Top 5 Compact SUVs with Variant-Wise Prices (GST 2.0 + Festive Discounts)
Based on the latest announcements around GST-2.0 (effective ~22 September 2025) and Navratri festive offers, here are top 5 compact SUV under 10 lakhs that provide value for money in their segments. I’ve gathered ex-showroom prices, savings due to GST cut, and variant details.
⚠️ Prices are ex-showroom (Delhi / typical metro), subject to change depending on city, variant, add-ons, and dealers.
Top 5 Compact Suvs Under 10 Lakhs Starting:
1. Tata Nexon
| Variant | Old Ex-Showroom Price | New Price After GST 2.0 | Reduction | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.2 Turbo Petrol Smart | ₹ 7,99,990 | ~ ₹ 7,31,890 | ~ ₹ 68,100 | Basic features, good starter compact SUV |
| 1.2 Turbo Petrol Smart Plus | ₹ 8,89,990 | ~ ₹ 8,14,190 | ~ ₹ 75,800 | More trim, better interior options |
| 1.2 Turbo Petrol Creative / Top-petrol variants | ~ ₹ 10,99,990 – ₹ 14,49,990 | ~ ₹ 10,06,192 – ₹ 13,26,347 | ~ ₹ 93,798 – ₹ 1,23,643 | All major features, high trim, good visuals & tech |
| Diesel / CNG variants | 8,99,000 | ~ ₹ 9,00,890 | ~ ₹ 98,110 | Better fuel economy, long-distance utility |
2. Hyundai Venue
| Variant | Ex-Showroom Price Range | Key Variants & Prices | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base 1.2 Petrol (E) | ~ ₹ 7.26 lakh | Venue E 1.2 Petrol ~ ₹ 7.26 lakh ex showroom (Delhi) Car and Bike | Clean basic features, good for budget buyers seeking brand & SUV ride height |
| Mid variants (S, SX) | ~ ₹ 8.49 – 10.84 lakh | More premium trims like SX / SX (O) with dual-tone, better infotainment, turbo / DCT options hover around ₹ 10-11 lakh Autocar India | Advanced features, better interior, safety & comfort improvements |
| Top / Turbo / Diesel variants | ~ ₹ 12.45 lakh (petrol top) & ~ ₹12.18 lakh (diesel top) Hyundai | Venue S(O) or SX(O) Adventure, turbo petrol + DCT, etc. | High trims give premium touches: alloys, safety, style, more power |
3. Mahindra XUV 3XO
| Variant | Estimated Price Range (After GST) | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Base Trim | ~ ₹ 7.28 lakh | basic SUV looks, good features, strong ground clearance |
| AX5 Petrol | ~ ₹ 9.99 lakh | Premium interior, more tech & safety features, better ride & materials |
4. Kia Sonet
| Variant Category | Estimated Price Post-GST | Savings & Features |
|---|---|---|
| Entry trim | ~ ₹ 7.30 lakh | Value-packed features, competitive against Venue / Nexon base trims |
| HTK optional Diesel | ~ ₹ 9.99 lakh | Premium feel, features, optional extras & looks |
5. Maruti Suzuki Brezza
| Variant | Expected Ex-Showroom Price (GST 2.0 + Festive Offers) | Key Value Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base trim | ~ ₹ 8.26 Lakh | Strong service network, Maruti reliability, more affordable maintenance |
| Top trim | ~ ₹ 13.01 Lakh | Upgrades in safety, infotainment, cosmetic styling |
Why These top 5 compact SUVs are Value for Money
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Significant Price Reductions: The recent GST 2.0 reforms have dropped rates for many compact SUVs, pushing down ex-showroom prices by ₹ 50,000 to ₹ 1.55 lakh depending on variant. Tata Nexon gets up to ₹ 1.55 lakh cut. V3Cars
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Festive Bonuses: Dealers/manufacturers are offering extra discounts, freebies, or lower finance rates during Navratri, which further improves value.
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Strong Feature Packages: Even base/mid trims now include essentials: safety (dual airbags, ABS, ISOFIX in many), infotainment, comfort & styling. So one pays less but rarely gives up basic must-haves.
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Wide Reach / Resale Value: Brands like Tata, Hyundai, Kia, and Maruti have large dealer & service networks, which means lower maintenance hassles and better resale.
FAQs
Q1. What is GST 2.0 and how much do these top 5 compact SUVs benefit?
A: Under GST 2.0 (effective 22 Sep 2025), smaller vehicles (up to certain engine / size / emission categories) have their GST rate reduced to 18% from earlier higher rates. This translates into savings ranging from ₹ 50,000 to over ₹ 1.5 lakh for many compact SUV variants. (e.g. Nexon.) CarDekho
Q2. Should I buy now during Navratri or wait for end-year discounts?
A: Navratri offers + GST 2.0 benefits are already live. Waiting might get you offers, but stock & colours might be limited. Also, dealers might raise demand/price for high-demand trims.
Q3. How do variant upgrades affect the value of these top 5 compact SUVs?
A: Upgrades like turbo engines, DCT/AMT, safety packs, leather seats etc. cost extra, so you need to assess whether those features matter to you or whether a mid-variant does the job. Given the GST savings, some higher trims are now more affordable than before.
Q4. What about insurance, road tax, on-road cost?
A: Ex-showroom is just the start. On-road costs include RTO, insurance, state taxes, etc. In many cities these can add ~10-20% or more. Always calculate full on-road cost, not just ex-showroom.
Q5. Are there hidden costs / maintenance differences among these SUVs?
A: Yes — service intervals, spare parts cost, fuel type (petrol / diesel / CNG), warranty coverage, etc. Brands with strong nationwide service networks (Hyundai, Maruti, Tata, Kia) often give better peace of mind and lower maintenance expense.