SUVs are not only extremely popular in the Indian mass market, they’re also highly aspirational. With aspiration comes the demand for higher power outputs, and many carmakers have answered that call by offering sporty and powerful SUVs to mass-market buyers. Therefore, we’ve put together a list of the most powerful ICE SUVs available under the Rs 25 lakh mark. The rankings are based on power output in ascending order.
10. Volkswagen Taigun and Skoda Kushaq 1.5 turbo-petrol
150hp, 250Nm
Both the Taigun and Kushaq are among the most fun-to-drive options in the midsize SUV segment, largely thanks to their 150hp 1.5-litre direct-injection turbo-petrol engines. This is the only engine on this list to feature active cylinder deactivation, which can shut off two of its cylinders at cruising speeds to save fuel. Volkswagen and Skoda offer the 1.5 TSI only in higher variants of the Taigun (GT Plus and GT Plus Sport) and Kushaq (Prestige and Monte Carlo), that too with a sole 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.
The Taigun 1.5 TSI price starts at Rs 19 lakh and extends to Rs 19.3 lakh, whereas pricing for the Kushaq 1.5 TSI starts at Rs 18.79 lakh and tops off at Rs 18.99 lakh.
9. Kia Seltos and Hyundai Creta, Alcazar 1.5 turbo-petrol
160hp, 253Nm
Launched in early 2026, the second-gen Kia Seltos carries forward its predecessor’s powertrains, including the 160hp 1.5-litre direct-injection turbo-petrol, which is offered from the HTE(O) trim onwards. Gearbox options for the Seltos turbo-petrol comprise a 6-speed iMT and a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. The Seltos turbo-petrol price starts at Rs 12.91 lakh and tops off at Rs 20 lakh.
Hyundai’s venerable Creta and its 7-seater derivative, the Alcazar, get the same turbo-petrol engine too, albeit with slightly different transmission options. The standard Creta turbo-petrol is available in the top-spec King trim with the 7-speed DCT, while the SUV’s sportier N Line variants additionally offer a 6-speed manual. Meanwhile, the Alcazar gets the turbo-petrol engine from its base Executive trim onwards and can be had with 6-speed manual and 7-speed DCT options.
The standard Creta turbo-petrol is priced at Rs 19.91 lakh, whereas the N Line variants start at Rs 19.03 lakh and top off at Rs 19.95 lakh. Interestingly, the Alcazar turbo-petrol, priced from Rs 14.51 lakh to Rs 21.1 lakh, carries the lowest starting price of any Hyundai SUV equipped with this engine.
8. Tata Sierra 1.5 turbo-petrol
160hp, 255Nm
The Sierra is the first Tata model to use the carmaker’s 160hp 1.5-litre direct-injection turbo-petrol ‘Hyperion’ engine, which is offered from the SUV’s Adventure+ trim onwards. Unlike most SUVs on this list, though, the Sierra turbo-petrol can be had solely with a 6-speed torque converter automatic. Pricing for the Sierra turbo-petrol starts at Rs 17.99 lakh and climbs to Rs 20.99 lakh.
7. Renault Duster 1.3 turbo-petrol
163hp, 280Nm
The new Renault Duster is the most powerful midsize SUV you can currently buy thanks to the 163hp 1.3-litre direct-injection turbo-petrol engine available from the one-above-base Evolution variant. This mill is paired with either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed wet-clutch DCT – the Duster is the only SUV on this list to offer the latter gearbox. The Duster 1.3 turbo-petrol price range is Rs 12.99 lakh-18.49 lakh.
6. Tata Safari, Harrier 1.5 turbo-petrol
170hp, 280Nm
Not long after the launch of the Sierra, Tata started offering its 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine under the bonnets of the Harrier and Safari as well. However, the engine features a higher state of tune for the Safari and Harrier – up 10hp and 25Nm over the Sierra – and can even be had with a 6-speed manual gearbox in addition to the 6-speed torque converter.
The Harrier petrol is priced from Rs 12.89 lakh to Rs 24.14 lakh, while the Safari price range is Rs 13.29 lakh-24.85 lakh. These prices are exclusive of premiums for cosmetic packages like Dark, Red Dark, and Stealth.
5. Tata Safari, Harrier and Jeep Compass, Meridian 2.0 diesel
170hp, 350Nm
The Tata Harrier and Safari have long offered a Fiat-sourced 2.0-litre diesel engine in the same 170hp state of tune. These diesel SUVs can be had with either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter automatic. The Harrier diesel price range is Rs 14 lakh to 25.3 lakh, whereas pricing for the Safari diesel starts at Rs 14.75 lakh and tops off at Rs 26.05 lakh (excluding premiums for cosmetic packages).
Both of Jeep India’s mass-market offerings, the Compass and Meridian, also come with the same 170hp 2.0-litre diesel engine. However, the Compass and Meridian differ slightly in terms of gearbox options, offering either a 6-speed manual or a 9-speed torque converter automatic. The Compass and Meridian also offer 4×4 as an option in higher variants.
Pricing for the Compass starts at Rs 17.99 lakh and climbs to Rs 30.45 lakh, whereas the Meridian is priced from Rs 23.33 lakh to Rs 37.48 lakh, excluding special editions for both SUVs.
4. Mahindra Scorpio N, Thar Roxx 2.2 diesel
Up to 175hp, 400Nm
Mahindra sells both the Scorpio N and Thar Roxx SUVs with a 2.2-litre diesel engine, albeit in varying states of tune. From the Z6 trim onwards, the Scorpio N diesel develops 175hp, but outputs 370Nm when paired with the 6-speed manual and 400Nm with the 6-speed torque converter. Meanwhile, the lower Scorpio N Z2 and Z4 diesel MT variants produce 132hp and 300Nm.
The Thar Roxx diesel offers the same transmission options as that of the Scorpio N, and makes 175hp and 400Nm in its higher-spec AX5L AT and AX7L AT variants. Lower variants of the Thar Roxx diesel generate 152hp and 330Nm. Both SUVs are available with 4×4 in higher-spec diesel variants as well. Prices for the Scorpio N diesel start at Rs 13.99 lakh and extend to Rs 24.95 lakh, while the Thar Roxx diesel price range is Rs 13.86 lakh-22.82 lakh.
3. Mahindra Thar Roxx 2.0 turbo-petrol
Up to 177hp, 380Nm
The Thar Roxx is also available with Mahindra’s 2.0-litre direct-injection turbo-petrol ‘mStallion’ engine, though outputs vary depending on gearbox. With the 6-speed manual equipped, the Thar Roxx petrol outputs 162hp and 330Nm, whereas with the 6-speed automatic, the output is bumped to 177hp and 380Nm. The Thar Roxx petrol price range is Rs 12.4 lakh-20 lakh.
2. Mahindra XUV 7XO 2.2 diesel
185hp, up to 450Nm
Like the Scorpio N and Thar Roxx, the Mahindra XUV 7XO gets a 2.2-litre diesel engine, but in a more powerful 185hp state of tune. When paired with the 6-speed manual, the XUV 7XO diesel outputs 420Nm, rising to 450Nm with the 6-speed torque converter automatic equipped. The XUV 7XO diesel is also offered with AWD in higher variants. Prices for the XUV 7XO diesel start at Rs 14.96 lakh and climb to Rs 24.92 lakh.
1. Mahindra XUV 7XO, Scorpio N 2.0 turbo-petrol
203hp, up to 380Nm (370 MT SCN)
The turbo-petrol Mahindra XUV 7XO and Scorpio N are officially the most powerful SUVs you can buy under Rs 25 lakh. Their 2.0-litre direct-injection turbo-petrol engine develops a healthy 203hp across all variants. While the XUV 7XO petrol outputs 380Nm for both its manual and automatic transmission options, the Scorpio N petrol makes 370Nm when paired with the manual and 380Nm with the automatic.
Pricing for the XUV 7XO petrol starts at Rs 13.66 lakh and extends to Rs 23.64 lakh, while the Scorpio N petrol price range is Rs 13.49 lakh-22.45 lakh.
All prices are ex-showroom, India.