Looking to buy a 7-seater car mainly for city use. Daily running is not much. Comfort is the priority. The maximum budget is ₹25 lakhs.

Autocar India

•1h

With 80% city use, a family of seven and a Rs 20-25 lakh budget, the Mahindra XUV 7XO is a good choice. If you can install a charger at home, though, the Mahindra XEV 9S could be a great alternative since your usage is primarily in the city. The base Pack One Above with the larger 79kWh battery pack fits within your budget and comes with all the essential comfort and tech features. In our real-world tests, we managed a combined 477.5km on a single charge, though that figure will drop sharply on the highway with a full load of passengers and luggage. Your highway trips will therefore need some planning around charging stops.If that seems like too much effort, then the XUV 7XO diesel automatic makes the most sense. It feels easier to drive in town than the Mahindra Scorpio N, with lighter controls and a smoother driving experience. Ride comfort and cabin noise levels are better, too, which your family will appreciate.A couple of things to note: with all three rows up, boot space is limited. The third row is also a bit tight for taller passengers, so check if it works for your family.Alternatively, consider the Kia Carens Clavis/Carens Clavis EV. Their smaller footprint makes them easier to drive and park in the city, and the third row is more spacious than in the XUV 7XO/XEV 9S.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Mahindra XEV 9S

Mahindra Scorpio N

Kia Carens Clavis

Kia Carens Clavis EV

Autocar India

•22h

Daily 70 km in the city, and a family of six, point you to a 3-row people mover within your budget. The Kia Carens Clavis 1.5 petrol HTE EX. It rides comfortably on rough city roads, so you and your parents won’t feel tossed around. The second row can be slid forward and backwards to balance room for passengers, and even the third row is usable for adults on short trips. The air-con is powerful, with roof vents helping with cooling. The engine is smooth and quiet in town, and the light controls make stop-and-go driving easy. You also get useful features even in the lower trims, but sadly, essentials like a rear wiper and defogger are only on higher-spec models. Two trade-offs to note: with all three rows up, the boot is small, and with six or seven on board, you will need a lower gear for quick moves.If you prefer a simpler, easier-to-own choice, the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga VXi/ZXi is a close second, with a strong AC and easy-to-use nature. Toyota Rumion offers the same package with Toyota service support. Overall, the Carens Clavis lines up best for comfort, space and cooling at this price.

Kia Carens Clavis

Maruti Suzuki Ertiga

Toyota Rumion

Autocar India

•1d

For your requirements, the Kia Carens Clavis diesel manual would be our first recommendation. Since your priority is long highway comfort, strong fuel efficiency and long-term ownership without regret, this fits exceptionally well. The diesel engine is efficient and well-suited to highway cruising, the ride comfort is good, the cabin is practical for family use and importantly, the third row is genuinely usable, unlike many so-called 7-seaters. If most of your driving is highway-based, living with a manual should not be a problem, and it will reward you with much better efficiency than the automatic alternatives.If your highway runs are not extremely long, charging infrastructure on your regular routes is dependable, and you are open to going electric, the Kia Carens Clavis EV is also a genuinely strong option. It gives you much lower running costs, excellent comfort and the same practical seven-seat layout. The only caveat is that for truly long road trips, you need to be comfortable planning around charging stops.

Kia Carens Clavis

Kia Carens Clavis EV