The monsoon season has officially hit many parts of India and while it does bring the temperature down, the rain makes driving quite difficult. Roads get slicker, visibility is reduced, and floods can leave you stranded in minutes. Cars such as hatchbacks and sedans (the most popular segments in the country) are not designed to take on severe driving conditions and often fall prey to rough terrains. However, there is a segment – the off-road vehicle – that is capable of taking on practically anything you can throw at it. With restrictions on travel even more strict now, these off-road vehicles can help us take a much-needed break within the country while maintaining the rules and regulations set by the government. Here is a look at the best off-road cars available in India today.
The Renault Duster is a capable SUV that comes with powerful engine options. Moreover, both the petrol and Diesel engine choices are even available with an optional automatic transmission, while the diesel version can be even bought with a capable AWD system. You also get decent dynamics and a butch styling.
Arguably one of the best off-road vehicles produced by an Indian manufacturer, the Mahindra Thar stands out for all the right reasons. The looks, performance, and durability of the car make it one of the best cars to have in India. Under the hood of this beast of a car sits either a 2.0L Turbocharged petrol engine that generates 150Ps of power and 300Nm of torque on manual, and 150Ps of power and 320Nm of torque on automatic, or a 2.2L diesel engine that produces 130Ps of power and 300Nm of torque. In the transmission department, the Thar comes with a 6-speed manual gearbox as standard but it can be had with a 6-speed automatic transmission as well. Some of the features found on the new Thar include LED DRLs, halogen headlamps, air-conditioning, a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, an instrument cluster with a digital MID, cruise control, and steering-mounted controls. For safety, the Thar has ABS with EBD, dual airbags in the front, parking sensors in the rear, and a seatbelt reminder in the front.
The Mahindra XUV500 might be getting a bit too long in the tooth now, but is definitely a good option for those who need a sufficiently capable off-road vehicle that comes with an optional AWD system for the diesel engine variant. The XUV500 makes for a good buy in both used and new car markets.
The Mahindra Scorpio is among the most recognised SUVs around and comes with an impressive design, powerful 2.2-litre diesel engine and a sufficiently capable AWD system that makes it a pretty good option for off-roading. It can also seat up to seven and is the best option in its price segment.
As far as off-road vehicles go, the Jeep Compass is quite obviously one of the best in the business. Jeep, as we all know, is a brand known for its durability and extreme drivability and the Compass combines all that with exceptional looks as well. The latest model brings a plethora of new features, specifications, and equipment that make it one of the best SUVs in the country right now. Under the hood of the Compass sits a 1.4L Turbo-petrol engine that produces 163Ps of power and 250Nm of torque. Paired to this engine is either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed Dual-Clutch Automatic Transmission. The other engine option for the Compass is a 2.0L diesel unit that generates 172Ps of power and 350Nm of torque. Mated to the diesel engine is also a 6-speed manual, but Jeep includes a 9-speed automatic gearbox for this variant as well. In terms of features, the Compass comes with a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, FCA’s UConnect 5 and connected car technology, wireless charging, ventilated front seats, powered tailgate, automatic air-conditioning, a 10.25-inch digital driver’s display, a 360-degree camera, and Electronic Parking Brake. Jeep also includes a number of safety features such as Electronic Stability Control, hill assist, 6 airbags, ISOFIX Child Seat Anchors, rollover mitigation, panic brake assist, and ABS with EBD.
We are familiar with what Toyota brings to the table with their vehicles and the Fortuner is a clear example of their dominance in the off-road segment. Offering two engine variants, the Toyota Fortuner is definitely a car that is built for long distances on all types of terrain. While one engine is a 2.8L Turbo diesel variant that offers 177Ps of power and 420Nm of torque, the other is a 2.7L 4-cylinder petrol engine that produces 166Ps of power and 245Nm of torque. The diesel model is fitted with a 6-speed manual transmission as standard with an option for a 6-speed automatic gearbox which adds another 30Nm of torque to the performance. In the petrol variant, there is either a 5-speed manual or automatic transmission system. The Fortuner comes with premium-style features which include LED projector headlamps, LED DRLs, LED fog lamps, power-adjustable seats up front, push-button ignition, automatic climate control, and cruise control. In terms of safety, the Fortuner comes with ABS with EBD, Vehicle Stability Control, 7 airbags, brake assist, and hill assist control.
Ford has been delivering some of the most reliable cars in the world and ever since they entered the Indian market, they have been excelling as well. The Ford Endeavour might seem too big to be considered as an off-road car, but it offers so much in performance that it cannot be left out. The large SUV is powered by an upgraded BSVI-compliant 2.0 Turbo-diesel engine that produces 170Ps of power and 420Nm of torque. Mated to the diesel engine is a unique 10-speed automatic transmission with either 2-Wheel-Drive or All-Wheel-Drive capabilities. In terms of features, the Endeavour comes with FordPass technology which allows users to use an app on their smartphone to control functions like live tracking, remote operations, and get all the car’s information on the smartphone itself. Some of the other features include semi-automatic parallel parking, noise cancellation in the cabin, climate control, and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system that comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
While the Tata Hexa hasn’t sold well in the Indian market, it’s a pretty well-priced off-roader that gets terrain response control along with an AWD system. The SUV also offers a spacious cabin, a powerful engine, optional AWD and even a rugged look. The Borg Warner-sourced All Wheel Drive mechanicals make this SUV a great option for off-road duties.
Another great option on our list is the Honda CR-V, a premium SUV that comes with AWD system. The CR-V isn’t as capable off the road as, say, the Toyota Fortuner but it offers the kind of ride comfort and cabin ambience that is generally found on models from the likes of Audi, which makes it a great buy for those who need a premium SUV that can do the occasional off-roading duty.
There has been a sudden surge in the popularity of pick-up trucks in India and the Isuzu D-Max has quickly entered the market as one of the best options available. Although it is essentially a truck, the D-Max is extremely versatile and is often used as an off-road vehicle. Powering the D-Max is a 1.9L diesel engine that generates 163Ps of power and 360Nm of torque. In the transmission department, the D-Max can either be had with a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic gearbox with either 4X2 or 4X4 drivetrains. The latest model from Isuzu comes with Bi-LED projector headlamps, LED taillights, LED DRLs, cruise control, automatic air-conditioning, 6-way electrically adjustable driver seat, steering-mounted controls, a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and shift-on-fly 4WD mode. Isuzu didn’t forget about safety with the D-Max either as it offers up to 6 airbags, Electronic Stability Control, parking sensors, traction control, and hill start/descent assist.
Isuzu D-Max V-Cross New Car Prices in Popular Cities
The Force Gurkha was initially announced at the Auto Expo 2020 and was supposed to be launched back in July. However, the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the release and now the company has a launch date set for the 2nd of October, 2021. There is nothing much to announce about the already talked about Gurkha but there are some changes that could feature when the car finally hits the dealerships. We already know that there will be new stylish LED DRLs around the headlights and a single window in the rear now replaces the dual-pane set up on the previous model. The new Gurkha comes with 245/70 R16-inch alloy wheels which are comparatively smaller than the wheels on the Mahindra Thar. Under the hood, the Gurkha will be launched with a BSVI-compliant 2.6L diesel engine that will generate 90Ps of power and a 5-speed manual gearbox. The bigger, more obvious changes are found on the inside where the Gurkha gets a major makeover. There is a newly designed dashboard with dual tones for a more stylish look. Force has now also included a touchscreen infotainment system to keep up with the latest requirements. Finally, the seating arrangements in the Force Gurkha have also changed with two front-facing seats taking the place of the side-facing seats in the rear of the previous model.
Jeep Wrangler
As discussed earlier, Jeep is a brand known for its off-road vehicles. If the Compass is impressive, the Wrangler is so much more. Under the hood of the stylish Wrangler sits a 2.0L Turbo-petrol engine that produces 268Ps of power and 400Nm of torque. Mated to the engine is an 8-speed Torque Converter Automatic gearbox. The Wrangler offers 4-Wheel-Drive with low/high modes and a differential lock at both the axles – a feature that makes driving through rocky terrain absolutely easy. Some of the other features found on the Wrangler include an 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, push-button start/stop, automatic dual-zone climate control, a twin analogue instrument cluster, ambient lighting, and LED headlamps. In terms of safety, the Wrangler offers hill descent control, Electronic Stability Control, and multiple airbags.
Jeep Wrangler New Car Price in Popular Cities
City
Ex-Showroom Price
On-Road Price
New Delhi
Rs. 53.90 – 57.90 Lakh
Rs. 61.64 – 66.20 Lakh
Mumbai
Rs. 53.90 – 57.90 Lakh
Rs. 64.57 – 69.37 Lakh
Chennai
Rs. 53.90 – 57.90 Lakh
Rs. 65.86 – 70.77 Lakh
Hyderabad
Rs. 53.90 – 57.90 Lakh
Rs. 65.21 – 70.06 Lakh
Bengaluru
Rs. 53.90 – 57.90 Lakh
Rs. 69.03 – 74.18 Lakh
Kolkata
Rs. 53.90 – 57.90 Lakh
Rs. 60.09 – 64.55 Lakh
Pune
Rs. 53.90 – 57.90 Lakh
Rs. 64.57 – 69.37 Lakh
Kochi
Rs. 54.25 – 58.28 Lakh
Rs. 68.15 – 73.24 Lakh
Land Rover Range Rover Sport
Quite obviously, the Land Rover Range Rover Sport is the “sportier” version of the regular Range Rover and comes with a few tweaks and changes from its original variant. Under the hood of the Range Rover Sport, Land Rover has provided the same five engine options as seen on the Range Rover. Powering the SUV is a 3.0L Supercharged V6 petrol engine that can generate 340Ps of power while the bigger 5.0L V8 petrol engine produces 525Ps of power. There is also another tune option on the 5.0L V8 petrol engine that produces 565Ps of power. Moving onto the diesel engines, the Range Rover Sport comes with a 3.0L V6 motor that generates 258Ps of power or a 4.4L V8 engine that produces 340Ps of power. Mated to all the engines is an 8-speed automatic transmission that features a 4-Wheel-Drive system. Inside the Range Rover Sport, there are a number of features that include 10-inch touchscreen displays for the infotainment system and control center. Some of the other features include a Meridian Surround Sound system, cooling/heating front seats, 360-degree camera, and Electronic Air Suspension. The Range Rover Sport also carries a number of safety features that include seven airbags, hill launch assist, dynamic stability control, ABS with EBD, and hill descent control.
Land Rover Range Rover Sport New Car Price in Popular Cities
City
Ex-Showroom Price
On-Road Price
New Delhi
Rs. 91.27 Lakh – 1.84 Crore
Rs. 1.04 Crore – 2.15 Crore
Mumbai
Rs. 91.27 Lakh – 1.84 Crore
Rs. 1.06 Crore – 2.19 Crore
Chennai
Rs. 91.27 Lakh – 1.84 Crore
Rs. 1.08 Crore – 2.19 Crore
Hyderabad
Rs. 91.27 Lakh – 1.84 Crore
Rs. 1.07 Crore – 2.17 Crore
Bengaluru
Rs. 91.27 Lakh – 1.84 Crore
Rs. 1.13 Crore – 2.28 Crore
Kolkata
Rs. 91.27 Lakh – 1.84 Crore
Rs. 1.00 Crore – 2.02 Crore
Pune
Rs. 91.27 Lakh – 1.84 Crore
Rs. 1.06 Crore – 2.19 Crore
Kochi
Rs. 91.27 Lakh – 1.84 Crore
Rs. 1.11 Crore – 2.24 Crore
Mercedes-Benz G-Class
Mercedes-Benz is quite arguably one of the finest car manufacturers in the world and when they announced the off-road G-Class in India, people were understandably excited. Powering the elegant beast is a 4.0L petrol engine that generates 577Ps of power and 850Nm of torque. It is paired with a 9-speed 9G-Tronic automatic transmission and is capable of going from 0-100 Kmph in just 4.5 seconds. As expected, the G-Class comes loaded with high-end features such as Mercedes-Me connect services, automatic sunroof, Burmester Surround Sound audio setup, a touchscreen infotainment system, a digital instrument cluster, LED headlamps and taillights, and automatic climate control and air-conditioning. Safety is also a priority for Mercedes-Benz and the G-Class comes fitted with multiple airbags, a 360-degree parking camera, Active Lane Keeping Assist, ABS with EBD, and ISOFIX Child Seat Anchors.
Mercedes-Benz G-Class New Car Price in Popular Cities
City
Ex-Showroom Price
On-Road Price
New Delhi
Rs. 1.62 – 2.42 Crore
Rs. 1.90 – 2.75 Crore
Mumbai
Rs. 1.62 – 2.42 Crore
Rs. 1.93 – 2.83 Crore
Chennai
Rs. 1.62 – 2.42 Crore
Rs. 1.96 – 2.92 Crore
Hyderabad
Rs. 1.62 – 2.42 Crore
Rs. 1.91 – 2.89 Crore
Bengaluru
Rs. 1.62 – 2.42 Crore
Rs. 2.01 – 3.00 Crore
Kolkata
Rs. 1.62 – 2.42 Crore
Rs. 1.78 – 2.66 Crore
Pune
Rs. 1.62 – 2.42 Crore
Rs. 1.93 – 2.83 Crore
Kochi
Rs. 1.62 – 2.42 Crore
Rs. 1.98 – 2.95 Crore
Mahindra Bolero
Off-road vehicles have to be durable, reliable and offer excellent control. The Mahindra Bolero gives you all that and so much more. With rugged looks and extremely durable building materials, the Bolero is capable of taking on practically anything the Indian road has to throw at it. The powerful and rugged vehicle is powered by a new BSVI-compliant 1.5L diesel engine that is capable of producing up to 75Ps of power and 210Nm of torque. Mated to the diesel motor is a 5-speed manual transmission system that also features 2-Wheel-Drive for better control. The latest Mahindra Bolero comes with upgraded features including a new digital instrument cluster, keyless entry, AUX, and Bluetooth-enabled audio connectivity, power steering, and manual air-conditioning. With an off-road vehicle like the Mahindra Bolero, safety is extremely important, and here too we get everything from ABS with EBD to dual airbags in front. The Bolero also comes with parking sensors and a speed alert for better security and safety. The Mahindra Bolero has already got people preparing their RC transfer papers and is continuing to gain popularity as the months go on.
Mahindra Bolero New Car Price in Popular Cities
City
Ex-Showroom Price
On-Road Price
New Delhi
Rs. 8.17 – 9.14 Lakh
Rs. 9.77 – 10.87 Lakh
Mumbai
Rs. 7.95 – 8.93 Lakh
Rs. 9.93 – 11.09 Lakh
Chennai
Rs. 8.25 – 9.24 Lakh
Rs. 10.04 – 11.17 Lakh
Hyderabad
Rs. 8.18 – 9.17 Lakh
Rs. 10.03 – 11.18 Lakh
Bengaluru
Rs. 8.14 – 9.13 Lakh
Rs. 10.12 – 11.30 Lakh
Kolkata
Rs. 8.27 – 9.26 Lakh
Rs. 9.49 – 10.55 Lakh
Pune
Rs. 7.95 – 8.93 Lakh
Rs. 9.54 – 10.68 Lakh
Kochi
Rs. 8.17 – 9.14 Lakh
Rs. 9.77 – 10.87 Lakh
Do you wish to buy a used off-road car in India? We, at CARS24, provide a range of second-hand cars to choose from. We also offer free RC transfer, while our free second hand car value calculator can help you find out the right resale value of any second-hand car on sale in the country. You can even use our services to sell your used car and get the best price for it.
