I need a 7-seater SUV, and my budget is around ₹20 lakh. Should I go for the Toyota Innova Crysta or the Tata Safari?

Autocar India

•24w

At a ₹20 lakh budget, you’ll only be able to afford the entry-level Tata Safari, while the base Toyota Innova Crysta would cost a few lakhs more. If that stretch is manageable, the Innova Crysta is worth it for its proven reliability and excellent long-distance comfort.

However, if you’re looking for better value, the Kia Carens Clavis is worth considering. It’s not as large or powerful as the Tata or Toyota car, but it offers nearly as much seating space, more equipment, and an overall higher-spec package for the price.

Explore cars mentioned

Tata

Safari

from ₹15.44 Lakh

Toyota

Innova Crysta

from ₹22.30 Lakh

Kia

Carens Clavis

from ₹13.05 Lakh

More questions on similar cars

Christopher

•1d

I am planning to buy a 7-seater with a panoramic sunroof, which is a must-have for my kids. I drive around 2,200 km per month, mostly solo, with 95% of my usage on highways. The 7-seater will be used only occasionally, about 5-6 times a year. Given my usage, is it worth going for a 7-seater, or would a spacious 5-seater like the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara be a better choice? I also need good driver seat comfort, as I drive long distances frequently.

Autocar India

•1d

The Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel suits your usage perfectly. With high monthly running and mostly highway driving, you need a car that is stable, comfortable and effortless to drive, and the 7XO delivers on all three. It has a strong engine, a comfortable ride and feels planted at highway speeds. Driver seat comfort is also very good, which matters given how much you drive. The third row is not the most spacious or practical, but for occasional short trips, it works well and meets your requirements.If you specifically want a 7-seater with a better third row, then the Tata Safari is worth considering. It offers a more comfortable and spacious rear section. However, on most other aspects, the XUV 7XO remains the better overall product.On the question of choosing a 5-seater instead, it is strongly recommended to go for a 7-seater. It is not safe to carry more than five people in a 5-seater, even occasionally, and a proper 7-seater gives you that flexibility without compromise.Now, coming to the sunroof, since it is a key requirement for your children. Both the XUV 7XO and the Safari offer a panoramic sunroof, and it genuinely enhances the cabin experience. That said, it is important to treat it as a feature to enhance ambience, not as something to be used while standing or sticking out. It may seem fun, but even at low speeds, it can be unsafe in case of sudden braking or an impact.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Tata Safari

•16h

I am considering the Kia Clavis petrol for my family of six. I am a relaxed driver with mostly city usage and occasional long road trips. I am conscious about my budget but willing to stretch if it is the right choice for the next 7 years. I am confused about which transmission to choose — naturally aspirated petrol, turbo petrol manual, or turbo petrol DCT. I have heard about DCT issues in slow-speed traffic and uphill driving. Given this, would going with the naturally aspirated petrol be sufficient, or should I consider the turbo petrol manual instead? Currently, I drive a Honda City i-VTEC manual, and during uphill driving with a full load, it feels underpowered and requires frequent downshifts. Could you please advise on the best option for my usage?

Autocar India

•8h

You have already experienced how a naturally aspirated engine feels under load in your Honda City, especially on inclines. In a larger and heavier car like the Kia Carens Clavis, that limitation will be even more noticeable. With six people on board and occasional hill drives, the naturally aspirated petrol will feel strained and require frequent downshifts, which takes away from the relaxed driving experience you are looking for.The turbo petrol solves this. It offers stronger low and mid-range performance, making city driving easier and highway or hill driving far more effortless, even with a full load. It reduces the need for constant gear changes and feels more relaxed in real-world conditions. The DCT does offer convenience, but your concern is valid. In slow traffic and uphill situations, it can feel less smooth and slightly hesitant, which does not suit your usage.That said, since you are based in Gurugram, where traffic can get quite heavy, you should be prepared for the manual to feel tiring in daily stop-and-go conditions. If convenience becomes a bigger priority, the DCT is still usable, but it comes with the trade-off of low-speed smoothness.

Kia Carens Clavis

VIJAY

•2d

Hi Autocar, I am planning to buy a car that offers good comfort and strong road presence with an on-road budget of ₹14 lakh. I have shortlisted the following options: Skoda Kushaq base variant, Kia Seltos base variant, Kia Carens Clavis base variant, Mahindra XUV 3XO base variant, and Citroen Aircross 7-seater. We travel long distances once a month, and I already own a 2017 Swift ZDi diesel variant. Kindly suggest which car I should choose from the above options and also recommend the most suitable variant. Since I have provided multiple options to the Autocar team, I would really appreciate your advice as a car enthusiast.

Autocar India

•1d

For one long highway trip a month, a ₹14 lakh on-road cap, and a step up in comfort from your Swift diesel, the Kia Seltos HTE 1.5 petrol manual suits you best. As far as base variants go, the Seltos is very well equipped, with features like cruise control, keyless entry, and an HD infotainment screen with wireless phone connectivity. The new generation also rides better than the last one, has a roomier cabin, and better road presence. Compared with your Swift, it will feel far more spacious and calmer at speed, and the big boot makes luggage easy.The Skoda Kushaq and Mahindra XUV 3XO base variants are good choices, but will feel a bit smaller on the inside. If you need 7 seats, the Kia Carens Clavis offers a similar experience to the Seltos, but its base trim is not as well equipped. The Citroen Aircross 7-seater offers superb ride comfort, but the service reach is still limited in many cities.Overall, for your use, the Seltos base lines up best.

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