Advice needed: 5 or 7 seater car for my parents

Due to the low running, I am keen on a petrol automatic powertrain, though a manual would be fine as well.

BHPian akkannath recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hi fellow BHPians. This is my very first post on the forum although I have been an ardent follower of Team BHP for many many years. Extremely excited to be part of this community. Love the depth of knowledge of the community and the breadth of issues and topics discussed here. And this takes me to the subject matter of my post as I am seeking expert advice from the esteemed members to deal with my conundrum.

My requirement

For whom

I am looking to buy a new car (open to secondhand ones too) primarily for my parents (both senior citizens) in Kerala. Parents don’t drive and I am based in the UK, so we rely on drivers we know to take them out. Can wait for upto 6 months for delivery but can wait further for the right vehicle.

As a mini background, we had the original Maruti Baleno 1.6 (rocket) which we gave away finally just before pandemic struck. Since then, commuting for my parents came to a screeching halt, but thinks are getting better again and hence the need for a new vehicle. I drive a Kodiaq here in the UK (love the car to bits!!)

Annual runs

We are looking at around 500kms/month comprising of visits to temples, family relatives etc. There may be 2 or 3 relatively longer trips in a year when we (wife and kids) visit them during annual break. But I wouldn’t say more than 6000 kms/year. Intend to keep the car for 10 years.

Engine/Transmission

Due to the low running, I am keen on Petrol. Automatic would be nice to have (on the very few occasions I would drive), but manual would be fine as well.

Comfort/Features

As it is primarily for my parents, I am not too keen on an endless list of features and electronic gizmos as they would probably never enjoy its utility. But nevertheless, not too keen on bare bones vehicles either. A good mix of useful features (touch screen, navigation, rear AC, rear camera, power windows, defoggers) is what I am after. Plus good set of safety features (ABS, EBD, ESC, Hill hold assist, 4 or more air bags) and good safety rating (4* or above) would be great. In terms of comfort, must be good for easy ingress and egress and should seat 3 in the rear bench comfortably. If I can get a 7-seater within my budget, that would be sweet as it would avoid the need to hire an MPV when we visit them for our annual trips (2 or 3 in a year max).

Not looking for an enthusiastic driving experience as they will be chauffeur driven, but ride quality should be capable to handle the craters on the road without fuss.

Budget

Maximum Rs.10 lacs (ex-showroom) which would translate to ~Rs.12L on road. As mentioned earlier, I am open to good secondhand cars as well, but my worry is will it be a problem for my parents to maintain as they are not well versed with car mechanics. This makes me wonder whether a new car would offer them the extra piece of mind. A 5-seater would do, but if I can get 2 extra seats (I have 2 young kids) within the budget, then even better.

Short lists

Based on the above and after reviewing similar topics on the forum, I have short listed the following vehicles:

• Renault Kiger RXT/RXZ CVT Turbo – 4* safety rating is great. How is the ingress/egress and can it seat 3 medium sized adults in the back comfortably? We have a Renault service centre nearby.

• Nexon XZ – Top notch safety is great. I hear 3 in the back seat is possible. Not too happy with the rear design, but compromises are needed somewhere I guess

• Wagon R – maybe, but I would have preferred better interiors for a car that we may keep for 10 years.

• Kia Carens 1.5P Manual Prestige – seems the most VFM of the lot, good mix of features and safety and plus can comfortably seat 7 when needed. Top of the list at the moment

• Brezza ZXI+ or VXI AT – Trusted Maruti service and 4* rating is a plus but can it seat 3 at the back comfortably? Also, should I wait for the new Brezza?

• Renault Triber – Fits the bill for the most part but very concerned with the low engine power, esp when fully loaded. The turbo version is rumoured to be round the corner, should I wait?

• Among used cars, Hexa XT/XTA caught my eye if I can get it within my budget. Is there a risk with parts and spares given my parents will have to manage it?

As you can see, I have stayed away from hatchbacks and sedans in general due to their low seating positions making it difficult for parents. Please correct if there are genuine contenders I should be looking at.

Avoided Venue and Sonet due to perceived lack of space at the rear which is overcompensated by a plethora of features and gizmos, most of which add no value in our use-case. Not to mention the poor safety ratings.

I am seeking help from fellow members and advice on my list (add/remove) so that I can arrange for test drives when I visit Kerala in April. Help me out BHPians! Many thanks.

Here's what BHPian Sushil_Pingua had to say on the matter:

Dear Brother,

Looking at your priorities, use and budget, I'll would have straight away recommended you the Honda BRV which I own but it is no longer on sale here in India. Therefore the second best option for old parents is the Maruti S-Cross

S-Cross has been tried and tested as the best value for money car for parents. It's ergonomics are the ones which stand out of all - ingress/engress of old parents is very hassle free in the S-Cross.

Regards

Here's what BHPian AYP had to say on the matter:

Since you have mentioned 5 or 7 seater, it does seem that the extra seats will add real value to your ownership, in which case, I'd suggest the Carens. However, it is still not GNCAP rated.

Among the 5 seaters, I'd suggest the XUV300 over the Nexon.

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.