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•24w

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.

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•24w
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.
Mahindra XEV 9S

Mahindra XEV 9S

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•4d

I am buying a new seven-seater EV and have shortlisted the MG Hector Tomahawk Exclusive and Kia Clavis SR HTX. I am confused about which one to choose. The Clavis has better build and ride quality, but it uses a smaller NMC battery and does not come with a 7.5kW charger. The MG Tomahawk is slightly larger and offers better range, although I have some concerns about its build and ride quality. I expect to drive around 2,000km a month, mainly in semi-urban Goa, with a mix of short highway and city driving. I am not planning many outstation trips. Which one would suit my usage better?

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•2d

Goa, 2,000 km a month, semi-urban mix, mostly short highway and city runs, not many outstation trips, that’s a very clear brief. The MG Hector Tomahawk EV Exclusive is the better fit here. The bigger battery and better range are exactly what you want at this usage level, and the fact that you’re not doing long outstation runs means you’re not going to be pushing the car into situations where charging infrastructure becomes a headache. The Clavis SR HTX is the more polished product, but the smaller NMC battery and the lack of a 7.5kW charger are real drawbacks at 2,000 km a month.The MG’s size is also an advantage, but the Kia Carens Clavis EV actually has a better third row. The Tomahawk's ride and build quality are not as tight as the Clavis, but they’re not deal-breakers either. Overall, the MG Hector Tomahawk Exclusive offers better value for money for your usage.

VehicleMG Hector Tomahawk EV
VehicleKia Carens Clavis EV
•3d

I already have 2 cars including Celerio automatic and i20 diesel. My family needs a six-seater car and budget is not a problem but we want a car for driving within the city and in this case, parking is the problem. I drive less than 10,000 kilometer annually. I drive with all family members mostly within the city and my entire family is shorter than 5 feet 3 inches. I am thinking of having an i20 for highway riding as four of us usually go out. I am planning to buy Triber turbo for 6 family members within the city and for occasional highway trips rather than buying costly cars like Clavis or HyCross.

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•3d

Your thinking is absolutely on the right track. Given your usage of less than 10,000 km a year, predominantly city driving with all six on board, and the fact that your family is on the shorter side, the Renault Triber Turbo is actually a very sensible choice. It is compact, easy to park and manoeuvre in the city, and the turbo petrol engine gives it enough punch for occasional highway runs. The sliding second row and flexible seating make it genuinely usable as a six-seater for shorter adults, and it will be far easier to live with in tight parking situations than something like a Clavis or HyCross.The Clavis and HyCross are excellent cars, but they are significantly larger and more expensive, and given your usage pattern, you are unlikely to see the value in that extra spend. Keeping the i20 diesel for highway runs with four people is also a smart move, as it is more comfortable and efficient for longer journeys.

VehicleRenault Triber
VehicleKia Carens Clavis
VehicleToyota Innova HyCross
VehicleHyundai i20

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•3d

I am a 6 ft driver who loves driving. I've driven the Swift 2013 petrol, Creta 1.6 Diesel Auto and the XUV500 the most on long trips. Now that I am planning to buy a car with a strict budget, do you think the 3XO AX5 TCMPFI petrol variant will be a wise decision to make, as I will be travelling once a month for short trips from Bangalore to Coorg, Pondicherry, GOA, and Mangalore? Which other car can be a perfect match for me, keeping a budget of 12 lakhs max? Also, the 3XO AX5 I'm getting from a friend who has hardly driven 6k km for 10 lakhs.

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•2d

Go for the Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 TCMPFI petrol from your friend for Rs 10 lakh. At that price, it is a very good deal and a sensible upgrade from your Creta 1.6 diesel automatic. The 3XO is one of the most spacious compact SUVs in the segment, with a wide cabin and good rear seat comfort, which will make your long drives to Coorg, Pondicherry, Goa and Mangalore more comfortable. The turbo petrol engine is smooth and is well suited to both city driving and highway cruising. At Rs 10 lakh for a car with only 6,000 km on the clock, you are getting a nearly new car at a significant discount, which makes it a far better value proposition than buying new.If you are looking for alternatives under Rs 12 lakh, the Skoda Kylaq 1.0 TSI manual is the best option for an enthusiast driver. The new Brezza turbo-petrol could also be a good choice. Overall, the 3XO from your friend is the most sensible choice. It offers a good balance of comfort, reliability and value, and will serve you well on your monthly road trips.

VehicleMahindra XUV 3XO
VehicleHyundai Creta
VehicleSkoda Kylaq
VehicleMaruti Suzuki Brezza

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Posted on: 23 Apr 2026