Looking for a 7-seater with a good third-row space. Mostly, the third row will be folded and used for my Labrador and occasionally luggage. Must-haves: good space across all three rows, front and rear parking sensors, and a 360-degree camera. At least lower double-digit fuel efficiency. It should not feel underpowered with a full load. Usage: mostly highway drives, occasionally in the range of 300 to 500 km, and moderate city usage of up to 400 km per month. My current car has 35k on the odometer in 2.5 years, most of which are highway runs. Cars considered: Clavis HTK+ (feature-loaded and comfortable. Petrol AT turbo is thirsty, with DCT concerns in bumper-to-bumper traffic and some safety concerns), Safari Petrol AT (customer complaints on quality and concerns about the new engine), XUV 7XO (powerful and good to drive, but impractical third row and very poor fuel efficiency). Now I am thinking about trying the HyCross non-hybrid. Let me know your thoughts.

Autocar India

•1d

The right choice essentially boils down to your priorities. If the driving experience and general feel-good factor are important to you, the Mahindra XUV 7XO AX7 L has more to offer. The 200hp petrol engine is strong and refined, and delivers an enjoyable drive experience. The 6-speed AT gearbox that's well in tune with the engine's character and well-balanced ride and handling also easily makes the XUV 7XO a better driver's car. Mahindra has also gone to town with features on the XUV 7XO, and elements like the triple screen layout do add a wow factor to the cabin. On the flipside, the 7XO isn't the best vehicle for 6/7 passengers. The middle row seats don't slide fore and aft, so there's no way to balance space for the third row of occupants. Space in the last row is tight, and there's also very limited luggage room with all seats up. The Toyota Innova Hycross with the 2.0-litre petrol engine does little to excite. Sure, engine refinement is good, and performance is pleasant, but the CVT gearbox really takes away from the experience. Fuel economy is also very poor (to be fair, the XUV 7XO petrol is also poor on efficiency). Also, the GX(O) is a mid-spec variant of the Hycross. The interior looks and the fabric upholstery are not in keeping with a vehicle of this price. Where the Innova Hycross excels is in seating comfort and space. The second row is flexible, and there's loads of room even in the last row. It's easily the comfiest vehicle on long distance journeys. Further, the Hycross also offers reasonable space for luggage with all seats up. An alternative you could consider is the all-electric Mahindra XEV 9S. It has all the wow factor of the XUV 7XO and also adds in seating flexibility with sliding middle row seats. Other highlights include refinement and strong power. The XEV 9S offers more than enough range for your daily drives and, if you choose a route with ample charging stations on the way, can also be used as a long-distance vehicle.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Mahindra XEV 9S

Autocar India

•33m

The Hyundai Venue 1.0-litre DCT in the HX6 trim fits within your budget and is a good choice in this segment. Since most of your driving is in the city and easy parking is a priority, its compact size is an advantage. The light steering also makes it easy to drive and park. The 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine is refined, and the DCT is generally smooth in operation, with only occasional delays in shifts. It also offers good performance for a car in this class, so overtaking on the highway is not an issue.Cabin space is good too, but the slightly narrow width means squeezing three passengers in the rear can be a bit tight. That said, the boot is a useful 375 litres, and it comes with rear AC vents and rear sunblinds in the HX6 variant. Before you decide, do take a thorough test drive.

Hyundai Venue

Autocar India

•1h

A good choice for your wife is the Honda Amaze. You've owned a Honda City and are happy with it, so this would be a good option, as you're already in the Honda system. We'd recommend the CVT in the ZX variant if that falls in your budget. The smooth automatic gearbox will be a nice convenience in city traffic, and there are also ADAS features as a safety net for her and your child.It's comfy, spacious, efficient, easy to drive and even a bit of fun from behind the wheel. It comes with a robust 3-year/unlimited-km warranty as standard, which can be extended to 7 years/unlimited km, but what is more interesting is Honda's 'Anytime Warranty', which allows you to extend it in increments of 1-year/20,000km for up to 10 years. That should give you good peace of mind, and when you factor in Honda's reasonable maintenance and running costs, the Amaze CVT ends up being great value for money.

Honda Amaze

Honda City