Hi, i have a kia sonet 2020. I am looking to upgrade to a car under 35 lakhs. I want a 7-seater car with all the features of the Sonet (top variant) and more. We were comfortable enough with the space and comfort of the car. So our main priority is features and technology. The third row will mostly be used by kids. Our yearly driving is less than 10000 km. We are also open to EV options, since our trips are mostly a maximum of 400km with chargers at the destination. Also, note that I won't have tax on EVs since I live in Telangana.

Autocar India

•5m

Given your focus on features, limited running, and openness to EVs, the Mahindra XEV 9S is a strong fit. It feels like a clear upgrade from your Kia Sonet in terms of tech and safety, with features like an HD triple-screen setup, a panoramic sunroof, a 360-degree camera and ADAS. It is smooth, quiet and effortless in city use, with plenty of performance for the highway. The first two rows are very comfortable and spacious, though the third row is tight for adults. Since you will mostly use it for your kids, it should work fine.

If you want to stick with an ICE vehicle, then look at the Toyota Innova HyCross Hybrid VX (O) 7 seat. It is very quiet and easy to live with, and the third row is a touch better, but at this budget, you may miss some of the fancier tech that Mahindra offers. If you'd like to stay with Kia, then the Carens Clavis EV is also an excellent alternative. It isn’t as big as the Mahindra car, but it still has a better third row.

Explore cars mentioned

Mahindra

XEV 9S

from ₹21.10 Lakh

Kia

Sonet

from ₹8.59 Lakh

Kia

Carens Clavis EV

from ₹19.05 Lakh

Toyota

Innova HyCross

from ₹21.60 Lakh

More questions on similar cars

•1d

Hi. I'm looking for a new car in the range of 20-25 lakh. My usage is primarily city-based, with an average monthly distance of about 500 km, and I plan to retain the car for around 10 years. I'm leaning towards EVs mainly due to their lower running cost, lower maintenance costs, smoother ride quality, lower exposure to fuel price fluctuations, and being the technology for the future. I can have home charging installed, and I rarely go on long road trips. Given my usage conditions, should I go for an EV instead of a regular petrol car? If yes, which car would be best suited for my needs?

Autocar India

•35m

Given your usage, an EV makes strong sense, and the Hyundai Creta Electric is a great fit. In our real-world test, the long-range 51kWh battery managed a combined 432km, which almost covers your monthly usage, so you would only need to plug in at home every couple of weeks. In city traffic, it is very smooth and quiet, with a strong pull at low speeds, so gaps are easy and you won’t feel gear shifts. Over 10 years, the simpler EV hardware means fewer routine services, and you are less exposed to fuel price swings. Most electric cars also come with a long battery warranty, which helps give peace of mind.A few trade-offs to keep in mind. At 500 km a month, the money you save on running will add up slowly, so buy it mainly for the smooth drive and ease of use. For the rare long trip, you will need to plan charging stops, but the Creta Electric can charge at up to 100kW, which makes quick top-ups easy.If you want a bit more space, the Kia Carens Clavis EV is a solid alternative in your range. Overall, for your city-heavy routine with home charging, the Creta Electric lines up best.

Hyundai Creta Electric

Kia Carens Clavis EV

Gopal

•1d

Hi Autocar, I want to buy a 7-seater car that is low-cost, low-maintenance, and suitable for long-term ownership. Around 90% of my driving is on highways. I want a safe and comfortable car for my family, with a budget of up to ₹25 lakh. I really like the Innova HyCross in this segment. Please guide me.

Autocar India

•21h

The Toyota Innova Hycross GX (O) petrol automatic 7-seater is the one that fits you best. It is very easy to live with, it stays steady at high speed on long drives, and all three rows of seats are comfortable for hours. The automatic gearbox means it is convenient to drive, especially in traffic and Toyota’s proven reliability and wide service network help keep maintenance low over many years.For your highway focus, the HyCross also rides well over bad patches and feels calm at cruising speeds. Toyota’s build and safety features in the HyCross also give good peace of mind, and the cabin is genuinely spacious.A couple of things to note. In your budget, you will be looking at the non-hybrid petrol, which is smooth but will not be as fuel-efficient as the strong-hybrid. Also, with all three rows up, the boot is small.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Prithvi Singh

•1d

I am considering purchasing a car within the ₹25-30 lakh budget range. My daily commute is approximately 60-80 km between Noida and Delhi, along with occasional outstation trips every 3-4 months. I am currently unsure whether to choose an electric vehicle (EV), a petrol vehicle, or a petrol-hybrid. Given my high daily running, an EV appears to be the most cost-efficient option. However, concerns regarding charging infrastructure and range anxiety; especially during outstation travel, make it less convenient compared to petrol or hybrid vehicles, which offer greater flexibility for long-distance journeys. On the other hand, petrol or hybrid vehicles would be more expensive to operate in the long run. I would consider buying a diesel car, but due to the 10-year usage limit, I am hesitant. The Toyota Innova HyCross seems like a strong option, but its larger size may not be ideal for predominantly city driving. Additionally, since this will be my primary vehicle, I am hesitant to rely entirely on an EV at this stage, as it is still not as widely adopted or universally convenient as traditional alternatives.

Autocar India

•1d

With 60-80 km of daily driving, you are absolutely right that an EV would be the cheapest to run and very smooth in city traffic. However, since this is your primary car and you also take outstation trips, the need for charging planning and dependence on infrastructure can become inconvenient over time, especially on longer drives. It is usable, but not completely effortless yet.A strong hybrid fits your usage better. It gives you EV-like smoothness and excellent efficiency in city driving, while also delivering very good efficiency on highways, something modern hybrids now do surprisingly well. At the same time, you retain the full flexibility of a petrol car, eliminating any range anxiety or planning concerns. What’s even more impressive is that despite its size, it’s very easy to drive with great visibility, though its length can make parking in tight spots a bit challenging.We would have recommended you the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder Hybrid instead, but considering you currently own the Honda City, the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder may not feel like a meaningful upgrade in terms of space. This is where the HyCross makes a stronger case. It offers a clear step up in space, comfort and long-distance usability, while still delivering the efficiency benefits of a hybrid.A petrol-only SUV in this budget will feel simpler to own, but with your running, fuel costs will be significantly higher, which reduces long-term value.

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Honda City

Toyota Innova HyCross

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