The best family cars

Airbags and infotainment systems are essential in a family car.

Imagine driving on bumpy and potholed roads on a family trip to some fort in a remote village in Rajasthan. Not a pleasant image, right? When it comes to buying a car for the family, there can be no compromise on safety and comfort. All the better if it is versatile and equally adept at ferrying you every day from home to work. Some of the things you should consider beforehand are whether the car has airbags, an efficient braking system and stability, and add-ons such as GPS navigation. If you are buying a hatchback or a sedan, the right ground clearance—the distance between the underside of a car and the road—is essential (anything above 170mm); a car too low will get damaged on uneven roads and also increase the chances of the passengers getting a back or neck injury. We shortlist some of the safest and most versatile cars you can buy in India right now for less than Rs.20 lakh.

HATCHBACK

Hyundai i20 Active

"When buying a hatchback or a sedan, the right ground clearance is essential; a car too low will get damaged on uneven roads"

Among all the hatchbacks being sold in India, Hyundai i20 Active has the maximum ground clearance, at 190mm, and is perfect for rough roads. It easily beats competitors such as the Volkswagen Polo, which sits 165mm above the tarmac. The i20 Active packs in projector headlamps, LED lamps positioning, cornering lights and daytime-running lights (DRLs). It has anti-lock braking system (ABS) and dual airbags. The Headlamp escort function allows you to keep the headlights switched on for a limited time after the car is locked to illuminate the path you are walking on in a dark location. This is the most kitted-out hatchback in India right now, but lacks a GPS navigation system.

Which model to buy? The 1.2L Kappa Dual VTVT 5-Speed Manual S (Rs.7.1 lakh) and the 1.4L U2 CRDi 6-Speed Manual SX (Rs.8.9 lakh).

Sedan

Maruti Suzuki Ciaz

The Ciaz has been built with lightweight high-tensile steel, which is not only lighter than the material used in other sedans, but also stronger. Not many sedans in India offer integrated navigation, but Maruti’s SmartPlay infotainment system does, and a complete voice navigation at that. It has many pre-loaded points of interest: banks, petrol pumps, restaurants, etc.; you can search for home addresses; and the Maruti service centre database is available at a touch. At 170mm, this car has higher ground clearance than the Honda City (165mm), which means more peace of mind while dodging potholes.

Which model to buy? The ZXi+ (around Rs.9 lakh) and ZDi+ (Rs.10.3 lakh)

Crossover

Ford Ecosport

The 2015 edition of the EcoSport has an updated SYNC infotainment system that allows selected smartphone apps, such as Espncricinfo’s app and MapmyIndia’s Explore, to provide information via voice readouts. The whole family can stay updated on cricket scores and other information without individuals having to stay glued to their phones. SYNC can also answer phone calls and change music tracks via voice commands. In case the car meets with an accident, it automatically calls Ford’s Emergency Assistance service and communicates the GPS coordinates.

Which model to buy? The 1.0L Petrol EcoBoost Titanium (Rs.9.14 lakh) and 1.5 TiVCT Petrol Titanium/1.5 TDCi Diesel Titanium (Rs.10.2 lakh).

MUV

Renault Lodgy

The French car maker Renault single-handedly created the multi-utility vehicle (MUV) category in Europe, with the popular Espace. The Lodgy packs in a touch-screen MediaNav infotainment system that offers smartphone pairing, media playback and maps with voice navigation. The audio and phone controls are intuitively placed so that the driver can operate them with his right hand and does not need to look away from the steering wheel. All three rows get 12V power sockets, so that people can charge their phones easily. The Lodgy also has two airbags, parking assistance and keyless entry. It is perfect for big families.

Which model to buy? The Lodgy 85 PS RxZ (Rs.10.9 lakh).

SUV

Mahindra XUV500

The XUV500 is a no-compromise sport utility vehicle (SUV). It has six airbags and electronic stability protection that prevents it from rolling over. The impact beams—hidden inside the doors, frame, pillars, etc.—absorb the maximum impact during a crash. The new 7-inch infotainment system includes complete navigation features and now includes voice warnings: “door open”, “handbrake engaged” and “seat belt not deployed”. The Driver Information System provides vital information, such as how far the remaining amount of fuel can take you, and the air pressure and temperature of each tyre. The infotainment system even controls the cabin temperature.

Which model to buy? The W8 FWD (Rs.14.2 lakh) and W10 AWD (around Rs.16 lakh).

PREMIUM SEDAN

Hyundai 2015 Elantra

This is the safest sedan you can buy in India at the moment. It comes with six airbags, electronic stability control (ESC) and vehicle stability management (VSM), and it is made of ultra-high tensile-strength steel. The Elantra does not lack in comfort either. The driver and front passenger seats can be heated and cooled, and there is a cluster ionizer that improves the quality of air inside the cabin.

Which model to buy? The 1.8L Dual VTVT 6-Speed Manual SX (Rs.15.4 lakh) and 1.6L CRDi VGT 6-Speed Manual SX (Rs.16.7 lakh).