Toyota Innova HyCross

Before you go ahead with the purchase, please keep in mind that the Tata Safari is a heavy vehicle and in its petrol-automatic guise, expecting double digit city fuel efficiency will be a bit ambitious. Yes, on the open roads, at constant speeds and light throttle inputs, the turbo-petrol could deliver good fuel efficiency, but in bumper-to-bumper traffic and stop-go conditions, fuel efficiency will be low. As a family car though, the Safari is a good option, on account of its spacious cabin, and impressive ride comfort. Tata's service experience can be a hit or a miss, and it isn't the best in terms of reliability either, occasionally throwing up a glitch or two. The Mahindra XUV 7XO is slightly better in that regard, however space isn't as good as in the Tata, especially in the third row. Also, the XUV's 2.0-litre turbo-petrol-automatic will fare worse (if not equally) as far as efficiency goes.

Hence, if you want a fuel-efficient family car, the Maruti Invicto or the Toyota Innova Hycross hybrid are the ones to get. Of course, these are very expensive, and as you've rightly pointed out, unless your usage is very high, it will take a long time to benefit from its lower running costs after breaking even. But as far as reliability, peace of mind and a trouble-free ownership experience goes the Maruti and Toyota are still the ones to beat.

Both are very different cars, so the choice really depends on what you want from your 7-seater.

The Jeep Meridian is a proper SUV. It feels solid, has excellent ride quality, and really shines on broken roads and highways. The 2.0-litre diesel paired with the 9-speed automatic is relaxed and effortless at cruising speeds, making it a very good long-distance tourer. It also feels more planted and confidence-inspiring at higher speeds. However, the third row is tight and best suited for kids, and overall space isn’t as generous as the Toyota.

The Toyota Innova Hycross, on the other hand, is more urban in nature. It’s powered by a 2.0-litre petrol engine, with a strong hybrid option that delivers excellent fuel efficiency in city use. It’s significantly more spacious, especially in the second and third rows, and comfort is a big highlight. For family use and city driving, it feels easier and lighter to live with. Long-term ownership peace of mind is also a big plus, thanks to Toyota’s strong reliability reputation.

To sum up; 
Go for the Meridian if you enjoy driving, do long highway trips and want that SUV feel.
Take the Hycross if space, comfort, efficiency and hassle-free ownership matter more, especially for urban use.

For your limited running, a petrol-engined vehicle makes the most sense in terms of long-term reliability and running costs. Among your premium picks, the Volkswagen Tayron stands out as a solid choice thanks to its German build quality and premium interior. Its 2.0-litre engine delivers strong performance, and it is well equipped. 

It doesn’t offer captain’s chairs, which you mentioned you would like. But the second row is spacious and comfortable, and it can slide forward to free up some additional room for third-row occupants. 

That said, the third row is best suited to shorter journeys. While service costs will be on the higher side, the Tayron should be fairly reliable on paper, and the overall ownership experience is likely to be very satisfying.

As you mentioned, you are open to considering the Tata Safari and Mahindra XUV 7XO. We would also suggest looking at the Toyota Innova Hycross. Since you are prioritising low ownership costs and peace of mind over the next 8 to 10 years, the Hycross is a better choice than the Safari and XUV 7XO. 

Additionally, it can be optioned with captain’s chairs in the middle row and has a genuinely usable third row. It does share the same drawback that put you off the Fortuner. It is quite common, but the reason for its popularity is simply that it is such a well-rounded product.

Do take a test drive of all these options, and spend some time in the middle and third rows as well, before making your final decision.

There is a fairly big gap in the Rs 40-75 lakh price range when it comes to genuinely comfortable seven-seaters, especially if your priority is a usable third row.
At the lower end, you have the Toyota Innova Hycross Hybrid. It is a comfortable, practical seven-seater with a reasonably spacious third row by Indian standards. Adults can sit there for short to medium journeys without feeling completely cramped, and the hybrid powertrain makes it smooth, quiet and extremely efficient. In top ZX (O) trim, it comes in at around Rs 40 lakh on road, and it is hard to fault in terms of reliability, comfort and ease of ownership. However, at your budget of up to Rs 65 lakh, it doesn’t quite feel like you’re fully utilising what you’re willing to spend; it’s sensible rather than indulgent.

At the upper end, around the Rs 70-75 lakh mark, you step into a different league with premium MPVs like the Kia Carnival and the MG M9. These are a clear step up from the Hycross in terms of space, comfort and overall experience. The Carnival, in particular, feels several notches superior - plusher interiors, far comfier seats, sliding rear doors, and stronger performance. Most crucially, a significantly more spacious and accommodating third row. Even full-sized adults can travel in the last row in proper comfort, which is rare.

The MG M9 is worth considering if you are open to going electric. It offers a very lounge-like cabin experience and a genuinely usable third row. It makes the most sense if you have home charging and your usage is largely city-based, though it can handle intercity runs with planning. As a people-mover focused on comfort, it does the job very well.

The challenge is that with a hard ceiling of Rs 65 lakh, your options narrow considerably. There aren’t many models in that exact band that deliver a truly luxurious third-row experience. SUVs in this price range may offer seven seats, but most still compromise heavily on the last row compared to these MPVs.

So realistically, if you want the best third-row comfort and can stretch to around Rs 75 lakh, the Carnival (or M9, if EV suits your usage) is the proper upgrade. If not, the Innova Hycross remains the most sensible and dependable choice. It is comfortable, practical and easy to live with, even if it doesn’t feel like a big-ticket indulgence at your stated budget.