us to this SUV besides its solid looks is its 5 stars global NCAP rating. The first car in India to get this honor. This factor alone makes us feel safe while buying this car, more so if you have a family. The price range of this stunner from tata motors is from ₹ 7.42 lacks to 13.74 lacks. Since we are only targeting cars that fall under 8 lacks, only one model of Tata Nixon would fit our bill.

In our budget of 8 lacks or less, we get Tata Nexon XE. Let’s see how Tata Nexon XE fits in our parameters.

• Budget: The average X showroom price of Tata Nexon XE is ₹ 7.42 lacks.
• Engine and Transmission: The engine is a 1.2L turbocharged revotron (the term given by manufacturer), 1199cc, three-cylinder inline, SOHC, 2 valves/ cylinder. It is only available in the manual transmission of six gears and sports mode.
• Fuel type: only petrol.
• Mileage given: 17.4 kmpl according to ARAI (Automotive Research Association of India)
• Color variants: Calgary White, Daytona Grey, and Foliage Green.
• Seating capacity: 5
• Boot space: 350 liters.
• Wheels: steel rims
• Music system: not provided, not even speakers
• Interior color: white and off grey (dual tone)
• Dimensions: Length=3993mm, width= 1811mm, height= 1606m
• Ground clearance: 209mm
• Extra features if any: non to mention

Overall the Tata Nexon is a good car to buy at this price range. The only issue is that only one base version is available under ₹ 8 lacks price range and that too with many essential elements like music system missing. Still, if you like the Tata brand and are a fan of safety, this is the right car for you and your family.

Kia Sonet:

Since their inception a few years back, Kia cars have been popular in India. Its model Kia Seltos is a huge hit in India. Kia set to following its predecessor has been quite a star itself. With stylish design and tons of features, it attracts mid-range SUV lovers and offers a great alternative in 7-10 lacks price range in India. Kia Sonet offers two variants of ₹ 8 lacks and below our price range.

• Sonet HTE 1.2
• Sonet HTK 1.2

Let’s see how it flares on various parameters.

• Budget: Sonet HTE 1.2 ₹ 6.95 lacks and Sonet HTK 1.2 ₹7.9 lacks both ex-showroom
• Engine and Transmission: 1197 cc, 4 Cylinders Inline, 4 Valves/Cylinder, DOHC, Smartstream G 1.2 (the term given by manufacturer). Transmission is manual.
• Fuel type: Petrol
• Mileage given: 18.4 kmpl according to ARAI (Automotive Research Association of India) 
• Color variants: Clear White, Gravity Grey, Steel Silver, and Intense Red.
• Seating capacity: 5
• Boot space: 392 liters
• Wheels: steel rims
• Music system: not provided in Sonet HTE but provided in Sonet HTK
• Interior color: black single tone
• Dimensions: Length=3995mm, width=1790mm, height= 1610mm
• Ground clearance: 211mm
• Extra features if any: ABS, Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Parking Sensors

Overall the two variants of Sonet HTE 1.2, Sonet HTK 1.2 are good options to get below 8 lacks. The flip side is that the Kia Sonet model does look more like a car than an SUV. So if you want to get the feel of an SUV then better opt for some other model, but if you want to go for comfort and style this one would be just perfect.

Nisan Magnite:

Nissan magnite was launched in 2020 December. It is Nissan’s smallest SUV produced till now. In the ₹ 8 lacks and less range, the Magnite offers numerous choices to choose from. You have a whooping 8 models which are less than 8 lacks in price.

• Magnite XE – ₹ 5.76 lacks
• Magnite XL – ₹ 6.52 lacks
• Magnite XV Executive – ₹ 6.70 lacks
• Magnite XV- ₹ 7.14 lacks
• Magnite XV Dual Tone- ₹ 7.30 lacks
• Magnite XL Turbo- ₹ 7.67 lacks
• Magnite XV Turbo Executive- ₹ 7.81 lacks
• Magnite XV Premium- ₹ 7.94 lacks

As we have so many models to choose from we would only see the specifications of the best one of these, Magnite XV Premium, let’s see what this Nissan SUV has to offer:

• Budget: ₹ 7.94 lacks ex-showroom
• Engine and Transmission: 999 cc, 3 Cylinders Inline, 4 Valves/Cylinder, DOHC, 1.0L B4D. the transmission is manual.
• Fuel type: petrol
• Mileage given: 18.75kmlpl according to ARAI (Automotive Research Association of India)
• Color variants: Storm White, Onyx Black, Sandstone Brown and Blade Silver.
• Seating capacity: 5
• Boot space: 336 liters
• Wheels: alloy wheels
• Music system: A full-fledged Integrated (in-dash) Music System with AM/FM Radio, USB Compatibility, Bluetooth Compatibility, GPS Navigation System, and Steering mounted controls, 6 Speakers and Smart Connectivity of Android Auto (Wireless), Apple Car Play (Wireless).
• Interior color: light grey and black (Dual Tone)
• Dimensions: Length=3994mm, width=1758mm, height= 1572mm
• Ground clearance: 205mm
• Extra features if any: Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS),
  4 Star (ASEAN NCAP), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Parking Assist 360 Camera, Seat Adjustments for the rear row, driver and passenger seats.

The Nissan Magnite offers tons of options in this price range and feature-wise also has an array of banquets to offer. Style-wise is unique and is a class apart from its rivals. It is one of the best SUVs you can get in this price range. The only flaw is that the design can seem a bit loud for some people.

Hyudai venue:

Hyundai’s answer to the sub SUV genre was with Hyundai venue. It was introduced in the Indian markets in 2019 and was an instant success with the masses. However, there are two variants of the Venue which pass our price range of ₹ 8 lacks Venue E 1.2 Petrol ₹ 6.99 lacks, and Venue S 1.2 Petrol ₹ 7.79 lacks both ex-showroom prices.

• Budget: Venue E 1.2 Petrol ₹ 6.99 lacks and Venue S 1.2 Petrol ₹ 7.79 (ex-showroom)
• Engine and Transmission: 1197 cc, 4 Cylinders Inline, 4 Valves/Cylinder, DOHC,
  1.2 l Kappa, transmission manual.
• Fuel type: petrol
• Mileage given: 17.52 kmpl ARAI (Automotive Research Association of India)
• Color variants: Polar White, Denim Blue, Deep Forest, Typhoon Silver, and Fiery Red.
• Seating capacity: 5
• Boot space: 350 liters
• Wheels: steel Rims
• Music system: no music system provided and no speakers/ S 1.2 petrol provides music system without display screen with 6 plus speakers.
• Interior color: Venue E 1.2 Petrol Black single tone, / S 1.2 petrol has dual-tone black and black khaki
• Dimensions: Length=3955mm, width= 1770mm, height= 1590m
• Ground clearance: 195mm
• Extra features if any: non to mention

The Hyundai is a good mid-segment SUV that too at a competitive price range. You also get the trusted name of Hyundai. The only negative point is that design-wise it falls a little bland as compared to its rivals, but if you are a fan of simplicity and style this would be the perfect vehicle choice for you.

Maruti Vitara Brezza:

Surely one of the most sold and most popular SUVs in the price range of under ₹ 8 lacks Maruti Vitara Brezza. Maruti is a household name in India and the dominating brand in the low to mid-price range. Only one of a model, the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza LXi, falls in our preferred price range of ₹ 8 lack. So let’s find out what all features this model has to offer.

• Budget: Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza LXi Petrol is priced at ₹ 7.68 lacks ex showroom
• Engine and Transmission: 1462 cc, 4 Cylinders Inline, 4 Valves/Cylinder, DOHC, K15B engine.
• Fuel type: petrol
• Mileage given: 17.03 kmpl ARAI (Automotive Research Association of India)
• Color variants: Autumn Orange, Torque Blue, Premium Silver, Granite Grey, and Pearl Arctic White.
• Seating capacity: 5
• Boot space: 328 liters
• Wheels: steel Rims
• Music system: Integrated (in-dash) Music System with 4 speakers
• Interior color:  Black single tone
• Dimensions: Length=3995mm, width= 1790mm, height= 1640m
• Ground clearance: 198mm
• Extra features if any: 4 Star (Global NCAP) ratings, Overspeed warning of 1 beep over 80kmph, Continuous beeps over 120kmph

The Maruti Suzuki Vitara Breazza is indeed the crowd’s favorite in India. The Maruti Suzuki is a trusted brand. Hence this model also receives that people’s love. The only drawback should be the commonness of the car. Interiors are not so sophisticated compared to the ones offered by other manufacturers.

Tata Punch

In India, launched on 18 October 2021, this car is getting popular in the mid-segment SUV range with each passing day. The competitive price, the quirky design, and multitudes of price options have helped this car succeed in the Indian car market. There are 8 options which fall inside our price range of ₹ 8 lacks and below. These are Punch Pure MT, Punch Pure Rhythm Pack MT, Punch Adventure MT, Tata Punch Adventure Rhythm Pack MT, Punch Adventure AMT, Tata Punch Adventure Rhythm Pack AMT, Tata Punch Accomplished Dazzle Pack MT. We would be discussing only the Tata Punch Accomplished Dazzle Pack MT. Let’s explore its features.

• Budget: Tata Punch Accomplished Dazzle Pack MT is priced at ₹ 7.88 lacks ex-showroom.
• Engine and Transmission: 1199 cc, 3 Cylinders Inline, 4 Valves/Cylinder, SOHC, 1.2 Revotron.
• Fuel type: petrol
• Mileage given: 18.97 kmpl ARAI (Automotive Research Association of India)
• Color variants: Orcus White With Black Roof, Tropical Mist With Black Roof, Atomic Orange With Black Roof, Daytona Grey With Black Roof, and Meteor Bronze With Black Roof
• Seating capacity: 5
• Boot space: 366 liters
• Wheels: Alloy wheels
• Music system: Integrated (in-dash) Music System with Voice Command, iPod Compatibility, AM/FM Radio, Aux Compatibility, USB Compatibility, Bluetooth Compatibility, steering mounted controls, Touch-screen Display, Android Auto (Wired), Apple Car Play (Wired), and 6 speakers.
• Interior color: white and black dual-tone
• Dimensions: Length=3827mm, width= 1742mm, height= 1615m
• Ground clearance: 187mm
• Extra features if any: 5 Star (Global NCAP) ratings, Overspeed warning of 1 beep over 80kmph, Continuous beeps over 120kmph

Tata punch is really new-age car. The design, the look, and the driving experience everything combine to make it a car not only perfect for style but also for the budget. The only drawback it has is the lower level of power received at highways.