Hi, I need recommendations for a 6 or 7-seater SUV under Rs 20 lakh for our family (no kids). I don’t mind buying lower-end models too. The car probably won’t be used on a daily basis but will be used mostly in the city, so mileage is a concern. Comfort is also a top priority since we love weekend getaways or trips to the mountains. Thanks in advance.

Autocar India

•1d

Since you've been a Maruti loyalist and don't want to consider the excellent Kia Carens Clavis at all, the only options you have are to either get another Maruti Suzuki Ertiga or opt for the Maruti XL6, which is essentially a 6-seater Ertiga with black interiors, some added features and a body cladding to visually give it a rugged look. Unfortunately, there are no other car-like, spacious 7-seaters in the market that price point.

Maruti Suzuki Ertiga

Maruti Suzuki XL6

Kia Carens Clavis

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Autocar India

•1d

Since you have not mentioned your budget, it is difficult to recommend one specific car. However, based on your requirements, here are two strong options in different price brackets that would feel like a clear upgrade from your Ford EcoSport.In the more affordable premium space, the Kia Carens Clavis suits your requirements well. It offers a spacious cabin and is comfortable across all three rows, which makes it a genuinely usable seven-seater. The interiors feel premium, it comes well-equipped with features, and the ride quality is comfortable for both city and highway use. The 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine paired with the 7-speed DCT offers strong performance and has enough power even with a full load. In bumper-to-bumper traffic, it can occasionally feel slightly jerky, which is typical of DCT gearboxes, but in everyday use, it is not really a deal breaker.If your budget allows and you want the most comfortable, the Toyota Innova HyCross Hybrid is an excellent option. It is a full-size MPV with generous space in all three rows. The hybrid powertrain uses an e-CVT, which feels extremely smooth in city traffic and being a strong hybrid, it also delivers strong efficiency for a vehicle of this size. The ride quality is comfortable, and it performs well on highways, too. The only areas where it could be better are sound insulation, as some road noise enters the cabin, and the interior quality, which feels a bit average for its price.

Kia Carens Clavis

Toyota Innova HyCross

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Autocar India

•3h

There are quite a few diesel options within your budget, especially from the compact SUV segment. The list of contenders includes the Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet, Kia Syros, Mahindra XUV 3XO and Tata Nexon. Which one suits you best depends on your key requirements. The Hyundai Venue is a great all-rounder offering good refinement, new-age features, reasonable rear seat space and a large boot. The Kia Sonet has many of the same strengths but loses out on rear seat space. If cabin space is a key requirement, the Kia Syros is the ideal pick. It's the roomiest compact SUV and cabin quality is also very good. However, the design is not to everyone's liking. The Mahindra XUV 3X0 has a good engine, feels tough and offers enough space for three to sit in comfort at the back. Boot space isn't as generous as the others, though. Tata's Nexon diesel feels peppy and the suspension is well suited to our bad roads but the package isn't as refined or polished as alternatives. If it's an automatic transmission you're keen on, the Hyundai and Kia are the one's to consider. Their torque converter automatic transmissions work superbly with the 1.5-litre diesel engines to deliver a truly upmarket experience. The Sonet diesel-AT in HTX trim is great value. You could also get diesel versions of the Hyundai Creta, Tata Sierra or Kia Seltos for the same money. While these options are more spacious, you will have to settle for a low-spec trim without many features.

Kia Sonet

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