I bought a Mahindra XUV 3XO two years ago, but its mileage has been quite poor, averaging only around 7 kpl due to mostly city and office-area driving. I also own a Honda City petrol, purchased in August 2016, which is now 10 years old. It has covered around 50k km and also returns an average of about 7 kpl. I now want to replace one of these cars with an electric SUV within a budget of Rs. 10 - 12 lakh. Which EV would you recommend?

autocar.india

•8h

For your usage of 120km a day, five days a week within Mumbai, an electric car makes strong financial sense, but there is a drawback you should also consider. As for the car, the best fit for your requirements is the Tata Nexon EV 45. It offers a real-world range of around 350km, which comfortably covers your daily commute with margin for AC usage and traffic. This Tata electric car also has good ground clearance for Mumbai’s speed breakers and broken patches, and the compact SUV form factor makes it easy to manoeuvre and park in the city. Within your Rs 15 lakh budget, however, the only downside is that you'll get a lower variant with fewer features.The Punch EV is another option to consider, offering more features but a slightly shorter range. The drawback is that the boot and interior space are less, but for a daily city commute, that is a minor compromise. Do note, however, that with such high usage, you will charge your car very frequently, and this will take its toll on the battery life. So while your daily running costs will be low, you might experience performance and range drops earlier in the car's life than other users, which could even affect resale value.

Tata Nexon EV

Tata Punch EV

autocar.india

•1d

The Tata Punch EV is a good option for city traffic. Its compact footprint makes it easy to manage in tight, crowded spaces, and the ride is comfortable. The car is well-equipped, and the EV drivetrain is very well calibrated, offering a nice and easy drive experience. However, yes, you are right, the Tata dealer network is not known for its quality; thus, we would suggest checking with Tata owners in your area about the quality of dealers and service centers, and only then decide.If you can wait for just about a month, consider the electric Kia Syros. It has a very quirky look, but what you will get inside is a brilliantly packaged interior that's larger and very comfy with premium and well-finished interiors. There's a whole host of features on offer, and the drivetrain should offer a very easy drive experience. Kia and its parent Hyundai have good experience with electric cars, and the Syros would represent a smart choice.

Tata Punch EV

Kia Syros EV

autocar.india

•40m

Consider the Kia Seltos DCT. For a 12km commute and occasional 5-6-hour road trips, you will find it comfortable in the city, quick on the highway and easy to own long term. The latest-generation Seltos is larger than before, so feels spacious inside. The cabin is tech-laden and upmarket, and the ride quality has improved too. The turbo-petrol DCT has good performance for quick overtakes on the highway, and the DCT is responsive. The downside is that it can occasionally hesitate in the city, but with your short commute this shouldn't be a deal-breaker. Kia's service is also amongst the best in the business.If you want something larger, the Mahindra XUV 7XO petrol automatic is also a solid choice in your budget. It is a genuinely comfortable car with a spacious cabin, excellent ride quality and strong highway manners. The petrol engine is smooth and refined, and the automatic gearbox makes city driving effortless. Mahindra's service network is strong in Thane and Mumbai. The drawback is that the big petrol engine will be thirsty in the city.An electric car makes sense if you can charge at home and if there are fast chargers on your usual highway route. In that case, the Hyundai Creta Electric is a safe bet. It is well suited to your short daily commute and offers very low running costs. In our real-world testing, it managed an impressive 486km on a single charge in the city and 378km on the highway.Overall, the Seltos is the best balance of comfort, reliability, running costs and ownership experience for your needs.

Kia Seltos

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Hyundai Creta Electric