I’m looking for a 7-seater car with a diesel engine and manual transmission. Safety is my top priority, and I want all the essential safety features. I don’t want a sunroof or ADAS.

Asked by: Jayesh

The Tata Safari is a good option for you, as it's one of the more spacious three-row SUVs currently available. Tata Safari is available in multiple variants, so you can choose one that best meets your requirements. If you are open to an MPV body style, the Kia Carens Clavis is also worth considering for its surprisingly spacious cabin and frugal diesel engine.

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Autocar India Team

Jul 15, 2025

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Asked by: Avisham I want to buy a seven-seater, and my annual running is around 20,000 km, mostly on CNG. I am confused between the Kia Carens and the Ertiga. I am concerned about the Carens’ fuel efficiency, especially in city usage. Is the Kia Carens CNG expected anytime soon? There are no plans for a Kia Carens CNG, as the brand offers both a diesel option and an EV for those who want lower running costs. The downside, of course, is that the purchase price of these versions is higher. If you're hell-bent on CNG, the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga is an excellent car, with good space and practicality.However, on most other fronts, the Kia Carens Clavis is better. It has a more upmarket interior with good space in all three rows, and a variety of engine options, including that diesel. Apart from the turbo-petrol engine, which has to be driven carefully to return good fuel economy, the other engines are very fuel-efficient. Hence, if it fits in your budget, we recommend the Kia Carens Clavis.

Autocar India Team

Dec 17, 2025

Asked by: Charan I own a 2011 Swift VDI and am looking to purchase a car with good fuel efficiency and, more importantly, better rear-seat comfort for my parents. We do occasional long trips. I initially considered the XEV 9e, but I am concerned about charging infrastructure and waiting times during long or unplanned trips. I then looked at the Grand Vitara, but the rear seat was not comfortable for my parents and felt similar to the Swift. Should I go for the Sierra diesel or wait for strong hybrid options? Yes, you're right. Although the situation has improved lately, the concern of range and finding a charger on a long trip looms large over EV ownership. Therefore, if you do such trips, it's best to avoid an electric car for now.The only new strong hybrid model on the immediate horizon is the Kia Seltos hybrid, but this version is unlikely to be available before the end of 2026 or early 2027. You should check out the Tata Sierra diesel, as it currently has possibly the best rear seat space and comfort in the segment. The diesel engine is familiar, and while it isn't very refined, it has the requisite pulling power you need on your long highway trips. Fuel efficiency should also be good, and there is the convenience of a smooth automatic gearbox with this diesel engine as well.

Autocar India Team

Dec 17, 2025

Asked by: Vivek Raghuvansh Hi Experts, I have a daily running of about 80-85 km, with a mix of city and highway. I am a first-time buyer and need a reliable car with essential features and a good engine within a ₹10-12 lakh budget. I’m open to any fuel option that suits my needs. Please suggest some good options to consider. I had the Tata Altroz diesel and Kia Sonet diesel in mind. Given your requirements, we would recommend you opt for the Kia Sonet diesel. The car will likely be more reliable, and the Kia diesel engine delivers a good mix of refinement and performance. It's also very well equipped and, with the SUV body style, will give you a better view of the road outside. Do bear in mind, though, that the rear seat space is quite limited, so we would suggest you personally check to see if this is ok with you.

Autocar India Team

Dec 16, 2025

Asked by: Monika I need to change my car and am looking for an automatic petrol model. My monthly running is about 200-300 km in Bangalore city, and my budget is ₹10-12 lakh. Please suggest suitable options. There are a plethora of automatic petrol cars available within your budget. Given your monthly travel is just 200-300km, we will give less weightage to fuel economy and more weightage to driving comfort. As we don't know other preferences, here's a shortlist of the best options by body style - Hatchback - Hyundai i20 IVT Asta (O), Citroen C3 X Shine ATCompact sedan - Honda Amaze CVT ZXCompact SUV - Nissan Magnite Turbo CVT, Renault Kiger Turbo CVT Emotion

Autocar India Team

Dec 16, 2025

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