I have a family of eight and currently own an Ertiga, but it feels underpowered. My daily commute is around 40km, and we do occasional outstation trips once a quarter. I want a powerful, comfortable 7/8-seater that I can keep for at least 6-7 years. The budget is around Rs 25 lakh. What should I buy?

autocar.india

•5h

Pick the Ertiga ZXI automatic. Your running is low and mostly city, so a simple petrol with an automatic will keep life easy, and you still get true 7-seat flexibility when parents join. The Maruti 6‑speed automatic is smooth, reliable, and stress-free in traffic, and the K15 engine is E20-ready, so fuel changes are a non-issue for you.The Carens diesel manual is great on highways, but with tier‑2 short trips and only one long run every couple of months, DPF regens can be a headache you do not need. Also, you pay more upfront and won’t recover it with your kilometres. If you liked the Carens for space, the petrol will drink a bit more; that’s the trade you already spotted.Victoris is fine as a 5‑seat SUV, but it simply doesn’t solve your “sometimes six” use case the way Ertiga does.One honest catch with Ertiga: with all three rows up, boot space is tight, and it’s not the quickest for fast highway overtakes. For your family's pace and mileage, though, it fits your budget, comfort and usage best.

Maruti Suzuki Ertiga

Kia Carens

autocar.india

•1d

The Kia Carens Clavis Petrol Automatic would be our recommendation. While your family consists of four members, you've specifically mentioned that your parents or in-laws do join you on trips from time to time, which means a genuinely usable third row is important. The Carens Clavis offers the best balance of space, comfort and practicality for seven occupants, while also being easy to drive and comfortable on the 400-600km trips you undertake every couple of months. With an annual running of around 8,000km, we would also avoid the diesel. Although your highway trips should help keep DPF-related issues at bay, the fuel savings are unlikely to justify the higher purchase price and complexity of a modern diesel. Given your knee discomfort, an automatic is definitely worth choosing over a manual and will make day-to-day driving far more relaxing.As for the Carens petrol's fuel efficiency, it is true that some owners report lower-than-expected figures, particularly in heavy city traffic. However, with your relatively modest annual running, we wouldn't let mileage become the deciding factor. The difference in fuel costs between the Carens petrol automatic and a more efficient alternative is unlikely to be substantial enough to outweigh the benefits of the Kia's superior space, comfort and practicality.The Ertiga Automatic remains a sensible option if value, fuel efficiency and ease of ownership are your priorities, but its safety credentials continue to be a concern. The Victoris feels more premium and offers greater comfort on long journeys, but if you genuinely expect to travel with six or seven people, the Carens Clavis is simply the more practical vehicle.

Kia Carens Clavis

Maruti Suzuki Ertiga

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

autocar.india

•8m

Yes, the Toyota Innova HyCross ZX Hybrid will handle Himachal hill roads confidently, but it is front-wheel drive and not as rugged as your Endeavour. The electric motor gives instant shove at low speeds, so hill starts, hairpins and slow traffic climbs feel easy and smooth with no lag. Keep it in Power mode on steep sections and it will pull a full load without fuss; progress is steady rather than rapid, but safe.For your long trips, you will stop for fuel far less than in the Endeavour, and the supportive seats are another HyCross highlight. The big cabin and boot also make packing for week-long trips simple.Do note, the Hycross does not have the same capability as an Endeavour in inclement weather. If deep slush, snow or very broken tracks are elements you encounter on your journeys through Himachal, the Hycross won't be right for you. Else, the HyCross ZX Hybrid is a smart, stress-free pick for your needs.

Toyota Innova HyCross