Best SUV Launches In India In 2020: Here’s Our Top Pick Across All Segments

The popularity of SUVs in India has been growing significantly in the Indian market over the past couple of years, with 2020 being no different. The segment has witnessed multiple new product launches, facelift and updates over the course of the year.

Top SUV Launches In India In 2020: Nissan Magnite, Kia Sonet, Mahindra Thar, New Hyundai Creta, Toyota Urban Cruiser & A Few Special Mentions

Various carmakers have been introducing new models across all segments, ranging from compact sub-4 metre offerings to full-size seven-seater models. With the level of competition, it is tough to mention each and every SUV introduced in 2020. Hence, we have picked out our top-five SUVs which went on sale in India this year.

(The list is not arranged in any particular order)

Top SUV Launches In India In 2020: Nissan Magnite, Kia Sonet, Mahindra Thar, New Hyundai Creta, Toyota Urban Cruiser & A Few Special Mentions

Nissan Magnite

The Nissan Magnite is one of the most recent models to be launched in the Indian market. The Magnite is positioned in the sub-4-metre compact-SUV segment and has already managed to receive an overwhelming response in the market.

Top SUV Launches In India In 2020: Nissan Magnite, Kia Sonet, Mahindra Thar, New Hyundai Creta, Toyota Urban Cruiser & A Few Special Mentions

The Nissan Magnite comes packed with a host of features and equipment while also offering a strikingly bold design, which makes it an extremely attractive offering. The Magnite is also offered with a choice of two petrol engine options, which offer strong performances while providing excellent fuel efficiency figures as well.

Top SUV Launches In India In 2020: Nissan Magnite, Kia Sonet, Mahindra Thar, New Hyundai Creta, Toyota Urban Cruiser & A Few Special Mentions

Kia Sonet

The Kia Sonet is yet another extremely popular sub-4-metre compact-SUV offering introduced in the Indian market in 2020. The Kia Sonet, like its larger sibling (Seltos), comes packed with features, equipment and connected tech. However, what is more attractive is the engine and transmission options available, which suits almost every type of customer.

Top SUV Launches In India In 2020: Nissan Magnite, Kia Sonet, Mahindra Thar, New Hyundai Creta, Toyota Urban Cruiser & A Few Special Mentions

The Kia Sonet has also managed to become the best-selling compact-SUV in the Indian market for the month of November. Prices for the Kia Sonet start from Rs 6.71 lakh and go up all the way to Rs 13 lakh. All prices are ex-showroom (Delhi).

Top SUV Launches In India In 2020: Nissan Magnite, Kia Sonet, Mahindra Thar, New Hyundai Creta, Toyota Urban Cruiser & A Few Special Mentions

Mahindra Thar

The Mahindra Thar is one of the most popular off-roader SUVs on sale in the Indian market, with 2020 witnessing the launch of its second-generation iteration. The all-new Mahindra Thar comes with significant changes and updates, both cosmetically and mechanically, however, carries forward some elements from the older version.

Top SUV Launches In India In 2020: Nissan Magnite, Kia Sonet, Mahindra Thar, New Hyundai Creta, Toyota Urban Cruiser & A Few Special Mentions

The new Mahindra Thar is now available in both petrol and diesel engine options, mated to either a manual or automatic transmission unit. Mahindra offers the iconic off-roader SUV at a starting price of around Rs 11 lakh, ex-showroom (India).

Top SUV Launches In India In 2020: Nissan Magnite, Kia Sonet, Mahindra Thar, New Hyundai Creta, Toyota Urban Cruiser & A Few Special Mentions

New Hyundai Creta

Hyundai launched the all-new Creta in India back in March 2020. The new Creta comes with a completely new design, revamped interiors and a host of features, equipment and tech upgrade compared to the older model. The Creta even comes with a completely new set of petrol and diesel engine options, borrowed from its cousin, the Kia Seltos.

Top SUV Launches In India In 2020: Nissan Magnite, Kia Sonet, Mahindra Thar, New Hyundai Creta, Toyota Urban Cruiser & A Few Special Mentions

The Hyundai Creta is positioned in the mid-size SUV segment of the Indian market, rivalling the likes of the Kia Seltos and the MG Hector. The all-new model is currently the best-selling SUV across all segments in the Indian market, registering the highest-sales month-on-month.

Top SUV Launches In India In 2020: Nissan Magnite, Kia Sonet, Mahindra Thar, New Hyundai Creta, Toyota Urban Cruiser & A Few Special Mentions

Toyota Urban Cruiser

The Urban Cruiser is the second product to come out of the collaboration between Toyota-Suzuki in India. The Urban Cruiser is essentially a rebadged and slightly revised version of Maruti Suzuki's Vitara Brezza compact-SUV offering. However, Toyota has made some cosmetic changes to the SUV, both inside and out to help differentiate between the two models.

Top SUV Launches In India In 2020: Nissan Magnite, Kia Sonet, Mahindra Thar, New Hyundai Creta, Toyota Urban Cruiser & A Few Special Mentions

Mechanically, however, the Toyota Urban Cruiser remains identical to the Maruti Vitara Brezza. The SUV even carries forward the same 1.5-litre K-series petrol engine from Maruti Suzuki, producing 104bhp and 138Nm of peak torque and mated to a manual and automatic transmission units.

Top SUV Launches In India In 2020: Nissan Magnite, Kia Sonet, Mahindra Thar, New Hyundai Creta, Toyota Urban Cruiser & A Few Special Mentions

Special Mention

2020 Tata Harrier

While the Tata Harrier went on sale in India in 2019, the company introduced a new version at the starting of this year. While the 2020 Harrier looks identical in terms of its design and interiors. Tata Motors did update the Harrier's powertrain.

Top SUV Launches In India In 2020: Nissan Magnite, Kia Sonet, Mahindra Thar, New Hyundai Creta, Toyota Urban Cruiser & A Few Special Mentions

While the Harrier does carry forward the same 2.0-litre diesel engine, the 2020 version now produces a higher power output of 173bhp; an increase of 33bhp from before. The engine is now also offered with a six-speed automatic transmission as well, something missing on the 2019 model.

Top SUV Launches In India In 2020: Nissan Magnite, Kia Sonet, Mahindra Thar, New Hyundai Creta, Toyota Urban Cruiser & A Few Special Mentions

2020 Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza Facelift

Another similar update can be seen on the 2020 Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza. The popular compact SUV did receive a mild facelift in early 2020. However, the major change on the 2020 iteration came in the form of a petrol engine, which replaced the older diesel unit on offer.

Top SUV Launches In India In 2020: Nissan Magnite, Kia Sonet, Mahindra Thar, New Hyundai Creta, Toyota Urban Cruiser & A Few Special Mentions

The 2020 Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza facelift now comes with a single 1.5-litre petrol engine option, paired with the brand's mild-hybrid ‘SHVS' technology. The petrol engine replaces the diesel unit, which has now been discontinued across all models in Maruti Suzuki's lineup.

Top SUV Launches In India In 2020: Nissan Magnite, Kia Sonet, Mahindra Thar, New Hyundai Creta, Toyota Urban Cruiser & A Few Special Mentions

Thoughts On The Best SUV Launches In India In 2020

With the SUV segment facing some stiff competition, we have managed to pick our top-5 of the lot. However, with so many new updates over the year, there had to be a few special mentions. Do you agree with our list? Let us know!

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Article Published On: Saturday, December 19, 2020, 17:09 [IST]
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