In search of a big & comfortable 7-seater car for daily use

Having owned a Ford EcoSport for 8 years, I am now looking to upgrade to a much bigger car.

BHPian vaasscit recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I used to drive a Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi – it was a gem of a car. Super fun to drive, frugal and reliable. Owing to a ligament tear on my left knee, I sold it (still regret the decision) and bought a Hyundai Xcent (auto) which felt so lifeless and vague. Couldn’t convince myself to continue driving it.

So, sold it in few months and got an Ecosport (automatic). The Ford Ecosport is a great car. It turns heads (Even today after 8 years) and handles so damn well for a high riding car (or SUV), and for a petrol automatic it is reasonably efficient (I get 15 km/l on highways and 10 km/l in city). It is the top of the line variant (Titanium +) with 6 airbags, ESP, SYNC 3 etc., So, I’m very satisfied. However, my better half has a compliant: the backseat is cramped and the ride quality at the back seat is very firm. My father is gleefully waiting to take over my Ecosport. I could do that or I’m open to sell this Ecosport and buy Dad a new car.

So, that brings me to the market for a bigger car.

Usage:

Used to be primarily city commutes (50 kms per day) for 20 days, weekend trip to Shopping malls / Park, bi-monthly out of city drives (200 kms per trip) + Long drives (1000km per trip) twice a year -> (70 City : 30 Highway)

With COVID: Possibly few city commutes (50 kms per day) for 10 days, weekend trip to Shopping malls / Park, 3 out of city trips (200 kms per trip) per month + Long drives (1000km per trip) 3-4 times a year -> (50 City: 50 Highway)

Driver: 99.9% me; Passengers: Mostly 1 adult (Occasionally 3 adults) + 2 kids

Must haves (for the new car):

• Automatic
• Safety (ESP is a must)
• Reliability (Fill it and forget it experience like my Fords)
• Super comfortable 2nd row (Spacious & Silent)
• Punchy powertrain (but no DCTs)
• Handling (need not be a corner craver but shouldn’t be a boat)
• Excellent A/C
• Cargo space which could accommodate huge luggage (+ an occasional bicycle)
• ICE which can support Apple CarPlay + A high resolution Reverse camera

Good to have:

• Captain seats in the 2nd row
• Electronic Parking brake (For those long traffic signals)
• Ventilated seats
• Panoramic Sunroof (My little son likes star gazing)

Budget: 20 lakh (Ex-showroom)

Options being considered:

Tata Hexa (Pre-owned)

Positives:

• Amazing Value for Money
• Almost all Team BHPians swear by its ride quality
• No DPF/SCR issues

Negatives:

• Not widely available (It did not sell in large numbers)
• XMAs don’t have ESP, CarPlay; XTAs come with impractical 19” tires
• Some documented failures on Cylinder head
• Availability of spare parts in Future
• Below average Tata showroom experience (went there to test drive Harrier)

Result: On the list. #4 choice

Toyota Innova Crysta (2.8 Pre-owned)

Positives:

• It has a “T” badge – Reliability comes standard
• No DPF/SCR issues

Negatives:

• Commands premium in the used car market
• Preowned:  around 5 years of the 15 years gone. With the changing landscape, I’m worried would I’ve to scrap the vehicle in 10 years from now
• Earlier GXs models didn't have ESP, CarPlay; Zs come with impractical 17” tires and still no Apple CarPlay
• Poor NVH
• Questionable Handling : While I was driving a 2.4 BS6 VX MT (with around 3000 kms on odo) @ 110 KMPH on a highway the vehicle pulled left once just once and over bridge joints, the car (van?!?) was losing its composure. I lost confidence and dialled down my speed. I surely want to check the Tire Pressure on this car (I don’t suspect the Wheel Alignment due to less KMs) but BHPians please pitch in here. I’ve driven the previous gen Innova and never faced this issue. Maybe I should drive another Innova Crysta?

Result: On the list. #3 choice

Mahindra XUV 5oo (New/Pre-owned)

Positives:

• Spacious 2nd row + Punchy powertrain

Negatives:

• Very poor handling – Deal breaker for me

Tata Safari (New)

Positives:

• Looks
• Excellent Fiat Engine + Reliable Hyundai transmission

Negatives:

• Issues being reported in new vehicles
• Non-existent boot capacity
• Poor Ergonomics and Impractical choice of interior color
• Questionable reliability and safety (No crash results yet) and almost Innova money for a Safari

Mahindra XUV700 (To be launched)

Positives:

• Promising specs

Negatives:

• Gamble of buying a newly launched Mahindra

Toyota Innova Crysta (2.4 GX Auto)

Everything from Innova 2.8 & above

Positives:

• Less polluting and more fuel efficient
• Get 15 years of assured road worthiness

Negatives:

• Concerns over DPF clogging
• GX variant lacks the features which MUST be on a 24 Lakh car

Not considering the Innova 2.7 GX auto as I couldn’t imagine the fuel efficiency on a heavy vehicle with petrol.

Result: On the list. #2 choice

Hyundai Alcazar (1.5 Diesel/2.0 Petrol) (To be launched)

Positives:

• Carried over super refined powertrain
• Reliable (Hopefully the ABS issues are ironed out)
• Feature packed (covers all my Must haves + Good to haves)
• Petrol Auto could be quick (From <10s claims on Petrol MT)

Negatives:

• Quirky front look
• Questionable safety (In terms of crash worthiness, however ESP and Airbags are available)
• Diesel Auto might be sluggish (Alcazar would be the heaviest car to get this engine I believe)
• Concerns over DPF clogging (Diesel)
• Expecting poor Fuel Efficiency (Petrol)
• Documented High long term ownership cost

Result: On the list. #1a (Diesel) 1b (Petrol) choice (To be confirmed after the test drive)

Toyota Fortuner/ Ford Endeavour (Preowned)

2nd row isn’t as comfortable as Innova

Result: Not on the list.

Questions to fellow BHPians:

1. Am I missing any other car on my list?
2. Is my fear of DPF over hyped? (Spoke to some of my friends driving BS6 diesels – they are not confident yet about their BS6 diesels as their city drives have been minimal during the past year largely due to lockdowns)
3. How good is the handling of the Innova Crysta over bridge joints at above 100 km/h? (Could it be an issue with this particular car?)
4. Should I buy a diesel when it’s still available? (I love the torquey diesels)
5. Would buying an Alcazar prove to be an expensive experiment in the long run? (I’ve huge respects for Hyundai/KIA for what they have achieved in the past decade or so but still this thought lingers at the back of my mind)

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

DPF clogging in city use is a bigger issue with the smaller BS6 diesels that rely purely on exhaust temperature and pressure to burn the accumulated soot. Engines with the Ad blue/urea injection fare better. Innova in particular has an additional button to manually run a cleaning cycle. So yes, I’ll say your fears of DPF are a bit exaggerated. Still, a new diesel Innova or Safari should theoretically have less DPF clogging issues than a new Creta or Alcazar.

Coming for a history of Fords, it is obvious that you’ll find most cars lacking in the handling, steering feel and high speed composure departments. The Innova Crysta is not the last word in high speed manners but is acceptably stable within its limits. Certainly better than many pseudo premium 10-20L sedans. You should give it another go.

Appreciate that you see the benefit of going to pre loved way.

As a happy Hexa owner myself, I’ll strongly suggest that a low running pre-owned Hexa is your best bet. Especially the top end with the captain seats. There is no car under 40L that is as spacious or comfortable. The vehicle itself is rugged and reliable with generally sorted mechanicals and top notch part quality. Yes the 19inchers are a pain to replace in terms of options. You either have the lousy stock MRFs or high end Pirellis that cost 25k apiece. Just before the lockdown, I got a new set of Triangle tires, stock size for 10k each. Initial impressions are very positive, much quieter and grippier than the MRFs.

Second choice should be a pre-owned Innova 2.8. Even if the car you buy is a bit older than you’d like, 10 years is still a long time away. And that anyway is the full life of a new diesel car for us Delhi guys. So, take the win!

Fortuner is a strict no-no for anyone who is objective and looking for back seat comfort.

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

Neither is the Innova trying to be a SUV nor is it going out to win a beauty contest. It’s use case is pretty well established in the 15 years that it has been on sale. A pretty strong statement then ‘ugly looking’. It was and is still a MPV at the end of the day. The price at which it sells makes it compete with the so-called SUVs, yet the so-called SUVs are FWD whereas the Innova is a RWD, in sticky situations we all know who will find it easier to get out irrespective of what ESP modes are there. Looks are subjective to different people so let’s leave that out of context. You may find the Harrier very good looking, I do too; but no need to diss the other in the process.

First of all, the 2021 Safari is no longer a Storme or Dicor to be called a brute, it’s nothing but a Harrier XL. Both Innova and Safari 2021 can be slid into without climbing into them. So even the 2021 Safari is not that inviting compared to an Innova. Again interior design is subjective to the viewer.

No doubt the Harrier and Safari flatten roads beautifully and have a really composed ride. But at the same time an Innova at 50,000kms will still feel a lot more newer than a Harrier/Safari which have covered 50,000km. Regarding niggles it’s pretty well documented in the Harrier thread. A used 2.8L Innova at 50,000kms will just have completed it’s run-in period and at the same time it’s performance will leave others in the dead.

Innova is expensive no two ways about it, has lesser features than it’s competitors. Competitors which are selected more on the basis of price bracket than use case. The 2.4L engine is not winning any prizes in the power department also. No doubt then Safari/Harrier have stronger engines, more features and of course the looks, but at the same time Innova’s strengths are much more than it’s faults; (faults in the sense high price, less features, etc.) excellent space, good ride quality if not the best, RWD, trusted mechanicals, excellent after-sales, lesser electronics so fewer failures.

The heart may find the Innova ‘ugly’ but at the same time the head will always remain at peace.

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