Mumbai

•13w

I wish to buy my first car. It will be used for ferrying a family of 6 which includes elderly parents. Vehicle’s daily use is expected to be below 3-4 kms. Occasional road trips would make the monthly mileage to be around 300-400 KMS at max. Please suggest a six seater MUV which could tick all the requirements. Seating Comfort with easy ingress egress, ease of driving, spacious. Also suggest the best transmission to go for.

•12w

Go for the Maruti Suzuki XL6 Alpha+ 6‑speed automatic; with 3-4 km daily runs and six onboard, it best blends easy ingress, smooth city drive, and comfortable captain seats.

Captain seats in row two make entry and exit easier for ageing knees, and the 2740 mm wheelbase opens usable room in all three rows. The 6‑speed torque‑converter automatic is easiest in stop‑go traffic, smoother than an AMT at 10-20 km/h and simpler than a DCT. With just 300-400 km a month and 3-4 km daily, a petrol XL6 fits and avoids diesel DPF issues on short trips. Its compact footprint keeps parking stress low while still seating six comfortably.

The one thing you give up is strong highway punch; the XL6’s naturally aspirated petrol feels adequate, not quick, when fully loaded and overtaking at 80-100 km/h.

If your trips grow longer and frequent around 500+ km a month with 4-6 hour highways, consider the Kia Carens with 1.5‑turbo DCT (6‑seater) for stronger performance and 2780 mm wheelbase.

During the test drive, seat your parents in the second row, try the one‑touch tumble to the third row, and check creep smoothness and gear changes at 10-20 km/h.

Explore cars mentioned

Maruti Suzuki

XL6

from ₹13.70 Lakh

Kia

Carens

from ₹13.05 Lakh

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More questions on similar cars

•2d

How is the life of my Kia Carens diesel automatic purchased in 2023?

•1d

Your 2023 Kia Carens Diesel Automatic should have a long and healthy life ahead of it, provided it is maintained properly and used in a manner that suits a modern diesel.The good news is that your car is still relatively new, and the 1.5-litre diesel engine has proven to be a refined and dependable unit. If your driving includes regular highway runs or trips where the engine gets fully warmed up, there is no reason why the car cannot comfortably serve you for well over a decade. Modern diesels are capable of very high mileages when maintained correctly.The main thing to watch out for is the DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter). If your usage is predominantly short city trips, the DPF can clog over time. However, if you regularly drive on highways or take longer journeys, the system should regenerate naturally and remain trouble-free.

Kia Carens

•2d

I am looking for a diesel automatic car for long-distance driving. My daily running is around 230 km, so I need something with good highway stability, reliability, and a proven track record. Kindly suggest which car would be the best fit for my requirements.

•6h

With a daily running of around 230km, a diesel automatic makes perfect sense and will be the most cost-effective option in the long run.Our recommendation would be the Kia Seltos Diesel Automatic. The 1.5-litre diesel engine is refined, fuel-efficient and well proven, while the automatic gearbox is smooth and easy to live with. It is also stable at highway speeds, comfortable over long distances and has built up a strong reliability record over the years. Given the distances you cover, the diesel's efficiency advantage will quickly offset its higher purchase price.Another option worth considering is the Tata Sierra Diesel Automatic. It offers more space and road presence and should be an excellent long-distance cruiser. However, the Seltos' powertrain is more proven, and it remains the safer recommendation today.

Kia Seltos

Tata Sierra

•2d

Hi Team, Currently driving a Ford Figo aspire and looking to upgrade to an SUV for a family size of 4 (2 adults and 2 kids). Looking for long-term ownership, petrol manual, safety and smooth driving are priority can compromise on the features such as a sunroof. Daily running is around 30-50 km with frequent highway drives as well. Budget is <15 lacs, and currently evaluating Honda Elevate and Kia Seltos. If not, can you recommend any other option? Thank you.

•5h

Both are great choices, but between the two, we would lean towards the Kia Seltos 1.5 petrol MT. The main reason is that it is a much larger, more spacious and more comfortable SUV, which makes it a better bet for a family. It also has a smoother and more refined powertrain, which will make your highway drives just that little more peaceful. Plus, it has a higher-quality interior, and though you aren't looking for features specifically, it does have the more up-to-date tech. Do note, however, that the engine is not as powerful as Honda's, and, combined with the added weight of this car, it doesn't feel as strong or effortless, particularly when overtaking on the highway.The Honda Elevate is a nice, no-nonsense midsize SUV with a rock-solid engine that makes a solid 121hp. The cabin is smaller, you'll hear some road, wind and engine noise inside at highway speeds, and it's not quite as comfy, but on the other hand, it's great fun to drive, more so than the Seltos. That said, as a family car, the Seltos feels like the better all-rounder for you.

Kia Seltos

Honda Elevate

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Popular discussions right now

•1w

I have a 5kW solar connection at my house. I would like to buy an EV with a range of 500km+ on a full charge, within a budget of Rs 25-28 lakh. Which is the best option?

•6d

The Mahindra XEV 9S and XEV 9e would both be excellent choices within your budget. The key difference comes down to your space requirements. The XEV 9S is the one to choose if you need the flexibility of a 7-seat layout, while the XEV 9e is a 5-seater with a sleeker design and more emphasis on style. Beyond that, both models share the same battery packs and electric motors, so there is little to separate them in terms of performance, charging capability or range.While both have claimed ranges comfortably above 500km, in the real world you should expect closer to 450-470km on a full charge, depending on your driving style, speed and usage conditions. Even so, that remains among the best figures available in this price range.Your 5kW solar setup is an added advantage and should help keep charging costs very low over the long term.

Mahindra XEV 9S

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•3d

I have been using a Hyundai Creta Diesel since 2017 and have driven it for almost 2 lakh km. I am now planning to upgrade my vehicle. Would the Mahindra XUV 7X0 base diesel variant be a good choice for my requirements?

•21h

Yes, the XUV 7XO base diesel is a solid upgrade from your 2017 Creta if you do long highway runs. The 2.2 diesel pulls stronger, sits at cruise with less effort, and the bigger, heavier Mahindra car feels more settled at speed and over broken roads. You also get a roomier cabin and boot, which helps on long trips with family and luggage.Be ready for a few compromises. It is a big SUV, so parking in tight city spots takes getting used to, and the diesel manual’s clutch can feel heavier than your Creta’s in traffic. Expect slightly lower kpl than your old 1.6 diesel.Overall, the XUV 7XO AX is a strong choice.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Hyundai Creta

•1w

Which would be the better choice among the BYD Sealion 7, Mahindra XEV 9e, and Vinfast VF7? I currently own a Skoda Superb, which is 6 years old, and my ownership experience has been good so far. However, I am considering switching to an EV as a replacement, mainly because I am concerned about potential mechatronics-related repairs and higher maintenance costs as the car ages, even though I have not faced any issues yet. My heart says the BYD Sealion 7 would be the ideal replacement or upgrade for the Superb because of its build quality, premium cabin, and overall feel. However, my mind wonders whether it truly offers good value for money considering its premium price tag, although budget is not a major constraint for me. My daily driving is around 20-30 km, mostly within the city, with only occasional outstation trips. Considering my usage pattern and expectations, which of these EVs would you recommend?

•2d

Pick the BYD Sealion 7. It comes closest to your Superb in the way it feels inside and the calm, premium way it goes down the road, and BYD’s EV tech is well proven here. For 20-30km city usage it is smooth, very efficient, and the cabin quality, quietness and ride will feel like a real upgrade that's on par with luxury cars in the same price range.The Mahindra XEV 9e and Vinfast VF7 do sound like good value with the amount of performance and features they offer, but they both belong a size and segment down on the BYD, and that's reflected in the price too. Plus, though feature laden, their cabins will not give you the same plushness you enjoyed in your Skoda Superb. One catch with the Sealion 7 is BYD’s smaller network as compared to Mahindra. But with budget not being a big worry and your usage being mostly in the city, the peace-of-mind of mature EV hardware and genuine upmarket feel makes the BYD the right call for you. Charge at home and you will need to top up just once every few days.

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Posted on: 23 Mar 2026