Autocar India
RK

Raj Kamal Kanduk

20w

What is the best seven-seater MUV to buy right now, with rear seat comfort as the main priority? Options include the Kia Carnival, MG M9, and Toyota Vellfire. The Vellfire seems overpriced with the new pricing, and I am also concerned about MG’s brand image in India. Daily commute is around 180 km every alternate day for real estate work, and around 20 to 30 km on other days. Current garage includes a Range Rover Velar, BMW 330i, Thar Roxx, and Nexon EV Medium Range.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
17w
Your daily drive of 180km is a lot of time to spend on the road. You need a car that is efficient yet comfortable. The MG M9, being an EV, would be the cheapest to run, but it's not as comfortable as the other three. The M9’s seats and ride quality are not as good as the Kia Carnival, which appears to be the most practical option for you, as you get the benefit of diesel efficiency and cost, quality interiors, cosseting seats and good ride comfort.
The Toyota Velfire is by far the best of the lot: the cabin feels a notch above the others, the hybrid powertrain delivers ultra-smooth, efficient performance, and reliability is bulletproof. We agree it is overpriced, and it's your call how much you want to spend for that extra bit of comfort.
MG M9

MG M9

More questions on similar cars

MT

Manish Tripathi

14h

I am planning to buy my first car. I have a family of five, and my yearly driving is up to 500 km. I prefer SUVs and am confused between three options: Kia Sonet HTK(O) petrol manual, Kia Syros HTE petrol manual and Tata Punch Accomplished petrol manual. Please help me decide.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
9h

Opt for the Kia Syros petrol manual. It is the best fit for your needs. Your requirement is clear. Family of five, low usage and a preference for an SUV. In this case, space and comfort matter more than anything else, and the Syros stands out here. It is one of the most spacious cars in this segment, especially at the rear. The wide rear seat means three people can sit in good comfort, which is important for your family's use.It also has the advantage of a turbo petrol engine. Compared to the Kia Sonet HTK(O), which gets a naturally aspirated engine, the Syros feels more responsive and will not feel short on power, especially when the car is fully loaded with five people. The Sonet’s rear seat is also not as spacious, so it ends up being a compromise for rear passengers.The Tata Punch is a different kind of option. It is a smaller segment and does not feel as premium as the other two. While it offers good value and more features for the price, it cannot match the space, comfort, and overall feel of the Syros or Sonet.

VehicleKia Syros
VehicleKia Sonet
VehicleTata Punch
KA

Kaustubh

13h

I am planning to buy a new car for myself. The options I am considering are the Honda Amaze 2025 and the Skoda Kylaq. So I am a bit confused between these two. What do you suggest based on overall driving experience, after-market service, maintenance, etc? Also, please guide me in terms of variants. I am considering VX CVT and Signature Plus variants. Most of my running will be on the highway and sometimes in city traffic as well.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
9h

Go for the Skoda Kylaq Signature Plus. It is the better fit for your usage, especially with more highway driving. The Kylaq stands out because of its turbo petrol engine and overall driving feel. It is more responsive, pulls stronger on highways and feels more stable at higher speeds. The ride is also better sorted, which adds confidence on long drives. If you enjoy driving and want something that feels solid and engaging, the Kylaq clearly has the edge. The torque converter automatic is smooth in traffic and quick when you need it, but the downside is fuel efficiency, which will be noticeably lower than that of the Amaze.The Honda Amaze VX CVT takes a different approach. It is smoother and easier to drive in city traffic, with a very relaxed automatic experience. It is also more predictable to own, with Honda’s strong reputation for consistent after-sales service and lower maintenance costs, making it the more hassle-free option in the long run.

VehicleSkoda Kylaq
VehicleHonda Amaze
RO

Ronak

1d

I am planning to buy the Kia Seltos HTX without ADAS, but I am unable to decide between the naturally aspirated petrol engine and the turbo petrol. From a usage perspective, the NA engine seems better as my driving is around 75% in city traffic. However, if budget is not a constraint, should the turbo petrol be the natural choice?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
10h

With 75 percent city use in busy hours and the Kia Seltos HTX in mind, I would pick the HTX 1.5 petrol with the IVT automatic for you. It suits slow, stop-start traffic better than the turbo.Here is why it fits your use. The IVT automatic feels very smooth at low speeds and takes the stress out of crawling traffic. It also responds gently, so you are not juggling the throttle and brakes all the time. Over time, it is simpler to live with than the turbo’s fast-shifting DCT, and it tends to use less fuel in city jams.The trade-off is on open roads. The normal petrol needs a firmer press for quick overtakes and gets a bit loud when you push it. If you often drive with a full load on highways or enjoy strong bursts of speed, the 1.5 turbo is much quicker and will feel more effortless there. Just know that in slow city movement, the DCT can feel a bit hesitant and will likely sip more fuel.For your mostly city routine, the HTX 1.5 IVT lines up best. If you crave speed more than calm in traffic, then go turbo.

VehicleKia Seltos

Posted on: 27 Dec 2025