Hi all, I'm in the market for a new car and would like to "future-proof" my setup hehehe. Wife and I are thinking of getting a 7-seater when we decide to expand our family of two. Since her family doesn't have a car and nagsisikan sila sa likod ng 2010 Honda City ko, we also want enough room for them when going on trips. So here's the main things we're looking for:

A. Diesel (unless you can make a case for a gas SUV/MPV)
B. Good aircon
C. Budget of 1.5M or 25k to 30k per month for 5 years
D. Mostly city driving so dapat enjoy i-drive kahit traffic
E. decent space for people and stuff.
F. Matic

Here's a shortlist so far:

1. Volkswagen Touran
+ Euro (mababaw na reason, but I've always wanted a European car)
+ Enticing safety features.
+ Cruise control!
- A little above budget yung TDI variant
- Wife thinks mainit sa mata even though mundane ang design
- Baka taga sa maintenance at mahirap maghanap ng mechanic for it after warranty.
+/- No idea what manual aircon means

2. Isuzu mu-X
+/- Popular so madaming kapareho pero ibig sabihin baka maganda demand ng parts at mechanics
+ Wife really loves the look
+/- Push start
+ Nice entertainment system
- less safety features (relatively speaking)

3. Kia Carens
+ Some say it's better than the Touran, no idea
- least features of the 3
+/- again, what does manuel aircon?

4. Any other suggestion na hindi Innova / Avanza - no offense sa 2, pero I feel lazy just picking those two. Bang for the buck I know, pero if I can afford a little more to get something slightly unique or better why not diba? At least at the end of the day, kung wala talaga Innova na. As for Ford or Chevy, medyo same issues with VW and I've heard (alam mo naman tayong mga pinoy with hearsay) na may issues daw sa quality mga American cars. Pero I'm open naman to it, if my fears can be eased or something to that extent.

Yun lang po, sana pa makakuha kahit konting tulong at wisdom. Thank you all!