I am looking to buy a 5+2-seater automatic petrol. I previously owned an Ertiga ZXi+. Now I want to upgrade to something a step above the Ertiga. I have considered the XUV 7XO, Clavis, Alcazar, Safari, and HyCross. My driving is mainly in the city, with highway trips during holidays. Hence, I prefer petrol.

Autocar India

•1d

With 200 km every day and a family of six on some weekends, you need a roomy three-row car that is easy in daily traffic and not heavy on fuel. In that use, the Toyota Innova Hycross Hybrid VX is the one I would pick. The strong-hybrid system runs on battery at low speeds and the petrol engine when needed, so in city stop-go it uses less fuel than most big three-row cars. It is also very quiet and smooth, which matters when you are driving long hours after a busy shift. Space is proper for six, the ride is comfortable on bad roads, and the automatic, which changes gears on its own, keeps things stress-free.Two things to note. The boot is tight with all three rows up, so for a full family trip, you may need a roof box or to fold part of the third row. Also, the Hycross costs more upfront than a diesel MPV, though running costs are low for daily city use.If you want something lower priced but still good for 200 km a day, look at the Kia Carens Clavis diesel automatic. It is easy to drive, frugal, and has a usable third row and strong air-con, though it does not feel as hushed or as plush as the Toyota. If your daily route is more highway than city and you want a stronger pull, the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel automatic is a solid seven-seater with good safety and steady highway manners, but it will use a bit more fuel in town.Overall, for your mix of daily city runs and family duty, the Innova Hycross Hybrid VX fits best.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Kia Carens Clavis

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Autocar India

•2d

If you have to carry 6 people, even occasionally, the answer has to be the Kia Carens Clavis, as the Seltos is only a 5-seater. Apart from their form factor, the two cars are very similar, though using similar powertrains. But crucially, the Clavis offers the turbo-petrol engine with a manual gearbox, whereas the Seltos only offers the iMT 'clutchless manual'. With 1,000 km a month in the city and one 400-500 km highway run, and a hard cap around Rs. 20 lakh, the Kia Carens Clavis HTK+ (O) 7-seat Turbo Petrol MT fits your use better because it is the larger, roomier family car. It will seat five adults comfortably, 6 or 7 if you need to, has better legroom and shoulder room in the back, and the bigger boot (in 5-seat mode) will take everyone’s weekend bags with ease. The 160hp turbo petrol engine has good pull when you need to pass, and the Clavis feels steady at speed, which will keep the family relaxed. Another alternative is the Hyundai Alcazar, which uses the same powertrain as the Clavis, but comes with the SUV form factor, ground clearance and road presence. However, it is priced higher, and in your budget, you'll only get a lower-spec variant with fewer features.

Kia Carens Clavis

Kia Seltos

Autocar India

•1d

Go for the Kia Carens Clavis diesel automatic. For your usage, this is a family-first decision, and the Clavis simply does the fundamentals better where it matters most.The biggest factor here is third row comfort and flexibility, and this is where the Clavis clearly stands out. It has a longer wheelbase, which directly translates into better cabin space and usability for all three rows , and more importantly, the second row can be adjusted to create usable room in the third row, something the Mahindra XUV 7XO simply cannot do due to its fixed middle row. For long road trips across India with family, that flexibility makes a real difference because the third row is actually usable for adults, not just kids.The Clavis also suits your mileage expectations better. Its smaller diesel engine is inherently more efficient and tends to return better real-world economy than the larger engine in the XUV , which matters when you are covering long distances regularly.The Mahindra XUV 7XO still has its strengths. It offers a stronger diesel engine and better outright performance, and it also has a clear edge in safety credentials with a 5-star rating , but the compromise is clear. The third row is tight, and without adjustability in the second row, it limits how comfortably you can use all seven seats over long distances.

Kia Carens Clavis

Mahindra XUV 7XO