Top 7 Cars Offering Four-Wheel Drive Under Rs 30 Lakh In India!

In India, the diverse kinds of terrains are expected to offer us an adventure anytime, especially if you are someone who loves to explore the wilderness. So, if you’re an auto-enthusiast who loves to venture off the tarmac you might be looking for a capable vehicle with a 4x4 drivetrain that can fit your needs perfectly in off-roading as well as in-city drives. 

Well if you have Rs 30 lakhs to spend, we’ve rounded up all the contenders with a 4-wheel-drive option that you can consider at this price tag. Take a look at that list in detail below:

Mahindra Thar Roxx

The Mahindra Thar Roxx, arguably the most popular launch in 2024, brings the perfect balance to your experience on and off the road. Yes, the car gets a 4x4 drivetrain, but it is limited to the diesel variants only. It gets a 2.2-litre diesel engine that develops 152 PS / 330 Nm with the manual transmission and 175 PS / 370 Nm with the automatic transmission. It can be had with either the 6-speed manual transmission or the 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission. 

For off-roading capabilities, the four-wheel drive variant features Crawlsmart (where it can crawl itself out of minor sticky situations), Intelliturn (lock the inner rear wheel for a tighter turning radius), and electronic locking rear differential. It also boasts impressive stats such as a 41.7-degree approach angle, 36.1-degree departure angle and 23.9-degree ramp over angle along with a water wading depth of 650 mm. 

It is loaded with several features like dual 10.25-inch displays for infotainment and instrument cluster, wireless Android Auto and Apple Carplay, panoramic sunroof, Harman Kardon sound system and ventilated front seats. For safety, it gets a 360-degree camera, 6 airbags as standard, hill-descent control, front and rear parking sensors and ADAS.

Price (for 4WD): Rs 18.8 lakh to Rs 22.5 lakh (ex-showroom). 

Mahindra Thar

Unlike the Mahindra Thar Roxx, the 4x4 option is not limited to the diesel variants in the 3-door Thar. Besides the 132 PS / 300 Nm 2.2-litre diesel engine, you can also have the four-wheel drive hardware with the 2-litre turbo-petrol engine that delivers 150 PS / 320 Nm.

The Thar boasts a similar water-wading ability of 650 mm like its bigger sibling, a 41.2-degree approach angle, a 36-degree departure angle and a 26.2-degree ramp over angle. It also gets a brake-locking differential and an optional mechanical locking differential.

It is packed with niceties like a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment which features off-road stats, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, cruise control, manual AC and roof-mounted speakers. In terms of safety, it has dual airbags, a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), electronic stability control and a roll cage. 

Price (for 4WD): Rs 15 lakh to Rs 22.5 lakh (ex-showroom).

Mahindra Scorpio N

One of Mahindra’s most popular nameplates, the Scorpio N, is also an incredibly capable SUV when it comes to off-roading. In fact, this SUV should be in consideration if you want a 7-seater that’s comfortable for your family and can take you places. You get the four-wheel drivetrain with a 2.2-litre diesel engine that delivers 175 PS and 400 Nm. A 6-speed manual and 6-speed torque converter automatic are mated to it.

The 4x4 drivetrain is optional in the case of the Scorpio N and it features a low and high-range gearbox, electronic brake lock differential and four terrain modes to choose from Normal, Snow, Mud and Sand. 

It is packed with features like an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay,  ventilated front seats, powered driver’s seat, an auto-dimming IRVM, wireless phone charger, an electric sunroof, connected car tech and a 12-speaker Sony 3D surround sound system. For safety, it is equipped with six airbags, hill-hold assist and front and rear cameras with parking sensors.

Price (for 4WD): Rs 18 lakh to Rs 21.37 lakh (ex-showroom)

Maruti Jimny

The Maruti Jimny is a compact off-roader and is also one of the most affordable vehicles in India offering a 4x4 drivetrain. It comes equipped with a (105 PS / 134 Nm) 1.5-litre petrol engine. In transmission, you get a 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic low-range gearbox. 

The Jimny has a 36-degree approach angle, a 50-degree departure angle and a 24-degree ramp-over angle. It also gets brake limited slip differential in its off-roading hardware. The tiny size makes it perfect not only to navigate in bumper-to-bumper traffic but also narrow off-road trails with obstacles. 

It comes packed with features like a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, connected car tech, automatic climate control and cruise control. In terms of safety, it has six airbags, rear parking sensors with a camera, and electronic stability control.

Price: Rs 12.74 lakh to Rs 14.95 lakh (ex-showroom)

Force Gurkha 

The Force Gurkha is a serious and versatile offroader with a 4x4 drivetrain, equipped with a single 2.6-litre diesel engine that generates 140 PS and 320 Nm and is coupled with a 5-speed manual transmission. You can have it in either a three-door version or a longer and practical five-door model. 

For better off-roading prowess it features a 700 mm water wading depth, a 39-degree approach angle, a 37-degree departure angle and a 28-degree ramp over angle besides manual differential locks on both axles and an air-intake snorkel as standard. The latter makes it the only car from the factory to get such a kit and helps with better water wading. 

In terms of features, the Gurkha gets a 9-inch infotainment screen, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a 7-inch digital driver's display, remote locking and tilt and telescopic adjustments for its steering. Safety features include dual front airbags, a tyre pressure monitoring system and a reverse camera with parking sensors.

Price: Rs 16.75 lakh to Rs 18 lakh (ex-showroom)

Isuzu V Cross

The Isuzu V Cross provides you with a blend of both utility and off-roading thrill. The lifestyle pickup truck with an optional 4x4 drivetrain can easily handle rough terrains while providing the practicality of carrying around cargo. It is powered by a 163 PS / 360 Nm 1.9-litre turbo diesel engine that gets coupled to either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission.

It has features like a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a 6-way power-adjustable driver seat, power-foldable ORVMs, cruise control and automatic climate control. Safety features include four airbags, ABS with EBD, traction control, hill start and hill descent control.

Price (for 4WD): starts from Rs 25.52 lakh (ex-showroom)

Toyota Hilux

The Toyota Hilux is another pickup truck that has a 4-wheel-drive option. While it's technically positioned above Rs 30 lakhs, with some heavy discounting being offered by dealers it shall fit the bill. With a tough platform and a 2.8-litre turbo diesel engine that it shares with the Fortuner, it can handle challenging terrains with ease. Coupled with either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox, its engine delivers 204 PS and 500 Nm.

It has essential features like an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, dual-zone automatic climate control, steering-mounted audio controls, a powered driver’s seat, cruise control and push-button start. Its safety suite contains seven airbags, electronic stability control and hill descent control.

Price: Rs 30.4 lakh to Rs 37.9 lakh (ex-showroom)