If you’ve been following the SUV boom, you’re probably seeing more “compact SUVs” on the road than ever before: Kia Sonet, Maruti Brezza, Hyundai Venue, Tata Nexon. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: most of them aren’t SUVs at all.
The Anatomy Of An SUV
The core distinction lies in how a vehicle is built. There are two types of chassis used to build cars, monocoque chassis & body-on-frame chassis.
True SUVs are traditionally constructed using a body-on-frame chassis. This means the body and the frame are separate units, much like a truck. This type of setup gives the vehicle the strength and ruggedness to handle off-road driving, heavy-duty use, and towing. Vehicles like the MG Gloster, Mahindra Scorpio-N, Toyota Fortuner, and even the old-school Bolero are prime examples of this architecture. They’re heavy, durable, and designed for bad roads.
On the other hand, most modern cars, including those marketed as “SUVs”, are built on a monocoque (or unibody) platform, where the body and frame are fused into one structure. This design is more rigid, lighter, and offers better handling and fuel efficiency, making it ideal for urban driving. But it’s not as tough. A monocoque car isn’t built to handle deep jungle trails, slushy ruts, or rocky climbs. That’s the trade-off. The only exceptions to this are the Land Rover Defender & the Range Rover.
Why Most “SUVs” In India Aren’t Real SUVs
With soaring demand for SUVs, manufacturers have blurred definitions. Many best-sellers, like the Kia Sonet, Hyundai Venue, and Maruti Brezza, are subcompact “SUVs” built on hatchback-derived, monocoque platforms. Cars like the Sonet ride on the Hyundai-Kia K2 platform, originally intended for hatchbacks and small sedans. It’s not engineered for off-road adventure or heavy-duty abuse.
Traditional SUVs are rear-wheel or four-wheel drive. They’re meant to distribute power in challenging conditions. Most subcompact “SUVs” sold in India are front-wheel drive only. That means the rear wheels do absolutely nothing unless you’re turning. Forget real off-road capability, even getting out of a muddy parking lot might challenge some of them.
Then there’s the suspension, another often-overlooked factor. A ladder-frame SUV will usually have long-travel suspension for better articulation in rough terrain. In most front-wheel-drive monocoque “SUVs,” the suspension is tuned for comfort on tarmac, not crawling over rocks or wading through streams.
The Marketing Mirage
Carmakers respond to buyer psychology: what Indians want is the look and commanding driving position of an SUV, but not necessarily the ruggedness or engineering. Urban buyers in India want a high driving position, better visibility, ground clearance that can handle speed-breakers and potholes, and a bit of attitude in the design. If it looks tough and sits high off the ground, it sells. And carmakers are happy to play along with chunky bodywork, rugged-looking bumpers, oversized grilles, roof rails, and names that sound adventurous. It’s all style, but little substance.
Even ground clearance, the most visible “SUV trait”, isn’t always what it seems. Many hatchbacks today sit barely 20 MM lower than these so-called subcompact SUVs. In most cases, you’re paying a premium for the look, not the capability. Sedans like the Volkswagen Virtus have ground clearance that is hardly 10 MM less than their “SUV” competition!
Conclusion
If you want to be able to truly go off-road, look for a true SUV with a ladder-frame chassis and rear or all-wheel-drive. There’s nothing wrong with buying a crossover if that’s what fits your lifestyle. These monocoque vehicles are perfect for Indian cities: comfortable, fuel-efficient, easy to drive, and practical. But if you think you’re getting a real SUV when you buy a Sonet or a Nexon, you’re not. You’re getting a hatchback on stilts. A good comparison is the two Mahindra twins, the XUV700 & the Scorpio-N. The XUV700 is a monocoque crossover, while the Scorpio-N is a body-on-frame SUV.
