Kia Carens Clavis HTE (EX) 7 Seat Diesel MT

Autocar India

•18h

If you have to carry 6 people, even occasionally, the answer has to be the Kia Carens Clavis, as the Seltos is only a 5-seater. Apart from their form factor, the two cars are very similar, though using similar powertrains. But crucially, the Clavis offers the turbo-petrol engine with a manual gearbox, whereas the Seltos only offers the iMT 'clutchless manual'. With 1,000 km a month in the city and one 400-500 km highway run, and a hard cap around Rs. 20 lakh, the Kia Carens Clavis HTK+ (O) 7-seat Turbo Petrol MT fits your use better because it is the larger, roomier family car. It will seat five adults comfortably, 6 or 7 if you need to, has better legroom and shoulder room in the back, and the bigger boot (in 5-seat mode) will take everyone’s weekend bags with ease. The 160hp turbo petrol engine has good pull when you need to pass, and the Clavis feels steady at speed, which will keep the family relaxed. Another alternative is the Hyundai Alcazar, which uses the same powertrain as the Clavis, but comes with the SUV form factor, ground clearance and road presence. However, it is priced higher, and in your budget, you'll only get a lower-spec variant with fewer features.

Kia Carens Clavis

Kia Seltos

Autocar India

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We would recommend opting for the Kia Carens Clavis based on your requirements. The Carens is designed with family use in mind, offering comfortable captain seats and a usable third row when needed. With the third row folded, it provides a large luggage bay, which is one of your key requirements. It is easy to drive, comfortable over long distances and works very well for weekend highway trips with a young child.If you want a more rugged SUV feel with stronger highway performance, the Mahindra XUV 7XO is worth considering. It comes with a more powerful diesel engine and feels stronger and more effortless at highway speeds, especially when fully loaded. However, the third row is best suited for occasional use, and overall practicality is not as good as the Carens for a family setup.Similarly, the Tata Safari diesel automatic is a strong alternative if safety and ride comfort are top priorities. It feels robust, handles bad roads very well and has a more accommodating third row than the Mahindra. But like the XUV 7XO, it is not as flexible as the Clavis for carrying passengers and luggage together.The Toyota Innova HyCross remains the most comfortable and refined option overall, but the captain seat variants typically stretch beyond your budget once on-road costs are considered.

Kia Carens Clavis

Tata Safari

Toyota Innova HyCross

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Autocar India

•2d

You can opt for Kia Carens Clavis in your Rs 15-18 lakh budget; it gives you the most space and the most upmarket feel for the money. You already have a Volkswagen Taigun, which is a great driver’s car, but the Clavis will feel far roomier the moment you get in. The second row has lots of knee room, the third row is usable for adults on short trips, and with the last row folded, the boot is huge for airport runs or a long holiday. Plus, Kia’s service reach in most cities is strong, so upkeep is simple.One thing to be aware of: it won’t feel as lively to drive as your Taigun, and the steering feels lighter, so cornering won’t be as engaging. Moreover, within your budget, you'll get the mid-range HTK+ variant, which, though it has more than just the basics, doesn't offer the full suite of features you get higher up the range. Much better value for money is the Citroen Aircross, which comes in a 7-seat variant with a flexible third row of seats that can be removed when you don't need it. It has a supremely comfortable ride, and for under Rs 17 lakh, you will get the top-spec X Max 7-seat automatic variant. Just bear in mind, Citroen's service network isn't as wide as Kia's, so make sure there's an outlet near you.

Kia Carens Clavis

Citroen Aircross

Autocar India

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Consider the Kia Carens Clavis HTK Plus 1.5 diesel 6AT for your 50 km daily runs with family and a proper third row; it fits your brief best within budget. Compared to your 2015 Ertiga CNG, the Carens will feel roomier, and the third row is easier to sit in for adults, thanks to the low floor and sliding second row. Getting in and out is simpler too with the wide doors and one-touch tumble. The diesel automatic shifts smoothly and pulls strongly, even with seven on board. Ride comfort is good over broken roads, the steering is light in the city, and you get vents for all rows.Do note that the diesel is a touch noisier at idle than a petrol. Also, boot space with all seats up is fine for a few soft bags, but big suitcases will need one seat folded.If you want to stick with a CNG vehicle, the older Carens is still on sale with a dealer-fit CNG option. However, it can only be had with a manual gearbox and in only one Premium (O) trim. For your needs, the newer Carens Clavis is the better bet.When you test drive, take three adults long and try the last row. Do a loop with speed breakers and some rough patches, and check how cool the rear stays with the AC on.

Kia Carens Clavis

Autocar India

•1d

You should consider the Kia Carens Clavis HTE (O) 1.5 petrol MT. For a family of six and monthly trips, it offers the most space and the lowest running costs within your budget. The Carens has a roomy second row and a third row that works well for your 5 and 10-year-olds, with easy access and rear AC vents to keep everyone cool. It is easy to drive in the city, the ride is comfortable on bad roads, and Kia’s service reach is strong across most cities.A couple of things to note are that the Carens Clavis does not offer a panoramic sunroof at this price, and performance from the 1.5 NA engine will feel underwhelming with six on board. Around Rs 18 lakh will get you the Clavis HTX+, which comes with a panoramic sunroof and turbo-petrol engine, addressing both concerns.When you test drive, put both kids in the third row and check luggage space with your usual travel bags. Also assess performance from the 1.5 NA with a full load.

Kia Carens Clavis

Autocar India

•5d

Go for the Kia Clavis diesel you’ve chosen - with your 40 km daily run in Trichy and regular highway drives on alternate weekends, it fits your use and the DPF should stay healthy. Modern diesels clean the DPF on their own while you drive by heating the exhaust. To help it along, give the car a clear run once every week or two for 15-20 minutes at 60-80 km/h, and keep the engine around 2000 rpm. If a DPF or “regen” message shows, don’t switch off; keep driving in the same way until the light clears. Try to avoid many very short 1-2 km trips from cold back-to-back. Fill diesel from a trusted pump, keep at least a quarter tank because some cars won’t start a regen on low fuel, and use the exact engine oil grade in the manual, which is a low-ash type. Don’t idle the car to clean the DPF; it works better while driving. If a warning doesn’t clear, visit the dealer for a quick forced clean.One thing to be aware of: diesel can feel a bit noisier in the city, and you will AdBlue top-ups which is part of your routine maintenance Yes, you can fit a roof carrier, but some RTOs in certain states do not allow this so check on this first. Use a brand-approved rack and stay within the roof load limitBefore delivery, ask the service advisor to show you how the DPF message looks on the screen and how to trigger a manual regen. That one tip will make ownership stress-free.

Kia Carens Clavis

Autocar India

•5d

Go for the Kia Carens Clavis DCT HTK+(O) 1.5 turbo-petrol for a chauffeur-driven family car with easy entry for parents and a little fun when you take the wheel. It fits your brief best at this budget.Your parents will find it easy to step in because the floor is low and the rear doors open wide, so they do not have to climb up or drop down. The rear seat is roomy and supportive, and the ride is comfortable at city speeds, which helps in tier-2 traffic. The automatic here is a DCT, which is an automatic that changes gears very quickly. On the highway, the turbo-petrol picks up speed easily, so overtaking feels stress-free and even exciting. Kia’s service reach in smaller towns is also quite good now, which matters for easy ownership.Two things to be aware of: in very slow bumper-to-bumper traffic, the DCT can feel a touch jerky and hesitant if you are gentle on the throttle, and the car is long, so tight parking needs some care. If you prefer two rows and an even softer ride, look at the Hyundai Creta 1.5 petrol IVT SX. It is very smooth in traffic and easy enough on ingress/egress, though not as exciting as the Clavis turbo.Take your parents along for the test drive and check step-in height and rear-seat comfort, then do a short highway run to feel how easily it gains speed.

Kia Carens Clavis

Hyundai Creta

Autocar India

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Go for the Kia Carens Clavis 1.5 petrol, it does not have an SUV body style, but at your budget and with your 90% city use and 50 km a day, it is the easiest and most comfortable three-row you can live with daily. Coming from your i10, the Carens will feel much bigger, but it is still friendly in traffic: light steering, a calm engine and good all-round visibility make daily driving and parking far less stressful than most big seven-seaters. There's also a smooth enough clutch, and you could also consider the automatic, which is a bit above your budget. The ride is comfortable over speed breakers and broken patches, there is proper space in the second row, and the third row is very usable for kids or shorter adults, and the air-con vents for all rows help in hot weather. If you do want a true SUV feel, however and can manage a bigger car and are ok with a lower mileage, consider the Mahindra XUV 7XO.

Kia Carens Clavis

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Autocar India

•3d

Pick the Tata Safari petrol. It meets most of your requirements, though fuel consumption will be high, particularly in the city. As a daily car, it is easy to drive, has light steering and a smooth automatic transmission, and runs well on bad roads. The second row slides, so you can share space with the third row when you have 6 or 7 on board, and getting in and out is easier than in the Mahindra XUV 7XO. On the highway, it feels steady and quiet.If fuel efficiency is a big concern, consider the Kia Carens Clavis with turbo petrol DCT combo. It will be slightly more efficient than Safari, and the third row is even more comfortable. In terms of safety, it has a comprehensive safety suite but it hasn't yet been tested by BNCAP.On the test drive, take the Safari on the highway and check the stability and overtaking performance.

Tata Safari

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Kia Carens Clavis

Autocar India

•1w

Go for the Kia Carens Clavis Diesel. Its diesel engine is smooth, refined and very efficient, which you will certainly appreciate on account of your high usage. While the automatic version will be convenient, you could even consider the manual instead - the latter being even more fuel efficient, and its clutch and gearbox feel light and easy. What's more, this car is a spacious six or seven seater, with adequate space even in the third row. Moreover, it is well equipped too, and feels quite premium on the inside.If you want more power and higher ground clearance for rough roads, you could look at the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel, but efficiency will not be as good as the Clavis. Also, if you're open to electric cars, the Clavis EV and Mahindra XEV 9S will be great options for you, and if you can arrange for home charging, both these will be very economical to run.

Kia Carens Clavis