Hi, my daily commute is about 50 km, with one longer trip of 200–300 km each month. I’m looking to buy a new car (preferably an EV or diesel) with a budget of ₹18–25 lakh and want premium looks and features. Is it worth buying an EV now, or is choosing a diesel still a wise decision? Please advise.

Autocar India

•1d

Among mid-size SUVs, there are several with genuinely spacious and comfortable rear seats, but the best choice depends a bit on your budget and whether you’ll be chauffeur-driven or driving yourself.At the top end of the segment, the Mahindra XUV 7XO offers a very roomy and supportive rear bench with good legroom and headroom The electric Mahindra XEV 9S goes a step further with a sliding middle row, which lets you prioritise either legroom or boot space as needed, and this adjustability makes a big difference if you often have adults in the back or use a child seat.Lower down the price band, the Tata Sierra stands out for rear seat comfort. It has an exceptionally accommodating back seat with loads of legroom, a natural, slightly elevated seating position and well-cushioned seats that give you that “loungy” feel. It’s the kind of rear bench you can spend hours in without feeling tired.If outright rear space is your priority, though, the MG Hector is still the benchmark. Its rear seat is very wide, so three passengers can sit comfortably, and the flat-ish floor helps as well. The low step-in height makes it easy for elderly passengers to get in and out, and the soft suspension setup does a good job of smoothing out broken urban roads. These traits make the Hector particularly well-suited if the car will be largely chauffeur-driven and rear seat comfort is at the top of your wish list.

MG Hector

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Mahindra XEV 9S

Tata Sierra

Autocar India

•2d

Go for the Kia Carens Clavis EV. It is a fantastic, well-rounded and sensible car. Like you rightly mentioned, it offers the flexibility of seating 6 or 7 passengers occasionally, while being compact enough to drive around in town. The electric motor is very smooth (far smoother than any similarly priced ICE car), zippy, and this Kia car is very efficient.Furthermore, charging and maintenance costs will be much lower, and its comprehensive battery and motor warranty adds to the peace of mind.

Kia Carens Clavis EV

Autocar India

•2h

Yes. The 2025 Land Rover Discovery Sport 2.0-litre Ingenium D200 diesel engine gets a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. It comprises a belt-integrated starter generator with energy recuperation and torque assist to improve drivability and efficiency.

Land Rover Discovery Sport