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BHPian Arsenic recently shared this with other enthusiasts.
The above video had me thinking - which truly is better as a family car, an MPV or an SUV/Crossover?
This discussion has become interesting in recent years due to the rise of the 7-seat mid-size (US: compact) crossover segment thanks to cars such as the MG Hector Plus and Tata Safari, which means that no longer are we just comparing Innova vs Fortuner, but we can now also make a comparison for lower segments, such as Carens vs XUV7OO.
So, let's begin.
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Crossover-styled MPVs are intriguing. This trend was kicked off in India with Maruti's XL6, based on the popular Ertiga. In 2022, Kia threw their hat into the ring with the Carens, which was effectively a stretched version of the Korean automaker's highly successful Seltos compact (US: subcompact) crossover. Globally, examples include the Toyota Veloz, based on the Ertiga-sized Avanza and the Geely Okavango pictured above. These are a decent choice if you want the practicality and versatility of an MPV with the height and road presence of an SUV.
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Do share your thoughts on this matter, BHPians!
Here's what BHPian Nilesh5417 had to say about the matter:
If the definition of a family is 5 and more than occasionally 5+2 (kids), nothing beats a proper MUV. I shopped around a lot before I decided to finally accept it and got a Marazzo. Family trips with 5+2 at least till Kolhapur from Pune have never been more fun and comfy. Sometimes even Goa (usually with 5) with a stop on the return leg. Marazzo has also been exceptionally car-like when I drive it alone for work or within the city and great FE is the icing on the cake.
Recently, travelled a lot around Rajasthan in the Kia Carnival and my belief is only more firm.
With all its compromises around GC, FE, road manners when loaded, relatively lower set of features, low luggage space unless you get a roof rack or pack light etc, it is still your best bet for a comfortable family trip IMO.
Here's what BHPian Shreyans_Jain had to say about the matter:
As of today, the best cars in the Indian market to ferry 7 people comfortably with their luggage are:
- Kia Carnival
- MG Gloster
Honourable mention to the Innova Crysta and Tata Hexa. A family car needs to carry 6 or 7 adults in adequate space and comfort along with their weekend luggage. No other car fits the bill.
Everything else is a compromise. You’ll have to make do with a super cramped and/or poorly positioned third row or zero boot space or inadequate powertrains or bouncy ride for the third row or lack of width for seating 3 abreast in the middle. Every other car, be it XL6 or Carens or Kodiaq or Fortuner or XUV700… they all suffer from some combination of this.
All talk of body style is redundant as far as the end customer is concerned. As long as the product meets the requirements at a fair price, it will be in business.
Here's what BHPian sunikkat had to say about the matter:
It depends on what constitutes a family - is it a mix of elderly + kids, no.of family members etc. For my family of 2 adults, 1 elderly and 1 kid, I feel my Octavia is a family car.
And big SUVs cannot be a good family car, at least for mine. My mom has arthritis and climbing up those big SUVs like Fortuner, Endeavour etc. is definitely not an option.
So one size wouldn’t fit all. But in general, an MPV or a 7-seater crossover seems to be a good fit for most as a family car.
Here's what BHPian rakesh_r had to say about the matter:
I'd go for a traditional MPV like the Crysta, any day. The one thing that I hate about Monocoque is the way the car squats down when fully loaded. The Crysta in turn gets more comfortable when fully loaded and perfectly tackles bad rods. Sadly it's a dying breed, with the Crysta Diesel axed, what do we have now?
Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.