Krishna

•12w

I am looking for a 7-seater family car in the budget of Rs. 25-27 lakh. I am already aware of the popular options in this segment including XUV 7XO, Safari, Scorpio-N, Kia Carens Clavis, etc. The challenge is that I keep getting tempted towards the top-end variants. Features like ADAS, panoramic sunroof, 360° camera, premium audio, ventilated seats, and all the latest tech make me question if I am getting everything after spending this much amount. At the same time, I am also struggling to differentiate what I genuinely need and what are nice-to-have features. I am in my late 20s and am a car enthusiast. I love driving and road trips. The car that I am looking for will be primarily used for family travel, city driving, and highway runs. My plan is to keep the car for around 5-7 years. I would like to know a few things from those who have owned or upgraded cars in this segment. Which features are genuinely useful in day-to-day ownership and which features feel exciting initially but, were rarely used later? Also, is it worth stretching my budget for top-end variants, or is the sweet spot usually the mid/high variant? If you were in my place and had the same budget today, which 7-seater would you buy and why? I am trying to make a rational decision rather than buying a car for features that I will rarely use.

•12w

In terms of price to features ratio, the sweet spot is almost always the mid variant rather than top variants. You’ll miss out on only a little but save a chunk as high-end features tend to be priced more based on their perceived value rather than their actual value. However, since you are enthusiastic about cars, choose a variant as high end as you can afford and enjoy the experience.

Features that you will appreciate regularly are, all‑row AC vents, auto climate control, LED headlamps, TPMS, auto‑dimming inside mirror, wireless phone integration and plenty of USB‑C ports. In a big SUV, a 360° camera and front sensors are gold in tight city spots. Ventilated seats matter a whole lot in our summers. Adaptive cruise is handy on long expressways, but other ADAS nudges can feel fussy and many owners turn off parts of it in the city.

However, what amazes at delivery but fades later, are things like panoramic sunroof that stays shut most of the time during the year and also adds heat. Another one is the connected app feature which most people typically use for a month and then forgot about it. Third such feature is the 'passenger' screen, which is also all the rage these days, but after a while, most owners do not use it. Watching a movie or playing games on the go aren't something you do often and not even pleasant over rough city roads while your are hunched forward in your seat.

In your Rs. 25-27 lakh budget, we would suggest Tata Safari or the Mahindra XUV 7XO as they are great for highway comfort. The Mahindra car has an edge on performance but the Safari has the better third row. The Kia Carens Clavis is another good car if you are comfortable with its MPV image as it is the more sensible buy.

Explore cars mentioned

Tata

Safari

from ₹15.55 Lakh

Mahindra

XUV 7XO

from ₹16.23 Lakh

Kia

Carens Clavis

from ₹13.22 Lakh

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•1d

I am planning to buy a new SUV under Rs 30 lakh and am open to both five- and seven-seater options. I have tried the Toyota Innova HyCross non-hybrid, Mahindra XUV 7XO, Hyundai Alcazar, Kia Seltos and Renault Duster, but I am confused about which one to choose. My main priorities are space, comfort and a good engine. My running is not very high, at just under 1,000km a month. Please advise.

•1h

Go for the Toyota Innova HyCross non-hybrid. Your priorities are space, comfort and a good engine, and the HyCross delivers on all three. It is one of the most spacious cars in the segment, with a genuinely usable third row and a comfortable ride that makes it an excellent family car. The petrol engine is smooth, refined and well suited to your running of under 1,000 km a month, where the hybrid premium is harder to justify.The Mahindra XUV 7XO is a strong alternative with a more powerful engine and a more feature-rich cabin, but the HyCross has the edge on space, comfort and long-term ownership experience.The Hyundai Alcazar and Kia Seltos are good cars, but they do not offer the same level of space or comfort, and the Renault Duster is more of a driver's car than a family car. The Toyota car mentioned above is the car you will be happiest with after five years of ownership.

Toyota Innova HyCross

I am thinking of buying a new seven-seater car, and my running will be around 2,500-2,700 km per month, mostly on highways. I am considering CNG options such as the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga VXi CNG and Kia Carens Clavis HTE CNG. EVs are currently out of my radar due to depreciation concerns and the infrastructure changes required. However, I want to keep my running costs reasonably low, which is why I am considering CNG. I would also like to upgrade the car later with aftermarket accessories, as long as they do not affect the manufacturer's warranty. Kindly suggest which of the Ertiga VXi CNG and Carens Clavis HTE CNG would be the better choice considering running costs, initial investment and resale value. Thank you.

•3h

Go for the Maruti Ertiga VXi CNG. With your running of 2,500-2,700 km a month, a CNG car makes sense, and the Ertiga is the safer long-term bet. Maruti’s CNG system is well-proven, the car is reliable, and service reach is excellent. The Ertiga also has a strong resale value, which matters given your high usage and eventual upgrade plans.The Kia Carens Clavis HTE CNG is a good product with a higher-quality cabin and a few more features, but the Ertiga is much better priced. On accessories, stick to Maruti-approved upgrades to avoid warranty issues. The Ertiga’s running costs are low, and it is a practical, comfortable 7-seater for highway use. Overall, it is the more sensible choice for your usage pattern.

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•1d

Hi Autocar, I am a regular viewer of your YouTube channel and enjoy watching your reviews of cars and bikes. I currently use a 2016 Honda Jazz petrol manual at home. It is reliable and spacious, but lacks power. I now live in Mumbai and am looking to buy an SUV for both city driving and long trips. I am a driving enthusiast and regularly go on long drives with my family. I typically do at least 1,000km when I come home for holidays every alternate month, while the car will remain mostly idle in the other months. My priorities are a powerful petrol engine producing at least 120hp, an automatic transmission and enough rear-seat space for three people. I don't want too many bells and whistles such as a panoramic sunroof, multiple screens, ADAS or ventilated seats. Basic features are sufficient for me. Please suggest a safe and reliable car for long-term use within a budget of Rs 20-30 lakh on-road. I am also open to considering a used car.

•21h

Coming from a Honda Jazz and considering that you enjoy driving, the Mahindra XUV 7XO petrol automatic is a strong fit for your requirements. Its 2.0-litre turbo-petrol produces 203hp and 380Nm, giving it the performance you are looking for, while the 6-speed torque converter automatic works well for both Mumbai traffic and long highway drives. It also has a spacious cabin with enough width to accommodate three adults in the second row comfortably, making it a practical family car.This Mahindra car also offers a good balance of safety, ride comfort and highway stability, which will be particularly useful given your regular 1,000km road trips. Despite its size, it is reasonably easy to drive, and the large boot is useful for carrying luggage.The main drawback is fuel economy, particularly in Mumbai traffic, but your relatively low average annual running means this shouldn't be a major concern. A well-equipped AX5 or AX7 petrol AT would fit the brief without paying extra for features you don't particularly need.

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•5d

I am planning to buy a naturally aspirated petrol automatic car and have shortlisted the Toyota Hyryder mild hybrid and Honda Elevate. Which one would be the better choice?

•5d

Go for the Honda Elevate CVT. Both the Elevate and the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder mild hybrid use naturally aspirated petrol engines, but the Elevate’s 1.5-litre engine is more refined, and the CVT gearbox is silky smooth, making it a more relaxed car to drive in everyday conditions. The Elevate also benefits from Honda’s strong reputation for long-term reliability and low maintenance costs, which is exactly what you want from a naturally aspirated petrol automatic. The Hyryder is still a good car, but the Elevate is the more complete package for this brief.

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•1w

I am new to driving and am looking for a sub-4-metre petrol SUV with a torque converter automatic gearbox. My budget is around Rs 12-13 lakh on-road. I have shortlisted two options: the Skoda Kylaq Signature automatic and the Mahindra XUV 3XO MX2 Pro automatic. We are a family of five. My current usage is mostly within the city, but based on my future work requirements, it could shift to an 80:20 mix of city and highway driving.

•6d

Go for the Skoda Kylaq Signature AT. For a new driver with predominantly city use, its 1.0 TSI with a 6-speed torque-converter automatic is smooth and easy to drive, while the compact dimensions make it relatively easy to manage in traffic. It also has a more mature, planted feel on the highway.The Mahindra XUV 3XO MX2 Pro AT is the better choice if rear-seat space is the priority. Its cabin is wider and more accommodating for a family of five, and its 1.2 turbo-petrol makes 200Nm, giving it stronger low-end and mid-range performance than the Kylaq.However, the 3XO's boot is also one of its compromises, while the Kylaq offers a better balance of driving dynamics, boot space and highway manners. With your usage potentially becoming 80:20 city/highway, the Kylaq's combination works particularly well.

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•1w

Which car should I buy among Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara Petrol base or Kia Seltos petrol base? And also tell me if anyone has faced power issue or pickup issue while overtaking as I want the car for long term.

•6d

Between the two, the Seltos is the better choice, especially if you are looking at the base variant. It feels more premium, is the newer product and offers a more complete package even in its lower variants.The 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol makes 115hp and 144Nm. It isn't a particularly powerful engine, but it is smooth and refined and is perfectly adequate for normal city driving.For overtaking, it won't have the punch of the Seltos turbo, but it isn't underpowered either. With a full load and during quick highway overtakes, you may need to plan ahead and use higher revs. The Grand Vitara's 1.5 petrol is also a smooth, simple powertrain, but its performance is more relaxed and the base variant is quite sparsely equipped.

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