Captain seats offer a more comfortable and luxurious experience for second row passengers.
Three-row SUVs and MPVs are quite popular in India thanks to their expanded seating capacities. While a bench seat for the second row helps fit in as many passengers as possible, many three-row vehicles also offer individual captain seats, which are more comfortable and make third row access a bit easier. We’ve compiled a 10-strong list of the most affordable three-row SUVs and MPVs that can be had with captain seats for the second row.
Maruti Suzuki XL6
Zeta onwards; Rs 11.70 lakh-14.87 lakh
Although the XL6 is part of Maruti Suzuki’s premium Nexa offerings, it’s still the most pocket-friendly MPV in this list. Second row captain seats are standard across the XL6’s entire variant line-up, and powertrain options solely comprise a mild-hybrid 1.5-litre petrol engine developing 103hp and 137Nm, mated to either a 5-speed manual or 6-speed torque converter auto gearbox. Buyers looking to extract greater fuel efficiency can also opt for a factory-fitted CNG kit.
Kia Carens
Prestige(O) onwards; Rs 11.99 lakh-19.49 lakh
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The Carens gets second row captain seats only in its mid-range Prestige(O) variant and as an option for the top-end Luxury Plus and X-Line trims. Prestige(O) buyers solely get a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine that’s good for 115hp and 144Nm, and paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox. The Luxury Plus variant offers a 1.5-litre turbo-diesel mill producing 116hp and 250Nm coupled to a 6-speed manual, as well as a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol unit producing 160hp and 253Nm, mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. The Kia MPV’s X-Line trim only comes in turbo-petrol automatic guise.
Mahindra Scorpio Classic
Only in S11 trim; Rs 17.35 lakh
The Scorpio Classic keeps things simple by offering second row captain seats only in its range-topping S11 trim. Under the hood, the Scorpio Classic comes with a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel motor generating 130hp and 300Nm, which is paired with a lone 6-speed manual gearbox.
MG Hector Plus
Style onwards; Rs 17.50 lakh-23.87 lakh
Second row captain seats are available throughout the Hector Plus’ variant portfolio. The three-row MG Hector derivative is powered by a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine producing 143hp and 550Nm, which can be mated to a 6-speed manual or CVT gearbox. There’s also a 2.0-litre diesel engine on offer, which generates 170hp and 350Nm but can only be had in manual guise.
Mahindra XUV700
AX7 onwards; Rs 19.84 lakh-24.34 lakh
XUV700 buyers who want second row captain seats can only look towards its top-end AX7 and AX7 L variants. None of the XUV700’s 6-seater trims come with four-wheel drive, and engine options include a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol unit producing 200hp and 380Nm, and a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel mill developing 185hp and up to 450Nm. Both engines can be paired with a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter auto.
Toyota Innova Hycross
G onwards; Rs 19.94 lakh-31.34 lakh
All variants of the monocoque-based Innova Hycross can be equipped with second row captain seats. The top-spec ZX and ZX(O) trims even get powered ottoman seats that deliver “business class comfort levels,” as noted in our Innova Hycross review. Coming to powertrains, lower variants of the Toyota SUV get a 2.0-litre petrol engine producing 173hp and 209Nm, mated only to a CVT auto gearbox. Pricier variants add a strong hybrid setup to the motor, which boosts the output to a combined 184hp.
Toyota Innova Crysta
GX onwards; Rs 19.99 lakh-26.82 lakh
The venerable Innova Crysta MPV offers second row captain seats across its full variant line-up. Currently, the Innova Crysta is only available with a 2.4-litre turbo-diesel engine producing 150hp and 343Nm. A 5-speed manual is the only gearbox that can be had with this engine.
Mahindra Scorpio N
Only in Z8 L trim; Rs 20.93 lakh-22.79 lakh
Completing the Mahindra trifecta in this list is the Scorpio N, which features second row captain seats in its range-topping Z8 L variants. Much like the XUV700, four-wheel drive is off the table in these trims, but they do offer a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine developing 203hp and 370Nm, as well as a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel unit that’s good for 175hp and 400Nm. Transmission options include a 6-speed manual and 6-speed torque converter auto for both engines.
Hyundai Alcazar
Platinum onwards; Rs 20.99 lakh-21.70 lakh
The Alcazar can be had with captain seats in the second row starting from the mid-spec Platinum trim. Powertrain-wise, the Hyundai SUV gets a 1.5-litre turbo-diesel engine outputting 116hp and 250Nm, as well as a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol motor belting out 160hp and 253Nm. Curiously, there are no manual gearboxes on offer, with the diesel unit featuring a 6-speed torque converter auto and the petrol a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Tata Safari
Accomplished+ onwards; Rs 25.1 lakh-27.25 lakh
Tata’s current flagship SUV, the Safari, offers second row captain seats only in the range-topping Accomplished+ variants. The sole engine available with the Safari is a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel mill that’s good for 170hp and 350Nm, paired with either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed torque converter auto transmission.
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