Top 5 budget SUVs to buy in UAE

SUVs come in all sizes. Big, compact, and small. In fact, it is safe to assume that there is an SUV for every budget. The advent of SUVs like the Ford EcoSport and Chevrolet Trax have made sure that the lower end of the spectrum is well covered for. Now, more and more car manufacturers are joining the fray to build compact SUVs that one helps the entry-level buyer to have multiple choices. This year in the land of excess, UAE, there were many compact SUV launches. So, here are the top five budget SUVs that one can buy today in the UAE. Mind you, all of these SUVs are available under the AED 1,000,00 mark.

Jeep Compass

The Jeep Compass was launched last year in the global market but it came to us early this year. The unmistakable stance of the Jeep family with that seven-slat grille, the squared wheel arches, and that upright construction is very much there. The interior is no different in its flamboyance and Jeep offers a 7.0-inch touchscreen system that is complete with Apple CarPlay. There are also front powered seats, multiple USB charging slots, 6-speaker audio system, and a panoramic sunroof. The Jeep Compass is available with a 1.4-litre MultiAir petrol turbocharged engine. This unit produces 170 PS of peak power and 235 Nm of torque. Jeep has mated this engine to a 7-speed dual clutch gearbox. All-wheel drive, as well as other drive modes, too are on offer for the slippery surfaces. Jeep also claims that the Compass will do 100 kmph from standstill in just under 10 seconds while the top speed will be around 180 kmph. The Jeep Compass price in UAE is AED 99,900.

Hyundai Tucson

The Hyundai Tucson has just got a facelift globally and while that model is yet to come down here, there shouldn’t be much of a price difference. Speaking of which, the Hyundai Tucson price in UAE starts at AED 72,000. The top spec unit costs AED 90,000. It is a conventionally good-looking SUV and has got projector lights, cornering fog lights, 18-inch alloys and a conventional rear end. Inside, there is a 7.0-inch touchscreen that hosts the music system and supports MirrorLink, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The engine is a 2.4-litre naturally aspirated unit that produces 170 PS of power and 228 Nm. It is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission that promises a 0-100 kmph time of 10.4 seconds and a top speed of 190 kmph.

Honda CR-V

The Honda CR-V is now in its fifth generation and comes to our shores exactly a year after its Europe sales started. The new Honda CR-V looks bold and while it does hark back to the previous generation vehicle’s silhouette and stance, it is an altogether different car. An all-LED lighting ensemble is used in the new CR-V. Inside as well, there are many differences including a new touchscreen infotainment system as well as buttons instead of a gear lever. The Honda CR-V has an updated 2.4-litre inline 4-cylinder petrol engine. This one makes 184 PS of power and 244 Nm of torque. A CVT is paired with this engine. Honda claims a 0-100 kmph time of 8.4 seconds while the top speed is 220 kmph. The Honda CR-V price in UAE starts at AED 89,000 while the top trim costs AED 10,000 more.

Mitsubishi Outlander

In its third generation, the Mitsubishi Outlander cuts across as a very distinct vehicle. It not only has the form but is also now a 7-seater car. The LED headlights and 17-inch wheels help give it a proper stance while the wide grille makes it seem more off-road ready than before. The cabin is made of dark upholstery and gets heated seats, power and memory-enabled front seats, dual zone climate control, a sunroof and more. The engine has the same capacity from before - a 2.4-litre MIVEC naturally aspirated petrol that produces 170 PS of power and 232 Nm of torque. This engine is mated to a CVT and while the 0-100 kmph time taken is the longest of all the cars mentioned here, it clocks in a respectable top speed of 190 kmph. All-wheel drive is available with the Outlander. The Mitsubishi Outlander price in UAE starts from AED 75,900 and goes up to AED 79,000.

GMC Terrain

GMC products sell well in the Australian Outback, North America and UAE. For this very reason, GMC introduced its most compact Terrain SUV a few months ago. The Terrain SUV follows the design ethos of the other GMC products, thereby making it a butch proposition. The SUV gets 17-inch painted wheels and gets many cabin features as well. These include tri-zone climate control, ventilated seats with electric sliding function and a touchscreen infotainment system. Optional head-up display is on offer too. The engine is a 1.5-litre turbo petrol that produces 170 PS of power and 275 Nm of torque. The gearbox is a 9-speed automatic unit and helps propel the SUV to 100 kmph from standstill in just 9.2 seconds. GMC claims a top speed of 200 kmph. As far as pricing is concerned, the GMC Terrain price is AED 94,500, making it the most expensive of the lot here.