The Indian automotive landscape is about to witness a compact electric revolution, with four promising SUVs launching in the coming months that could finally make EVs accessible to mainstream buyers.
Look, I’ve been covering the Indian auto scene for years, and I can tell you—2025 feels different. We’re not just talking about another round of incremental updates or minor facelifts. This year, four major players are betting big on compact electric SUVs, and honestly? It’s about time. For too long, EVs in India have been either ridiculously expensive or, let’s be frank, not quite ready for our roads and our wallets.
Maruti Suzuki e Vitara: The Game Changer
When Maruti showed off the e Vitara at the Bharat Mobility Expo back in January, you could almost hear the collective intake of breath from the industry. This isn’t just Maruti dipping their toes in electric waters—they’ve jumped in headfirst.
The numbers are pretty solid too. You get two battery choices: a 49 kWh pack that’ll give you 142 horses and 189 Nm of torque, or if you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, the 61 kWh version. The dual-motor setup on the bigger battery? That’s where things get interesting—184 bhp and 300 Nm. Trust me, that’s enough grunt to make your morning commute a lot more fun.
Now, here’s the thing about pricing. Word on the street is it’ll start around ₹25 lakh. Yes, that’s premium territory for Maruti, but think about it—this is their first serious EV play. They’re not messing around. March can’t come soon enough, really.
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Hyundai Creta EV: Familiar Face, Electric Heart
Smart move by Hyundai, taking their bestseller and giving it the electric treatment. I mean, why reinvent the wheel when the Creta’s already winning hearts and wallets across the country?
The Creta EV launched in January with a 45-50 kWh battery that should get you around 500 km on a full charge. That’s proper road trip territory, folks. With 136 bhp and 255 Nm, it’s no slouch either—matches what you get in their new Kona EV.
What I love about this approach is the familiarity factor. Your neighborhood mechanic already knows the Creta inside out, your family trusts the badge, and now you get all that with zero tailpipe emissions. At roughly ₹25 lakh to start, it’s going head-to-head with the e Vitara. This is going to be one heck of a showdown.
Mahindra XEV 4e: The Value Champion
Here’s where things get really interesting. Mahindra’s XEV 4e could be the people’s champion in this whole electric SUV story. July launch, starting at just ₹13 lakh—now that’s what I call disruption.
I’ve seen a lot of manufacturers promise affordable EVs over the years, but Mahindra seems serious about actually delivering. Sure, we don’t have all the specs yet, but that price point? It’s aggressive enough to make everyone else sweat a little. If they can nail the range and features at this price, it could be the breakthrough moment we’ve all been waiting for.
Toyota Urban Cruiser EV: Reliability Meets Electrification
And then there’s Toyota. You know what they bring to the party? That rock-solid reputation for making cars that just… work. The Urban Cruiser EV, expected later this year around ₹18-20 lakh, might not be the flashiest of the bunch, but it doesn’t need to be.
For all those folks who’ve been sitting on the fence about EVs—worried about reliability, service network, long-term durability—Toyota’s entry could be the nudge they need. Their service centers are everywhere, their technicians know their stuff, and let’s face it, when your neighbor asks about your electric car, saying “It’s a Toyota” carries weight.