9-Seater Cars in India: The Best Options for Big Families
Highlights:
1. 9-seater cars available in India.
2. How much does a 9-seater car cost?
3. Why do 9-seater cars work for big families?
4. Pros and cons of each nine-seater option.
The big Indian family needs a stylish big car to move around. The segment for large cars in India is limited, but it still manages to give some phenomenal options for a family that likes to travel together. Be it for daily drives, road trips, or family events, there are some popular choices from Mahindra and Kia that fit the requirements of a large family perfectly.
Top 9 Seater Options
This segment is dominated by Mahindra cars. There are two reliable and much-loved options from stable – the Scorpio Classic and Bolero Neo Plus. They have one thing that is appreciated immensely by their loyal audience, and that is their space.
Mahindra Scorpio Classic
The first in the list is the Scorpio Classic, the car starts around ₹13.19 Lakh and comes with a diesel engine, and its estimated mileage is about 14-15 km per litre. It has a tough SUV look and delivers a performance that works in mixed road conditions, which makes it perfect for both urban and rural settings.
The SUV is pretty basic in its interior setup. It has a straightforward gear shift, a screen for music and navigation and speed control. It also offers basic safety features like airbags in the front and the back rows have seats to squeeze in nine people.
But with all the seats up there is very little room for luggage. It is, however, ideal for family outings. The car has a bold road presence, and it has a go-anywhere ability that is loved by all. There is another factor that is much appreciated: the car depreciates rather slowly in terms of value.
Mahindra Bolero Neo Plus
The second one from the house of Mahindra is the Bolero Neo Plus, which is priced from ₹10.77 Lakh to ₹11.80 Lakh. This too comes in diesel and seats nine in a practical setup. It offers two seats up front, three in the middle, and four in the back. This still leaves a little room for luggage. The Neo Plus is a value-for-money and practical option that suits families in towns or villages alike. The car is over 4 metres long and provides ample space for people, groceries, or festival gear.
The car is basic but practical and comes with power windows, air conditioning, a large screen, and rear parking aids. The car is known for its durability, cheap upkeep, and real-world fuel savings of 12-14 km per litre.
Kia Carnival
The third in the list is the Kia Carnival, which is a premium MPV from Kia. This long, luxurious car blends SUV styling with minivan practicality for families and executives. It offers 7-9 seats with flexible configurations and targets urban buyers in cities. It comes with a 2.2L diesel engine, which claims a 14.85 kmpl ARAI mileage. It is more luxurious than the Mahindra options as it’s built for a different audience. Features like dual 12.3-inch screens, Bose audio, Level 2 ADAS (adaptive cruise, blind-spot avoidance, lane keep), Ottoman second-row seats with ventilation, dual sunroofs, and 360-camera, 6-7 airbags, ESC, and TPMS are targeted towards the urban buyer who wants to travel in comfort and style.
Why Do They Suit Big Families?
Families that need space in their vehicle for more people or more luggage have limited options. These three cars fix the biggest problem faced by large families for their mobility needs. They have enough space to easily hold nine adults plus bags. They offer high ground clearance and the capacity to deal with village roads when necessary. Their diesel engines give enough power and mileage for daily family use and long trips. Also, the Mahindra cars retain good resale value over time.
For joint families, the flexible seating lets kids spread out or elders get middle-row comfort. People use these vehicles to plan long trips, holidays and hill drives with family and friends. The cars have won the hearts of large family owners who praise them for their simple reliability that skips high-tech glitches. They hold up in all Indian conditions without any glitch.
Tips for Buying
Buying one of these vehicles is a function of the requirements and budget of the buyer. If your budget tops ₹15 lakh, then your best bet is the Bolero Neo Plus. If your budget can go up by 15-20% to accommodate road taxes, insurance, and registration fees, upgrade to Scorpio Classic. If you can go premium, the Kia Carnival is the most luxurious option on the list.
Other factors that will affect your buying decision are the fuel bills, servicing costs and local conditions. Mahindra cars also offer you strong build quality and a known track record for reliability. Big families thrive with these picks, blending Indian road toughness and everyday ease into one package.
FAQs
1. What is the price range of 9-seater cars?
The prices of 9-seater cars range from ₹10.77 lakh to ₹16.70 lakh ex-showroom in the Indian car market. The bestsellers in the segment are Bolero Neo Plus, which is the most affordable of the lot, followed by Scorpio at the higher end.
2. What are the safety features of Indian 9-seater cars?
The Bolero Neo and Scorpio offer good safety and build quality. Even though ADAS and ESC are missing in these models, they are known for their build quality. However, it is important to know that Bolero Neo earned a 1-star Global NCAP for adult and child protection due to weak chest protection in frontal impacts. No Bharat NCAP ratings available for these exact 9-seater trims; prioritise test drives for real-world assessment.
3. Which are the world’s best 9-seater cars?
While the options in the Indian market are limited, there are some wonderful options available in the global market. Full-size SUVs like the Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe are loved for their massive space and power. Vans such as the Ford Transit are also among the much-loved 9-seater SUVs globally. These vehicles excel in comfort, cargo capacity, and performance.