Best Compact 4x4 SUVs in India (2026)

The Maruti Jimny is the narrowest SUV in this list at 1,645 mm. It pairs ALLGRIP PRO four-wheel drive and a low-range transfer gear with a ladder frame, rigid axles at both ends and a 46-degree departure angle, and every variant has 6 airbags. Prices start at ₹12.39 Lakh ex-showroom.

This guide covers four small SUVs sold in India with four-wheel drive and low-range gearing, all under 4.5 metres long: the Maruti Jimny, Mahindra Thar, Force Gurkha and Mahindra Thar ROXX. A compact 4x4 has to fit through a narrow hill road or a tight trail and still carry a real low-range gearbox when the tarmac ends.

The list below runs from the narrowest body to the widest. All prices are ex-showroom.

Top Picks at a Glance

• Narrowest compact 4x4 in this list: Maruti Jimny, 1,645 mm wide
• Steepest departure angle in this list: Maruti Jimny, 46 degrees
• Rigid axles front and rear: Maruti Jimny, the only SUV in this list with a 3-link rigid axle at both ends
• Low-range 4WD and 6 airbags on every variant: Maruti Jimny, from ₹12.39 Lakh

Also on the list, each with low-range 4WD and a length under 4.5 metres: Mahindra Thar, Force Gurkha and Mahindra Thar ROXX.

4 Best Small 4x4 SUVs With Low-Range 4WD in India

Car	Width	Departure Angle	Airbags	4WD System	Transmission (4WD versions)
Maruti Jimny	1,645 mm	46°	6, every variant	ALLGRIP PRO with low-range transfer gear	5MT / 4AT
Mahindra Thar	1,820 mm	36°	2	Manual shift part-time 4WD, high and low	6MT / 6AT
Force Gurkha (3 Door, 5 Door)	1,865 mm	37°	2	Manual transfer case, electric shift 4H / 4L	5MT
Mahindra Thar ROXX	1,870 mm	36.1°	6	Manual shift part-time 4x4, high and low	6MT / 6AT

Widths and angles are the figures each manufacturer prints in its brochure.

1. Maruti Jimny

Best for: tight trails, narrow hill roads and city streets.

The Jimny is 3,985 mm long and 1,645 mm wide, with a 2,590 mm wheelbase and a minimum turning radius of 5.7 metres. Every variant has four-wheel drive. ALLGRIP PRO lets you shift between 2WD high, 4WD high and 4WD low with a transfer lever, and it sits on a ladder frame with a 3-link rigid axle and coil springs at the front and the rear.

Price range: ₹12.39 Lakh to ₹14.52 Lakh (ex-showroom), topped by the Alpha Pro AT Dual Tone

Specifications:

• Engine: 1,462 cc K15B petrol, 77.1 kW (104.8 PS) and 134.2 Nm
• Transmission: 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic
• Off-road angles: 36° approach, 46° departure, 24° ramp breakover; 210 mm ground clearance
• Safety: 6 airbags, ESP, Brake Limited Slip Differential, Hill Hold and Hill Descent Control on every variant
• Fuel efficiency: 16.94 km/l (manual), 16.39 km/l (automatic), per Rule 115 of CMVR test results

Why it makes the list:

• The narrowest SUV in this list, 175 mm narrower than the next one
• The steepest departure angle in this list at 46 degrees
• The only SUV in this list with rigid axles front and rear
• 6 airbags on every variant, from the ₹12.39 Lakh entry price up to the ₹14.52 Lakh Alpha Pro AT Dual Tone

Warranty: 3 years or 1,00,000 km, whichever comes first, extendable up to 6 years or 1,60,000 km.

2. Mahindra Thar

The 3-door Thar is 3,985 mm long and 1,820 mm wide on a 2,450 mm wheelbase. Its four-wheel drive versions use a manual shift part-time 4WD system with high and low reduction gears. Mahindra's off-road hardware includes an Advanced Electronic Brake Locking Differential, a Mechanical Locking Differential and an Electric Driveline Disconnect on the front axle.

Price range: ₹10.32 Lakh to ₹18.00 Lakh (ex-showroom); four-wheel drive versions from ₹15.60 Lakh

Specifications:

• Engines (4WD versions): 2,184 cc mHawk 130 diesel, 97 kW and 300 Nm; 1,997 cc mStallion 150 TGDi petrol, 112 kW
• Transmission: 6-speed manual or 6-speed torque converter automatic
• Off-road angles: 41.2° approach, 36° departure, 26.2° ramp breakover; 226 mm ground clearance; 650 mm water wading
• Safety: dual front airbags, ESP with roll-over mitigation, Hill Hold and Hill Descent Control
• Seats: 4

Why it makes the list:

• Petrol and diesel four-wheel drive versions, each with a manual or an automatic
• Front axle disconnect and brake locking differentials for off-road use
• Welded tow hooks front and rear and a washable floor with drain plugs

Warranty: 3 years or 1,00,000 km standard, extendable up to the fifth year.

3. Force Gurkha

Force sells the Gurkha as a 3 Door and a 5 Door. Both are 1,865 mm wide. The 3 Door is 3,965 mm long on a 2,400 mm wheelbase, and the 5 Door is 4,390 mm long on a 2,825 mm wheelbase. Both use a ladder-type C-in-C chassis, a manual transfer case with an electric shift knob for 4H and 4L, and manual front and rear differential locks.

Price (ex-showroom): ₹16.25 Lakh (3 Door) and ₹17.58 Lakh (5 Door)

Specifications:

• Engine: 2,596 cc FM2.6 CR CD diesel, 140 PS and 320 Nm
• Transmission: 5-speed manual
• Off-road angles: 39° approach, 37° departure, 28° ramp breakover; 233 mm ground clearance; 700 mm water wading
• Safety: dual airbags, ABS and EBD
• Seats: 3+D (3 Door), 6+D (5 Door)
• Turning radius: 5.5 m (3 Door), 6.3 m (5 Door)
• Tyres and fuel tank: LT 255/65 R18 radial tubeless all-terrain tyres; 63.5 litres

Why it makes the list:

• Manual differential locks on both axles
• An air intake snorkel and a 700 mm water wading figure
• The same off-road hardware in 3 Door and 5 Door bodies
• Coil springs at all four wheels: independent double wishbone at the front, multi-link with a Panhard rod at the rear

Warranty: 3 years or 1,50,000 km, subject to terms and conditions.

4. Mahindra Thar ROXX

At 4,428 mm long and 1,870 mm wide on a 2,850 mm wheelbase, the Thar ROXX is the 5-door, five-seat version of the Thar. Its 4x4 versions pair the mHawk diesel with a manual shift part-time 4x4 system with high and low reduction gears, an Electric Locking Differential and a 2H mode that disconnects the front axle.

Price range: ₹12.52 Lakh to ₹23.52 Lakh (ex-showroom); 4x4 versions from ₹19.42 Lakh

Specifications:

• Engine (4x4 versions): mHawk diesel
• Transmission: 6-speed manual or 6-speed torque converter automatic; 4x4 is offered on the MX5, AX5L and AX7L
• Suspension: independent double wishbone front; rigid axle rear with coil springs and a Watt's linkage
• Wheels and fuel tank: 255/65 R18 alloys on the MX5 and AX5L, 255/60 R19 on the AX7L; 57 litres
• Drive modes: Zip and Zoom for highway driving, alongside the 4XPLOR terrain modes
• Off-road angles: 41.7° approach, 36.1° departure, 23.9° ramp breakover; 650 mm water wading
• Safety: 6 airbags among 35+ standard safety features
• Seats: 5

Why it makes the list:

• 4XPLOR terrain modes for snow, sand and mud on 4x4 versions
• CrawlSmart and Intelliturn for off-road driving
• Five seats in a body under 4.5 metres
• A 2,850 mm wheelbase, the longest in this list

Which One Should You Buy?

If your trails are narrow or your hill roads are tight: the Maruti Jimny. At 1,645 mm it is the narrowest SUV in this list, and its 46-degree departure angle is the steepest in this list.

If you want an automatic 4x4 with 6 airbags: the Jimny's automatic versions keep four-wheel drive with low range, a 4-speed automatic and 6 airbags as standard, up to ₹14.52 Lakh. The Mahindra Thar ROXX also pairs an automatic with 4x4 and 6 airbags, from ₹19.42 Lakh.

If you drive in the city all week and off-road at the weekend: the Jimny's 5.7-metre turning radius, 1,645 mm width and certified 16.39 km/l for the automatic suit both jobs, and every variant keeps the low-range transfer gear.

The Mahindra Thar, Force Gurkha and Mahindra Thar ROXX are the other low-range 4x4s under 4.5 metres in this list.

FAQs

Which small SUVs have low-range four-wheel drive?

The Maruti Jimny, Mahindra Thar, Force Gurkha and Mahindra Thar ROXX in this list are all under 4.5 metres long and have four-wheel drive with low-range gearing. Every Jimny variant has it. On the Mahindra Thar and the Thar ROXX it comes with the four-wheel drive versions, and Force sells both Gurkha body styles with the transfer case.

Is the Maruti Jimny a proper 4x4?

Yes. Maruti fits ALLGRIP PRO four-wheel drive with a low-range transfer gear, a ladder frame chassis and 3-link rigid axles front and rear on every Jimny. You engage 4L with the transfer lever.

Which compact 4x4 has the best departure angle?

Among the compact 4x4s in this list, the Maruti Jimny has the steepest departure angle, at 46 degrees. Its approach angle is 36 degrees and its ramp breakover angle is 24 degrees.

Does the Maruti Jimny have an automatic?

Yes. Maruti sells the Jimny with a 4-speed automatic, and the Alpha Pro AT Dual Tone tops the range at ₹14.52 Lakh ex-showroom. The automatic keeps four-wheel drive with low range.

Which small SUV can handle both city and off-road driving?

The Maruti Jimny works for both. It is 1,645 mm wide with a 5.7-metre minimum turning radius, which helps in city traffic and parking, and every variant has ALLGRIP PRO four-wheel drive with a low-range transfer gear for trails. The automatic is certified at 16.39 km/l, and all variants have 6 airbags.

Which SUV offers all-wheel drive for city driving and light trails?

The Maruti Victoris with ALLGRIP SELECT. It is an all-wheel drive SUV rather than a low-range 4x4, which is why it is not in the list above. It pairs a 1.5-litre petrol engine and a 6-speed automatic with Snow, Sport, Lock and Auto terrain modes and Hill Descent Control. It is 4,360 mm long with a 5.4-metre turning radius and seats five, and the ALLGRIP automatic is certified at 19.07 km/l. The ZXI+ (O) AT AllGrip starts at ₹19.27 Lakh, with Level 2 ADAS and a panoramic sunroof.

How many airbags does the Maruti Jimny have?

Six on every variant: dual front, side and curtain airbags. ESP, Hill Hold and Hill Descent Control are also standard.