Hello, I am looking for a family car that is also good for highway use. The car will be used for approximately 1,000 km per month, mainly for long drives over the weekends. My budget is around 25-30 lakh, and I would prefer a car with captain seats in the second row and ample boot space, as I have a young child and we usually carry a lot of luggage. Highway safety is a priority.

autocar.india

•2d

Yes, the Kia Carens Clavis diesel automatic is a smart upgrade for your kind of running and long trips. The 1.5 diesel with the smooth 6‑speed automatic cruises at low revs, is easy in traffic, and delivers good highway economy, so your yearly fuel bill stays reasonable after 20,000-25,000km. Space and comfort are a clear step up from your Ertiga, too. The second row is nicer for adults, the third row is usable for shorter stints, and the cabin is quieter over distance. The safety kit is solid with 6 airbags on all trims, and the ride is comfortable enough to keep you fresh after a full day’s drive.Pricing should sit around Rs 20-22 lakh on-road if you choose a mid or upper-mid trim. The top variant can go higher in some cities. Given your mileage, the diesel automatic also keeps clutch wear out of the picture and makes city usage easy. The only catch may be performance when fully loaded on steep ghats; it will do the job, but you may need to plan overtakes and use manual shifts.An alternative is the Hyundai Alcazar. It's in the more desirable SUV shape with better road presence, and as such, it will feel like more of an upgrade from your Ertiga. It uses the same smooth and efficient diesel AT powertrain as the Clavis, too. However, the third row is not as spacious, and you will definitely have to stretch your budget to get higher variants.

Kia Carens Clavis

Hyundai Alcazar

autocar.india

•2d

It isn't clear from your question whether your 4,000-5,000 km highway usage is per year or per month, and whether you have a home charging provision. If your monthly usage is high, and you have a charging provision, the Clavis EV is a no-brainer. You can expect a real-world range of around 350km (on the highway), and with 60kW DC fast charging along the way, you can easily add 100km of additional range in 30 minutes. However, with a home charging, your running costs will be much lower than public charging.On the other hand, if your 4,000-5,000 km is annual usage, pick the Kia Carens Clavis petrol - the fuel bill difference won’t recover the EV’s higher price premium for a long time, so you’re paying more up front for savings you may not fully use. For long highway runs, the simple truth is petrol gives you certainty - five-minute refuels anywhere and no planning around chargers, especially while travelling with family on board.

Kia Carens Clavis EV

Kia Carens Clavis

autocar.india

•1d

Coming from a 2014 Honda Amaze, both the HyCross and the Mahindra XUV 7XO will feel like a massive upgrade. However, the HyCross is the more rounded family car. It offers exceptional rear-seat comfort, a smooth and refined strong-hybrid powertrain, excellent fuel efficiency for its size and Toyota's unmatched reputation for long-term reliability and low maintenance. It is also one of the most comfortable long-distance cruisers you can buy in India.The Mahindra XUV 7XO is a very impressive SUV in its own right. It feels more powerful, offers a richer feature list and has a more premium SUV character. If you enjoy driving and prefer a more rugged, commanding feel behind the wheel, it is the more engaging of the two.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Mahindra XUV 7XO