What is the best automatic 7-seater SUV with good legroom available within a budget of around Rs 15 lakh?

Autocar India

•1d

Pick the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga ZXI AT for a 7-seater under Rs. 15 lakh; it is the easiest to live with for long trips, feels steady on the highway, and Maruti’s service reach makes ownership stress-free. The gearbox is a smooth, torque converter automatic, so driving in traffic and hill starts are easy, and on the open road, it cruises calmly. The cabin is roomy for five, the third row works for kids or short adults, and the ride stays comfortable on broken roads. For family use, this balance of space, comfort and peace of mind is hard to beat at your budget.One thing to be aware of: with all seven on board and luggage, it won’t feel very strong on steep hills, so plan overtakes. Alternatively, you can even consider the Toyota Rumion automatic, which is essentially Toyota's version of the Maruti Ertiga.

Maruti Suzuki Ertiga

Autocar India

•5h

Go for the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga VXi petrol - for your family size, mostly city use, and a few long trips, it is the most comfortable and easy-to-own choice in your list. Coming from a Tigor CNG, the Ertiga will feel far roomier in the second row and the third row will work well for the child and shorter adults on shorter runs. It rides bumps well, the steering is light, and the engine feels smooth in traffic. Parking is not hard for its size, and Maruti’s wide service network makes ownership simple almost anywhere.One thing to be aware of: with all three rows up, the boot is small, so for holidays you will likely fold one part of the third row or use a roof carrier. Also, when fully loaded on a steep hill, the petrol engine feels just okay rather than strong, so you will need a gentle driving style. If you want lower fuel spend and don’t mind losing boot space, the Ertiga VXi CNG is worth a look, though it feels a bit slower with the air-con and full family on board.Pick the Renault Triber / Nissan Gravite only if budget is tight and parking space is very tight - it is cleverly laid out but the engine feels weak with six onboard. Choose the Mahindra Bolero Neo only if your roads are really rough and you need a tough, high-clearance vehicle - its city comfort and side-facing third row are not ideal for family use.If you can, test the Ertiga with all six seats in use and drive a short hill or flyover - that will tell you if petrol or CNG suits you better.

Maruti Suzuki Ertiga

Autocar India

•2h

Consider the Kia Seltos HTX IVT. The 1.5 litre petrol engine combined to the IVT (CVT) transmission is smooth and refined in most everyday driving conditions. Its easily one of the best CVTs around with little of the typical rubberband effect - where the engine revs rise before you feel a corresponding increase in vehicle speed. Seating comfort is also good with the new car offering a bit more space in the rear where legroom has improved significantly and will suit six-footers, headroom will be about adequate. Three average-sized adults can sit abreast in resonable comfort, and the seatback angle is adjustable. The suspension has been tuned with a focus on improving ride quality - that was firm with the previous car. The cabin interiors are also well built and equipped well, thus the Seltos would suit your requirements quite well.

Kia Seltos