Reclinable rear seats, once found only in high-end luxury cars, are now offered in affordable models, enhancing comfort for chauffeur-driven. Today, even cars priced from around Rs 6 lakh offer reclining rear seats, in some cases, even in the third row. Our list of the most affordable cars with second-row reclining seats is driven by MPVs, followed by SUVs from mass-market brands like Kia, Mahindra, Maruti Suzuki, Toyota and Renault, arranged from lowest to highest price.
Kia Carens | Kia Carens Clavis
Rs 10.99 lakh-12.77 lakh | Rs 11.08 lakh-20.71 lakh
The Kia Carens Premium (O) variant is available only in the seven-seat layout (2+3+2), and its 60:40 split second row seats offer both slide and recline functions. Its 50:50 split third-row seats can also be reclined. The Kia Carens Clavis, the standard MPV’s more premium sibling, adds the option of captain seats in the middle row. As per our Kia Carens Clavis review, all three rows of seats in the MPV are comfortable. There is even a Boss mode that enables second-row passengers to move the front seat ahead to open up more legroom.
Kia Syros
Rs 10.74 lakh-15.94 lakh
Similar to its Carens stablemate, the Kia Syros SUV comes with 60:40 split second-row seats. Not only do these seats recline and slide, they also feature ventilation – albeit only on the seat base; a feature none of the other models here offer. The seats are very comfy, but the lumbar support of the front seats is slightly better, our Kia Syros review stated. The Syros gets reclinable rear seats from the two above base HTK+ trim onwards.
Mahindra Thar
Rs 9.99 lakh-16.99 lakh
Pre-facelift Mahindra Thar pictured above.
Unlike other cars on this list with 5-, 6- or 7-seat options, the Mahindra Thar stands out with 4 seats. The ones at the rear are split 50:50 and can be reclined via a strap next to the seats. Access to the seats at the back is challenging, noted our Thar facelift review. Legroom is decent, but the low seat height compromises comfort.
Maruti Ertiga | Toyota Rumion
Rs 8.8 lakh-12.94 lakh | Rs 10.44 lakh-13.62 lakh
The seven-seat Maruti Ertiga MPV and its badge-engineered sibling, Toyota Rumion, feature 60:40 split seats with recline and slide functionality in the middle row and 50:50 split seats with recline in the last row. In our Rumion review, we found the second row to be spacious, and the space in the last row is good even for adults; however, taller passengers will find the headroom a bit tight.
Renault Triber
Rs 5.76 lakh-8.6 lakh
This list is rounded off with the seven-seat Renault Triber, the most affordable car in this set. Triber’s 60:40 split middle row seats can be both slid and reclined. The MPV’s last row features 50:50 split seats, but these can also be removed entirely to free up more room. Our Triber review noted that the second row is actually more comfortable than the first, offering better thigh support and adjustable headrests. The third row, meanwhile, is reasonably comfortable for short trips.
Ex-showroom car prices mentioned above.
