We’ve driven our Tata Zest for about 2.6 lakh kilometres over the past 10 years and now need advice to purchase a new car, an MPV, preferably under ₹20 lakh. Thank you

Autocar India

•1d

Given your mostly highway family runs, low yearly use, need for a true 6-seat petrol automatic and easy step-in for your parents, the Toyota Innova HyCross GX(O) 6-seater fits best. It is the easiest to get in and out of among your list, the middle-row captain seats slide to set a calm seating position for the kids, and the ride stays steady at 90-100 kph, so they feel less queasy. For a 12-15 year plan, Toyota’s reliability, dealer reach, and resale make life simple, and petrol suits 4,000 km a year with weekly starts without battery worries.Do note the GX(O) is light on some nice-to-have features, and the petrol will not be as efficient as the hybrid, but your annual running keeps fuel spend in check.If you want a lower price and a more city-friendly size, the Kia Carens Clavis petrol automatic HTX(O) 6-seater is your next best pick. It also has a sliding middle row and a very easy step-in, but it does not feel as settled on the highway, and the third row is tighter.ADAS is not essential for your use. If within budget, auto brake and blind-spot alerts are useful; lane-keep can feel intrusive here. The MG Hector Plus is no longer on sale. The Tata Safari’s taller step-in is not ideal for your parents. Overall, go with the Innova HyCross GX(O) 6-seater.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Kia Carens Clavis

Tata Safari

Autocar India

•2d

If you want maximum fuel economy, nothing beats a strong hybrid. On your budget, go for the Maruti Suzuki Victoris strong-hybrid, which offers excellent real-world mileage in the city, smooth stop-and-start in traffic, and none of a diesel car’s DPF headaches. It is also easy to live with and packs the features you’ll actually use every day, like the 360 camera, ventilated seats and wireless smartphone connectivity, and it rides comfortably for family use.There are a few catches, though. The hybrid’s boot is small, the on-road price with all the features you want can stretch beyond your Rs. 20 lakh budget, and it isn’t particularly exciting to drive.If you truly need seven seats, look at the Kia Carens Clavis diesel. It is the most comfortable and feature-rich 7-seater in this budget, with good real-world mileage. However, you will need to do occasional long highway drives at higher speeds to properly maintain the diesel particulate filter (DPF).Overall, the Maruti Victoris hybrid sounds like the best bet for you.

Kia Carens Clavis

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Autocar India

•3d

The Kia Carens Clavis is the best 7-seat MPV within Rs 18 lakh. It's a very practical model with highlights being easy access to its third row (thanks to a one-touch tumble fold seat) and multi-way adjustable middle row. This option to slide the middle row back and forth helps balance space for passengers across the cabin. The Carens Clavis' third row is usable even for adults, which makes the Kia well-suited for anyone with genuine use for seven seats.Your budget is sufficient for all three engine options, namely a 1.5-litre petrol, a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol and a 1.5-litre diesel. The standard 1.5 petrol offers fair performance and is a good pick if you'll be spending the bulk of your time in town. If you want more performance, opt for the 1.5 turbo-petrol. It feels strongest and is best if you drive on the highway often with a full load of passengers. On the flipside, fuel economy is least. The diesel is pleasant and scores well for fuel efficiency. However, it's fine for gentle cruising but isn't punchy. Opt for the right engine for your needs and then close on the variant that fits within your budget.

Kia Carens Clavis