I have been using a Datsun and found it reliable, including for highway use. My annual running is around 10,000km, mostly on highways. I am now looking for a 7-seater MPV with reliable performance for family use, good fuel efficiency and an on-road budget of ₹12-15 lakh. Please suggest.

Autocar India

•1d

The closely related Renault Triber and new Nissan Gravite are the best options for you. Both compact MPVs are well within your budget and will surprise you with the versatility and practicality they offer within a small footprint. There's plenty of seating flexibility with middle row slide and recline functions, making it easy to balance space for the third row of passengers. You also have the option to remove the third row seats when not in use to create space for luggage.The interiors are also well designed with enough new-age features like a touchscreen, digital dials, wireless charging, auto climate control and AC vents at the back. The 1-litre engine isn't big on power but is fine for city use. It does feel underpowered on highway drives, though. While you can get fully-loaded AMT auto versions within your budget, we'd recommend opting for the manual gearbox.The differences between the Renault Triber and Nissan Gravite are merely cosmetic. You could base your buying decision based on proximity to a dealer and service support. In case you want something larger, there is the option of the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga. However, only the base LXI trim is available under Rs 10 lakh.

Maruti Suzuki Ertiga

Renault Triber

Nissan Gravite

Autocar India

•1h

We would recommend you look at the Maruti Suzuki Celerio. Refinement from the 1.0 litre engine is much better than you would expect from a three-cylinder engine, and minimal vibrations filter into the cabin. The overall performance is smooth and easy for normal everyday driving, and at low city speeds, it even feels a bit eager, and it is thus quite enjoyable to drive. In terms of safety, the car is well equipped with safety features like 6 airbags, anti-locking brakes (ABS) and electronic stability program (ESP). It also scored a three-star crash safety rating in the GNCAP test. You can get cars with a better crash rating, like the Tata Tiago, for instance, but you will not find the engine as smooth.

Maruti Suzuki Celerio

Tata Tiago

Autocar India

•1h

Yes, the Tata Punch Adventure AMT is an excellent option, given your requirements. It's tall with a high seating position, which gives you a commanding view out - great for a new driver, yet it's compact enough not to be intimidating around town. It will also feel like a good upgrade from your old Celerio.Since safety is also a consideration for you, the Punch has been given a 5-star Bharat NCAP crash test rating and gets 6 airbags as standard, plus a good amount of standard safety equipment. If there's a potential drawback, it's that the Punch's 1.2 petrol engine and AMT gearbox aren't the smoothest combination, and as a new driver, the jerkiness at low speeds is something you will have to learn to drive around.Also consider the Hyundai Exter SX Smart AMT and the Nissan Magnite Kuro AMT as well, as both have smoother powertrains than the Punch.

Tata Punch

Hyundai Exter

Nissan Magnite