Hi Autocar, my budget is Rs. 20 lakh or less, and I am looking for an automatic car. My usage is quite low, with only around 15-30 km of driving per week, along with occasional long-distance trips. I usually travel with a family of five, and at times, one or two additional members may join us. Based on my requirements, could you please help me choose the most suitable option and variant from Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, Kia Seltos, Kia Carens Clavis and Honda Elevate. Which one would you recommend, and which variant should I consider?

autocar.india

•1d

With a family of six and a Rs 20 lakh budget, the Carens Clavis is worth considering before the Safari. It offers genuinely usable space across all three rows, a comfortable ride and a proven 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine. For a buyer prioritising reliability, low maintenance and reasonable running costs, it is a more natural fit.The Safari is the more SUV-like choice, with a spacious cabin, good ride comfort and strong highway manners. Although the Safari itself has not been tested, the Harrier uses the same 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine and returned just 6.17kpl in the city and 12.49kpl on the highway in our testing. The Safari is heavier, so expectations of fuel economy should be realistic. The diesel is more efficient than the petrol, but it is not particularly frugal either, especially in city use.The Clavis therefore makes more sense if mileage and running costs are important. The Safari becomes more attractive if you specifically want the larger SUV experience, higher seating position and stronger highway character.

Kia Carens Clavis

Tata Harrier

Tata Safari

autocar.india

•3d

Go for the Kia Carens Clavis HTX (O) Petrol DCT. Your annual running of 12,000-14,000km with a mix of city, highway and occasional hill drives is pretty healthy actually, but given your other concerns like DPF regeneration and NCR policies, petrol is the safer long-term choice. A turbo petrol gives you the punch you need out on the highway and in the hills, while also the benefits of a petrol engine that you're looking for. The Mahindra XUV 7XO is the more powerful and more rugged SUV, but the Clavis is the better family car. It has a more usable third row, a more spacious and practical cabin, and a more comfortable ride for everyday use. On the DCT, yes, it can feel a bit hesitant at low speeds and in bumper-to-bumper traffic, but Kia’s DCT is one of the better ones in the market, and it is not a deal-breaker. The slight lag you felt in Normal mode is more to do with the car’s tuning than the gearbox itself. Switch to Sport mode and it feels much more responsive. The Clavis is not as powerful as the XUV 7XO, but it is quick enough for family use and much easier to live with in the long run. And as you pointed out, the heavier, more powerful XUV 7XO petrol is is nowhere near as efficient as the Clavis.

Kia Carens Clavis

Mahindra XUV 7XO

autocar.india

•2h

Go for the Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI automatic. It is the best balance between your city usage and your desire for a more engaging driving experience. The 1.0 TSI engine is punchy and responsive, and the new 8-speed torque converter automatic is smooth and reliable in traffic. The Kushaq is also one of the most fun-to-drive cars in its segment, with sharp steering and a well-sorted chassis that makes it genuinely enjoyable on open roads. At the same time, it is compact enough to be easy to live with in Mumbai traffic and parking situations. In terms of feeling fresh, the Kushaq recently received a midlife facelift and should not feel dated for several years. It also offers a good level of features and a solid safety package.

Skoda Kushaq