We Got 5 New AWD and 4X4 SUVs In The Last 12 Months
Multi-axle powertrains are becoming more accessible than ever without, and without compromising on comfort
The SUV body-type has been quite popular over the last few years and yet for India, most of them have been front-wheel drive models. If one did want to get some additional traction capabilities, the choices were quite expensive or compromised on feature comforts. But lately, there is a growing number of SUVs that come with 4WD and AWD options, and many of them priced below Rs 20 lakh (ex-showroom). Furthermore, more and more are being offered with plenty of creature comforts.
In just the past 12 months (since July 2022), we have seen the entry of five new SUVs which offer an all-wheel or four-wheel drivetrain. Let’s take a look at your choices:
Maruti Grand Vitara AWD
Price - Rs 16.91 Lakh
The Maruti Grand Vitara is one of the only two all-wheel drive cars in the compact SUV space. It’s offered with four driving modes - Auto, Sport, Snow, and Lock. In the Lock mode, the torque is distributed among all four wheels equally for maximum traction. The AWD powertrain is bundled with the 1.5-litre petrol engine, which churns out 103PS and 137N, while being mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. It is the only AWD offering in the Maruti lineup.
Toyota Hyryder AWD
Price - Rs 17.21 lakh
The Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder is a rebadged twin of the Grand Vitara, thus, gets the same all-wheel drivetrain with four driving modes. Powering the Hyryder is the same 103PS 1.5-litre petrol engine, which is paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox. However, it is costlier than the Grand Vitara by Rs 30,000. It is also the most affordable off-road friendly Toyota sold in India.
Maruti Jimny 4X4
Price Range - Rs 12.74 lakh to Rs 15.05 lakh
The Jimny is one of the most celebrated entrances in the 4X4 space since the second-generation Mahindra Thar. It is a Gypsy replacement, three years late. It shoulders the off-roading capabilities of the Gypsy but in a family-friendly practical avatar. It uses a proper 4X4 drivetrain with a low range gearbox (4L, 4H, and 2H) and brake limited slip differential. Off-roading is further aided by hill hold and descent control.
Powering the Jimny is a 105PS 1.5-litre petrol engine, which gets the choice of 5-speed manual and 4-speed torque converter automatic. In competition, the Jimny has the Mahindra Thar and Force Gurkha.
Mahindra Scorpio N 4WD
Price Range - Rs 17.69 lakh to Rs 24.52 lakh
The ‘Big Daddy Of SUVs’, the Scorpio N went on sale in the second half of 2022. The SUV received a full generation update, which made it bigger, more premium, and powerful than its predecessor. It gets the choice of rear-wheel or four-wheel drivetrain, depending on the purpose of the buyer. It gets shift-on-fly 4WD with low range gearbox and four traction control modes - (Normal, Snow, Mud Ruts, and Sand).
It also gets mechanical and brake locking differential along with hill descent control, which further aids in its off-roading capabilities. The Scorpio N is offered with 2-litre turbo-petrol and 2.2-litre diesel engines and both of them get 6-speed manual and automatic options. However, 4X4 is paired only with the diesel engine.
Hyundai Tucson AWD
Price - Rs 35.46 lakhRead More on : Grand Vitara on road price