I have a daily commute of nearly 200 km on a fixed route, with 90% highway driving and 10% city usage. My budget is up to ₹20 lakh on-road. I am open to any fuel type, including EVs. What would you suggest for my usage?

autocar.india

•3d

Go with the Hyundai charger. The Rs 75,000 price is not just for the hardware; it also includes installation, integration with the car’s battery management system, and Hyundai’s warranty support. That matters because if you ever have a charging-related issue, Hyundai cannot blame a third-party charger. With the Hyundai charger, you have a single point of accountability.The cheaper Rs 25,000 chargers you see online are often basic AC wallboxes without installation, safety certification or integration with the car. They may work, but you are taking a risk with a Rs 20 lakh+ EV. If you do want a third-party charger, look for brands like Exicom, Delta, ABB or Servotech, and make sure the installer is certified and the charger is BIS-approved.But our advice is simple: for a new Creta Electric, buy the Hyundai charger, have Hyundai install it, and keep your warranty and support intact. The Rs 50,000 difference is not worth the risk on a new electric car.

Hyundai Creta Electric

autocar.india

•6h

Consider the Syros EV 42kWh. With a 95% city driving pattern and a budget of Rs 15 lakh, it is the most sensible choice. It is compact, easy to manoeuvre in traffic and parking, and offers better ride quality than the ICE version. Kia Syros EV also has a large boot and a decent feature set for the price. Your budget only allows for the smaller 42kWh battery; however, it should offer more than enough range for your usage. Since you have charging facilities at your apartment, you will be able to take full advantage of the low running costs and convenience of overnight charging.The Tata Nexon EV is also a good choice in this segment, but the 45kWh variant will likely exceed your budget. Overall, the Kia electric car mentioned above is a better fit for your usage and budget.

Kia Syros EV

Tata Nexon EV

autocar.india

•3h

Given your requirements, the Volkswagen Virtus GT is the most sensible choice. You already enjoy your Polo GT TSI, and the Virtus GT builds on that formula with a more powerful 1.5 TSI engine, a larger and more comfortable cabin, and a genuinely enjoyable driving experience. It is one of the best driver's cars in the segment, and it is also well suited to long expressway runs.The back seat is a significant step up from the Polo, with good legroom and a comfortable seating position for your parents. The ride is on the firmer side, but it is well controlled at highway speeds, and the car feels stable and confidence-inspiring on long journeys.On the EV question, a 300km round trip once or twice a week is right on the edge of what most mainstream EVs can comfortably manage without charging stops in the real world. While cars like the Tata Harrier EV and XEV 9S can technically do it, you would be running the battery down to low levels, and charging infrastructure is still not consistent enough to make this a stress-free experience. The Virtus GT, on the other hand, is completely hassle-free on long highway runs.Overall, the Virtus GT strikes the best balance between driving enjoyment, rear seat comfort and long-distance usability. It is the car you are most likely to still enjoy owning after five years. If you can wait a few months, however, Volkswagen is launching a facelifted version that should get a few more features.

Volkswagen Virtus

Tata Harrier EV

Mahindra XEV 9S