India, March 23 -- Living in the hills changes what you expect from a car. Power figures and features take a back seat, while low-end torque, ground clearance, drivetrain capability, and sheer ruggedness become far more important. Add narrow roads, unpredictable weather, and broken surfaces to the mix, and your choice of SUV becomes critical.

Here are five SUVs I would pick if I had to live in the mountains full-time.

The Thar continues to be one of the most capable off-roaders you can buy at this price point. Its short wheelbase, strong approach and departure angles, and proper low-range 4x4 system make it ideal for tight mountain trails and unpredictable terrain.

It feels at home where roads disappear entirely, and relatively compact...