Kia Carens Clavis variants

autocar.india

•1w

Given your requirements, of an automatic seven-seater with a solid crash safety rating that's not a Tata or Mahindra under Rs 20 lakh, and with good ground clearance, you're only option is the Citroen Aircross. But do keep in mind that only its 5-seater version has been crash tested with a 5-star score for adult protection and 4-star score for child protection. While the three-row version of the Citroen is largely mechanically identical, this score is only applicable to the two-row version.With the Citroen Aircross, you get a very premium interior, a strong turbo-petrol engine, smooth 6-speed automatic and excellent ride comfort. It has ample ground clearance, and is the only SUV of its kind to have a three-row seating configuration, however its third row is best left for kids. Also, given Citroen's limited dealer network, servicing could be a challenge. If you need a genuinely practical and spacious seven-seater with all the safety features, consider the Kia Carens Clavis Turbo-petrol automatic. It will be easy for your family members to get in and out. The only catch being, it hasn't been crash tested. The 5-star safety rating is not a marketing gimmick, it is a meaningful indicator of a car's crashworthiness and the effectiveness of its safety systems. However, it is important to understand that a 5-star rating is not an absolute guarantee of safety. It means the car has performed very well in standardised crash tests and meets high safety standards, but real-world outcomes can still vary depending on the nature of an accident.

Citroen Aircross

Kia Carens Clavis

autocar.india

•1w

Your thinking is absolutely on the right track. Given your usage of less than 10,000 km a year, predominantly city driving with all six on board, and the fact that your family is on the shorter side, the Renault Triber Turbo is actually a very sensible choice. It is compact, easy to park and manoeuvre in the city, and the turbo petrol engine gives it enough punch for occasional highway runs. The sliding second row and flexible seating make it genuinely usable as a six-seater for shorter adults, and it will be far easier to live with in tight parking situations than something like a Clavis or HyCross.The Clavis and HyCross are excellent cars, but they are significantly larger and more expensive, and given your usage pattern, you are unlikely to see the value in that extra spend. Keeping the i20 diesel for highway runs with four people is also a smart move, as it is more comfortable and efficient for longer journeys.

Renault Triber

Kia Carens Clavis

Toyota Innova HyCross

Hyundai i20

autocar.india

•3w

With a family of six and a Rs 20 lakh budget, the Carens Clavis is worth considering before the Safari. It offers genuinely usable space across all three rows, a comfortable ride and a proven 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine. For a buyer prioritising reliability, low maintenance and reasonable running costs, it is a more natural fit.The Safari is the more SUV-like choice, with a spacious cabin, good ride comfort and strong highway manners. Although the Safari itself has not been tested, the Harrier uses the same 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine and returned just 6.17kpl in the city and 12.49kpl on the highway in our testing. The Safari is heavier, so expectations of fuel economy should be realistic. The diesel is more efficient than the petrol, but it is not particularly frugal either, especially in city use.The Clavis therefore makes more sense if mileage and running costs are important. The Safari becomes more attractive if you specifically want the larger SUV experience, higher seating position and stronger highway character.

Kia Carens Clavis

Tata Harrier

Tata Safari

autocar.india

•3w

Go for the Kia Carens Clavis HTX (O) Petrol DCT. Your annual running of 12,000-14,000km with a mix of city, highway and occasional hill drives is pretty healthy actually, but given your other concerns like DPF regeneration and NCR policies, petrol is the safer long-term choice. A turbo petrol gives you the punch you need out on the highway and in the hills, while also the benefits of a petrol engine that you're looking for. The Mahindra XUV 7XO is the more powerful and more rugged SUV, but the Clavis is the better family car. It has a more usable third row, a more spacious and practical cabin, and a more comfortable ride for everyday use. On the DCT, yes, it can feel a bit hesitant at low speeds and in bumper-to-bumper traffic, but Kia’s DCT is one of the better ones in the market, and it is not a deal-breaker. The slight lag you felt in Normal mode is more to do with the car’s tuning than the gearbox itself. Switch to Sport mode and it feels much more responsive. The Clavis is not as powerful as the XUV 7XO, but it is quick enough for family use and much easier to live with in the long run. And as you pointed out, the heavier, more powerful XUV 7XO petrol is is nowhere near as efficient as the Clavis.

Kia Carens Clavis

Mahindra XUV 7XO

autocar.india

•4w

Go for the Maruti Ertiga VXi CNG. With your running of 2,500-2,700 km a month, a CNG car makes sense, and the Ertiga is the safer long-term bet. Maruti’s CNG system is well-proven, the car is reliable, and service reach is excellent. The Ertiga also has a strong resale value, which matters given your high usage and eventual upgrade plans.The Kia Carens Clavis HTE CNG is a good product with a higher-quality cabin and a few more features, but the Ertiga is much better priced. On accessories, stick to Maruti-approved upgrades to avoid warranty issues. The Ertiga’s running costs are low, and it is a practical, comfortable 7-seater for highway use. Overall, it is the more sensible choice for your usage pattern.

Maruti Suzuki Ertiga

Kia Carens Clavis