Adithya
•3dHi Autocar Team, I have recently moved from the UK to Hyderabad and am planning to buy a car for my family. We are a family of five (2 adults and 3 kids aged 11, 3, and 3), and my parents also live in the same apartment, so we often travel together. My usage will be around 80% city driving, with an annual running of approximately 6,000-8,000 km. I am looking for a safe 7-seater that is comfortable, enjoyable to drive (I am used to driving a VW Golf DSG), and capable of handling bad roads while offering a smooth ride for all passengers. I am currently confused between the Kia Clavis EV and the Mahindra XEV 9e. I prefer EVs due to their driving experience, but I am concerned about depreciation and resale value after 3 years. My budget is around ₹25-30 lakh. I am also considering an alternative strategy-buying a smaller EV like the Tata Punch EV for city use and using the remaining budget for a good 7-seater (new or used).
Autocar India
The Kia Carens Clavis EV will be the better pick for your needs. It's got the better third row seating and a more user-friendly cabin. Performance is good, and ride comfort is decent despite a slight firmness in the suspension set-up. The Mahindra XEV 9S has more wow factor, is quicker accelerating and has a longer range, but isn't as good a 7 seater as the Clavis EV.
Your concern about EV depreciation isn't unfounded. In the fast-evolving EV world, current hardware and tech become outdated sooner, and this is part of the reason why EVs lose value faster than ICE vehicles. If this is not a dealbreaker for you, you will find an EV to suit your needs better than an ICE car.
While we'd recommend one car for the family, you could also consider the combo of a Tata Punch EV and a Maruti Suzuki Ertiga AT VXI.
Kia Carens Clavis EV
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Posted on: 24 Mar 2026
