7-seater cars are quite a popular vehicle category in the Indian market as they lend themselves perfectly well to the typical large Indian family, thanks to the space and flexibility they offer. From MPVs to SUVs, brands like Maruti, Renault, Mahindra, Citroen, Toyota and Kia have plenty to choose from. We have put together a list of the 10 most affordable and best family-friendly cars that can seat up to 7 people, ranked by their ex-showroom prices in ascending order.
The Renault Triber is the cheapest 7-seater car in India. The Triber’s mix of practicality and flexibility at its price point is simply unmatched. It gets 3 rows of seating and the middle row bench seats can be folded 60:40, can be slid back and forth, and the backrest angle is adjustable, too. And after the second-row seats are folded and moved ahead, accessing the last row becomes easy. Interestingly, the last row seats can be removed entirely to open up more luggage room. Additionally, to enhance passenger comfort, the AC vents for the respective middle- and last-row seats are reasonably effective on a hot and humid day. Powering the Triber is a 72hp, 1.0-litre petrol engine, offered with 5-speed MT and AMT gearboxes.
2. Mahindra Bolero
Price: Rs 7.99 lakh-9.69 lakh
76hp, 1.5-litre diesel
Next on this list of most affordable 7-seater cars in India is the Mahindra Bolero, albeit it is the most utilitarian vehicle here. You do get features like alloy wheels, touchscreen infotainment, leatherette upholstery and rear AC vents, but overall fit and finish and equipment levels are far from modern standards. The seats at the front are narrow and don’t have much support on offer; the seats behind are no different either, and provide limited knee room. Mahindra has equipped the sub-four-metre SUV’s third row with side-facing seats, but they are best left for kids. Powered by a 76hp, 1.5-litre diesel engine and offered only with a manual gearbox, the Bolero is a vehicle that’s clearly targeted at the rural audience.
3. Mahindra Bolero Neo
Price: Rs 8.49 lakh-10.49 lakh
100hp, 1.5-litre diesel
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Compared to the Bolero, the Bolero Neo is notable step-up with a more modern-looking interior and better-quality materials, although this too is still targeted at rural buyers. The interior features chair-like front seats with long squabs and individual armrests. The middle row seats easily accommodate three passengers abreast, although seat cushioning is on the firmer side. Kneeroom and legroom are not as generous as the headroom, and this is deliberately done by Mahindra to have side-facing jump seats at the back. And coming to the third-row jump seats, two occupants sitting opposite each other here will have to sit off-centre and stagger their feet and knees, due to the lack of space. There are butterfly windows for ventilation, and a seat pocket to stow away items like a phone, but third-row passengers completely miss out on seat belts. The Bolero Neo is powered by a 100hp, 1.5-litre, three-cylinder diesel engine, and only comes with a manual gearbox.
Pre-MY2025 Ertiga (image used for representation).
The Maruti Ertiga has been amongst the carmaker’s best-selling models in India and is Maruti’s cheapest 7-seater car. It boasts wide-opening doors, which make ingress and egress easy. The front seats are broad and offer a lot of cushioning, while the second-row seats are reclinable and can be slid back for that extra legroom. The middle row has massive windows, which let in more light and provide an airy feel to the cabin. Notably, the seats in the middle only fold and don’t tumble, so accessing the last row may be cumbersome for some. Once in the last row, passengers will appreciate the good amount of headroom and shoulder room on offer. Two adults can sit here on long drives without losing circulation in their legs, and they can use vents and Type-C charging ports for added convenience. The Ertiga is powered by a 103hp, 1.5-litre, four-cylinder petrol and is offered with manual and AT gearboxes; it also gets a factory-fitted CNG kit on some variants.
5. Toyota Rumion
Price: Rs 10.44 lakh-13.62 lakh
103hp, 1.5-litre petrol
The Toyota Rumion is a badge-engineered version of the Maruti Ertiga, and its interior closely mirrors that of the latter. From the overall design and layout to the beige colour scheme, the cabin feels familiar and functional. All three rows offer comfortable seating, and the space is packed with storage compartments, enhancing practicality. Buyers choosing the Rumion over the Ertiga benefit from a higher standard warranty, and possibly, lesser waiting periods, too. Under the hood, the Rumion is offered with the same engine and gearbox options as the Ertiga.
6. Kia Carens
Price: Rs 10.99-12.77 lakh
115hp, 1.5-litre petrol; 116hp, 1.5-litre diesel
The Kia Carens’ cabin scores top marks for its premium quotient, with comfort being a strong point across all three rows. Seats at the front are well-cushioned and offer a great view. Practicality is thoughtfully addressed, too, with a storage tray under the co-driver’s seat. In the second row, the 60:40 split seats can tumble and fold, but the kerbside seat adds an extra touch of convenience with an electrically assisted mechanism operated by a button, making access to the third row a breeze. The last row seats are comfy and not as knees-up as other MPVs of its class. Passengers as tall as 6 feet can enjoy reasonable comfort here. The Carens is available with two engine options – a 115hp, 1.5-litre, naturally aspirated petrol engine and a 116hp, 1.5-litre diesel engine – both of which are only available with a manual gearbox.
7. Kia Carens Clavis
Price: Rs 11.08 lakh-20.71 lakh
115hp, 1.5-litre petrol; 160hp, 1.5-litre turbo-petrol; 116hp, 1.5-litre diesel
The Kia Carens Clavis is essentially a facelifted version of the Carens and is therefore a more premium version of the standard Carens. The front seats are ventilated, with powered adjustment for the driver’s seat (height adjustment is manual). The panoramic sunroof doesn’t affect headroom, and AC vents above the windows in the second row are effective. Kia also offers foldable trays for the middle-row passengers, an air purifier, sun blinds, and a Boss Mode to move the front passenger seat forward. Accessing the third row is easy with one-touch tumble. There’s enough space for two adults, plus vents, USB ports, and adjustable headrests. In addition to the 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engines available with the regular Carens, the Clavis also gets a 160hp, 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine. Automatic gearbox options include a 7-speed DCT or an iMT for the turbo-petrol, and a 6-speed AT for the diesel.
8. Citroen Aircross
Price: Rs 11.37 lakh-13.69 lakh
82hp, 1.2-litre petrol; 110hp, 1.2-litre turbo petrol
The French carmaker is known for offering comfy seats in its cars, and the Citroen Aircross is a testament to that. First-row seats are well-cushioned and supportive, and are offered with seat ventilation function now with the X variants; the driver’s seat also gets an armrest. The second-row seats are also a comfortable space to be with well-judged cushioning and generous headroom and legroom, even for tall passengers. The middle row 60:40 split functionality aids practicality, but it misses out on a central armrest and backrest recline function. The kerbside seat can be tilted and tumbled away to get into the last row. Since the seats here are placed on the boot floor, passengers sit in a knees-up position. The headroom and knee room are not generous either, meaning this space is best suited for kids. These seats can also be removed, just like the Triber, to free up more luggage space. The 7-seat configuration is only available on the top-spec Max trim, and it’s only available with a 110hp, 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine with manual and AT gearboxes.
9. Mahindra Scorpio Classic
Price: Rs 12.98 lakh-16.70 lakh
130hp, 2.2-litre diesel
Like the Bolero, the Mahindra Scorpio Classic feels outdated, but enjoys a cult following due to its butch design and robust underpinnings. It has a high ground clearance, which requires some effort to get into the cabin. A high seating position gives a great view of the surroundings, and the front chair-like seats, upholstered in fabric, are reminiscent of previous models and come with armrests. The headroom is generous, and the second-row bench easily accommodates three passengers. However, the long seat squab may reduce the under-thigh support for some. At the back, Mahindra has included side-facing jump seats similar to those in the Bolero and Bolero Neo, but they lack seatbelts and provide no crash protection. The absence of rear air vents is another notable omission. Powering the Scorpio Classic is a 130hp, 2.2-litre diesel engine, available solely with a manual gearbox.
10. Mahindra Scorpio N
Price: Rs 13.20 lakh-24.17 lakh
203hp, 2-litre turbo petrol; 132hp/ 175hp-2.2-litre diesel
The Mahindra Scorpio N is a clear step up from the Classic in every aspect. It features leatherette upholstery finished in a tan hue that feels far more premium, and the seats are more relaxed. The front seats are also generously cushioned and offer plenty of lumbar support, even at their lowest setting. In the second row, the 60:40 split bench seat folds and tumbles on the kerbside; the right-hand side seat only folds. Tremendous kneeroom and headroom are available here. Unlike the Classic’s jump seats, the Scorpio N gets a conventional set of front-facing seats with seatbelts in the last row, resulting in a more convenient seating experience. That said, adults will sit in a knees-up position, and space is extremely limited. Also, no AC vents are present here. The Scorpio N also has the distiction of being the only proper 4×4 SUV in this list of top 10 cheapest 7-seater cars in India. The 4×4 system is available with its 175hp, 2.2-litre diesel engine. There’s also a lower-spec 132hp state-of-tune for the diesel engine available on the lower trims, as well as a 203hp, 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine.
