BYD eMax7
What you'll like:
The only electric full-size 7-seater MPV in the market with potentially no direct rivals
A well-rounded product that looks good and has decent cabin space
201 BHP motor packs a punch. Does the 0-100 km/h dash in just 8.6 seconds!
400-450 km real-world range is great; forget urban commuting, this is enough for road-tripping with the family
Both battery options (55.4 kWh & 72.8 kWh) are available with 6 and 7-seater configurations
Good low-speed ride quality, zero emissions, cheap running costs, no gears, and light controls make it an ideal city car
8-year / 1,60,000 km battery warranty, 8-year / 1,50,000 km warranty on motor, 6 years of roadside assistance
Features such as the vehicle-to-load function (A/C power for appliances), powered tailgate, panoramic glass roof, NFC key card, 12.8-inch rotating touchscreen & more
Safety features include 6 airbags, TPMS, hill-hold, 360-degree view camera, ESP and level 2 ADAS
What you won't:
At ~Rs. 30 lakh on-road, there is price overlap with the mighty Innova Crysta as well as the even mightier Innova Hycross. Also, there are cheaper 7-seater ICE rivals offering better value
Conservative exterior & interior design may not appeal to everyone. Doesnt have a lot of standout elements
Interior quality is mediocre; seats and some plastics feel budget-grade
6-speaker sound system is ordinary at this price point. No subwoofer at 30-lakhs is surprising
Missing features such as connected car tech, a spare wheel (please buy one yourself), wireless Android Auto & Apple CarPlay, auto wipers, auto-dimming IRVM, dead pedal, sunshades, etc.
BYD's dealership & service network is currently very small
The usual EV challenges (charging infrastructure, range anxiety, setting up home charging etc.)
Review Link Toyota Innova HyCross
What you'll like:
A great-looking MPV. SUVish styling packs appeal
Nicely designed interiors, good comfort in all 3 rows and usable boot (even with 3rd row up)
Loaded to the gills with features such as a panoramic sunroof, ventilated seats, electrically adjustable rear ottoman seats, multi-zone climate control, connected car features, leather upholstery, drive modes, etc.
Hybrid powertrain makes it lighter on the pocket than a diesel and future-proof too. Very good fuel efficiency (expect city FE of 15-17 km/l)
Impressive performance with a sub-10 second 0-100 km/h time (Toyota claims 9.5 seconds)
Monocoque construction results in sorted handling and comfortable ride quality
Brilliant NVH levels result in a quiet and serene experience inside the cabin
Toyota's bullet-proof reliability, excellent after-sales service and fuss-free ownership experiences
Safety features such as 6 airbags, Toyota Safety Sense (ADAS), ABS, ESP, TC, all-wheel disc brakes, hill hold, TPMS, Isofix & 3-point seatbelts for all
What you won't:
Expected to be even more expensive than the already-pricey Innova Crysta. Will be premium-priced
Top-end variants are only available with captain seats in the middle row. No bench option is inexplicable!!
18" wheels with 50 profile tyres compromise the overall stance; they look very small
Monocoque construction wont be as rugged & abuse-friendly as the Crysta's body-on-frame build
Interior plastic quality is very mediocre, some parts feel budget-grade
Rear seat ottomans are useless for taller passengers
Average sound quality from the JBL system, poor camera resolution and a basic infotainment system display
Missing features such as rain-sensing wipers, lumbar adjustment, boss lever on the front passenger seat...
The already-good ride quality could be even better with higher profile tyres (e.g. on craters). 225/50 sidewalls are on the shorter side
Review Link Hyundai Alcazar
What you'll like:
A 3-row family car that's well-built inside out & now looks better (cleaner design than the pre-facelift)
User-friendly interiors look really good and have quality parts
Fast and refined 1.5L turbo-petrol mated to smooth 7-speed AT and 6-speed MT
Economical 1.5L diesel offers good driveability. Available in MT & AT variants
Comfortable ride quality with neutral road manners
Unladen ground clearance of 200 mm is perfect for Indian roads
The Alcazar's safety package includes ADAS Level 2, hill descent control, 6 airbags, ESP, all-wheel disc brakes, auto-hold, TPMS etc.
Impressive kit (ventilated 1st & 2nd row seats, captain seats with extendable under-thigh support & bolstered headrests, boss mode, digital key, drive and traction modes, fully digital instruments, 360-degree camera, 2nd-row wireless charger, panoramic sunroof, rear window sunshades, paddle shifters, Bose sound system & loads more)
Hyundai's wide dealer & service network
What you won't:
2nd row legroom is mediocre (captain seat variant). Compromises have been made to accommodate the 3rd row & boot
3rd row access is too difficult in the captain seat variant
3rd row seat is best suited to kids only. Not really a place for adults
Competitors like the Carens, XUV700, Scorpio-N, Safari & Hector Plus offer more spacious cabins
No all-wheel drive option available for enthusiasts / overlanders
Long-term reliability of the 7-speed DCT is a concern (
related reading)
Turbo-petrol revs to just ~5,750 rpm. It's a powerful motor with 158 BHP on tap, so we wish it went higher for driving pleasure
Diesels 114 BHP & 250 Nm
although adequate are the lowest in the segment
A few misses (
no sunroof and spare wheel in the diesel, wireless Android Auto & Apple Carplay, illuminated window buttons etc.)
Review Link Kia Carens
Review Link