Nowadays, 4WD has become a characteristic trait of SUV cars, owing to which their market presence and reach of the audience have expanded all the more. How the best 4×4 cars in India in India digress from that of typical four-wheelers predominantly lies in their ability to overcome adverse terrains which regular vehicles can only dream of doing. However, it is a false notion that only high-end SUVs can fully utilise the 4WD feature. Therefore, we have curated below a list of the best 4×4 vehicles in India within a limited price range.
Best 4×4 Cars in India: 2022
Before diving into the list itself, let’s familiarise ourselves with what comprises the 4WD functionality. To put its characteristic curve in layman’s terms, the 4WD transmission provides traction to all 4 wheels of the vehicle simultaneously to overcome antagonistic road conditions. It must be noted that 4WD has to be activated with the press of a thumb and thus, is a part-time feature. Here also lies its essential point of difference with the AWD, which is a full-time attribute, continuously proving traction to all four wheels of the car.
Now without further ado, let us glance into the list of the top 4×4 cars in India.
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Mahindra Thar – Rs 12.8 Lakhs
Undoubtedly the cheapest 4×4 car in India, Mahindra Thar performs exceptionally well both in terms of style & performance. Having over half a century’s worth of legacy, Mahindra Thar has faced constant modifications and thus, has a steadfast audience of buyers.
Thar has a 4×4 drivetrain standardised in all its variants, as well as dual engine (turbo-petro/diesel) and twin transmission (AMT/manual) options. It is designed to perform optimally in pure asphalt and rough terrains, with hard/soft top models as optional.
Mahindra Thar is currently priced at 12.8-15.1 lakhs (ex-showroom price).
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Mahindra XUV700 AX7 – Rs 22.25 Lakhs
In comes the most powerful vehicle of Mahindra, the XUV700, easily among the best 4×4 cars in India. The segment-best AX7 has the 4×4 transmission as optional.
Running on a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine mated with a 6-speed AT, the XUV700 boasts flawless body ergonomics, a host of features and premium interior space with subtle finishing touches. It has a max power output of 180 PS and 450 Nm peak torque. Tech-savvy and smooth in execution, the XUV700 includes a sky roof, flush door handles & blind-view monitoring.
Mahindra XUV700 has an ex-showroom price of 22.25 lakhs.
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Force Gurkha – Rs 14.10 Lakhs
Diversifying the Force models in its wake, Force Gurkha is a dedicated 4×4 SUV on this list of best 4×4 cars in India.
A direct rival of Mahindra Thar considering both 4WD & pricing, Force Gurkha runs on a Mercedes-Benz-inspired 2.6 litre BS6 diesel engine, able to churn out 91 PS power and 250 Nm torque. Equipped with a 5-speed manually transmitted 2596 cc engine, Gurkha sports a wide touchscreen infotainment system, power windows, LED DRLs & central locking.
Force Gurkha is currently priced at 14.10 lakhs (ex-showroom price).
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Isuzu D-Max V-Cross – Rs 25.6 Lakhs
A commercial vehicle made personal – this is what defines the Japanese born Isuzu V-Cross. Although belonging to the pickup truck genre, V-Cross D-Max is a worthy addition to the list of best 4×4 cars in India.
It runs on a 4-cylinder 1.9-litre diesel engine, capable of producing 163 PS power & 380 Nm torque. The V-Cross models are 4WD standardized, while the automatic and manual transmission is optional in the top-spec Z variants. Aside from the significant storage space, it also offers electric stability control, multiple airbags & LED lighting.
Isuzu D-Max V-Cross has an ex-showroom price of 25.6 lakhs.
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Jeep Compass – Rs 27.2 Lakhs
Jeep’s run in the Indian marketplace has remained steady, with timely launches and occasional revamp in their SUV segment. Jeep Compass does justice to its predecessors while maintaining the status quo.
A popular mid-size SUV replete with tech and endowed with safety features, Jeep Compass has two engine options to choose from – 2.0-litre diesel and 1.4-litre turbo petrol. Inherently, the 4WD feature is restricted to the diesel model, mated with a 9-speed automatic transmission.
Moreover, it also enjoys the exclusive feature of Selec-Terrains, which enables Jeep Compass to alternate between 4 distinct drive modes – mud, snow, sand & auto. It is thus among the best 4×4 cars in India.
Jeep Compass is currently priced at 27.2 lakhs (ex-showroom price).
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Hyundai Tucson – Rs 27.4 Lakhs
Hyundai has bestowed only the top-spec variant, Tuscon GLS with the 4WD functionality. Therefore, its price is also edging on the lines of affordability. However, it still does not change the fact that Tuscon is among the best 4×4 cars in India.
Premium, feature-loaded, and reliable – these keywords are what define Hyundai Tucson. Drawing power from a 2.0-litre diesel engine fused with an 8-speed AMT gearbox, Tuscon can literally tread anywhere thanks to 180 PS power and 400 Nm torque outputs.
Hyundai Tuscon has an ex-showroom price of 27.4 lakhs.
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Volkswagen Tiguan AllSpace – Rs 34.2 Lakhs
The last one is always the costliest (34.2 lakhs in ex-showroom price). Here we have the VW Tiguan Allspace – available in a single fully faired model in our country.
VW Tiguan is a 7-seater and is also the sole petrol-powered vehicle on this list of best 4×4 cars in India. It draws power from a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine and is mated with a 7-speed gearbox having DSG automatic transmission. This German-origin premium SUV locks horns with the likes of Toyota Fortuner and Ford Endeavour. Among its many features, Tiguan supports cruise control, sports automatic headlights & 6 airbags, and also enjoys certain VW exclusive traits.
With time, the notion of an SUV has changed for the better. A plethora of SUVs, be it mid-size or sub-compact SUVs under 15 Lakhs, or full-size SUVs diversifying the Indian market, are now well within the grasp of a commoner.
Although SUVs had off-road capabilities at the beginning, they soon stressed more comfort and affordably, thus negating many sturdy characteristics. But with 4WD, the best 4×4 in India are now more reliable and cater to the audience’s adventure persona.
Upcoming 4×4 Cars in India in 2022
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Maruti Jimny
Estimated price: Rs. 10 lakhs
Expected launch: Mid-2022
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Mahindra Scorpio Next-Gen
Estimated price: Rs. 12-17 lakhs
Expected release: May 2022
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Jeep Meridian
Estimated price: Rs. 30 lakhs
Expected release: June 2022
FAQs
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What is a 4×4 car?
4×4 cars are vehicles that run on 4WD engines (4-wheel drivetrain), meaning all four wheels get an equal amount of torque simultaneously.
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Are 4WD and AWD the same?
No.
Simply put, All Wheel Drive powers both the front wheels & the rear wheels on a full-time basis.
On the other hand, 4 Wheel Drive provides power to all four wheels only when a certain button is pushed by the driver, and thus works as a part-time functionality.
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Where can the 4WD feature be best utilised?
Under harsh weather conditions, off-roads and while speeding & smooth controlling.
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Are there any disadvantages of 4WD?
Like every man-made invention, 4WD comes with certain flaws. Having 4WD in a car reduces fuel efficiency, adds more to its overall weight and makes the drivetrain more complex.
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How many WD functionalities are currently available?
Mainly four –
FWD (Front Wheel Drive)
RWD (Rear Wheel Drive)
AWD (All Wheel Drive)
4WD (4 Wheel Drive)
