Table of Content
▼The Nissan Gravite, the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga and the Mahindra Bolero are three distinct solutions to the problem of transporting families, not just seven-seater vehicles. One is a brand-new budget MPV built to undercut everything on price. One is India's reigning value-for-money MPV champion. The third is a rugged diesel SUV that does not care about being fashionable. All three claim seven seats. All three claim to be family-ready. But only one is right for your roads, your budget, and your driving pattern.
The Gravite enters with a starting price under ₹6 lakh. The Ertiga provides a CNG fuel economy of 26 km/kg and a robust service network throughout India. The Bolero responds with diesel torque of 210 Nm along with a ladder frame construction that no competing vehicle can match. Which vehicle will warrant your cash in 2026? Let’s analyze these vehicles carefully and decide.
Pricing
The Gravite's base price sits nearly ₹3.15 lakh below the Bolero's base price and over ₹3 lakh below the Ertiga's starting figure. The Ertiga's top variant at ₹12.94 lakh asks buyers to pay a premium for a more powerful engine, a proper automatic gearbox, and the segment's most usable cabin. Whether that premium is worth it depends entirely on how often all seven seats are actually filled.
|
Variant Tier |
Nissan Gravite |
Maruti Suzuki Ertiga |
Mahindra Bolero |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Base |
₹5.65 lakh |
₹8.80 lakh |
₹7.99 lakh |
|
Mid |
₹7.25 lakh |
₹10.50 lakh |
₹8.90 lakh |
|
Top |
₹8.94 lakh |
₹12.94 lakh |
₹9.90 lakh |
Engine & Performance
All three can get a family from point A to point B. Only one of them does it with real torque on tap.
Nissan Gravite
- The Nissan Gravite is powered by a 1.0L, 3-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine that makes about 71 to 72 PS.
- Power is transmitted through a 5-speed manual or 5-speed AMT with 96 Nm of torque.
- Gravite, meanwhile, offers an official mileage figure of 19.3-19.6 km per litre-one of the best in its class.
- The engine is designed with city friendly efficiency in mind rather than sheer force, you would need to plan when you want to pass on the highway
- A dealer-fit twin-cylinder CNG kit is also available, with efficiency ratings running up to 24 km/kg.
Maruti Suzuki Ertiga
- A 1.5L four-cylinder petrol engine is powering the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga with the assistance of Smart Hybrid, producing 103 PS.
- The Ertiga has the highest performance numbers for petrol engines among all the vehicles being discussed, with 137 Nm of torque.
- The Ertiga is available with both a 5-speed manual and a true 6-speed torque-converter automatic with paddle shifters.
- There is a CNG variant which produces 87 PS, but its mileage is claimed to be 26.11 km/kg.
- The Ertiga engine performs best, when driving at highway speeds for a long time because of the longer wheelbase under it.
Mahindra Bolero
- Powered by a turbo-diesel engine that operates on 1.5L, 3-cylinder turbo-diesel engine which produces (75-76 PS)
- Mahindra Bolero has the highest torque output with a maximum rating of 210 Nm in our assessment of these vehicles.
- The only way to drive a Bolero is with a 5-speed manual shifting transmission (neither); and there are no automatic versions of the Bolero sales program in India.
- The claimed fuel economy for the Bolero is about 16 km/l (has the lowest fuel economy from the three) as would be expected due to the emphasis on torque in diesel engines.
|
Spec |
Nissan Gravite |
Maruti Suzuki Ertiga |
Mahindra Bolero |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Engine |
1.0L NA Petrol |
1.5L Petrol Hybrid |
1.5L Turbo-Diesel |
|
Power |
71–72 PS |
103 PS (87 PS CNG) |
75–76 PS |
|
Torque |
96 Nm |
137 Nm (121 Nm CNG) |
210 Nm |
|
Transmission |
5-MT / 5-AMT |
5-MT / 6-AT |
5-MT only |
|
Claimed Mileage |
19.3–19.6 kmpl |
20.51 kmpl (26.11 km/kg CNG) |
~16 kmpl |
Performance Verdict: the Bolero takes the lead on torque, it pulls harder and seems to cope better with rough patches, and also when the load is full. The Ertiga has the edge where it counts for everyday India drive , the best mix of shove, smoothness, and a real automatic option. The Gravite trades performance for the lowest running costs in the group.
Also Read: Citroen eC3 X India: Price, Range, Specs & Safety Rating Compared
Design & Dimensions
All three look exactly like what they are built to do.
Nissan Gravite

- The Nissan Gravite has an original C-shaped radiator and LED lights as primary headlamps and daylight running lights.
- The design is also compact with a size less than four metres long which enables easy parking and city driving.
- When the third row of seating is removed, the boot measures 84 or 625 litres depending on whether it is used.
- Available exterior colours are Forest Green, Onyx Black, Blade Silver, Snow White or Metallic Grey.
Maruti Suzuki Ertiga

- Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, which features a classic MPV profile with a tall windshield and chrome-trimmed grille.
- Given the larger 2,740 mm wheelbase, this translates into more usable second and third-row seating compared to competitors.
- Ertiga's boot capacity with all rows in place is 209 litres, and it expands to 550–803 litres when the third row is stowed.
- Ertiga comes in the following colour options: Pearl Auburn Red, Pearl Arctic White, Splendid Silver, Magma Grey, Oxford Blue, Dignity Brown and Pearl Midnight Black.
Mahindra Bolero

- The Mahindra Bolero retains its boxy, upright silhouette with a side-hinged tailgate-mounted spare wheel.
- At 1,880 mm tall, the Bolero stands noticeably higher than both rivals, reinforcing its rugged SUV stance.
- The Bolero offers 370 litres of boot space as standard, the largest of the three, expandable to 690 litres.
- Colours available include Diamond White, Dsat Silver, Lakeside Brown, and Stealth Black.
|
Dimension |
Nissan Gravite |
Maruti Suzuki Ertiga |
Mahindra Bolero |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Length |
3,987 mm |
4,395 mm |
3,995 mm |
|
Wheelbase |
2,636 mm |
2,740 mm |
2,680 mm |
|
Height |
1,644 mm |
1,690 mm |
1,880 mm |
|
Boot Space |
84L (625L conv.) |
209L (up to 803L) |
370L (up to 690L) |
|
Ground Clearance |
182 mm |
~180–185 mm |
180–183 mm |
Design Verdict: The Bolero wins on standard boot space and stance. The Ertiga wins on cabin usability thanks to its longer wheelbase. The Gravite stays the most city-friendly of the three on sheer footprint alone.
Safety
Safety is where the gap between these three widens the most.
|
Safety Feature |
Nissan Gravite |
Maruti Suzuki Ertiga |
Mahindra Bolero |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Airbags |
Up to 6 |
Up to 6 |
2 (standard) |
|
ESP/ESC |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
Hill Hold Assist |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
Rear Camera |
Yes |
Yes |
No (entry trims) |
|
ISOFIX Anchors |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Global NCAP |
Not yet tested |
1-star (latest protocol) |
Not yet tested |
Safety Verdict: Not a tie at all here. The Gravite and Ertiga both clear six airbags and ESP as standard fare for the segment. The Bolero's two-airbag setup is a genuine compromise that buyers need to weigh seriously against its toughness.
What to Watch Out For: The Mahindra Bolero's standard safety kit lags noticeably behind both rivals. If modern crash protection is non-negotiable for your family, this is the single biggest factor to weigh before choosing it over the Gravite or Ertiga.
Also Read: MG Buyback Plan and Financing Options India 2026: Complete Guide
Nissan Gravite, Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, or Mahindra Bolero: Who Should Buy What?
|
Choose Nissan Gravite if |
Choose Maruti Suzuki Ertiga if |
Choose Mahindra Bolero if |
|---|---|---|
|
Budget is the hard constraint, under ₹9 lakh |
You want the most balanced 7-seater overall |
You drive on rural or unpaved roads regularly |
|
You mostly drive within city limits |
Resale value and service reach matter most |
You need diesel torque for towing or load |
|
Third-row comfort is a rare-use feature |
You can stretch to ₹9–13 lakh |
Mechanical simplicity outweighs feature lists |
|
Modern features at entry pricing appeal to you |
A real automatic gearbox is non-negotiable |
Refinement and modern safety tech are not priorities |
Conclusion
The Nissan Gravite, Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, and Mahindra Bolero kind of prove that the 7 seater family vehicle in India is no longer just one single template, it now arrives in three genuinely distinct flavours. The Gravite kind of wins, because it gives you the lowest entry price and a surprisingly modern safety kit for the money. The Ertiga wins, because it stays the most rounded, most practical, and most resale friendly option for city families. The Bolero wins, because no rival here can really match its torque, the extra ground clearance, and that ladder frame sturdiness when roads turn messy. There isn’t really one champion though. But be honest with yourself, do you actually need the cheapest seven seats, the most comfortable seven seats, or the toughest seven seats?
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Aakash Mehra
Automotive Journalist & Car Reviewer. Aakash Mehra is a seasoned automotive journalist with over 9 years of experience in car journalism and consumer-focused reviews. Having test-driven more than 550+ vehicles, he delivers detailed comparisons, expert insights, and unbiased advice to help readers confidently choose the right car.