Hyundai Alcazar variants

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Pick the Hyundai Creta 1.5 turbo DCT SX(O). It gives you Level 2 ADAS features, a big panoramic sunroof and feels nice to drive on long highway runs. It will likely sit closer to your Rs. 23 lakh cap than the Alcazar, which usually crosses it. If you truly need the third row a few times a year, the Alcazar DCT also works well, and it gets all the features you're looking for, but the last row is best reserved for short durations.About fuel, don’t overthink it. Hyundai’s current 1.5 turbo petrol is E20-ready and runs fine on today’s fuel. E27 or E30 is not around the corner yet, and buying now will not put you at a disadvantage in a few months.

Hyundai Creta

Hyundai Alcazar

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Pick the Mahindra XUV 7XO AX7 petrol manual. Your driving is mostly highway and you plan to keep it 10-12 years, and this one feels the most relaxed and secure at speed, with a comfy second row and a big, usable boot when the third row is folded. The performance, refinement and reliability of the engine is also very good but the only downside is a low fuel economy, single digits or low double digit figures if you are careful. But since your driving is low this should not be a big issue. The XUV 7XO is E20-ready, as are the others, so your ethanol worry for the next decade is largely covered. If blends rise beyond E20 later, expect a small drop in economy across all petrol rather than a single clear loser. Between the rest, the Tata Safari would be an option, as it too offers a very good ride quality and stability at speed is good. The third row is also more comfortable but this would not be an advantage for you given that it would remain a luggage area only. As for the Scorpio N, it is tough but heavy and bouncy on long highway runs and noticeably thirstier; it suits rough roads more than long fast cruises. The Alcazar is easier to drive in the city and will use less fuel, but it is narrower, and it does not feel as planted or as reassuring as the Mahindra or the Tata on long highways.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Tata Safari

Mahindra Scorpio N

Hyundai Alcazar

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The Kia Sonet HTX diesel automatic is the smoothest and most refined option from the cars listed. With a Rs 15 lakh budget, it packs all the features that you want, both basic and good-to-have ones. Its backseat isn't as spacious as the Tata Nexon, but unless you have six-footers regularly travelling at the back, the Sonet should be fine.The entry-level Hyundai Alcazar belongs to a higher segment, and not only is it the most spacious, but it also gets you the flexibility of a third row. However, it will not fall within your Rs 15 lakh budget, and even after extending your budget by a few lakhs, you'll only be able to get a manual - the diesel-automatic is much more expensive.You could also consider the Kia Syros, which is compact yet more comfortable and more spacious than the Sonet.

Kia Sonet

Hyundai Alcazar

Kia Syros

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The ideal upgrade for you would be the Kia Carens Clavis. It has all the positives from the Maruti Ertiga but in a much more premium package. The engine is more powerful, it is extremely practical, and despite being a 5+2 seater, it is easy to drive in the city. The third row space is also usable for adults, especially in city drives. On the highways, too, it offers a comfortable ride and a decent amount of room in the third row with all three rows up. Being a Kia car, the equipment list is quite comprehensive, and you wouldn't miss many features with this MPV.The Mahindra XUV 7XO is also good, but it is a bit too large for the city, and the third row space isn't as good or usable as the Kia's. The Hyundai Alcazar struggles with third-row room while carrying over the underpinnings of the Clavis. The Tata Safari isn't easy to use in the city, courtesy of its size and cramped third-row space, and the Toyota Innova HyCross, in its petrol-only guise, is quite inefficient and has to sacrifice a whole bunch of features too, unless you spend upwards of Rs 30 lakh and get the strong-hybrid version.The Carens Clavis will tick all the necessary boxes and at a reasonable price point, making it the best pick for you.

Kia Carens Clavis

Maruti Suzuki Ertiga

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Hyundai Alcazar

Tata Safari

Toyota Innova HyCross

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Hyundai is expected to discontinue the Alcazar soon. While manufacturers support spare parts availability for several years, availability typically reduces over time, and costs tend to rise. This can make long-term ownership and servicing more expensive and less convenient. Keeping this in mind, it may be worth considering alternatives that are likely to remain in production for longer.

Hyundai Alcazar