The Renault Triber is the most affordable 7-seat car in India, and its mix of practicality and flexibility at its price point is simply unmatched. The Triber gets three rows of seating, and the middle-row bench seats can be folded 60:40 and slid back and forth; the backrest angle is adjustable, too. After the second-row seats are folded and moved forward, accessing the last row becomes easy. Interestingly, the last row of 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 is the Mahindra Bolero, the most utilitarian vehicle here. You 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 offer much support; the seats at the back are no different and provide limited kneeroom. Mahindra has equipped the sub-4-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 targeted at the rural audience.

3. Mahindra Bolero Neo

Price: Rs 8.49 lakh-10.49 lakh

100hp, 1.5-litre diesel

Compared to the Bolero, the Bolero Neo is a notable step up, with a more modern-looking interior and better-quality materials, although this too is 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 Mahindra has done that to have side-facing jump seats at the back. 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 3-cylinder diesel engine and comes only with a manual gearbox.

The Maruti Ertiga has been among the carmaker’s bestselling models in India and is its 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. 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 4-cylinder petrol and is offered with manual and AT gearboxes; some variants have a factory-fitted CNG kit, too. 

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. The Rumion has 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 extra 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 from the same 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 the 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 options of 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engines available with the regular Carens, the Clavis gets a 160hp, 1.5-litre turbo-petrol mill. 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 a 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 in, with well-judged cushioning and generous headroom and legroom, even for tall passengers. The middle row’s 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 kneeroom are not generous either, so this space is best suited for kids. These seats can also be removed, just like in the Triber, to free up more luggage space. The 7-seat configuration is only available on the top-spec Max trim with a 110hp 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine mated to a manual or an AT gearbox.

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. The SUV has a high ground clearance, so it 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 only 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, there are no AC vents here. The Scorpio N also has the distinction of being the only proper 4×4 SUV in this list of the 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 diesel engine in 132hp state of tune available on the lower trims, as well as a 203hp, 2.0-litre turbo-petrol option.