I am retired and plan to buy an EV primarily for limited daily use in the city. My budget is around ₹35 lakh (ex-showroom). I am considering the Mahindra XEV 9S and would like to know whether it would be a suitable choice for my requirements. If yes, could you please suggest which variant would make the most sense in terms of comfort, features, ease of ownership, and value for money?

autocar.india

•2d

The BMW iX1, Volvos and Mahindra XEV 9S are all quite different propositions, so the ‘best’ one really depends on what you value beyond interiors.The BMW iX1 is actually one of the more practical luxury EVs, with a spacious cabin. a genuinely premium feel and strong performance, which makes it very good value in the luxury EV space. If your only concern is that the interior doesn’t wow you visually, it’s still worth a serious look because the perceived quality, ergonomics and driving experience are all very strong.Assuming you’re referring to the Volvo EC40 and EX30, both offer very classy, minimalist cabins with high-quality materials and that typical Scandinavian design feel, but with almost everything controlled via the touchscreen. However, they are not very spacious; the EX30 in particular is tight at the rear, with limited legroom and a cramped benchThe Mahindra XEV 9S cannot match the Europeans for material richness or finesse of fit and finish, but it is fantastic value and absolutely nails space, comfort and features, especially if you need a proper family EV and possibly seven seats. If interior design “feel” matters more than outright luxury, the 9S may actually make you happiest in daily use, while the BMW is the better pick if you want a true luxury EV with strong dynamics.

BMW iX1 LWB

Volvo EC40

Mahindra XEV 9S

Volvo EX30

autocar.india

•1d

While the VinFast VF7 is an impressive product on paper, BYD has a significant head start in India. The BYD Atto 3 has been on sale for longer, BYD has an established dealer and service network, and there are already a meaningful number of cars on the road. That naturally translates into better parts availability, more trained technicians and a clearer picture of long-term ownership costs.With VinFast, the biggest unknown isn't the product itself but the ecosystem around it. The company is still in the early stages of building its sales and service network in India, and it will take time before we can confidently assess parts availability, service quality and long-term support.The Atto 3 also benefits from BYD's extensive global EV experience and its proven Blade Battery technology, which has already built a strong reputation for durability and safety.

Vinfast VF7

BYD Atto 3

autocar.india

•2h

No, we wouldn't consider the Kushaq 1.0 TSI 8AT a risky purchase from a reliability standpoint. The new gearbox isn't an all-new, unproven transmission. It replaces the earlier Aisin-sourced 6-speed torque converter (AQ250) with a newer Aisin 8-speed torque converter (AQ300). So Skoda has stuck with a proven supplier and transmission type rather than moving to something more complex.In fact, the new 8-speed brings some tangible improvements. It helps improve fuel efficiency and emissions, the low-speed creep behaviour is better controlled than before and the shifts are smoother and more seamless. It is also noticeably quicker, with our testing showing a 0-100kph time of 11.57 seconds, compared to 13.16 seconds for the old 6-speed automatic. The gearbox even feels surprisingly responsive in manual mode, with quick paddle-shift responses that give it a slightly sportier character than most torque-converter automatics.

Skoda Kushaq