Best Automatic SUV Under 12 Lakhs in India - Price, Mileage, Specifications, Images

Designed for rugged use especially on rough terrains, SUVs are a popular choice among consumers in India for several reasons. SUVs offer a high driving position and greater interior space that allows for comfortable long journeys on the road.

Most SUVs come with an all-wheel drive or a four-wheel drive system that provides improved traction making it suitable for trying driving conditions. In India, buyers are inclined towards cars that accommodate their families, equipment, and luggage for weekend getaways, thus making SUVs their go-to vehicle.

With 1.9 million units sold in 2022, SUVs are expected to remain a market favourite in the years to come. So, if you’re looking for a feature-packed SUV ideal for both city use and off-roading, here are the best SUVs under 12 lakh that will fit your garage and your budget!

1. Hyundai Creta

The Hyundai Creta is undoubtedly one of the best automatic cars under 12 lakh in India. With waiting periods of up to one year, Indian consumers absolutely love this feature-packed and compact SUV. What makes it so popular is that it offers premium features and a reliable driving experience while also being affordably priced. 

The Creta comes in two engine variants, 1.4L turbo-petrol and 1.5L diesel with responsive handling and smooth road manners. It is also equipped with sound safety features like ABS, 6 airbags, and all-wheel disk brakes.

From cooled seats and a cabin air purifier to the premium Bose sound system, the Hyundai Creta is a steady all-rounder in the Indian market.  

Hyundai Creta Key Specifications :

Hyundai Creta Key Features :

What’s Good

• Excellent handling that offers a premium ride experience
• 10.25 inch touchscreen infotainment system
• 74.3% advanced high-strength steel structure that improves durability

What’s Not Good

• Does not have a 360° camera which is a common feature in other cars in its segment
• The diesel engine is not powerful and produces a negligible max power of 115 bhp

Check out our collection of Used Hyundai Creta Cars in India

2. Kia Sonet

The Kia Sonet is a compact SUV that packs a punch with its sleek and modern design. With its muscular curves and sporty lines, it's a car that demands attention. The Sonet offers an optimum blend of convenience and comfort with its spacious interior and next-gen tech features.

What makes the Sonet one of the best SUVs under 12 lakh is its advanced safety technology, which includes six airbags, real-time tyre pressure monitor, ABS with EBD, and a rearview camera. This car is also equipped with Kia Connect that gives you a future-ready driving experience.

Kia Sonet Key Specifications :

Kia Sonet Key Features :

What’s Good

• Stylish design with a wide range of colour options (Gravity Gray, Black Pearl, Intense Red, etc.)
• Powerful 6iMT & 7DCT Smartstream engines for a thrilling yet comfortable ride 

What’s Not Good

• Lacking legroom in the backseat 

Check out our collection of Used Kia Sonet Cars in India

3. Maruti Suzuki Brezza

The Maruti Brezza, with its imposing presence on the road, is a stylish compact SUV that has made a significant impact on the Indian market. For eco-conscious drivers, the Maruti Brezza is available in a CNG variant. Equipped with a 1462 cc engine, the CNG-powered Brezza delivers maximum power of 86.63 bhp at 5,500 rpm and maximum torque of 121.5 Nm at 4,200 rpm. 

It has a seating capacity of five and comes with a five-speed manual transmission. The Brezza CNG also offers an impressive mileage of 25.51 km/kg, making it an economical option for daily use. Other notable features of the Brezza CNG include wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, ABS and EBD, AC with automatic climate control, and automatic headlamps.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza Key Specifications :

Maruti Suzuki Brezza Key Features :

What’s Good

• Spacious cabin and ample boot space
• Affordable pricing and fuel-efficient engine

What’s Not Good

• Limited features compared to its rivals

Check out our collection of Used Maruti Suzuki Brezza Cars in India

4. Tata Nexon

The Nexon has been in the market for a while now, and has slowly but surely become a very popular choice amongst buyers. This compact SUV is truly one of the best SUVs under 12 lakh in India and gives you everything you’d expect, and some more! 

With features like a sunroof, ventilated Leatherette seats, iRA connected technology, three drive modes, and voice-command technology, the Nexon is the ideal family car in 2023.

Tata Nexon Key Specifications :

Tata Nexon Key Features :

What’s Good

• Powerful turbocharged engine with 3 drive modes
• High-strength steel structure

What’s Not Good

• Bumpy on rough terrains due to poor traction control 

Check out our collection of Used Tata Nexon Cars in India

5. Mahindra XUV300

SUVs and Mahindra are almost synonymous at this point, but things only get better with the all new XUV300! This style-icon of a car sports a rugged design and performs better than most of the SUVs in its segment. 

The XUV300 offers a range of features like dual-zone automatic climate control, a sunroof, a touchscreen infotainment system, leatherette upholstery, a rearview camera, and front and rear parking sensors. This car also guarantees a secure ride with features like 7 airbags, ABS, EBD, ESP, hill start assist, and disc brakes on all four wheels.

The XUV300 has been awarded a 5-star safety rating by Global NCAP, making it the safest SUV in its segment. The XUV300 has become a popular choice among Indian car buyers looking for a blend of ultimate style, performance, and safety.

Mahindra XUV300 Key Specifications :

Mahindra XUV300 Key Features :

What’s Good

• Feature-packed despite being affordably priced
• Top-notch safety features
• Both petrol and diesel variants are high-selling in the market

What’s Not Good

• Lacks boot space  

6. Nissan Magnite

Sporting a bold design, powerful engine, and a variety of features, the Nissan Magnite delivers the best of what true Japanese engineering has to offer. The Magnite is available with two engine options – a 1.0L naturally-aspirated petrol engine that is capable of generating 72 PS of power and 96 Nm of torque and a 1.0L turbo-petrol engine that produces 100 PS of power and 160 Nm of torque.  

With an impressive 336L boot space, the Nissan Magnite is ideal for your weekend getaway. If you’re also looking to navigate through traffic or during an offroading adventure, this car comes with the NissanConnect technology that makes driving seamless as ever.

Nissan Magnite Specs :

Nissan Magnite Features

What’s Good

• Extremely affordably priced
• Smooth handling
• Well-tuned CVT that provides a seamless driving experience

What’s Not Good

• Lacks space when compared to other cars in its segment
• Plastic fitments in the interior 

Check out our collection of Used Nissan Magnite Cars in India

The Bottom Line

From sporty lines to sleek coupe-like headlamps, SUVs in India have a huge consumer base. Built for both city runs and off-roading, SUVs are ideal for mid-size and large families and for those who want a reliable and comfortable ride.

If you’re looking to buy an affordable automatic SUV under 12 lakh, this is the ultimate guide for you!

FAQ's

Q. Which is the best automatic car under 12 lakhs in India?

The Hyundai Creta is the best and most popular budget SUV in India.

Q. Which are the best budget automatic SUVs in India?

The Tata Nexon, Hyundai Creta, and Kia Sonnet are the leading budget SUVs in India.

Q. Which is better, AMT or CVT?

AMT is more cost-efficient than CVT but the latter offers a smoother ride.

Q. Which SUV is best for daily use?

The Kia Sonet or Hyundai Creta are both great for daily use.