I am looking for a 7-seater car with comfortable seating, good mileage, a good engine, a strong feature list, and stable highway performance on long runs.

Autocar India

•4h

The Kia Carens Clavis would be a good option for you. The insides and comfy, and the third row is spacious for two adults and has AC vents as well as type C ports for charging. With three rows up, there's also a fairly useable 216-litres of boot space, and there is some more space under the boot floor too.Kia cars have proven to be quite reliable, and this would serve you well since you plan to keep it for a long time. The car is well-equipped with a host of safety features that are standard, and since mileage is also your priority, we would suggest you opt for the diesel or the naturally aspirated (non-turbo) 1.5-litre petrol engine.

Kia Carens Clavis

Autocar India

•9h

You should go for the Toyota Innova HyCross GX (O) if you want a true 7-seater with the roomiest third row of seats. The HyCross's 2,850 mm wheelbase and flat floor make the third row friendlier for adults than the Tata Safari or the Mahindra XUV 7XO. Furthermore, it's backed up by Toyota’s proven reliability and hassle-free ownership in India.However, you will have to compromise when it comes to the powertrain. The Hycross' 2.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine isn't as punchy as the Tata Safari and XUV 7XO's turbocharged units, and real-world mileage is quite poor, as we managed 6.9kpl in the city and 12.4kpl on the highway. The Toyota also doesn't get a diesel engine option like the other two.If you prioritise performance and high-end features, either the Safari or the Mahindra XUV 7XO makes more sense. As for pricing, the Innova HyCross GX (O) is priced between Rs 20.43 lakh and Rs 20.56 lakh (ex-showroom).

Toyota Innova HyCross

Tata Safari

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Autocar India

•5h

We would recommend you take a look at the Maruti Suzuki Fronx. Being a Maruti car, it will meet your requirements of being low on maintenance and generally tension-free. The car is also slightly higher off the ground compared to sedans and hatchbacks at this price, and thus, this will offer an easy entry and exit for your parents. Rear seat head and legroom are also good, and for two adults, the rear is very spacious and a comfortable place to be in.The Fronx fits within the 'small car' definition as it measures less than 4-meters in length, thus it is very manageable in crowded city conditions. For your few highway trips, too, you will find the handling secure, and the car remains planted at regular highway speeds.

Maruti Suzuki Fronx