SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicles) are gaining much popularity in the Indian automotive market and there are many reasons that can be attributed to their rising popularity. Power, space and performance brought-in by these vehicles are on the higher side as compared to cars of other segments like hatchback and sedan. Eyeing the success of SUVs, auto companies have further gone ahead to launch compact SUVs in the market. This certainly has created new opportunities to explore and expand customer base of such segment models. Currently, there are many vehicles in the segment that auto lovers and car enthusiasts would love to drive back home. But, customers are tempted to buy fuel efficient SUVs owing to soaring fuel prices and to escape frequent stopping at re-fuelling stations.
Top ten SUVs based on efficiency and their popularity in the Indian auto market are Ford EcoSport, Renault Duster, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Tata Safari Storme, Mahindra Scorpio, BMW X1, Audi Q3, Chevrolet Captiva, Force Gurkha and Toyota Fortuner. These SUVs are appreciated for their top-of-the-line specifications and features. As such, due to a strong hold on the market, a lot of customers are attracted towards these high-end utility vehicles.
Ford EcoSport is one of the best compact SUVs when it comes to fuel efficiency. The vehicle has done fairly well in sales since its inception in the Indian automotive market. It returns a mileage of around 22.7 kmpl, which is quite impressive. Noteworthy, a high fuel economy helps to negate frequent refuelling. There are several variants of this compact SUV that customers can avail like 1.5 DV5 MT Ambiente, Ford EcoSport 1.5 DV5 MT Trend, Ford EcoSport 1.5 DV5 MT Titanium and Ford EcoSport 1.5 DV5 MT Titanium Optional. All variants roughly achieve a similar mileage in local conditions. The price of different versions of Ford EcoSport ranges between Rs. 6.69 lakh and Rs. 8.9 lakh. Thus, industry experts see that a higher fuel efficiency combined with a reasonable price tag has contributed to the success story of EcoSport in the Indian auto market.
Renault Duster has also created a stir in the compact SUV segment. Being compact, the mileage offered by this car is pretty decent too. Different variants of Renault Duster provide a high fuel efficiency that ranges between 19.1 kmpl and 20.46 kmpl. The base price of Duster starts from Rs. 8.73 lakh and goes up till Rs. 12.18 lakh for top end variants. This compact SUV features a strong stance with a distinctive front fascia. Exteriors and interiors are also well paced-up with what customers desire from their SUVs. All these factors combined together have made Duster a best-seller model for Renault India. To further spice-up things for its cars including Duster, the auto major has recently launched a StepUp Bonanza scheme that will last till September 15, 2013.
Giving fierce competition to Renault Duster in the Indian automotive market is Mahindra Scorpio. As per the current statistical sales data, Scorpio comprehensively overtook Duster in August sales. In fact, July also witnessed more outgoing units of Scorpio as compared to Duster. Here, a look at the sale numbers is a pre-requisite to show off the recent success of the said vehicle: In August 2013, Scorpio achieved a sale of over 3,356 units as compared to 2,967 units of Duster. In July, the figure for Scorpio and Duster were 3,256 units and 3,089 units, respectively. Clearly, the SUV of Mahindra has outnumbered Duster in its sales. Scorpio also returns a decent mileage of up to 15.4 kmpl. The price range of the vehicle lies between Rs. 7.98 lakh and Rs. 12.62 lakh. Scorpio happens to be an ideal utility vehicle to tread tough terrains. With a bold and muscular stance and excellent styling of interiors as well as exteriors, Scorpio has come into limelight again after trailing Duster in 2013.
Coming to the luxury car brands, Audi Q3 offers a pretty decent mileage in the respective segment. There are different variants of Audi Q3 that provide a high fuel efficiency, which ranges between 15.73 kmpl and 17.71 kmpl. The vehicle is aimed more towards a luxurious drive and thus, its price is on the higher side too. Customers can avail different variants of this vehicle with base price starting from Rs. 24.9 lakh. Next in the list is Toyota Fortuner, which offers a good on-road mileage of around 13 kmpl. The price of Fortuner, like Audi Q3, is on the higher side too. The range of various versions of this typical SUV starts from Rs. 22.23 lakh. Tata Safari Storme is also quite popular among customers who wish to ride an economical SUV with high fuel efficiency. This SUV is reasonably priced and returns a mileage of about 14 kmpl.
