Which automatic 7-seater variant would be the best choice for my family between Mahindra XUV 7XO or Kia Carens Clavis? My usage pattern is mainly city driving in Bangalore with regular long-distance drives with family trips around twice a year. I am looking for a comfortable and practical 7-seater for family use. It should have good fuel efficiency, reliability, ride comfort, safety, and luggage space. My main concern is the uncertainty about the future of E20/E30 petrol fuel policies, although I am also comfortable buying a diesel vehicle. Please suggest the best automatic variant in either the Kia Carens Clavis or Mahindra XUV 7XO, considering long-term ownership, running costs, maintenance, resale value, and suitability for Bangalore traffic. My current vehicle is a Ford EcoSport.

autocar.india

•2d

Yes, the Kia Carens Clavis diesel automatic is a smart upgrade for your kind of running and long trips. The 1.5 diesel with the smooth 6‑speed automatic cruises at low revs, is easy in traffic, and delivers good highway economy, so your yearly fuel bill stays reasonable after 20,000-25,000km. Space and comfort are a clear step up from your Ertiga, too. The second row is nicer for adults, the third row is usable for shorter stints, and the cabin is quieter over distance. The safety kit is solid with 6 airbags on all trims, and the ride is comfortable enough to keep you fresh after a full day’s drive.Pricing should sit around Rs 20-22 lakh on-road if you choose a mid or upper-mid trim. The top variant can go higher in some cities. Given your mileage, the diesel automatic also keeps clutch wear out of the picture and makes city usage easy. The only catch may be performance when fully loaded on steep ghats; it will do the job, but you may need to plan overtakes and use manual shifts.An alternative is the Hyundai Alcazar. It's in the more desirable SUV shape with better road presence, and as such, it will feel like more of an upgrade from your Ertiga. It uses the same smooth and efficient diesel AT powertrain as the Clavis, too. However, the third row is not as spacious, and you will definitely have to stretch your budget to get higher variants.

Kia Carens Clavis

Hyundai Alcazar

autocar.india

•1d

Coming from a 2014 Honda Amaze, both the HyCross and the Mahindra XUV 7XO will feel like a massive upgrade. However, the HyCross is the more rounded family car. It offers exceptional rear-seat comfort, a smooth and refined strong-hybrid powertrain, excellent fuel efficiency for its size and Toyota's unmatched reputation for long-term reliability and low maintenance. It is also one of the most comfortable long-distance cruisers you can buy in India.The Mahindra XUV 7XO is a very impressive SUV in its own right. It feels more powerful, offers a richer feature list and has a more premium SUV character. If you enjoy driving and prefer a more rugged, commanding feel behind the wheel, it is the more engaging of the two.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Mahindra XUV 7XO

autocar.india

•1d

Your plan seems sound for Delhi-NCR, because petrol dodges the 10-year diesel cap and DPF hassles, and your 15 km daily crawl will not punish petrol the way it would a BS6 diesel. The XUV 7XO petrol AT has strong performance and will certainly keep you satisfied while negotiating hill climbs. Sure, coming from an Endeavour 3.2, this will feel like a step down in terms of road presence and off-road ability. However, despite being a front-wheel drive monocoque, it still exudes an underlying toughness, which gives you ample confidence while dealing with rough terrain. Additionally, the tech and safety are up-to-date, and the three-row flexibility will come in handy, too, although boot space with all three rows in place is low. On the flipside, this petrol-AT is thirsty, so expect single-digit city fuel economy figures.If you aren't in a hurry, consider waiting for the Jetour T2 plug-in hybrid SUV that JSW is expected to launch in the latter half of this year. Sure, it'll be more expensive than the Mahindra, and it might not have the off-road capability of your outgoing Endeavour, but since you aren't fully convinced of the Mahindra, this could be worthy of your consideration.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

JSW Motors Jetour T2