Autocar India
DA

Dinesh Aruru

•9w

We are a family of 6 adults and 3 kids (12 years, 8 years and 6 years). We have been using second-hand cars for the past 8-9 years. First XUV500 W5 and then XUV500 W11 sunroof. We are now looking to buy a new car. A diesel automatic with good fuel economy is my primary requirement. It will mostly be driven on weekends. The maximum budget is ₹21 lakh. Please suggest.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•9w
Since you will need a usable third row, the Kia Carens Clavis is a good fit for you. It is spacious, practical and comfortable across all three rows. However, it can only seat seven, so if you must travel with all nine members of the family, you will need a second car.
The diesel automatic is available in the fully loaded HTK Plus trim and fits within your budget. The 116hp diesel is a tried-and-tested engine with superb cruising abilities. It is not particularly responsive or quick, but once it builds up speed on the highway, it can cruise all day comfortably without complaints. It may feel sluggish with a full load or while climbing steep inclines, but in regular driving, it works perfectly well.
It is fuel-efficient, too. During our first drive, we regularly saw a MID-indicated 15-16kpl on the highway. Before you decide, visit the showroom with family members in tow to ensure everyone is comfortable and that the performance meets your needs.
Kia Carens Clavis

Kia Carens Clavis

Explore cars mentioned

Kia Carens Clavis

Kia

Carens Clavis

from ₹13.05 Lakh

SH

SH

•9w

As you have been using xuv500 which has ample space for your nice family, I suggest to go for Safari Pure X auto deisel. Safari has better engine, space, mileage and road presence and safety on highways for weekend trips, though it may require you to spend a lac more. Or if you want to fit in the budget then Scorpio N Z6 and Xuv700 Ax3 are other options but 3rd rows are not as spacious at Xuv500.

New car launches to explore

View all

More questions on similar cars

AB

Abhiram

•1d

I am looking for a good and reliable replacement for my 2017 Honda BR-V diesel. The new car should be easy to drive for my parents, while also being comfortable and practical for both city and highway use. We are a family of six and regularly travel long distances together. I also live in a small village with narrow roads and poor road conditions, including potholes, so good ride comfort, manageable size, and decent ground clearance are important requirements.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•1d

For your needs, consider the Kia Carens Clavis diesel as a logical upgrade from your Honda BR-V diesel. The Kia has a refined and efficient 116hp, 1.5 diesel engine that can be had with either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter automatic. The MPV has a comfy and spacious cabin with a genuinely usable third row, which makes it ideal for long drives, and it has light controls, which means it'll be easy for your parents to drive as well. The Carens Clavis is also not a particularly large car, so driving in narrow lanes and parking will not be an issue either.

VehicleKia Carens Clavis
SN

Sourabh Nanaware

•6d

I have shortlisted the Mahindra XUV 7XO AX3, Tata Safari Pure(X), Mahindra Scorpio N Z4, and Kia Carens Clavis HTK+. My priorities are safety, mileage, easy city driving and parking. My yearly running is around 6,000km. Please suggest the top two options and whether I should choose petrol or diesel.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•1d

City-first use, low yearly running and a focus on safety and easy parking point to two picks from your list: Mahindra XUV 7XO AX3 and Kia Carens Clavis HTK+.The Mahindra XUV 7XO suits you if you want a strong safety focus and a calm, smooth drive. It feels steady on bad roads, gives a clear view out, and the light steering at low speeds helps in traffic and tight lanes. Parking aids available on the 7XO help slot a big car into small spaces.The Kia Carens Clavis is the easiest to live with in the city. It has light controls, a relaxed petrol engine, and it sips less fuel in stop-go use. The low floor also makes getting in and out very easy for the family, and the third row is better than the 7XO's.With 6,000 km a year, pick petrol. Diesel costs more, and short city runs don’t suit it. Only choose diesel if you do frequent long highway trips.

VehicleMahindra XUV 7XO
VehicleKia Carens Clavis
SA

Sai

•5d

Is the Toyota Innova Crysta worth considering for my requirements? I will mainly use the car only for highway drives. Also, are there any better options available in the same price range?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•10h

The Innova Crysta is a good choice for purely highway use. It shines on long runs: the diesel pulls strongly without effort, it stays steady at speed, and the ride keeps bad patches in check so your family stays comfortable. The seats are wide and supportive, and Toyota’s track record and service reach make cross-country trips worry-free.Know the trade-offs. The cabin feels a bit old next to newer rivals, and an automatic is no longer on offer, which can become tiring on longer drives.If you want an easy automatic, look at the Mahindra XUV 7XO. It rides better and feels smoother and more powerful, though the third row is a bit tight for adults. If you are open to petrol power, then the Innova Hycross is a better choice than the Crysta in terms of comfort, safety and ease of use.For pure highway runs, the Innova Crysta is still a solid choice.

VehicleToyota Innova Crysta
VehicleToyota Innova HyCross
VehicleMahindra XUV 7XO

View all Posts

Popular discussions right now

SS

SS

•1w

My wife and I earn around ₹4.5 lakh per month. We are planning to buy our first car, and we prefer the EMI to be around ₹15,000-₹20,000. What car would you suggest we should buy?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•5d

It really depends on how much down payment you are comfortable putting in, because your EMI target of Rs 15,000 to 20,000 can get you very different cars depending on the loan tenure and upfront payment.That said, for a first car that is easy to drive, safe, comfortable and still feels special, one of the strongest picks today is the Skoda Kylaq Signature automatic. Skoda’s official pricing puts the Signature automatic in a range where, with roughly Rs 2.3 down payment and a 7 year loan, your EMI can sit broadly in your target bracket. The turbo petrol engine feels punchy without being intimidating, the torque converter automatic is smooth and fuss free, and the size is just right for a first time buyer.If you want to spend less and prioritise maximum ease of use, the Hyundai i20 IVT is another excellent first car. It is easier to drive than most SUVs, the IVT automatic is extremely smooth in traffic, and ownership is straightforward. You give up the higher seating position of an SUV, but for urban use, it is arguably an even easier first car.

VehicleSkoda Kylaq
VehicleHyundai i20
LA

lakkhan

•3d

Is it worth considering buying an Audi in India at the moment over rivals like Mercedes-Benz or BMW? Could you please explain whether there are any risks associated with purchasing an Audi currently?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•2d

From a pure product perspective, Audi’s cars like the A4, Q3 and the Q7 remain genuinely strong. Cabin quality is excellent, refinement is top-notch, quattro-equipped models are hugely capable, and the overall ownership experience can be perfectly satisfying. Where Mercedes and BMW currently have the edge is brand momentum, product freshness and showroom pull. Mercedes has the broadest luxury portfolio, while BMW arguably has the more engaging cars to drive in several segments. Audi, by comparison, has felt quieter in recent years, with fewer headline launches and slightly less buzz.Audi India remains committed, and service support for existing owners is not a concern in the way people sometimes fear.

VehicleAudi A4
VehicleAudi Q5
VehicleAudi Q7
AG

Amit Gupte

•3d

I want to drive from Mumbai to Mahabaleshwar. Which route would you recommend? I can see multiple routes on Google Maps and don't know which one is best.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•2d

The fastest route is the old NH66 route via Karnala. However, if you want a more enjoyable drive with your Audi A4 with prettier scenery and generally better road surfaces, we would suggest taking the Pali Road via Imagica towards Wakan, where you can connect back onto NH66.Also, try to leave before 7 am so you can cross the Mangaon section before around 10 am, because this stretch can get heavily congested later in the morning.

VehicleAudi A4

View all Posts

Posted on: 20 Mar 2026