My daily driving is around 60+ km in city traffic. I currently own a Tata Nexon diesel. I’m looking for a reliable, safe, low-maintenance, high-feature car around ₹25+ lakh. I’m unsure whether to go for an EV or a diesel car. Can you please suggest which car I should consider for complete peace of mind, low running costs, and low maintenance?

Autocar India

•2w

Since you are driving 60km daily and all within the city, an EV would be a good option for you. However, this is only on the assumption that you have access to charging at home or your place of work. Relying only on public charging is not really convenient at all. We would suggest the Maruti Suzuki eVitara. Its drawbacks of tight rear and boot space would not be much of an issue for your usage, and it would deliver well on your requirements of being reliable and safe.

The eVitara received a 5-star crash rating in the BNCAP tests, and being a Maruti Suzuki car should prove to be very reliable. Moreover, you will get the top spec version within your budget.

Explore cars mentioned

Maruti Suzuki

e Vitara

from ₹16.95 Lakh

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Green Drive India

•1w

1000 or above need Ev only

Ferrarirules

•1w

Pankaj - Please for your budget - Look at BE6 as option. If you want conventional looks please look at Curvv.EV or Creta Electric - Big discounts are not on offer.

Related questions you may find helpful

Rajesh

•4d

Before I begin, I would like to thank Autocar for always offering sensible and well-informed advice to its readers. I have been an Autocar India subscriber since 2002. As per your earlier advice, I am considering the 49 kWh battery version of the Maruti Suzuki e Vitara for my monthly usage of around 900 km in Bengaluru. For longer journeys, I already own a Toyota Hycross Hybrid, so the EV will primarily be used for city driving. My main confusion is regarding the performance difference between the 49 kWh and 61 kWh battery versions. I recently test-drove the 61 kWh variant and drove it for about 20 km, and I must say it was a joy to drive and handled very well probably the best-handling Maruti I have experienced. However, I am concerned whether the 49 kWh version, which comes with a smaller motor, might feel noticeably less powerful or subdued in performance compared to the 61 kWh version, even though the torque figure is said to be the same for both.

Autocar India

•1d

Thanks for being a loyal subscriber. As you've rightly mentioned, the Maruti Suzuki e Vitara gets two versions 144hp/189Nm motor with a 49kWh battery, and the other is 174hp/189Nm motor, 61kWh battery. The common factor between the two versions is the 189Nm motor torque, which makes it zippy. Of course, being more powerful, the larger battery version is likely to hit higher (three-digit) speeds more quickly, but within town (up to speeds of 60-70kph), the difference between their acceleration is likely to be negligible. So opt for the 61kWh version only if you need more range, else as a city commuter, the 49kWh version's performance should be more than sufficient.

Maruti Suzuki e Vitara

Anushank

•19h

I am planning to sell my Mahindra XUV500 as it is nearing the end of its registration validity in Delhi NCR, and I want to buy a 5-seater SUV under ₹10 lakh. My preference is for a fuel-efficient car as my daily running is around 100 km, but it should also be spacious enough for five people. Since fuel efficiency is a priority, I am open to both CNG and diesel cars. My usage will be 70% city and 30% highway, mostly within Delhi NCR. I have narrowed my choices to the Maruti Brezza CNG, Tata Nexon CNG, Kia Sonet Diesel, and Maruti Fronx CNG. Please help me evaluate which would be the better option. I am also open to any other better option if available.

Autocar India

•2h

The Maruti Brezza CNG and Fronx CNG will be more fuel efficient than the Nexon iCNG, and their clutch and gearbox make them friendlier to drive, too. The Brezza is due for a facelift in the coming weeks, so you might want to wait for that to arrive. The Kia Sonet diesel will feel punchier to drive (than the CNG options listed above), while being very efficient too. Also, by opting for a diesel, you won't need to wait in long queues to refill CNG. Even the Sonet is due for a generation update, which is likely to be launched this year. Another option you could consider is the Mahindra XUV 3XO diesel MX2, which is more spacious than a Sonet. Its ride-handling balance is very impressive; the Sonet, however, has an edge in terms of fuel efficiency.

Tarangkumar Patel

Hi, I currently own a Honda Amaze diesel 2014 model. Now, after using it for so long, I want to upgrade to a 7-seater. I shortlisted the Hyundai Alcazar and Kia Carens Clavis and have done test drives for both vehicles. My daily usage in the city is 25 km, and I occasionally do long family trips. Now I am super confused between both cars, as one has premiumness and the other has space. Please suggest the best vehicle for me. Is the turbo petrol good? Now I am super confused.

Autocar India

•4h

Both cars are quite closely matched on premium feel, though one aesthetic seems to have worked better for you than the other. It's more a contest of road presence versus space, as the tall, SUV body style of the Hyundai Alcazar makes a strong impression on the road. It is boxy and upright and has the edge on ground clearance, as well as larger wheels.The price you pay is in the third row, where the Kia Carens Clavis' practical MPV shape liberates more space, and there's better ease of access too. Both cars have the same powertrain options, except that the Carens Clavis offers an additional engine option - the 1.5 naturally aspirated petrol. It also gets an iMT automated manual gearbox with the Turbo Petrol engine instead of a conventional manual, which the Alcazar gets.Yes, the Turbo Petrol is a good option, as given your relatively low usage, a diesel doesn't feel necessary. The 160hp, 1.5-litre turbo feels strong enough to haul 7 people and is quite enjoyable to drive too.As for which of the two you wish to buy, if you simply must have an SUV for its visual appeal and ground clearance, that is the only reason to choose the Alcazar. If that is not a bother, then the lighter, more spacious, more practical Kia Carens Clavis is the one we recommend.

Kia Carens Clavis

Hyundai Alcazar

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