I currently own a 2012 Hyundai i20, which I mainly use for office commuting and city driving of around 70 km per day. We are a family of six, and I am now planning to upgrade to a more spacious and comfortable car with a budget of around ₹14.5 lakh on-road. My primary requirements are: Comfortable ride quality and good suspension Spacious cabin with enough room for family use Powerful and effective air conditioning Better engine performance than my current i20 Good overall comfort for both city and highway driving Some modern features and convenience equipment would also be appreciated

autocar.india

•2d

Get the Kia Carens Clavis, as it's the best car for transporting a family in comfort on a budget of Rs. 25 lakh. The suspension is comfy without being floaty, the second row has loads of space, and you can pick captain seats for easy entry and a relaxed posture. With only 5-6k km a year, petrol makes the most sense, and the Clavis is quiet and smooth at city speeds yet easy on the highway.If you want hassle-free driving in traffic and effortless cruising, go for the turbo-petrol automatic in a mid trim to stay within budget. If you usually travel light and don’t mind a manual, the 1.5 petrol saves money and still works fine for occasional highway usage. You also get 6 airbags as standard and proper AC coverage for all rows, which matters when the car is full.One thing to know: it won’t thrill keen drivers, and the 1.5 petrol can feel a bit lazy when fully loaded. But for pure family comfort, the Carens is the one. Alternatively, if you don't mind settling for a low to mid-level trim with fewer features on your budget, the Tata Safari and Mahindra XUV 7XO offer even more space and comfort with more powerful engines.

Kia Carens Clavis

Tata Safari

Mahindra XUV 7XO

autocar.india

•10h

Pick the Grand Vitara strong-hybrid. With 1,500 km a month in city traffic, it will slash your fuel spend because it runs on electric power at low speeds, yet you never worry about charging. The drive is quiet and smooth like an automatic, perfect for stop-go commutes, and the switch from your Ertiga will be easy in terms of running and service support. At the same time, highway trips wont require planning around charging that can be a hassle with EVs.Be honest with yourself about space though. You’ll lose the third row and some boot room, since the Grand Vitara is a 5-seater and the hybrid battery eats a bit of luggage space. It also costs more upfront than a regular petrol.If you have a dedicated parking spot with a reliable socket at home, an EV can be even cheaper per km and calmer in traffic, and for mostly city use you won’t miss petrol pumps. But if charging at home is not possible, the hybrid is the cleaner, simpler answer today. For your usage and current Ertiga lifestyle, the Grand Vitara strong-hybrid is the safer upgrade.

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Maruti Suzuki Ertiga

autocar.india

•2d

Go for the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga 1.5 petrol automatic. It meets your NA and torque-converter ask, is easy for Mumbai traffic, and offers the most comfort and luggage space under Rs. 15 lakh. Your parents will like the easy step-in, supportive second row that slides and reclines, and the soft ride on bad roads. For tours, fold the third row, and you get a huge, flat boot that swallows heavy bags without drama.The 6-speed torque-converter is smooth on ghats and in stop-go, and Maruti’s 1.5 is proven, simple, and inexpensive to run. Real-world fuel economy is decent if you keep speeds steady. VXi AT should fit your budget in Mumbai, but do check local on-road quotes.One downside is that with a full load on steep climbs, you will need to plan for overtaking. It’s not quick, just calm. If you don’t need seven seats, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza 1.5 AT is tighter to drive and is easier to park, but its boot is smaller, and the AT variants can stretch your budget. Wait for the update due later this year, though. The torque converter suits your use best. No need to chase other types.

Maruti Suzuki Ertiga

Maruti Suzuki Brezza