Autocar India
•12w

Hi, I currently live in Bengaluru and am looking to buy an automatic car for my office commute. My commute is typically around 100 km per week. Given the current ethanol situation, I am considering buying an EV. I have a charger in my apartment, and there is also a fast charger nearby. My budget is around Rs. 20 lakh. I currently drive a Volkswagen Ameo and am planning to keep it for long trips. I also tried a 2021 Tata Nexon EV, but I didn't like the cabin space. I also didn't like the design of the MG Windsor. Should I consider buying a used EV or a new EV?

Verified
•12w

Our recommendation would be the new Kia Syros EV. With a 100km/week commute, home charging and a Rs 20 lakh budget, it is the best EV for a city like Bengaluru. In your budget, you can get the HTX Plus trim with the ER (Extended Range) battery that is larger at 51.4kWh with a claimed range of over 500km. Moreover, it is compact on the outside, which makes it very easy to manoeuvre in traffic, but has a surprisingly spacious interior. Big on practicality and a good feature list make its case stronger. 

A used electric car only makes sense if the battery health is good and range isn't affected. Other issues like tyre and suspension wear are crucial, so buying one brand new is always a better bet. 

 

Kia Syros EV

Kia Syros EV

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•12w•

Thanks a lot for the recommendation. I was looking at Tata Curvv and Creta. I am ok to stretch the budget a bit, if I can get a better car.

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•5d

I’m looking to buy an electric car with an on-road budget of under Rs 15 lakh. My daily driving is around 50–60km within Thane city, along with a weekly round trip of approximately 80km between Thane West and Andheri West. I’m looking for an EV that is comfortable, spacious enough for four occupants, offers decent rear-seat space and has a practical real-world driving range. Which electric car would you recommend for my requirements and budget?

Verified
•2d

The Tata Punch EV is a good choice for your requirements. It will comfortably fit within your budget. It offers enough space for four passengers to sit in reasonable comfort and the ride quality is also pretty good. The Punch EV offers enough pep for your commute, and the 40kWh battery pack also delivers more than sufficient range for your requirements. Your budget can get you a range-topping Empowered S trim, which gets plenty of feel-good features, including a sunroof, leatherette upholstery and front seat ventilation. If features are not at the top of your priority list, you should consider the Kia Syros EV as an alternative. The Syros EV is significantly larger than the Punch EV and offers a lot more passenger room as well as luggage space. The Syros EV also delivers good ride comfort and should comfortably meet your requirements for range even with the smaller of its two battery packs. Your budget will get you the Kia Syros EV 42kWh in base HTK trim. However we'd urge you to increase your budget or perhaps haggle harder with your dealer to get the HTK Plus, which packs in a few additional but very meaningful features, such as a rear-view camera.

VehicleTata Punch EV
VehicleKia Syros EV

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•5d

I’m planning to buy a new car, and my annual running is around 40,000km, primarily involving highway drives and ghat sections. I have shortlisted the Kia Seltos Diesel HTX and the upcoming facelifted Toyota Innova Hycross ZX. I’m considering two approaches: either buy the Innova Hycross and keep it for the next 10 years, given its reputation for longevity and the expectation that its engine can last at least 4 lakh kilometres, or buy the Seltos, drive it for around 2 lakh kilometres over 4–5 years, sell it and upgrade to a brand-new Seltos or another car of a similar price and size. On paper, the Innova Hycross Hybrid seems like the better choice, considering its long-term reliability and features such as the Ottoman reclining seats. However, I’m concerned that I might get bored of it after four years or that it may start feeling outdated as newer technologies and features enter the market. This makes the second option appealing, as it would allow me to upgrade to a brand-new car every 4–5 years. Which approach would make more sense in the long run, considering my high annual running and ownership costs?

Verified
•5d

It seems like you're leaning towards the Kia Seltos Diesel HTX, and we think it is a good choice. The diesel engine feels adequately powered for highway usage and ghat driving, and it is likely to return respectable efficiency too. Moreover, despite being modern with all the latest tech and features, the Seltos will be substantially more affordable than the Toyota Innova Hycross hybrid. So unless you need the Innova's extra space, or you frequently travel with six or seven passengers, the Kia Seltos diesel is your best bet.

VehicleKia Seltos
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Posted on: 12 Aug 2026