Three turbo petrol compact SUVs for buyers on a budget: XUV 3XO, Venue and Nexon
For buyers who want strong pickup without a plain petrol engine, the Mahindra XUV 3XO, Hyundai Venue and Tata Nexon stand out, with the Kia Sonet and Maruti Fronx also in the mix.
Buyers who do not want a plain petrol engine and want strong pickup in their car should look at SUVs with turbo petrol engines. A turbo engine is small yet delivers more power. It is fun to drive in the city, and on the highway the car moves like a rocket.
There are many turbo petrol options in the market. Here are three compact SUVs that fit a budget and also deliver power, along with two more vehicles.
First is the Mahindra XUV 3XO, described as the most powerful vehicle on this list. It has a 1.2-litre T-GDi turbo petrol engine that produces 128 bhp of power and 230 Nm of torque. No other vehicle in this segment is said to offer as much torque. It feels like a sports car to drive. It comes with a 6-speed manual gearbox.
On price, it is the best value for money, starting at Rs 7.99 lakh. There is plenty of room inside and it is loaded with features. Its strengths are strong power, plenty of space and plenty of features. The drawback is that the rear design offers nothing new.
Second is the Hyundai Venue, described as the favourite SUV of young buyers. It has a stylish design and many features. It has a 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine that produces 118 bhp of power and 172 Nm of torque. The engine comes with both a 6-speed iMT and a 7-speed DCT automatic. The DCT makes the car very easy to drive, with no worry about changing gears.
The Venue starts at Rs 9.99 lakh. That may seem a little expensive, but Hyundai's quality and service are described as the best. Rear-seat space and boot space are limited, which are its two drawbacks. Its strengths are a bold design, plentiful features and a smooth engine, while its weaknesses are the high price and limited rear-seat room.
Third is the Tata Nexon, described as India's safest SUV, with a 5-star rating. It also comes in turbo petrol. It has a 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine that produces 118 bhp of power and up to 270 Nm of torque. On torque, it rivals the XUV 3XO. It is available with both 6-speed manual and automatic options.
The Nexon starts at Rs 8.99 lakh. It has ample space and a solid build quality. However, some people find its driving slightly less smooth, and the design has not changed much in the last few years. Its strengths are 5-star safety, a powerful engine and ample space.
Besides these three, there is the Kia Sonet. Its engine is the same as the Venue's, a 1.0-litre turbo producing 118 bhp. It starts at Rs 9.19 lakh. It has many features, but the rear seat is slightly less comfortable.
The Maruti Fronx also comes in turbo. Its 1.0-litre Boosterjet engine produces 99 bhp, and the price starts at just Rs 7.52 lakh. It has a coupe-style look, but the body feels slightly light.
The advice is that those with a smaller budget who want more power should pick the XUV 3XO. Those who want an automatic and style should pick the Venue.
