Best 4x4 Cars in India 2026: Top 12 Four-Wheel Drive SUVs

A four-wheel drive (4x4) car sends power to all four wheels, which gives you better grip on broken roads, hill slopes, slush, sand, and snow. In India, where road quality changes from one stretch to the next and the monsoon brings its own surprises, a 4x4 is no longer just an off-roader's toy. It is a practical option for buyers who travel often, live in hilly areas, or simply want more confidence behind the wheel.

This guide covers the top 12 four-wheel drive cars on sale in India in 2026. You will find the latest ex-showroom prices, engine details, mileage figures, and the off-road features that matter. We have also added a short buying guide and answered the questions buyers ask most often, so you can shortlist the right 4x4 for your budget and use case.

Quick Highlights

Cheapest 4x4 in India: Maruti Suzuki Jimny, starting at ₹ 12.74 lakh (ex-showroom).

Most popular 4x4 in India: Mahindra Thar, with strong demand in both 3-door and 5-door Roxx versions.

Most expensive 4x4 in India: Mercedes-Benz G-Class, starting at ₹ 2.55 crore (ex-showroom).

Highest mileage 4x4 in India: Maruti Jimny, with an ARAI-certified 16.94 kmpl on the manual variant.

List of the Best 4x4 Cars in India 2026

The table below gives you a quick view of all 12 four-wheel drive cars covered in this guide. Prices are ex-showroom and indicative; actual prices vary by city, variant, and dealer offers.

Detailed Review of the Best 4x4 Cars in India

1. Maruti Suzuki Jimny

Price (ex-showroom): ₹ 12.74 lakh to ₹ 15.05 lakh

The Maruti Jimny carries forward the Gypsy legacy in a more practical, 5-door body. Powered by a 1.5-litre K15B petrol engine that makes 103 bhp and 134 Nm, the Jimny is offered with a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic. The AllGrip Pro 4x4 system gets a low-range transfer case as standard, and the rear brake-locking differential helps when one wheel loses grip.

It is light, compact, and forgiving for first-time off-road buyers. With a ground clearance of 210 mm and an approach angle of 36 degrees, the Jimny clears most rough trails with ease. To safeguard your Jimny against accidental damage on city roads or off-road trips, consider a Maruti car insurance policy from Zurich Kotak that includes off-road coverage as an add-on. Terms and conditions apply.

2. Mahindra Thar

Price (ex-showroom): ₹ 11.50 lakh to ₹ 17.60 lakh

The Thar is the most recognised 4x4 in India. The 3-door Thar runs on a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol (152 PS) or a 2.2-litre mHawk diesel (132 PS), with both 6-speed manual and automatic options. With 226 mm of ground clearance, a wading depth of 650 mm, and an approach angle of nearly 42 degrees, the Thar tackles most weekend trails without breaking a sweat. A rear mechanical locking differential is offered as an option on select diesel variants.

If you want extra room, the Thar Roxx (5-door) is the better fit. It keeps the off-road ability but adds rear-door access, a longer wheelbase, and a more usable boot.

3. Mahindra Thar Roxx

Price (ex-showroom): ₹ 18.79 lakh to ₹ 22.49 lakh

The Thar Roxx adds two more doors and a softer ride, without losing the original Thar's character. It is offered with the same 2.0-litre petrol and 2.2-litre diesel engines as the 3-door Thar, with 4WD available on top variants. Ground clearance stands at 226 mm, and the longer 2,850 mm wheelbase makes highway runs much more relaxed than in the 3-door.

4. Force Gurkha

Price (ex-showroom): ₹ 16.75 lakh to ₹ 18.00 lakh

The 2024 Gurkha is sold in 3-door and 5-door body styles. Both use a 2.6-litre Mercedes-derived diesel engine that puts out 138 bhp and 320 Nm, paired only with a 5-speed manual gearbox. The Gurkha is the only 4x4 in this price band with mechanical locking differentials at both the front and rear, plus a factory snorkel that lets you wade through up to 700 mm of water.

With 233 mm of ground clearance, the Gurkha sits higher than most rivals. It is built for serious off-road use and is best suited to buyers who plan to actually use that ability.

5. Mahindra Scorpio-N

Price (ex-showroom): ₹ 13.99 lakh to ₹ 24.95 lakh; 4WD variants start at ₹ 18.35 lakh

The Scorpio-N brings 4x4 ability to a 7-seater body. The 4WD setup is offered on the higher-tune 2.2-litre diesel that makes 172 bhp and 370 Nm, with both 6-speed manual and automatic gearboxes. You also get four off-road drive modes (Normal, Snow, Mud and Ruts, and Sand), a low-range transfer case, and a brake-locking differential at the rear.

It is a sensible choice for families who want the practicality of an SUV with the extra reassurance of 4x4 for the occasional weekend trip.

6. Toyota Hilux

Price (ex-showroom): ₹ 30.40 lakh to ₹ 39.10 lakh

The Hilux is a 5-seat pickup truck built on the same ladder-frame platform as the Fortuner. Its 2.8-litre diesel engine produces 204 bhp and 500 Nm (with the automatic gearbox), and 4x4 is standard. The leaf-spring rear suspension gives it better wheel articulation than the Fortuner, which translates into stronger off-road traction. With 220 mm of ground clearance and a payload-friendly chassis, the Hilux is built for tough use over many years.

7. Toyota Fortuner

Price (ex-showroom): ₹ 33.43 lakh to ₹ 51.94 lakh

The Fortuner is the benchmark for a body-on-frame 4x4 SUV in India. The 2.8-litre diesel makes 201 bhp and 500 Nm with the automatic, while a 2.7-litre petrol is also offered. 4x4 is available only with the diesel. Toyota's A-TRAC system works as an automatic limited-slip differential, braking spinning wheels to send torque where it is needed. The Legender and GR-S variants add styling and suspension upgrades for buyers who want more flair.

8. Jeep Compass Trailhawk

Price (ex-showroom): ₹ 30.99 lakh to ₹ 32.62 lakh

The Compass Trailhawk pairs a 2.0-litre diesel engine (170 bhp, 350 Nm) with a 9-speed automatic and Jeep's Selec-Terrain 4x4 system. It is one of the few sub-luxury SUVs to offer the Trail-Rated badge of approval, with hill descent control and a rock crawl mode. Note that the Trailhawk uses an electronic crawl ratio and not a traditional low-range transfer case, so it is better suited to moderate trails rather than extreme off-road terrain.

9. Isuzu D-Max V-Cross

Price (ex-showroom): ₹ 26.49 lakh to ₹ 29.79 lakh

The D-Max V-Cross is a workhorse pickup with a 1.9-litre diesel engine producing 161 bhp and 360 Nm. The shift-on-fly 4WD system lets you switch from 2H to 4H without stopping the vehicle. With a sturdy ladder-frame chassis and a strong towing capacity, the V-Cross is a popular choice for buyers in hilly states like Himachal and the North East.

10. Land Rover Defender

Price (ex-showroom): ₹ 1.04 crore to ₹ 2.65 crore

The Defender is the most capable luxury 4x4 in India. It uses a monocoque chassis and offers a wide range of petrol and diesel engines, including a 296 bhp 3.0-litre diesel and a 626 bhp V8 petrol on the Defender Octa. Permanent 4x4, adjustable air suspension, low-range gearbox, multiple terrain response modes, and a wading depth of 900 mm make it one of the most capable off-road SUVs sold in India today. It comes in three body styles: 90 (3-door), 110 (5-door), and 130 (long-wheelbase).

11. Toyota Land Cruiser 300

Price (ex-showroom): ₹ 2.16 crore to ₹ 2.25 crore

The LC 300 is brought in as a CBU and gets a 304 bhp 3.3-litre V6 diesel paired with a 10-speed automatic. It has a Torsen limited-slip differential at the rear, six off-road drive modes, and a 3D Multi-Terrain Monitor that lets the driver see the area under the vehicle. India only gets the 5-seat version. It is a serious, no-shortcuts off-roader for buyers who want the very best from Toyota.

12. Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Price (ex-showroom): ₹ 2.55 crore to over ₹ 4 crore (G 63 AMG)

The G-Class has barely changed in look since 1979, and that is part of the appeal. The G 400d uses a 326 bhp 3.0-litre diesel, while the G 63 AMG packs a 577 bhp twin-turbo V8 petrol. Three locking differentials (front, centre, rear), permanent 4x4, and a low-range option give the G-Class a level of ability that few other SUVs can match. It is the most recognisable luxury 4x4 in India and a status icon in its own right.

4x4 vs AWD: What Is the Difference?

Buyers often use the terms 4x4 and AWD interchangeably, but there are some clear differences.

4x4 (Four-Wheel Drive): Found mainly on body-on-frame SUVs and pickups. Often part-time, which means the driver has to manually engage 4WD when needed. Most 4x4 systems also have a low-range transfer case for crawling over rocks and steep climbs.

AWD (All-Wheel Drive): Found mostly on monocoque SUVs and crossovers. Power is sent to all four wheels at all times, but the system is set up for grip on the road, not for hardcore off-roading. AWD usually does not have a low-range gearbox.

If you plan to do any serious off-road driving, choose 4x4 with low-range. If you mainly drive on roads and want extra confidence in the rain or on light gravel, AWD is enough.

Things to Check Before Buying a 4x4 Car

Use Case: Be honest about how often you will actually go off-road. If your weekend plans are mostly on tarmac, a Scorpio-N or Compass Trailhawk may serve you better than a hardcore Gurkha.

Ground Clearance and Approach Angles: Higher numbers help when crossing rough terrain or speed breakers in unplanned condition.

Locking Differentials: Mechanical lockers (Force Gurkha, optional Mahindra Thar) are far more effective in deep ruts than electronic brake-locking systems.

Wading Depth: Important if you live in a flood-prone city or drive through stream crossings. The Force Gurkha (700 mm) and Land Rover Defender (900 mm) lead this category.

Running Cost: A 4x4 is heavier than a 2WD version, so fuel use is higher. Diesel variants are more efficient over long runs but cost more upfront.

Insurance: A comprehensive car insurance policy is essential for any 4x4 owner. Off-road damage, accidental damage, and theft cover should all be on your list. You can also add roadside assistance, engine protection, and zero depreciation cover for full peace of mind.

Why a 4x4 Owner Needs Comprehensive Car Insurance

4x4 vehicles are often driven on routes where damage is more likely. A standard Third-Party policy covers only injuries and damage to others, not your own vehicle. For a 4x4 buyer, a Comprehensive Car Insurance policy is the right choice because it covers:

Damage from accidents, both on and off the road.

Theft and vandalism.

Natural events such as floods, landslides, and storms.

Add-ons such as engine protection (very useful if you cross water bodies), zero depreciation, and roadside assistance for breakdowns in remote areas.

If you are buying any of the 4x4 cars listed above, get an instant quote from Zurich Kotak General Insurance and pick the cover that fits your driving plans.

Conclusion

The 4x4 segment in India in 2026 has more choice than ever, from the affordable Maruti Jimny to the iconic Mercedes G-Class. The right 4x4 for you depends on three things: how much you can spend, how often you will actually use the off-road ability, and how many people or how much luggage you need to carry. Pick the one that fits your lifestyle, and remember to back it up with a comprehensive car insurance plan that covers the kind of driving you do.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is a 4x4 car?

A 4x4 car is a four-wheel drive vehicle in which the engine can send power to all four wheels at once. This improves grip on rough surfaces, slush, sand, and snow. Most 4x4 systems also include a low-range gearbox for crawling over rocks or up steep slopes.

Q2. Which is the cheapest 4x4 car in India?

The Maruti Suzuki Jimny is the cheapest 4x4 car on sale in India today, with an ex-showroom price starting at ₹ 12.74 lakh.

Q3. Which 4x4 car gives the best mileage in India?

The Maruti Jimny offers the highest ARAI-certified mileage among 4x4 cars in India, at 16.94 kmpl for the manual petrol variant.

Q4. Are 4x4 cars good for daily city use?

Compact 4x4 cars like the Jimny and the 5-door Thar Roxx are easy to drive in cities. Larger 4x4 SUVs like the Fortuner or Defender are more demanding to park and drive in tight traffic, but they are still usable for daily commutes.

Q5. Is 4x4 car insurance more expensive than a regular car?

Yes, a 4x4 car usually has a higher Insured Declared Value (IDV), which means a slightly higher premium. The exact cost depends on the make, model, age, and the add-ons you choose. To get a quick, accurate quote, use the Zurich Kotak car insurance premium calculator.

Q6. Can I take any 4x4 car off-road on my standard insurance?

Most comprehensive car insurance policies cover off-road accidents and damage, but you should always check the policy wording. Some insurers consider competitive off-roading or rallying as an excluded use. For peace of mind, talk to your insurer before any planned off-road trip.

Q7. Which is the best 4x4 SUV for a family in India?

For a family of five or more, the Mahindra Scorpio-N (7-seater) and the Toyota Fortuner (7-seater) are strong picks. They offer 4WD with low-range, modern safety features, and enough space for daily use as well as long trips.

Q8. What is the difference between full-time and part-time 4WD?

In a full-time 4WD system, all four wheels are powered at all times, with a centre differential to manage torque. In a part-time 4WD system, the vehicle runs as 2WD by default, and the driver engages 4WD only when needed. Part-time systems are more fuel-efficient on tarmac but need driver input.

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