MG Hector Plus Petrol Sharp Pro 7 seat MT

Since your priorities revolve around space - both for 5 passengers and in the boot - of these, you should choose the MG Hector. It might not be the most engaging to drive, but it absolutely aces the requirements of space and comfort. 

It is a big vehicle with a relatively short bonnet, which means the cabin size is very large, and this is utilised well both in the back seat and in the boot, which stands at a cavernous 587 litres! 

Moreover, the MG Hector is very comfortable over poor roads, and makes for a great chauffeur-driven vehicle. 

Do note, however, that if you choose the petrol engine, fuel economy is very poor; the diesel is much better in this respect. Though your usage is quite low, since you do occasional highway runs, we recommend you stick with an ICE SUV for the moment. 

The choice between the two really comes down to what you want from your car. If the rear seats are very important, the MG Hector is a good choice. The space in the second row is very good with ample head and legroom for even six-footers, and the seat is also wide enough to seat three abreast easily. 

The floor is also flat, so the middle passenger will be able to sit comfortably without having the centre tunnel (hump). However is almost every other area, in terms of engine performance and refinement, ride comfort, road holding and features, the Mahindra XUV 7XO is the better of the two.   

We recommend cars depending on people's specific needs. MG Hector is a spacious car and comes with a lot of features, and if someone is looking for those in a large SUV, we do recommend Hector. 

Hector has not received a full, ground-up generational change since its launch in 2019. Mg has updated it many times with facelifts, but to compete in the fast-changing segment, Hector would do better to get a full generation change. 

Hector's petrol and diesel engines are found to be thirsty units in the real world compared to their competitors. So if someone's priority is mileage, Hector falls low in their recommendation set. 

Of the two, the Mahindra XUV 7XO is the better pick. The XUV 7XO is packed with tech and is far nicer to drive than the MG Hector, too. Mahindra's engines and gearboxes are highlights, and the 7XO's updated suspension also gives it the edge in ride comfort. Importantly, the 7XO offers a better third-row experience than the Hector Plus. 

That said, the XUV 7XO is not the best 7-seater for the money. Especially in case the third row space and comfort are a deal breaker for you. The Tata Safari offers a more comfortable third row among petrol/diesel SUVs of the segment. 

If you are open to electric, the Mahindra XEV 9S is worth a look. While you could think of it as an all-electric version of the XUV 7XO, the 9S does boast of a better third row. The option to slide its middle row seats makes all the difference to balance second and third row space in the cabin.  

The Kia Carens Clavis is the ideal pick for your requirements. It's a well-packaged MPV that offers comfortable seating across all three rows. A one-touch operation for the middle row seat fold makes access to the last row easy. Also, there is ample movement built into the middle row to balance space for all passengers. 

The Clavis is also easy to drive and doesn't intimidate as some three-row SUVs can. From the Clavis line-up, the Turbo DCT HTX(O) is the one to buy.

Of the other three-row petrol-auto options, there's the Hyundai Alcazar, MG Hector Plus, Mahindra XUV 7XO and Tata Safari.