I need to buy a 7 seater, budget is not a constraint. I can afford a luxury car as well, but my only point is that I will be driving the same car for the next 10 years. Should I wait for new launches or buy now, and which one to buy? Can u please advise me?

Autocar India

•1d

Your use is mostly long highway runs with the third row folded for your Labrador, plus a clear need for space in all three rows, parking aids and a 360 camera, and you don’t want it to feel weak when fully loaded. In that situation, the Toyota Innova Hycross 2.0 petrol automatic (non-hybrid) 8-seater is the one from your list that fits best overall. Its third row is the roomiest here, and when you fold it, you get a long, flat floor that is easy for a big dog and luggage. The CVT automatic, makes city work easy, but on the highway it has to work a bit hard to build up speed. Keep speeds steady, and you should see double-digit fuel efficiency on the highway, which matches your requirement.A couple of watch‑outs. The non‑hybrid Hycross does not get a factory 360 camera, and front sensors are limited to higher trims, so you may need a dealer‑fit 360 setup to meet that must‑have. Also, performance with a full load is just about adequate but not as strong as big‑turbo rivals if you push hard.If you must have a factory 360 camera, from your list, the Kia Clavis in a higher trim with the 1.5 turbo DCT gives you that and has a usable third row. Although your concern on DCT in heavy traffic is fair. Given your light city use, that risk is low. If you’re open to diesel, the Safari diesel AT also ticks power, highway comfort and 360 camera, but its third row is not as roomy as the Hycross. Overall, for your highway‑led use and dog‑friendly space, the Hycross non‑hybrid lines up best if you’re okay with adding a 360-camera via the dealer.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Tata Safari

Kia Carens Clavis

Autocar India

•2d

Since you mostly do highway trips of 15,000 km a year and your budget is ₹25-27 lakh, the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel automatic is the one you should consider. It suits long drives better than the petrol because the torquey 2.2-litre diesel engine pulls strongly with a full load, needs fewer fuel stops, and will likely cost less to run given your yearly use. On the highway it feels steady and sure-footed, and Mahindra’s service reach is wide, even in a tier-3 city.Between XUV 7XO petrol and diesel, pick the diesel for your use. The petrol is smooth and punchy but will use more fuel on highways and have shorter range. Between Safari and XUV 7XO, go XUV 7XO for your brief. The Safari feels tougher and has a roomier third row, but it isn't as powerful and XUV's better safety tech (ADAS) is handy on long runs.Alternatively, consider the Toyota Innova HyCross if you want the maximum space and an easy, relaxed drive feel.

Tata Safari

Toyota Innova HyCross

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Autocar India

•2d

Go with your head on this one and pick the Toyota Innova Hycross VX (O). For your use, it is the roomier one - seats or boot - and the more comfortable, with a strong features list as well. When you fold the last row, which disappears into the floor, unlike in the Innova Crysta, where it would fold upwards, it makes a long, wide boot that easily swallows big bags for road trips. The ride is smooth and quiet on broken roads, the steering is light in the city, and it stays steady on the highway, so long drives feel easy. The VX(O) packs the comfort and safety features most people want without pushing the price into the top trim territory, and Toyota’s service reach and resale are strong across India.The Jeep Meridian Longitude Plus may be more desirable, but it simply can't match up to the Toyota in your other areas of interest. It feels tough, has a rich cabin, and a strong engine. But the third row is tight, not helped by a middle row that does not slide, and the boot is smaller; it doesn't ride as comfortably. Also, the Jeep service network is not as wide as Toyota’s. Moreover, even though it's a diesel engine, its fuel economy is not great, and nowhere near what the Hycross hybrid offers, and its resale value won't be as strong as the Innova's either.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Jeep Meridian

Autocar India

•23h

It's really hard to suggest a car without knowing a bit more about your requirements, like rear space requirements and the distance driven per month. Thus, as a good all-rounder for a small family, the Maruti Suzuki Fronx Delta Plus AMT fits your brief best. Pick this variant because it gives you the most rear-seat space and a bigger, more useful boot than the other two, so adults sit more comfortably, and you pack more for trips. It also feels light and easy to drive in traffic, and the ride is calm over rough roads, which helps passengers, especially elders or kids.Two things to note: this automatic can feel a bit slow to pick up when you press the accelerator hard, and you will miss a few fancy features that sit on higher trims. If you drive with a full load on steep hills often, you may want to try it once to see if the response suits you.If you value tough build and the best ride on broken roads above all else, the Tata Punch Accomplished AMT is the second choice. It also has a smaller footprint for tight parking and a feature-rich cabin at a price like the Hyundai Exter HX6 AMT, too. Overall, for family comfort and everyday ease, go with the Fronx Delta Plus AMT.

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Tata Punch

Hyundai Exter

Autocar India

•5d

With the kind of mileage you are already seeing from your 4th generation Honda City, I would not rush to fit a CNG kit. Around 16 kpl over 85,000 km is actually a healthy real world figure for a petrol sedan, and since the City is known for its smoothness and refinement, adding an aftermarket CNG kit will inevitably change the character of the car. Honda does not offer a factory CNG option for the City, so any retrofit will be third party, which means compromises in boot space, some loss in outright performance and the added variable of installation quality and long term reliability. Honda also recommends using fuel that meets the vehicle specifications, and aftermarket modifications can complicate warranty or support considerations on newer cars.A CNG conversion only starts making strong financial sense if your running is very high and you plan to keep the car for several more years to recover the kit cost. If your annual usage is moderate, the payback period can be longer than expected. The only real case for going CNG here is if fuel cost reduction is your absolute top priority. Otherwise, given how well your City is already performing, I would leave it as is and enjoy the refinement rather than fixing something that is not really broken.

Honda City

Autocar India

•5d

If you are waiting for the Tata Sierra EV, the good news is that it does not seem too far away. Current indications suggest a launch could happen either later this month or in June.Expect it to slot below the Tata Harrier EV in Tata’s electric line-up, likely with multiple battery pack options and a more premium positioning than the Tata Curvv EV. Tata has also indicated that both Rear Wheel Drive and All Wheel Drive versions are planned, which should make it one of the more interesting mainstream electric SUVs in India.

Tata Sierra EV

Tata Harrier EV

Tata Curvv EV