Autocar India
4d

I have been using a Ford Figo for the past 15 years, and now I want to upgrade to a 7-seater. My budget is under Rs. 20 lakh. Also, please suggest which type of vehicle would be the best choice considering the current fuel scenario.

Verified
14m

Get the Kia Carens Clavis, because it is the most comfortable, family-friendly 7-seater you can buy under Rs. 20 lakh and it represents a clear step up from your old Figo, especially in terms of cabin space and quality. The third row can fit in adults, the ride quality is good over broken roads, and you get the choice of smooth petrols or a frugal diesel, so it works for both city commutes and long highway drives.

About fuel choice, it should depend on your usage pattern. If most of your use is in city and your monthly running is below roughly 1,200 km, go for one of the 1.5 petrols - the naturally aspirated engine is smooth and relatively efficient while the turbo engine is punchy and more fun to drive. If you drive a lot, do frequent highway trips, or your monthly running is above roughly 1,500 km, the diesel makes a stronger case with it's efficiency. Top trims can sneak past Rs. 20 lakh on-road in some cities, so pick a mid variant to stay within your budget.

Kia Carens Clavis

Kia Carens Clavis

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More questions on similar cars

2d

I want to buy a 7-seater as a family car. My preferences are the Maruti Suzuki XL6, Kia Carens, Kia Carens Clavis, and Mahindra XEV. I previously owned a Hyundai i20 and currently drive a Volkswagen Polo. I like the comfort offered by Volkswagen and Hyundai. I do not take family trips very frequently, but we do travel about twice a year. Based on driving comfort, long-distance comfort for all passengers, and fuel efficiency, what would you suggest? Also, would an EV be a better option?

Verified
23h

Pick the Kia Carens Clavis 7-seater, preferably with the diesel automatic, for the best mix of comfort and fuel efficiency. You like the calm, comfortable feel of Volkswagen and Hyundai car, and the Clavis comes closest to that, with a cushy ride, a quiet cabin and light controls that make city driving easy. On the two long trips you do each year, it keeps everyone happier with a roomy second row, a genuinely usable third row, strong air-conditioning and a stable highway feel. If your driving is largely restricted to the city, the petrol DCT would be the better choice, though it is not as smooth-shifting as the diesel automatic's torque-converter gearbox.An EV only makes sense if most of your driving is in the city and you can charge at home. In that case, the Carens Clavis EV’s smooth driving experience and very low running costs are worth it, though you will need to plan charging stops on those occasional highway trips.

VehicleKia Carens Clavis
VehicleKia Carens Clavis EV
1d

I own a 2021 Kia Sonet and want to upgrade to a bigger car. Family has 2, 60+ adults, 2, 40-year-old adults and 2 children around 10 years old. I need an automatic 7-seater car with enough power, as the car will be self-driven. I plan to keep the vehicle for around 10 years or so. My monthly running is around 600 km, and a bimonthly 1000km trip on the highway. I need a spacious car for my needs, which is easy to get in/get out(parents) and usable 3rd seat (children will become taller in the coming 3-5 years). My budget is around 22-23 lacs on road.

Verified
1d

Pick the Kia Carens Clavis diesel automatic – it gives you the most space and the easiest access for your parents while staying in budget. The low step-in and wide doors help 60+ adults, and the third row is genuinely usable for growing kids, with better legroom than most “SUV-looking” options at this price.Your highway runs with six on board need easy torque, and the diesel pulls cleanly without strain, cruises calmly, and won’t punish you at the pump. The automatic is smooth in the city too, so day-to-day driving stays relaxed. Over 10 years, the Carens’ cabin flexibility, decent ride comfort, and practical boot with a usable load floor make family trips simpler.One catch: if you live in Delhi-NCR, diesel registration is capped at 10 years, so go for the 1.5 turbo-petrol automatic instead. It is quicker too, but thirstier as well.If you want an alternative in the same price band, the Hyundai Alcazar automatic is nicer inside, but its third row is tighter. For your family size and elderly access, the Carens Clavis suits you better.

VehicleKia Carens Clavis
VehicleHyundai Alcazar
1d

Subject: Seeking the Ultimate "Forever" Car for a Purist Garage ​Dear Autocar Team, ​I am a hardcore automotive purist looking to make a very special milestone purchase. I want to buy a car solely for the absolute joy of driving - a mechanical machine that will put a smile on my face decades from now. My goal is to find a definitive enthusiast car that possesses the reliability, emotional character, and timelessness to be a lifelong companion in my garage. I want to buy this car brand new and never sell it; it will stand as a symbol of my hard work and achievements so far. ​To give you a picture of my current garage, my daily drivers are a Mahindra BE6 and a Toyota Innova Hycross. ​My absolute maximum budget is Rs. 3 Crores. The shortlists currently on my radar are the BMW M2 manual, the Land Rover Defender 90, and the base Porsche 911 Carrera. I am also entirely willing to wait until 2027 if there is an upcoming launch that stands out as an absolute keeper with future-classic potential. ​Given these choices, which route would you recommend for a true "forever" car? Looking forward to your expert guidance and recommendation. ​Best regards, Brijesh Devareddy Chennai

Verified
9h

Go for the Porsche 911 Carrera, because nothing else on your list blends pure driving feel with decades-long heritage and timelessness the way a 911 does. It is the rare sports car you can enjoy driving hard, keep stock, and still use as a daily driver. The flat-six, the steering, and that rear-engined balance make even a slow drive feel special, and it will still look and feel “right” when everything else has dated. It fits within Rs 3 crores, leaving room for a few choice options. Plus, Porsche will support this iconic sports car well beyond this generation's life cycle.The M2 manual does sound like more bang for your buck, but it won’t age into a forever icon the way a 911 will, and though the manual is involving, in the long run, it's more trouble than it's worth. The Defender 90 is lovable, but it is a heavy off-road toy, not the car you’ll reach for when you want that last 5 percent of driver joy. If you can fit it into your forever-car budget alongside the 911, there's nothing like it.

VehiclePorsche 911
VehicleBMW M2 Coupe

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6d

My annual running is below 7,000 km, and I plan to keep my next car for 12-15 years. I am confused between Grand Vitara, Hyryder, Elevate, Creta, Seltos and Victoris. My priorities are reliability, a good balance of power and fuel efficiency, family comfort, low maintenance and long-term ownership. I am also concerned about India's future ethanol-blending policy (E20 and higher blends). Which of these would be the best long-term choice and why?

Verified
5d

With an annual running of less than 7,000km, fuel efficiency should not be the deciding factor. Instead, you should focus on comfort, reliability, ownership experience and how well the car will age over the next 12-15 years. That's why we wouldn't prioritise the Grand Vitara, Hyryder or Victoris Hybrid. Their hybrid systems command a price premium that you'll struggle to recover with such low annual usage.Between the remaining options, the Kia Seltos strikes the best balance. It offers a refined and proven naturally aspirated petrol engine, a smooth IVT automatic, a spacious and premium cabin, excellent comfort and a strong ownership experience. It also feels newer and more upmarket than the Elevate, while the Creta is due for a generational update sooner.The Honda Elevate deserves a mention for its simplicity and reliability. If absolute mechanical simplicity is your priority, it is arguably the safest long-term bet. However, it doesn't feel as premium as the Seltos. The engine and CVT combination isn't quite as refined, and Honda's dealer network is smaller.As for ethanol blending, we wouldn't let it influence your purchase decision. While there is plenty of discussion around E25, E27 and E30 fuels, there is currently no confirmed roadmap for such a transition. More importantly, all of these cars are E20-compliant, and manufacturers have engineered a degree of tolerance beyond that. The most likely effect of higher ethanol blends would be a small reduction in fuel efficiency and slightly accelerated wear of certain fuel-system components over a very long period, not a major reliability issue.

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6d

Dear Autocar experts, I have tentatively decided to buy the Mahindra XUV 7X0 petrol AX7L AT as my next ride. To be frank, it is out of a lack of choice and options that I have made this decision in my head. In terms of capability, it is a downgrade, as I'm moving on from my beautiful Ford Endeavour 3.2 Titanium AT. Of course, it has a long list of bells and whistles that will be all new (and strange) to me. Being based in Delhi NCR, I am reluctant to go for a diesel again at this time. My driving in the city is quite minimal, say about 15kms max per day on average, but always in the clutches of peak Delhi traffic. I am terrified of BSVI diesel DPF horror stories. I am hoping that the 7X0 will be able to negotiate hills, mountain terrains and roads satisfactorily, as I make these trips quite frequently. I plan to keep this car for the next 4-5 years till India sorts out its fuel preferences and diktats, and fresh options are introduced that combine clean energy and performance along with the infrastructure to support them. Is my thought process sound? If not, please poke as many holes in it as you can.

Verified
4d

Your plan seems sound for Delhi-NCR, because petrol dodges the 10-year diesel cap and DPF hassles, and your 15 km daily crawl will not punish petrol the way it would a BS6 diesel. The XUV 7XO petrol AT has strong performance and will certainly keep you satisfied while negotiating hill climbs. Sure, coming from an Endeavour 3.2, this will feel like a step down in terms of road presence and off-road ability. However, despite being a front-wheel drive monocoque, it still exudes an underlying toughness, which gives you ample confidence while dealing with rough terrain. Additionally, the tech and safety are up-to-date, and the three-row flexibility will come in handy, too, although boot space with all three rows in place is low. On the flipside, this petrol-AT is thirsty, so expect single-digit city fuel economy figures.If you aren't in a hurry, consider waiting for the Jetour T2 plug-in hybrid SUV that JSW is expected to launch in the latter half of this year. Sure, it'll be more expensive than the Mahindra, and it might not have the off-road capability of your outgoing Endeavour, but since you aren't fully convinced of the Mahindra, this could be worthy of your consideration.

VehicleMahindra XUV 7XO
VehicleJSW Motors Jetour T2

Posted on: 30 Jun 2026