Kia Carens Clavis HTE (EX) 7 Seat Turbo Petrol DCT

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•36w

The Kia Carens Clavis is a great 7-seater. It is very spacious, and even tall adults can sit in the last row without any issue. The cabin feels very premium, with high-quality materials used, and even the lower variants offer impressive standard equipment, which makes the entry-level 1.5-litre petrol versions excellent value for money.The 1.5L petrol engine is smooth and refined, and in our tests, it accelerated quickly than the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, indicating better drivability too. This engine is shared with the Carens, Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, and Hyundai Verna, and it has been quite reliable so far. Service and maintenance costs are also on par with, or even lower than, its rivals.

Kia Carens Clavis

Kia Seltos

Hyundai Creta

Hyundai Verna

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•43w

Assuming you’re considering these two models because they offer a third row of seats, the Kia Carens Clavis would be the better choice.This Kia car offers easier access to the third row thanks to its electric one-touch tumble function, and space and comfort at the back are superior. Carens Clavis and Hyundai Alcazar share their turbo-petrol and diesel engines, so there isn’t much difference in performance.

Kia Carens Clavis

Hyundai Alcazar

autocar.india

•22h

The Clavis wasn’t part of your shortlist, but with seven members in the family, it is worth adding to the list. It makes more sense than the Seltos or Hyryder because you get a genuinely usable third row without making a major compromise on your budget, as it is around the same price. It also suits your very low running costs better than a hybrid, while offering easy city driving and relatively low running and maintenance costs.If you specifically want an SUV, the Mahindra XUV 7XO would be the next option. It offers stronger performance, a more substantial SUV feel and better highway ability, although it is larger and will cost more to run.The Seltos and Hyryder remain good five-seaters, but with seven people in the family, the third row will eventually become a requirement rather than a luxury.

Kia Carens Clavis

Kia Seltos

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Mahindra XUV 7XO

autocar.india

•1w

Given your requirements, the best option is the Hyundai Alcazar petrol DCT. It's available as a six- or seven-seater, giving you the flexibility you need when your extended family joins you on your journeys, and its 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine is relatively fuel efficient for a car of its size. The dual-clutch automatic is smooth enough, though it can be a bit clunky at low speeds if not driven smoothly and carefully. Also worth noting is that even the base model petrol-AT Alcazar costs around Rs 21 lakh on road, and the Alcazar has not been tested by any NCAP authority.The next best option is not an SUV but arguably a more practical option - the Kia Carens Clavis. It uses the same engine and gearbox in a lighter package with more space on the inside. Other 7-seat SUV options with more space - like the Mahindra XUV 7XO, Tata Safari, Mahindra Scorpio-N and MG Hector Plus are available, but are nowhere near as fuel-efficient and will be out of your budget as well. All things considered, the Hyundai Alcazar is your best option.

Hyundai Alcazar

Mahindra Scorpio N

MG Hector

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Tata Safari

Kia Carens Clavis

autocar.india

•1w

With a daily running of around 70km, the financial case for an EV becomes very strong, provided you have access to home charging. The MG Hector Tomahawk EV is a large, comfortable SUV with a spacious cabin and a long range, making it well suited to your usage pattern. It will also deliver significantly lower running costs compared to a hybrid or petrol car.The Kia Sorento HTE (O) Hybrid is a very appealing product, but the fuel savings are not as dramatic as those of a well-used EV. Selling a one-year-old Carens Clavis will also involve a depreciation hit that is difficult to justify unless the Sorento offers something you genuinely need.The Clavis DCT is already a very capable family car, and there is no compelling reason to replace it after just one year. The smarter move is to retain the Clavis and add the Hector Tomahawk EV as your primary daily driver. This way, you get the best of both worlds: an efficient, low-cost commuter and a practical family car for longer trips.

MG Hector Tomahawk EV

Kia Carens Clavis

Kia Sorento