Best Rugged SUVs You Can Buy With AWD

Rugged SUVs like the Mahindra Thar, Toyota Fortuner, Maruti Jimny, and Mahindra Scorpio-N are more than just machines they’re adventure partners built to tackle any terrain. With robust 4x4 or AWD systems, they handle muddy trails, steep inclines, and city potholes with ease. 

Thanks to GST 2.0 price cuts, these legendary SUVs are now more affordable, giving enthusiasts a chance to own vehicles that combine toughness, comfort, and style

Toyota

Fortuner (4×4 Variants)

The Toyota Fortuner’s4x4 lineup has seen substantial ex-showroom price drops following the GST 2.0 revision. The 4×4 MT Diesel now costs ₹38.11 lakh, down from ₹40.83 lakh - a reduction of ₹2.72 lakh. Higher trims have even larger cuts: the Neo Drive 4×4 AT falls from ₹44.72 lakh to ₹41.74 lakh (a reduction of ₹2.98 lakh), while the Legender 4×4 MT drops by ₹3.12 lakh to ₹43.64 lakh.

 The Neo Drive 4×4 AT Legender sees a ₹3.34 lakh decrease (₹50.09 lakh down to ₹46.75 lakh), and the flagship GR-S 4×4 AT Diesel benefits the most, falling by ₹3.49 lakh to ₹48.85 lakh. These reductions make the Fortuner’s rugged 4×4 variants more accessible, offering a better value proposition for buyers seeking off-road capability and Toyota’s proven durability.

Hyryder (AWD Variant)

The Urban Cruiser Hyryder, Toyota’s mid-size Crossover with an all-wheel-drive option, also benefits from the GST revision, though on a smaller scale. The Neo Drive V AT AWD Mild-Hybrid Petrol now carries a price tag of ₹18.29 lakh, compared to its previous ₹18.94 lakh price tag, representing a ₹65,000 reduction. 

While the change isn’t as dramatic, it still makes the AWD Hyryder a slightly more compelling choice for buyers who want additional traction and stability without jumping to a full-size SUV.

Hilux

Toyota’s lifestyle pickup, the Hilux, sees significant price reductions across its three variants. The STD MT drops from ₹30.40 lakh to ₹28.37 lakh (a cut of ₹2.02 lakh), while the High MT goes from ₹37.15 lakh to ₹34.67 lakh, saving ₹2.47 lakh. The top-spec High AT benefits the most, with a ₹2.52 lakh reduction, bringing its price down to ₹35.37 lakh. 

These adjustments make the Hilux a more attractive option for enthusiasts and professionals looking for a durable, off-road-ready pickup with Toyota’s reliability, especially for those weighing it against premium SUVs in a similar price bracket.

Maruti

Jimny

The Maruti Suzuki Jimny has received a uniform ex-showroom price reduction of ₹51,900 across all variants following the implementation of the new GST 2.0 norms. This adjustment applies to all manual and automatic transmissions, including dual-tone options, bringing the price range down from ₹12.83–15.33 lakh to ₹12.31–14.81 lakh. 

The cut makes the Jimny slightly more accessible to buyers while retaining its appeal as a compact, rugged 4WD SUV, offering consistent value across its entire variant lineup.

Grand Vitara

The Grand Vitara has received a moderate ex-showroom price reduction following the new GST 2.0 norms. The Alpha AWD AT (Petrol) variant is now priced at ₹18.50 lakh, down from ₹19.20 lakh, while the dual-tone version has decreased from ₹19.50 lakh to ₹18.81 lakh, resulting in reductions of approximately ₹69,700 and ₹69,200, respectively. 

These cuts make the AWD variants slightly more accessible, offering buyers the enhanced traction and stability of all-wheel drive at a lower cost, without compromising on features or performance.

Victoris

The newly launched Maruti Victoris offers two All-Wheel Drive (AWD) variants, both equipped with a 1.5L Smart Hybrid petrol engine paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission, sharing its powertrain with the Grand Vitara. The ZXi Plus AWD AT is priced at ₹18,64,000, while the ZXi Plus (O) AWD AT is available for ₹19,21,900.

 These variants feature Suzuki's ALLGRIP Select system, providing multiple terrain modes, hill descent control, and paddle shifters for enhanced driving dynamics. This makes the Victoris the most affordable AWD SUV in India, offering premium features and advanced technology at a competitive price point.

Mahindra

Scorpio N

The Mahindra Scorpio Nreceived notable ex-showroom price reductions following the implementation of the new GST 2.0 norms. Diesel manual variants such as the Z4, Z8, and Z8L now see reductions ranging from ₹1,01,000 to ₹1,50,000, while the diesel automatic versions enjoy similar cuts of up to ₹1,50,000. 

These adjustments bring the prices down across all 4WD trims, making the Scorpio N more competitive in the mid-size SUV segment while retaining its off-road capability and premium features.

Thar 

The Thar 3-Door 4WD variants have received notable ex-showroom price reductions under the new GST 2.0 norms. Diesel manual and automatic LX Hard Top variants are now ₹15.25 lakh and ₹16.60 lakh, while petrol manual and automatic LX Hard Top variants are ₹14.36 lakh and ₹15.66 lakh, respectively. 

These reductions make the Thar’s rugged 4WD models more accessible, allowing buyers to enjoy its off-road capabilities and premium features at a lower cost.

Thar Roxx

The Thar Roxx 4WD variants have received uniform ex-showroom price reductions of ₹1,00,000 following the new GST 2.0 norms. The MX5 4WD Diesel MT now costs ₹18.39 lakh, while the higher-end AX5L and AX7L 4WD variants, both manual and automatic, have been reduced to ₹20.39 lakh, ₹22.39 lakh, and ₹23.39 lakh, respectively. 

These reductions make the Thar Roxx 4WD models more accessible, allowing buyers to enjoy their advanced off-road capabilities and premium features at a lower price.

XUV700

The Mahindra XUV700 AWD variants have received significant ex-showroom price reductions following the new GST 2.0 norms. The price cuts range from ₹1.21 lakh to ₹1.34 lakh across various AWD variants, including the AX7, AX7 Luxury, AX7 Ebony, and AX7 L Ebony trims. T

hese adjustments make the XUV700's AWD models more accessible, allowing buyers to enjoy its advanced features and off-road capabilities at a lower price point. The revised pricing is effective from September 22, 2025, reflecting Mahindra's commitment to delivering value to its customers.

What is 4x4?

4x4, or four-wheel drive, means all four wheels of the vehicle receive power from the engine, which greatly improves traction on slippery or uneven surfaces. Vehicles like the Mahindra Thar or Toyota Fortuner use 4x4 for serious off-roading, including mud, sand, and steep inclines. The main advantage is maximum control in tough conditions, but the downside is slightly lower fuel efficiency and more mechanical complexity compared to two-wheel drive systems.

What is AWD?

All-Wheel Drive (AWD) automatically sends power to the wheels that need it most, without the driver having to intervene. SUVs like the Maruti Jimny or Tata Harrier often use AWD to improve stability on wet roads or light off-road trails. The pros are smooth handling, better traction in rain or snow, and convenience for daily driving. The con is that it is less capable than a true 4x4 in extreme off-road conditions.

What’s the difference between 4x4 and AWD?

The key difference lies in purpose and control. 4x4 systems are usually manually activated and are built for rugged off-road adventures, letting drivers choose when all wheels get power. AWD is automatic and works seamlessly on highways and city roads to prevent wheel slip. The advantage of 4x4 is off-road dominance, while AWD is perfect for comfort, safety, and daily driving. The drawback of AWD is that it can struggle in very rough terrain compared to 4x4.

What do 2H, 4H, and 4L mean on the Thar?

These are driving modes for managing power and traction. 2H (Two-Wheel High) powers only the rear wheels, ideal for smooth city or highway driving, offering better fuel efficiency. 4H (Four-Wheel High) engages all wheels for better grip on slippery roads or light off-road trails. 4L (Four-Wheel Low) provides maximum torque at low speeds, perfect for sand, mud, or climbing steep inclines. Pros include better control and adaptability to terrain, but using 4L on normal roads can strain the vehicle and reduce efficiency.

Is AWD better than 4x4 for daily use?

For everyday driving, AWD is often more practical because it automatically distributes power, making wet roads, potholes, and light off-road paths safer and easier to handle. However, AWD cannot match the capability of 4x4 for serious off-roading or extreme terrain. The benefit is convenience and safety, while the limitation is that AWD enthusiasts seeking rugged adventures might find it insufficient