Top 5 4×4 SUVs Under Rs 20 Lakh – Maruti Jimny To Thar Roxx -

SUVs have recently emerged as the top choice among buyers in the Indian automotive market. Several leading brands, including Maruti Suzuki, Mahindra, and Force Motors, offer SUVs equipped with a 4×4 drivetrain designed for off-roading adventures. However, adding a 4×4 system significantly raises the overall cost of the vehicle, a factor that is inevitably passed on to the customer. As a result, keeping the price of a 4×4 SUV competitive in India is quite challenging.

In this article, we explore the top 5 4×4 SUVs available in the Indian market under ₹20 lakh Maruti Jimny To Thar Roxx .

1. Maruti Suzuki Jimny

The Maruti Suzuki Jimny is currently the most affordable 4×4 SUV in India. Offered in Zeta and Alpha variants, with both manual and automatic transmission options, it is priced between ₹12.75 lakh and ₹14.80 lakh (ex-showroom).Maruti Jimny To Thar Roxx The 4×4 off-roader is powered by a BS6-compliant 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder K15B petrol engine, which delivers 103 bhp of maximum power and 134 Nm of peak torque.

Differences in simple terms:

Variant Price (Ex-showroom)

Zeta MT 4WD 4WD Manual– ₹12.75 lakh
Alpha MT 4WD 4WD Manual– ₹13.70 lakh
Zeta AT 4WD 4WD Automatic –₹13.85 lakh
Alpha AT 4WD 4WD Automatic– ₹14.80 lakh

The Zeta variants are the lower trim level; Alpha variants are higher trims with more features.

Both trims offer Manual Transmission (MT) and Automatic Transmission (AT) options.

As you move from Zeta MT → Alpha MT → Zeta AT → Alpha AT, the price and features both increase.

The Alpha AT 4WD is the top-end version at ₹14.80 lakh

2. Mahindra Thar

One of the most loved and iconic 4×4 SUV models in India is Mahindra Thar. The LX grade of the Thar is available in petrol and diesel fuel trims with both manual and automatic gearboxes in a price range of Rs 15.20-17.62 lakh.

Variant Price

LX Petrol MT Rs 15.20 Lakh

LX Diesel MT Rs 16.12 Lakh

LX Petrol AT Rs 16.80 Lakh

LX Diesel AT Rs 17.62 Lakh

Mahindra Thar

Mahindra offers the Thar with two engine options: a 2.2-litre mHawk diesel engine and a 2.0-litre turbocharged mStallion petrol engine. Buyers can choose between a 6-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox. Overall, there are four variants of the 3-door Thar available in India, all priced under ₹20 lakh.

3. Force Gurkha

Force Motors recently introduced the latest version of the Gurkha 4×4 off-roader, available in both 3-door (₹16.75 lakh) and 5-door (₹18 lakh) configurations. Both variants come with a standard 4×4 drivetrain. Powering the SUV is a 2.6-litre, 4-cylinder diesel engine, paired with a 5-speed manual transmission.

Variant Price

3-Door MT Rs 16.75 Lakh

5-Door MT Rs 18 Lakh

An automatic gearbox is not available, and the Gurkha 4×4 also does not offer a petrol variant. Notable features of this 4×4 SUV include 233 mm of ground clearance, shift-on-the-fly electronic shifting, Eco and Power drive modes, 18-inch dual-tone alloy wheels, and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

**Mahindra Scorpio N**
The Scorpio N is one of the most popular SUVs among young buyers in India. However, for those shopping under the ₹20 lakh mark, only the Z4 (E) variant with an AWD system is available. Priced at ₹18.35 lakh (ex-showroom), it comes equipped with a 2.2-litre 4-cylinder diesel engine paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox.

Variant Price

Z4 (E) Diesel MT 4WD Rs 18.35 Lakh
Offered in a 7-seater configuration, the SUV comes equipped with several premium features, including power windows on all four doors, air conditioning with heater, adjustable headrests, rear centre armrest with cup holders, rear AC vents, cruise control, parking sensors, engine start/stop button, and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system.

5. Mahindra Thar Roxx

The 5-door version of the Mahindra Thar was launched in India last year, with prices ranging from ₹12.99 lakh to ₹23.39 lakh (ex-showroom). However, under the ₹20 lakh mark, buyers can only opt for the MX5 4WD variant, which features a 4×4 drive system. Priced at ₹19.39 lakh. it is powered by a 2.2-litre 4-cylinder diesel engine mated to a 6-speed manual transmission.

Variant Price

MX5 Diesel MT 4WD Rs 19.39 Lakh

The buyers get a plethora of bells and whistles such as 6-airbags, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), Rear Parking Camera, Wireless Smartphone Charging, and 10-inch HD touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto.

1. Maruti Suzuki Jimny

Price: ₹12.74 lakh – ₹14.79 lakh (ex-showroom)
Engine: 1.5L petrol
Transmission: 5-speed manual / 4-speed automatic
Drivetrain: AllGrip Pro 4×4 with low-range transfer case

Key Features:

9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
Hill hold and hill descent control
LED headlamps
6 airbags (in higher variants)
Force Gurkha 5-Door

Price: ₹18.00 lakh (ex-showroom)
Engine: 2.6L turbo-diesel
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Drivetrain: 4×4 with manual locking differentials

Key Features:

Manual locking front and rear differentials
High ground clearance and water-wading capability
Spacious 5-door configuration

3. Mahindra Thar Roxx

Price: Starts at ₹18.79 lakh (ex-showroom)
Engine: 2.2L mHawk diesel
Transmission: 6-speed manual / 6-speed automatic
Drivetrain: 4×4 with advanced off-road features

Key Features:

CrawlSmart technology for controlled low-speed off-roading
IntelliTurn for enhanced maneuverability
Selectable terrain modes: Snow, Sand, Mud
10.25-inch HD infotainment system
Level 2 ADAS (in higher variants)

4. Mahindra Scorpio-N Z4 (E) 4WD

Price: ₹18.35 lakh (ex-showroom)
Engine: 2.2L mHawk diesel
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Drivetrain: 4×4 with shift-on-the-fly capability

Key Features:

7-seater configuration
Cruise control
Rear AC vents
8-inch touchscreen infotainment system

5. Mahindra Thar 3-Door

Price: Starts at ₹11.25 lakh (ex-showroom)
Engine Options:
2.0L turbo-petrol
2.2L mHawk diesel
Transmission: 6-speed manual / 6-speed automatic
Drivetrain: 4×4 with low-range transfer case

Key Features:

Removable hard top and convertible options
Touchscreen infotainment system
Cruise control
Dual airbags and ABS

Conclusion

These 4×4 SUVs under ₹20 lakh offer a range of options catering to different needs—from compact urban-friendly models like the Jimny to rugged off-roaders like the Gurkha and feature-rich choices like the Thar Roxx and Scorpio-N. Consider your specific requirements, whether it’s daily commuting, family travel, or off-road adventures, to choose the SUV that best fits your lifestyle.

FAQs – Top 5 4×4 SUVs Under ₹20 Lakh

1. Which are the best 4×4 SUVs under ₹20 lakh in India?
The best 4×4 SUVs under ₹20 lakh include the Maruti Jimny, Mahindra Thar Roxx, Force Gurkha, Mahindra Scorpio Classic 4WD (if available), and entry-level variants of Tata Harrier with terrain modes.

2. Is the Maruti Jimny worth buying for off-roading?
Yes, the Maruti Jimny is a capable lightweight 4×4 SUV equipped with Suzuki’s AllGrip Pro system, low-range gearbox, and excellent approach-departure angles—ideal for moderate to heavy off-roading.

3. What is the price of the Mahindra Thar Roxx edition?
The Mahindra Thar Roxx edition is priced starting from around ₹14.50 lakh (ex-showroom), depending on the variant and fuel type. It offers cosmetic upgrades and off-road enhancements over standard Thar variants.

4. Can I get a diesel 4×4 SUV under ₹20 lakh in India?
Yes, options like the Mahindra Thar Diesel 4×4, Force Gurkha, and select diesel variants of Scorpio or older XUV500 (pre-owned) offer diesel 4×4 capabilities under ₹20 lakh.

5. Which 4×4 SUV under ₹20 lakh offers the best daily drive comfort?
Among 4×4 SUVs under ₹20 lakh, the Maruti Jimny and Mahindra Thar (petrol AT) offer a balance between daily usability and off-road capability, though both prioritize ruggedness over luxury.