Kia Carens Clavis EV HTX E ER

autocar.india

•1w

Given your limited usage, the initial premium a hybrid or an electric car command over a petrol-automatic can't be justified, despite the significant difference in running costs. Hence, we'd advise you to consider a petrol-automatic car instead. For the money, you can consider a VW Taigun 1.0 TSI 8AT or a Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI 8AT. Both these are smooth and compact in size, and will feel rather easy to drive in urban conditions. Also, both are solid, and you will feel confident driving on your occasional highway drives. In case you want a car that's larger and more modern, the Kia Seltos 1.5 IVT is an excellent option.However, if you're still keen to keep the running costs to a bare minimum, and if you have a provision for home charging, then consider the upcoming Kia Syros EV (expected to launch in the coming weeks). This Kia car is compact in size, yet it is surprisingly spacious, and with adjustable rear seats, the Syros will feel like a natural progression from your outgoing Honda Jazz. The electric powertrain is likely to be shared with the Clavis EV, which means it will be smooth and very efficient too. Sure, the Syros EV's looks might not be universally appealing; however, we'd strongly recommend that you drive it once - it is likely to be an ideal Jazz replacement for you.

Volkswagen Taigun

Skoda Kushaq

Kia Seltos

Kia Syros EV

Kia Carens Clavis EV

autocar.india

•2w

Unfortunately, in your budget of Rs 10-15 lakh, there aren't many 7-8 seaters that meet all your criteria. Your best bet would be the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, or its 6-seat counterpart, the XL6. It's reliable, efficient and has the essential features you'll need for your intended use. It's comfortable for passengers, and the 1.5-litre petrol engine is smooth and powerful enough, though not outright strong. As for safety, it was rated 3 stars in Global NCAP's crash tests, but that was back in 2019. It has since been given multiple safety updates, including 6 airbags as standard, which should mean a higher score. Another option is the Kia Carens Clavis, but in your budget, you'll only get a low-spec petrol manual model, with only basic features. Overall, the more efficient and value-for-money Ertiga or XL6 is a much better bet. There are, unfortunately, no three-row MPVs in your price range, the closest being the Kia Carens Clavis EV, which starts at around Rs 19 lakh on road.

Maruti Suzuki Ertiga

Maruti Suzuki XL6

Kia Carens Clavis EV

autocar.india

•3w

Pick the Kia Carens Clavis 7-seater, preferably with the diesel automatic, for the best mix of comfort and fuel efficiency. You like the calm, comfortable feel of Volkswagen and Hyundai car, and the Clavis comes closest to that, with a cushy ride, a quiet cabin and light controls that make city driving easy. On the two long trips you do each year, it keeps everyone happier with a roomy second row, a genuinely usable third row, strong air-conditioning and a stable highway feel. If your driving is largely restricted to the city, the petrol DCT would be the better choice, though it is not as smooth-shifting as the diesel automatic's torque-converter gearbox.An EV only makes sense if most of your driving is in the city and you can charge at home. In that case, the Carens Clavis EV’s smooth driving experience and very low running costs are worth it, though you will need to plan charging stops on those occasional highway trips.

Kia Carens Clavis

Kia Carens Clavis EV

autocar.india

•4w

It isn't clear from your question whether your 4,000-5,000 km highway usage is per year or per month, and whether you have a home charging provision. If your monthly usage is high, and you have a charging provision, the Clavis EV is a no-brainer. You can expect a real-world range of around 350km (on the highway), and with 60kW DC fast charging along the way, you can easily add 100km of additional range in 30 minutes. However, with a home charging, your running costs will be much lower than public charging.On the other hand, if your 4,000-5,000 km is annual usage, pick the Kia Carens Clavis petrol - the fuel bill difference won’t recover the EV’s higher price premium for a long time, so you’re paying more up front for savings you may not fully use. For long highway runs, the simple truth is petrol gives you certainty - five-minute refuels anywhere and no planning around chargers, especially while travelling with family on board.

Kia Carens Clavis EV

Kia Carens Clavis

autocar.india

•4w

The Seltos DCT is a solid choice for your needs. It has plenty of performance for trips to the hills, enough space to comfortably accommodate five passengers when needed, and a premium-looking cabin that is packed with features.The Innova Hycross, being a three-row MPV, will naturally feel more spacious when fully loaded. But since you are usually driving with no more than two people, it can feel a bit cumbersome in the city. Also, the naturally aspirated engine in the Hycross does not have the same punch as the Seltos’ turbo-petrol.Overall, the Seltos fits your needs better. If you do want a three-row vehicle, then the Kia Carens Clavis or the Mahindra XUV 7XO are worth considering as well.

Kia Seltos

Toyota Innova HyCross

Kia Carens Clavis EV

Mahindra XUV 7XO