Mahindra XUV700, Tata Safari and other three-row SUVs in India under Rs 25 lakh

Ample cabin space and good ground clearance are some of the benefits that come along with a three-row SUV.

Three-row SUVs, with their additional seating and greater cabin space, are ideal for family road trips. For those behind the wheel, the ample ground clearance and higher driving position that these SUVs offer is an added benefit. Whether you are looking for added space or good second-row comfort, here is a list of three-row SUVs that you can buy under Rs 25 lakh.

1. Mahindra Bolero

Price: Rs 9.32 lakh-Rs 10.26 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)

Despite its two-decade vintage, the rugged Bolero continues to be a hot seller for Mahindra. One of the major reasons for its popularity, especially in smaller towns, is its tough image. The body-on-frame, sub-4m SUV is a seven seater, with a bench seat in the middle and two jump seats in the third row. It’s powered by a 75hp, 1.5-litre, three cylinder m-Hawk diesel engine, which is paired to a 5-speed manual transmission sending power to the rear wheels only. 

The venerable Bolero sits at the entry-level of Mahindra SUVs. 

2. Mahindra Bolero Neo

Price: Rs 9.29 lakh-Rs 11.00 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)

The Bolero Neo is another body-on-frame and seven-seat, sub-4m SUV that you can buy today and is the more upmarket alternative to the Bolero. Like the standard Bolero, the Neo also gets jump seats in the third row and a bench layout in the second row.

It gets a more powerful version of the Bolero’s 1.5-litre, 3-cyl diesel engine, making 100hp, and is paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox. There is no automatic option, and the power is only sent to the rear wheels.

The Bolero Neo is built tough and is ideal to take on bad roads, thanks to its body-on-frame construction and abuse-friendly suspension. The Neo is also very drivable with a responsive engine, short gear ratios and a light clutch. However, it’s not as well equipped or polished as more mainstream compact SUVs like the Kia Sonet and Tata Nexon.

For more on how the Bolero Neo performs, check our review of the Bolero Neo here, or watch our video.

3. Mahindra Scorpio Classic

Price: Rs 11.99 lakh-Rs 15.49 lakh (ex-showroom, India)

Mahindra recently launched the Scorpio Classic as a rebranded version of the second-gen Scorpio. It sits below the Scorpio N and, compared to the older Scorpio, it gets an updated 132hp, 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine, a tweaked suspension set-up, revised exteriors and interiors and more equipment like a new 9-inch touchscreen.

The Scorpio Classic is available in three seating layouts – one 7-seater gets captain seats in the second row and a bench in the third; another 7-seater version gets a bench in the second row and two jump seats in the back; a 9-seater gets a bench in the second row and jump seats for four in the rear.

4. Mahindra Scorpio N

Price: Rs 11.99 lakh-Rs 23.90 lakh (ex-showroom, India)

The Scorpio N is powered by a 203hp, 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, and a 2.2-litre diesel engine in two states of tune – 132hp and 175hp. Its gearbox options include a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed automatic; and 4WD is available on the higher-spec diesel engine only. 

The Scorpio N gets either a 6-seat or a 7-seat option, but captain seats in the middle row in the 6-seater is only available with the top-spec Z8L trim. The Z8L with 4WD, meanwhile, is only available in the bench seat layout.

The Scorpio N is a major improvement over its predecessor and is decidedly more premium than before. It’s also better equipped and comes with smooth and strong powertrains. Despite being more rounded than before, it still retains the toughness associated with the Scorpio brand. Some negatives of the new Scorpio N include limited boot space and a tight third-row. 

You can check our review of the Scorpio N by clicking here, or watch our video.

5. Mahindra XUV700

Price: Rs 13.18 lakh-Rs 24.58 lakh (ex-showroom, India)

The Mahindra XUV700 is also available with an option of just two rows of seats. However, a five-seat layout is only reserved for the lower MX variants, while the higher AX variants get a seven-seat option. The XUV700, however, does not get an option of a captain seats.

Powering Mahindra’s flagship SUV are two engines – a 200hp, 2.0-litre petrol engine and a 2.2-litre diesel engine in two states of tune – 155hp for the MX variants and 185hp for the AX variants. Gearbox options include a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed automatic, depending on the choice of the engine. 

Mahindra has thrown everything they could at their flagship SUV. It is stylish, comes with potent engines, is loaded with equipment and boasts of a 5-star Global NCAP rating. The infotainment system, however, could have been more intuitive to use and the last row is not as spacious as the rivals. Also, currently, the XUV700 commands a long waiting period. 

Here is our text review and the video review of the XUV700. 

6. Tata Safari

Price: Rs 15.35 lakh-Rs 22.35 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)

The Tata Safari is the three-row version of the Harrier and, as such, it is based on the Omega-ARC platform and carries forward the 170hp, 2.0-litre diesel engine. Gearbox options include a 6-speed manual as standard and an optional Hyundai-sourced, 6-speed automatic.

The SUV comes with a six-seater layout with captain seats in the middle row on higher variants, while the lower variants do with bench seats in the middle row. The Safari is available in several editions, including the recently launched Jet Edition.

With a monocoque construction and front-wheel drive, the new Safari is far removed from the original model. But the new Safari impresses with its ride quality, a comfortable second-row and a relatively spacious third-row. However, for most, the Safari tag calls for 4WD which is not available with the new SUV. For our review of the Safari, click here.

7. Hyundai Alcazar

Price: Rs 15.89 lakh-Rs 20 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)

The Alcazar is basically a three-row version of Hyundai’s popular Creta midsize SUV with a 150mm longer wheelbase. Powering the SUV is a 159hp, 2.0-litre petrol engine, and a 115hp, 1.5-litre diesel engine. Hyundai also offers the Alcazar with two gearbox options – a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed automatic.

Except for the base Prestige Executive and the Platinum trims, others are offered an option of a 6- or 7-seat layout.

We love the Alcazar for it offers a long equipment list, has a comfortable ride and is easier to live with than other, bigger SUVs. The engines are refined but the diesel, while adequate for cruising, feels strained under load. We also found the last row of the Alcazar a bit tight compared to some of its rivals. 

For a detailed review of the Alcazar click here or watch our video.

8. MG Hector Plus

Price: Rs 17.45 lakh-Rs 20.75 lakh (ex-showroom, India)

Positioned above the Hector, the Hector Plus also comes with 6- and 7-seat layout options, with captain seats offered on the former. The Hector Plus gets the same powertrain options as the standard Hector – a 170hp, 2.0-litre diesel engine, and a 143hp, 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine that’s also available with the 48V mild-hybrid system.

The Hector Plus ticks all the boxes as a comfortable family SUV and also comes across as a good value-for-money product. However, we found that the third row is best only for occassional use and the petrol engine could do with more punch. 

The Hector and Hector Plus are due for a facelift, but you can check our review of the Hector Plus here.

Also see:

New SUV launches in India by Diwali 2022