Pindwara

•19h

I am thinking of buying a new seven-seater car, and my running will be around 2,500-2,700 km per month, mostly on highways. I am considering CNG options such as the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga VXi CNG and Kia Carens Clavis HTE CNG. EVs are currently out of my radar due to depreciation concerns and the infrastructure changes required. However, I want to keep my running costs reasonably low, which is why I am considering CNG. I would also like to upgrade the car later with aftermarket accessories, as long as they do not affect the manufacturer's warranty. Kindly suggest which of the Ertiga VXi CNG and Carens Clavis HTE CNG would be the better choice considering running costs, initial investment and resale value. Thank you.

•1h

Go for the Maruti Ertiga VXi CNG. With your running of 2,500-2,700 km a month, a CNG car makes sense, and the Ertiga is the safer long-term bet. Maruti’s CNG system is well-proven, the car is reliable, and service reach is excellent. The Ertiga also has a strong resale value, which matters given your high usage and eventual upgrade plans.

The Kia Carens Clavis HTE CNG is a good product with a higher-quality cabin and a few more features, but the Ertiga is much better priced. On accessories, stick to Maruti-approved upgrades to avoid warranty issues. The Ertiga’s running costs are low, and it is a practical, comfortable 7-seater for highway use. Overall, it is the more sensible choice for your usage pattern.

Explore cars mentioned

Maruti Suzuki

Ertiga

from ₹10.20 Lakh

Kia

Carens Clavis

from ₹13.22 Lakh

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•7m•

@sadasiva87 At 2,500–2,700 km a month, highway comfort would be a big factor. Have you taken a test drive of both?

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•1d

I need to buy a 7-seater car within next 2-3 months and my budget is between Rs. 15 and 18 lakh. My priorities are security and driving experience. I am confused between hydraulic power steering and electric power steering. Which type offers better driving feel and handling? Please suggest a suitable 7-seater car.

•19h

Within your Rs. 15-18 lakh budget, the Ertiga is the best fit, particularly if reliability, ease of ownership and practicality are your priorities. It is a genuinely spacious seven-seater, easy to drive and has good visibility, making it well suited to family use.If you want something a little more premium, the XL6 is worth considering. It offers a more upmarket cabin and six-seat layout, but is essentially the more premium alternative rather than a fundamentally different proposition. It can still be considered within your budget depending on the variant and on-road price.On the steering question, EPS is not something to avoid. Almost all modern cars in this segment use electric power steering, and it is lighter at low speeds while still providing adequate feedback at higher speeds. Hydraulic steering can feel more natural and communicative, but that alone should not determine your choice.

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•1d

Was about to buy a used Ertiga and randomly did an RC check before paying. Found out there was a pending hypothecation which the seller hadn't mentioned. Good thing I checked.

•1d

I am currently driving a 2013 Honda City i-VTEC. I don’t have frequent usage, with around 30-40 km of running per week and rare highway trips. There are seven members in my family, so I want to upgrade to a car with good reliability, features, low maintenance costs, and better resale value, with a budget of Rs. 20 lakh. I am confused between the Seltos and the Hyryder. Should I also consider the XUV 7XO or Alcazar, or are there any other options I should consider?

•1d

The Clavis wasn’t part of your shortlist, but with seven members in the family, it is worth adding to the list. It makes more sense than the Seltos or Hyryder because you get a genuinely usable third row without making a major compromise on your budget, as it is around the same price. It also suits your very low running costs better than a hybrid, while offering easy city driving and relatively low running and maintenance costs.If you specifically want an SUV, the Mahindra XUV 7XO would be the next option. It offers stronger performance, a more substantial SUV feel and better highway ability, although it is larger and will cost more to run.The Seltos and Hyryder remain good five-seaters, but with seven people in the family, the third row will eventually become a requirement rather than a luxury.

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