When the term family car comes to our minds, we automatically think of spacious and comfortable interiors with a large boot space as well. Basically, by family cars we mean those cars which can accommodate all the immediate family members and offer comfortable long journeys. India is no more a country of very large families, where children meant a mini army or a football team. Now, all urban areas of India consist of families that have only a couple of children. However, even though in the age of nuclear families, we need cars that are large enough to accommodate parents, grandparents and children comfortably, which means 7-seater vehicles. Thus, while large hatchbacks and mid-sized and full-fledged sedans can be also great family cars, we are not going to talk about these 5-seater cars here in this write-up.
The Indian car majors very well know this requirement of the suitable family cars, and thus they offer quite a few great MPV models. MPV or Multi-Purpose Vehicles have been very popular in India alongside 7-seater SUV models. The primary difference between MPVs and SUVs is that while the MPVs are large comfortable cars which are designed to offer comfortable long journeys for families, the SUVs are aimed at primarily offering off-roading capabilities and more adventurous journeys. While MPVs also come with good ground clearance and can beat the dust for long trips, they are more focused on interior comfort. Thus, these large van-like utility vehicles are perfect to carry families around, whether it is within the boundaries of a city or well beyond.
Here we are going to look at some of the best MPV models available in the current Indian car market, which can also be safely called the best family cars in India. Take a look:
Toyota Innova Crystal
India fell in love with MPVs first with the arrival of the Toyota Innova MPV. Large, premium, elegant looking and impressively comfortable Innova became an instant hit and went on to become an iconic model with its massive successes. The previous generation Innova ruled over the hearts of the Indian MPV lovers for more than a decade and charmed the family car buyers and the fleet owners alike. Then the Innova bid adieu to the Indian car market to make way for the new, dashing and much more premium Innova Crysta.
Japanese auto giant, Toyota brought in the new Generation Toyota Innova Crysta to recast the spell of the iconic Innova brand with everything better. It is a truly premium MPV model with a premium price range as well. It comes with a new design language that is bold, sporty, stylish and very premium and same goes for its interiors. The MPV adds a host of new features and safety equipments as well. The MPV is based on a new platform and comes powered by new engines to make for an entirely new package.
The new Innova Crysta is a massive MPV that offers a 7 or 8-seater configuration offering great spacious and luxurious interiors. It offers a host of up-class features like 4.2 inch TFT screen, leather wrapped steering wheel, tilt telescopic steering wheel, lounge lighting, ABS, EBD, and a whole lot more. The Innova Crysta is available in both petrol and diesel versions and its engine range consists of a 2.4-liter diesel unit, a 2.8-litre diesel motor and a 2.7 liter Dual VVT-i petrol mill. This premium MPV has a price range of Rs. 13.99 lakhs to Rs. 21.19 lakhs (ex-showroom, Delhi).
Maruti Suzuki Ertiga
The Maruti Suzuki Ertiga is also an excellent family vehicle. This highly popular MPV has been the only model that could match up to the success of the iconic Innova. However, being India’s top car major Maruti Suzuki’s offering, the Ertiga is a much more affordable vehicle. As compared against the massive Innova, the Ertiga is a compact MPV model, but is also offers spacious and comfortable interiors and offers a 7-seater layout.
Maruti Suzuki called the Ertiga a LUV (Luxury Utility Vehicle) and it comes with a neat and smart and more simplistic design language. The new refreshed model has been endowed with some additional new features to make it more feature-rich and contemporary. Its features list includes electronically foldable wing mirrors, push-button engine start/stop, 7.0-inch SmartPlay infotainment system along with MirrorLink connectivity, smart key-less entry, front and rear fog lamps, air conditioner with heater, rear A.C vents, remote control functions, dual front air bags, ABS with EBD and much more.
The Ertiga is offered in petrol, diesel and CNG versions and engine options include a 1.2-liter K-Series petrol mill, a 1.4-liter petrol unit (for the CNG version) and a 1.3-liter diesel motor that is empowered with the SHVS mild-hybrid system. All the variants of the Ertiga offer great fuel efficiency.
The very capable Maruti Suzuki Ertiga comes with a price range of Rs. 6.22 lakhs to 8.76 lakhs (ex-showroom, Delhi).
Renault Lodgy
To offer greater choices in the Indian MPV market and to please the modern Indian MPV lovers, French car maker Renault brought its Lodgy MPV. The Lodgy is a stylish and spacious MPV that is aimed at the urban Indian customers. It also offers ample space, features and comfort along with a fresh stylish appeal.
The Renault Lodgy is also a large MPV and comes with an 8-seater layout, while the range topping model has a 7-seater configuration. It comes with a whole host of premium features like advanced touchscreen infotainment system with MediaNav, cruise control, rearview camera, parking sensors, ABS with EDB, Brake Assist and much more.
The Lodgy comes as a diesel only vehicle and comes powered by a single choice of 1.5-liter diesel engine that is available in two tunes of power and is paired to a manual transmission. Renault has also launched a new ‘World Edition’ of the MPV that is also available in both the 85 PS and 110 PS power options. The Lodgy is also soon expected to come in an AMT version as well.
The Renault Lodgy comes with a price range of Rs. 7.88 lakhs to Rs. 11.56 lakhs (ex-showroom, Delhi).
