Buying an SUV these days? Totally different ball game. Gone are the days when base variants felt empty and boring. Now, even the cheapest trim can surprise you. Modern infotainment. Safety that actually works. Comfort that doesn’t make you cry. Crazy, right? This is why SUVs under Rs 20 lakh 2026 are suddenly a lot more tempting. And you don’t have to pay a fortune to get a decent ride.
Skoda Kushaq Facelift Premium Features From the Base
Let’s start with the Skoda Kushaq facelift. People were like base variant? Meh. But then surprise. 16-inch alloy wheels. LED headlamps. Single-pane sunroof. Boom. Suddenly, it doesn’t feel like a cheap car. Inside? 7-inch infotainment system. Rear defogger. Automatic wipers.

Safety? Six airbags. ABS. ESC. TPMS. Hill-hold assist. All standard. Yup, even at the base. Feels weirdly premium. Like, you’re getting more than you expected. If you’re hunting for European driving vibes but don’t want to blow your budget Kushaq is calling your name.
Also read : 8 First-Time Features in the All-New 2026 Skoda Kushaq Facelift
2026 Kia Seltos Technology Meets Safety
Then there’s the Kia Seltos. Base variant. Not flashy, but smart. LED DRLs. LED headlamps. Roof spoiler. Interiors? 10.25-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Six-speaker audio. Keyless entry. Push-button start. Tilt and telescopic steering. Little things, big difference.

Safety-wise, nothing skipped. Six airbags. ABS with EBD. ESC. Rear camera. Sensors. ISOFIX. The Seltos base variant proves that even top budget SUVs 2026 entry trims can be thoughtful and family-friendly. Feels like the car just gets you.
Also read : Kia Seltos Hits 6 Lakh Sales Milestone in India – The SUV Everyone Loves!
Mahindra XUV 7XO High-Tech Features From Entry-Level
And then Mahindra XUV 7XO. Mid-size SUV. Base trim. And you’re greeted by a tech show. Triple 12.3-inch screens. Driver, center, co-passenger. Wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay. Exterior? LED projector headlamps. LED DRLs. LED tail-lamps. Roof spoiler.

Safety? Six airbags, ABS, ESC, ISOFIX. Push-button start. Cruise control. Family-friendly? Absolutely. Feels like overkill. But hey, why not? The base trim is basically saying, you deserve all this, even if you didn’t pay for top trim. Makes you smile.
Also read : Mahindra XUV 7XO Market Response Revealed After 93,000+ Bookings
Hyundai Venue and Maruti Victoris Smart Options Under Rs 20 Lakh
Hyundai Venue HX2. Starts Rs 7.90 lakh. Small SUV. But don’t underestimate it. 10.25-inch touchscreen. Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. LED DRLs. Steering controls. Six airbags. ESC. Hill start assist. ISOFIX. Feels safe. Smart. Reliable.

Maruti Victoris LXi. Rs 10.5 lakh. 7-inch touchscreen. Auto climate control. Semi-digital cluster. Dual-tone cabin. Six airbags, ESC, hill-hold assist, ISOFIX. Even the compact SUVs in the Rs 20L SUV list are loaded these days. Makes you think maybe entry-level isn’t so basic anymore.
Also read : Maruti Suzuki Victoris Now With Up to ₹78,000 OFF – Dont Miss This SUV Deal!
Final Thoughts
2026 is weird. And kinda nice. Base trims now give tech, safety, and comfort. Skoda Kushaq. Kia Seltos. Mahindra XUV 7XO. Hyundai Venue. Maruti Victoris. All showing one thing: paying less doesn’t mean getting less.
Entry-level no longer feels cheap. Feels smart. Feels fun. And honestly? Feels like a little rebellion against the “top-trim-only” mindset.







