Mahindra Thar Roxx

As I'm sure you know, these are both very different vehicles, but the good news is that each one is very capable in its own right. Both offer petrol and diesel engines, as well as manual and automatic gearboxes, so you should be able to find a variant that suits you. 

The Kia Carens Clavis is the more sensible option, with more fuel-efficient engines, a more spacious cabin - even if you only use 5 of the 7 seats - and better features. However, it's not very exciting. 

The Mahindra Thar Roxx, on the other hand, is the more emotional choice, with more power and performance, and great road presence. However, its ride is not comfortable, and because of its high floor height, entering and exiting is not easy for elderly people. 

Your usage is not extremely high, so you could choose the Thar if you are prepared to live with its shortcomings.

Yes, the Mahindra Thar Roxx, in diesel guise, and especially in petrol guise, is not fuel-efficient. One car worth considering is the recently revealed Tata Sierra, which is likely to be available with multiple petrol engine options. And given Tata cars' recent track record of high NCAP crash test ratings, you can expect a good rating from the Sierra as well. 

You could also wait for the next-gen Kia Seltos. It is expected to launch by late 2025 or early 2026. The new model is likely to be larger and more spacious than the current version. There are also rumours of a hybrid powertrain, which could be the answer to your long-distance road trips. 

There will be many more new launches before April 2027, including models that haven’t been revealed yet. So if you’re not in a hurry, waiting could give you even better options. 

It would depend on your budget and how far you are willing to stretch it, but good options would be the Mahindra Thar Roxx and Mahindra Scorpio N (5 seater). They're both tough, ladder frame SUVs with strong petrol and diesel engines, that are great on the highway and perfect for rough roads. 

With spacious cabins and big luggage areas with split-folding rear seats, your dogs will have enough room and easy access. Of the two, we would recommend the Thar Roxx as it is the newer of the two and, as such, is better equipped, and slightly better engineered. Plus, its split-opening tailgate feature could be a nice way to give your dogs some ventilation while still being safely inside the car.

At a slightly higher budget, the Mahindra Thar Roxx fits your requirements well. It’s far more comfortable than the three-door Thar, both in seating and ride quality. While the ride is still a bit firm, it’s significantly better than the three-door version. It also offers a large boot. Overall, the Thar Roxx is a versatile SUV that suits your needs for highway cruising, off-roading, and everyday use.

The Mahindra Thar Roxx is a good option for you. It suits your job role well and comes with smooth diesel and petrol engines, both paired with equally smooth automatic transmissions.

If a 4x4 is not a strict requirement, the 4x2 version is still very capable. On top of that, it will be a bit more fuel-efficient, making it a practical choice for daily use as well. Mahindra Thar Roxx price starts at ₹16.81 Lakh (on-road) in Noida for the automatic transmission variants, which falls within your price range.