I have a Honda BRV automatic that is now almost 8 years old. I installed an aftermarket CNG kit about 3.5 years ago because of my high mileage of around 2,000km per month, and it has helped immensely. The urge to upgrade is growing, although the options I am considering are all in the Rs. 25-30 lakh bracket. The XL6 is cheaper, but I am not sure if it is a suitable replacement. Please advise.

autocar.india

•12h

Pick the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid automatic. In your 95% stop-go city use it returns real 20-plus kpl, glides on electric at low speeds so the drive feels smooth, and the high seat with over 200 mm clearance gives far better visibility and confidence than your Ciaz. The hybrid system is Toyota-sourced and proven; with Maruti’s wide service network, running and upkeep stay low.For a family of five, the rear bench will handle two adults and a kid in comfort most days, and the ride soaks up rough roads and speed breakers well. One honest drawback is boot space on the strong hybrid, which is smaller than the non-hybrid; on the rare highway trip, you will need to pack accordingly.If you are looking for a slightly more modern interior, then the Victoris is also a strong choice with essentially the same powertrain. There are no three-row hybrids in your price range, so a diesel is your best bet for lower running costs. Here, the Kia Carens Clavis diesel auto is a good choice, but remember you will need to make a highway trip every couple of weeks to keep the DPF healthy.Overall, if a third row is not essential, the strong hybrid Grand Vitara is the best fit.

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Kia Carens Clavis

autocar.india

•23h

At Rs. 15 lakh on-road, your options are limited for a safe, automatic, 7-seater. The Kia Carens Clavis is a solid choice for your needs. Although it does not have an official crash-test rating yet, the previous Carens received a 3-star safety rating, while the Clavis comes with a comprehensive safety package that includes six airbags as standard. To fit your budget, you could opt for the HTE (O) turbo-petrol manual, but if you want an automatic, you will need to stretch to the HTK Plus DCT, which will be close to Rs. 20 lakh on-road.The Clavis is spacious, with a third row that can accommodate adults. The turbo-petrol engine has plenty of punch for highway driving, and the vehicle is not so large that it becomes cumbersome in the city.If Rs. 15 lakh is a hard cap, go for the manual. If not, the automatic will make everyday driving that much easier.

Kia Carens Clavis

autocar.india

•1d

The best 7-seater for your budget is the Mahindra XUV 7XO, and you can comfortably get a mid variant (AX5) with an automatic within Rs 25-27 lakh on-road in most cities. The 7XO diesel is the pick of the range, offering strong performance, good refinement and sensible economy, and it probably has the best blend of performance, ride, handling and overall comfort in this segment. Its main weakness is the third row, which isn’t very spacious or comfortable for adults on long journeys, so it works better as an occasional-use or kids’ third row.If the third row is critical for you and will be used regularly by adults, the Tata Safari is worth considering, because its third row is more genuinely usable and comfortable. The Safari’s 2.0 diesel is quite outdated, but the newer 1.5 turbo petrol is smooth, refined and reasonably efficient for a petrol in this class.If you’d prefer something smaller and more city-friendly, the Kia Carens Clavis is also a good option, with a more compact footprint and easy manners in traffic, while still giving you three rows of seats for family use. It won’t match the 7XO for highway presence or outright performance, but for urban-heavy usage, it makes a lot of sense.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Tata Safari

Kia Carens Clavis