When it comes to moving a big family or a group of friends comfortably, the choice of vehicle makes all the difference. You need space, versatility, and a ride that keeps everyone happy, whether it’s a short city run or a long highway journey. This is where MPVs (Multi-Purpose Vehicles) shine. Designed to blend practicality with comfort, these vehicles can effortlessly carry up to seven passengers, while also offering flexible cargo space and modern conveniences.

In this guide, we explore the best MPVs available in India in 2025, helping you find the one that perfectly fits your lifestyle, space requirements, and driving preferences.

What is the Full Form of MPV in Cars?

MPV simply stands for Multi-Purpose Vehicle. True to its name, this vehicle genre is engineered for versatility, prioritising spaciousness and passenger comfort above all else. When you need to transport your family or even manage heavy luggage, the MPV maximises its interior volume to handle the task efficiently. (Note: In many global markets, you might hear the MPV referred to as a minivan, underscoring its focus on practical, comfortable transit.)

Core Features of an MPV

• Monocoque Construction

Comfort is the primary focus of an MPV. Most models feature a monocoque construction, where the body and frame are fused into a single structure. Expect car-like agility and a significantly smoother ride on paved roads. 

• Optimised Design

Notice the two-box design, common to SUVs and MUVs, but with smoother lines.The windshield is often sharply raked, allowing the bonnet to flow seamlessly into the cabin. At the rear, the design is usually squared off to maximise interior space, especially for the third row. While MPVs generally have softer, more fluid designs compared to SUVs, this is not a strict requirement.

• Passenger Capacity

The MPV's primary mission is to move people. You will typically get a seven-passenger layout across three rows, offering a level of third-row spaciousness that often surpasses many SUVs.

• Drivetrain
   

Since these vehicles are built for on road hauling, most modern MPVs feature Front-Wheel Drive (FWD). This setup boosts fuel efficiency and is perfectly adequate, as you should not expect this vehicle to be an off-road champion.

• Powertrain

The engine options are balanced to efficiently manage both urban commuting and longer highway trips. Transmission options, manual or automatic, are tailored for ease of use and a comfortable, stress-free driving experience for your family.

Best MPV Cars in India

Renault Triber

If you’re looking for the most affordable MPV in India, the Renault Triber is where the list begins. What makes it stand out is its clever use of space within a compact sub-4-metre footprint. Space management feels intelligent as the 7-seat layout is surprisingly flexible. The second row slides and reclines, while the third row can be folded or removed entirely, letting you switch from people-carrier to cargo hauler in minutes. With the last row folded down, you get an impressive 625 litres of boot space.

Under the hood, the Triber runs on a 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine that delivers 71 bhp and 96 Nm of torque, tuned for city-friendly performance and efficiency. Safety is another strong point, with the Triber earning a 4-star Global NCAP rating and offering features like ABS, EBD, and six airbags as standard.

The car is fairly well equipped too, as you get an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with thoughtful touches such as cooled storage compartments.

For urban families, even a used Renault Triber offers the right balance of space, comfort, and flexibility.

Maruti Suzuki Ertiga

The Maruti Suzuki Ertiga has long been one of the most trusted and best-selling MPVs in India. With all three rows up, you get 209 litres of boot space, which is enough for a few weekend bags. Fold the third row, and the capacity jumps to 550 litres, while dropping both rows opens up a generous 692 litres for larger loads.

Powering the Ertiga is a refined 1.5-litre petrol engine that produces 102 bhp and 137 Nm of torque. You can choose between a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission, with the automatic also offering paddle shifters for added convenience. For those focused on efficiency, there’s also a CNG variant that keeps running costs impressively low.

Inside, the Ertiga feels well-equipped for the price. You get a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, automatic climate control, cruise control, and keyless entry. 

If you’re considering a second hand Maruti Ertiga, the car continues to deliver on value. Its mix of reliability, space, and fuel efficiency makes it one of the best MPV cars you can buy on a budget in today.

Maruti XL6

The Maruti Suzuki XL6 might share its foundation with the Ertiga, but it takes things a step up in both comfort and sophistication. Unlike the Ertiga, the XL6 feels more exclusive, so you won’t get that everyday taxi-like impression when someone spots it on the road.

What truly sets it apart is the addition of captain seats in the middle row, giving passengers a lounge-like experience on long journeys. It also comes better equipped right from the factory with LED headlamps, ventilated front seats, and an overall more premium cabin setup.

Add to that the experience of buying and servicing through Maruti’s Nexa network, and the XL6 starts to feel a lot more special. The styling is more mature, the materials feel richer, and the overall ambience inside the cabin is a clear step up.

So, if you’re looking for a Maruti MPV that combines practicality with a touch of luxury, the XL6 makes a strong case for itself.

Kia Carens clavis

For a long time, India’s MPV market had a gap sitting between the budget-friendly Maruti Ertiga and the premium Toyota Innova range. Mahindra tried to fill it with the Marazzo, but it never quite caught on. Kia, however, cracked the formula with the Carens. It struck the perfect balance between price, space, and premium appeal, offering multiple trims, diverse powertrains, and a well-thought-out design both inside and out.

Building on that success, Kia has now introduced the Carens Clavis, a more upmarket and feature-rich version of the MPV. The Clavis brings a flashier exterior design and a more futuristic, tech-oriented cabin layout. While it retains the same platform and powertrain options as the standard Carens, it elevates the overall experience with features like Level 2 ADAS, a panoramic sunroof, and dual 12.3-inch touchscreens for the infotainment and driver display.

The result is an MPV that blends practicality with premium sophistication. However, if you are on a budget, a used Kia Carens is still perfect for a family MPV with good space, safety, and technology in equal measure.

Toyota Innova Hycross

The Toyota Innova Hycross represents the next generation of the iconic Innova lineage — a modern, premium evolution that coexists alongside the Innova Crysta. It’s positioned as the most upmarket mass-market MUV you can buy today, combining comfort, technology, and efficiency in a single package.

Powered by Toyota’s strong-hybrid petrol engine, the Hycross is also one of the most economical MUVs to run in India. But efficiency isn’t its only strength. What makes the Hycross truly impressive is the sheer space and comfort it offers across all three rows. Even the last row feels accommodating, which feels as a rarity in most 7- or 8-seater cars. The ride quality remains composed and plush, staying true to what has made the Innova name so respected among Indian families.

Step inside, and the cabin feels premium in every sense. Features like a panoramic sunroof, a 9-speaker JBL sound system, and Level 2 ADAS safety suite enhance both comfort and confidence on long drives.

Available in 7- and 8-seater configurations, the Innova Hycross is built for families who want modern luxury without sacrificing Toyota’s trademark reliability.

Toyota Innova Crysta

The Toyota Innova Crysta has long been India’s go-to family MUV. Its solid build quality, proven reliability, and effortless long-distance comfort have earned it a reputation few rivals can match. Even today, despite feeling a bit dated in design, the Crysta continues to find buyers who value dependability over flash.

Since its launch in 2016, Toyota hasn’t made any major changes to the Innova Crysta, and for good reason. The “if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it” philosophy has worked well for this model. That same formula also makes a used Innova Crysta a strong purchase today, as its reputation for durability and low maintenance costs remains unmatched.

Currently, the Innova Crysta is offered only with a 2.4-litre diesel engine, available in both 7- and 8-seater configurations. While it shares showroom space with the newer Innova Hycross, the Crysta’s diesel-only, body-on-frame construction and old-school mechanical charm continue to appeal to buyers who prefer a traditional, proven MUV experience.

MG Windsor EV

The MG Windsor EV marks the brand’s return after more than a year, and this time, it’s all-electric. Marketed as a Crossover Utility Vehicle, it combines the size of a crossover with the practicality of an MPV, and is aimed squarely at families who want comfort, space, and green mobility in one package.

Powered by a 38 kWh battery pack, the Windsor EV delivers 134 bhp and 200 Nm of torque, offering a claimed range of 331 km (MIDC), which translates to roughly 250 km in real-world driving. It’s designed primarily for city commuting, offering smooth performance and an impressively spacious cabin for urban families.

MG has focused heavily on rear-seat comfort, and it shows. The long wheelbase translates to generous legroom and reclining rear seats, making it one of the most comfortable backseats in its segment.

The 604-litre boot space, ventilated front seats, 15.6-inch touchscreen, and connected car tech add to its practicality and premium feel. Plus, MG also offers a Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) option for those who prefer a lower upfront cost.

BYD eMAX 7

The BYD eMAX 7 is India’s first all-electric full-size 6- or 7-seater MPV, built on the brand’s advanced e-Platform 3.0, which is the same modular platform that underpins the Atto 3. BYD offers the eMAX 7 in two variants: a 55.4 kWh battery paired with a 161 bhp motor (Premium), and a 71.8 kWh battery with a 201 bhp motor (Superior). The claimed ranges are 420 km and 530 km respectively, giving families plenty of flexibility for both city use and long highway drives.

Despite being an EV, the eMAX 7 doesn’t compromise on performance, as the top variant sprints from 0–100 km/h in just 8.6 seconds. It offers a smooth, quiet, and effortless driving experience with light controls and a refined low-speed ride. Real-world range figures of 400–450 km make it practical even for road trips. Inside, the cabin is spacious and well-equipped, with features like a 12.8-inch rotating touchscreen, panoramic glass roof, powered tailgate, and vehicle-to-load function that lets you power external appliances.

However, at around ₹30 lakh (on-road), the eMAX 7 finds itself overlapping with established ICE rivals like the Toyota Innova Crysta and Hycross, both of which offer stronger brand recall and wider service networks. The eMAX’s conservative styling, and limited dealer presence may deter some buyers. 

Still, if you want a spacious, zero-emission family mover that’s comfortable, feature-rich, and unique in its segment, the BYD eMAX 7 deserves a serious look.

Kia Carens Clavis EV

Kia has built a strong reputation with the Carens since its 2022 launch, and the Carens Clavis EV, introduced in early 2025, takes that success into the mass-market electric vehicle segment. While Kia’s other EVs in India, like the EV6 and EV9, cater to premium buyers, the Carens Clavis EV is designed as a practical, family-friendly 3-row electric MPV and is the first made-in-India EV from Kia.

The Carens Clavis EV is powered by an interior permanent magnet synchronous motor paired with a liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery. Buyers can choose between two options: a 42 kWh battery with 133 bhp delivering an ARAI-certified range of 404 km, or an Extended Range 51.4 kWh battery with 169 bhp offering 490 km of range.

Inside, the Carens Clavis EV remains practical yet premium. It features a usable third row, well-designed interiors with quality materials, ventilated front seats, panoramic sunroof, fully digital instruments, 360-degree camera, Bose sound system, adjustable regen braking, and Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) charging. Safety is comprehensive with Level 2 ADAS, six airbags, ESP, hill descent control, and auto-hold. 

However, there are a few compromises. The second-row legroom is adequate but not spacious, especially with the raised floor due to the battery pack. Suspension is firmer, and body roll is noticeable during quick lane changes. The Carens Clavis EV is offered only as a 7-seater with no middle-row captain seats. Overall, the Kia Carens Clavis EV is a well-rounded, practical, and feature-rich electric MPV for families looking for a zero-emission alternative without compromising space or usability.

Kia Carnival

The Kia Carnival made a bold entry into India in February 2020, offering a luxurious alternative in the MPV segment. While it was priced far above Kia’s Seltos and Sonet, the Carnival aimed to deliver an unmatched combination of space, comfort, and premium features. The latest iteration retains the 2.2-litre diesel engine, now tuned to produce 193 PS and 441 Nm, providing smooth and effortless performance suitable for long drives.

Kia has streamlined the lineup to a single ‘Limousine Plus’ variant, emphasising luxury over multiple seating configurations. The exterior is imposing and stylish, while the interior rivals some German luxury cars, with twin 12.3-inch HD infotainment and gauge displays, 8-speaker Bose sound system, dual sunroofs, 12-way powered and ventilated driver seat, and 11-inch head-up display. Rear passengers are treated to comfort and convenience with multiple USB Type-C ports, wireless charging, and generous seating. 

Ride quality is one of the Carnival’s standout traits, with rear seats that offer exceptional comfort, nearly rivalling German luxury sedans. While some minor compromises exist, like the engine lacking a premium feel and display screens that could be more luxurious, the Carnival more than makes up for it with its overall presence, features, and space. For families seeking a top-tier, chauffeur-friendly MPV experience, the Kia Carnival remains one of the most impressive options on Indian roads today.

The Bottom Line

MUVs are the perfect combination of space, comfort, and versatility, making them ideal for everything from daily city drives to long family road trips. The Indian market now offers options to suit a wide range of needs and budgets. On a tight budget, the Renault Triber delivers practicality without compromise.

Stepping up, models like the Maruti Ertiga or Toyota Rumion provide excellent value with added space and features. For those seeking a more premium experience, the Kia Carens and Maruti XL6 offer enhanced comfort, modern tech, and thoughtful amenities. And for families who want the pinnacle of luxury, space, and features, vehicles like the Toyota Innova Hycross and Maruti Invicto lead the pack, setting the standard for what a modern MUV can offer.