Latest questions answered by experts

Autocar India

•6h

Consider the Kia Seltos HTX IVT. The 1.5 litre petrol engine combined to the IVT (CVT) transmission is smooth and refined in most everyday driving conditions. Its easily one of the best CVTs around with little of the typical rubberband effect - where the engine revs rise before you feel a corresponding increase in vehicle speed. Seating comfort is also good with the new car offering a bit more space in the rear where legroom has improved significantly and will suit six-footers, headroom will be about adequate. Three average-sized adults can sit abreast in resonable comfort, and the seatback angle is adjustable. The suspension has been tuned with a focus on improving ride quality - that was firm with the previous car. The cabin interiors are also well built and equipped well, thus the Seltos would suit your requirements quite well.

Kia Seltos

Autocar India

•7h

The Mahindra XUV 7XO is a good choice in the segment, though you will rely heavily on the infotainment screens for many functions, including the AC, which your dad might not appreciate. Consider the Kia Carens Clavis with the 1.5-litre turbo-petrol DCT instead. It has physical controls for major functions and a simpler user interface for the infotainment system. It is also more compact and therefore easier to drive and park in the city, where you will be spending most of your time. Despite its dimensions, the third row in the Kia is actually more usable than the one in the Mahindra. With 90 percent slow city use and a 70-year-old driver, the petrol is a better choice, and you avoid DPF issues that can crop up with limited use.One thing to be aware of: the Carens Clavis won’t ride as plush as the XUV 7XO. If that is a priority, then go for the Mahindra instead. Also, if the Clavis’s MPV-like design doesn’t appeal to you, then consider the Tata Safari petrol.On the test drive, do a long run in bumper-to-bumper traffic and check two things: how the DCT reacts at low speeds and how easy it is for your dad to get in and out of the second and third rows.

Kia Carens Clavis

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Autocar India

•8h

Sell the Kia Seltos GTX+ Diesel and keep the Hyundai i20 N Line N8 MT as your second car alongside the BMW X3 20d, with the Maruti Suzuki Jimny for occasional use. Once the X3 comes in, it covers your big-car and highway needs, so the Seltos overlaps the most. Also, a diesel used mainly for short city trips can be a hassle, because modern diesels have a filter in the exhaust that requires regular high-speed runs to keep clean. For daily commutes, the i20 is the easiest to live with: it is smaller, easier to park, light to steer, and feels quick enough in gaps. The Jimny is charming and tough, but for pure city use it rides a bit bouncy, leans in turns, and needs more effort with the manual in traffic. It shines only if you often drive on broken roads or go on trails and remains a good recreational SUV for the weekends.

BMW X3

Autocar India

•9h

Go for the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga VXi petrol - for your family size, mostly city use, and a few long trips, it is the most comfortable and easy-to-own choice in your list. Coming from a Tigor CNG, the Ertiga will feel far roomier in the second row and the third row will work well for the child and shorter adults on shorter runs. It rides bumps well, the steering is light, and the engine feels smooth in traffic. Parking is not hard for its size, and Maruti’s wide service network makes ownership simple almost anywhere.One thing to be aware of: with all three rows up, the boot is small, so for holidays you will likely fold one part of the third row or use a roof carrier. Also, when fully loaded on a steep hill, the petrol engine feels just okay rather than strong, so you will need a gentle driving style. If you want lower fuel spend and don’t mind losing boot space, the Ertiga VXi CNG is worth a look, though it feels a bit slower with the air-con and full family on board.Pick the Renault Triber / Nissan Gravite only if budget is tight and parking space is very tight - it is cleverly laid out but the engine feels weak with six onboard. Choose the Mahindra Bolero Neo only if your roads are really rough and you need a tough, high-clearance vehicle - its city comfort and side-facing third row are not ideal for family use.If you can, test the Ertiga with all six seats in use and drive a short hill or flyover - that will tell you if petrol or CNG suits you better.

Maruti Suzuki Ertiga

Autocar India

•9h

Go for the Mahindra XUV 7XO AX7 Luxury AWD diesel automatic (7-seater) - for your mix of highway, city and a bit of rough road, it feels like a decent step up from your Alcazar while staying in the Rs 30 lakh range. The diesel has strong pull, so overtakes on the highway feel easy even with a full family, and the automatic gearbox, makes long drives and traffic much less tiring. Thanks to its thoroughly re-engineered suspension, ride comfort is good over broken patches and the cabin feels wider and more solid than your Hyundai. One thing to be aware of: the last row is fine for kids or short trips, but not very roomy for tall adults, and with all three rows up the boot is small. Also, it is a big car, so tight city parking needs some care. Moreover, while the diesel's mileage is better than the petrol's, it's not great and warrants a light foot for good numbers.Another alternative that gets you more spacious and comfortable seats and a better highway ride, the Tata Safari Accomplished X+ diesel automatic is worth a look, but it does not get 4WD.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Tata Safari