Autocar India
•5d

My current car is a Toyota Etios Petrol, and I am planning to upgrade to a D-segment SUV. My on-road budget is Rs. 30 lakh. My usage is very low, as I do not drive daily. I drive occasionally during the week, with a total running of around 20-30 km per month, along with a few long trips each year. Considering the current E20 petrol scenario, should I buy an EV or continue with a petrol SUV? I also have the facility for home charging.

Verified
•4d

With your usage of just 20-30 km a month plus a few long trips a year, an EV is actually a very sensible choice. You have home charging, which is the biggest hurdle for most buyers, and your low monthly running means you will not be burning fuel idling in the garage. The occasional long trips are manageable with planning, and modern EVs like the Sierra EV or XEV 9s offer enough range for most intercity runs with a single charging stop. The key advantage here is that you avoid the E20 question altogether. Modern petrol engines are E20 compliant, but higher ethanol blends do reduce fuel efficiency slightly, and with your low usage, the fuel savings of a petrol car are negligible anyway.

If you are set on a D-segment SUV, the Mahindra XEV 9s is the most practical choice. It offers a spacious cabin, good performance and despite its size is easy to drive in the city as well.

Mahindra XEV 9S

Mahindra XEV 9S

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Mahindra XEV 9S

Mahindra

XEV 9S

from ₹22.00 Lakh

Tata Sierra EV

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Sierra EV

from ₹19.92 Lakh

•4d

@autocar.india thanks....can i opt for harrier.ev also

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More questions on similar cars

•5d

With a monthly self-driven running of 1,500km, which is the better choice for city driving: an electric car or a petrol car?

Verified
•4h

With 1,500km a month of city driving, an electric car is the better choice. At that usage, the fuel savings from an EV become significant, and city driving plays to the strengths of electric cars with their instant torque, smooth acceleration and regenerative braking. The key is to have reliable home charging, as that makes ownership seamless and cost-effective. If you do not have home charging, a petrol car remains the more practical option. But if you have home charging, go electric.Since your budget is over Rs 30 lakh, you could consider the top-spec Mahindra XEV 9S, which is currently the best-selling electric car in India.

VehicleMahindra XEV 9S
•3d

I am planning to buy the Tata Sierra EV Adventure 75 ACFC. My daily commute is around 60 km. Would you recommend going ahead with it, or should I consider other options in this price range?

Verified
•1d

With a daily commute of 60km, the Tata Sierra EV Adventure 75 ACFC is a sensible choice. The 75kWh battery pack offers a healthy real-world range, so your daily usage will only consume a small portion of the battery, reducing range anxiety and allowing you to charge less frequently. The Sierra EV also stands out for its spacious cabin, comfortable ride and premium interior, making it a genuinely practical family car rather than just an EV novelty.

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•6d

I’m confused between the Mahindra BE 6, Tata Harrier EV, and, if not an EV, the Kia Seltos Diesel AT for my first car. I’m 27 years old, and my annual running is only around 7,000-8,000 km, with a daily commute of 15-20 km. My budget is Rs 21-22 lakh. I have access to home charging in my apartment society at Rs 10.5/kWh and workplace charging at Rs 22/kWh. If I buy the Mahindra BE 6, I plan to keep it for at least 8-10 years. If I choose the Kia Seltos Diesel AT instead, I’ll likely sell it after 4-5 years and switch to an EV once the market matures further. Considering my low annual running, long-term ownership plans, reliability, resale value, and overall ownership costs, which would you recommend: the Mahindra BE 6, Tata Harrier EV, or the Kia Seltos Diesel AT? The car will primarily be used by two people, although my parents may also start using it for regular city driving in the next 4-5 years.

Verified
•1d

The Kia Seltos Diesel AT is a great car, but with an annual running of just 7,000-8,000 km, the diesel premium is difficult to justify, especially when you already plan to sell it after 4-5 years. Given your low annual running, home charging cost of Rs 10.5/kWh, and planned ownership of 8-10 years, the Mahindra BE 6 makes the most sense. Your usage pattern is ideal for an EV, and over a long ownership period, the lower running costs will more than offset the higher upfront price.Your budget also suits the BE 6 well, as the Pack One Above variant fits comfortably within it. The Tata Harrier EV and even the Mahindra XEV 9e are more premium offerings, but both would require you to stretch your budget.That said, if comfort and practicality are your priorities, the BE 6 may not be the best choice. The Tata Sierra EV is a better alternative. It comes with a slightly larger battery pack than the BE 6, fits within your budget, and offers an excellent ride along with a more spacious cabin. The Adventure 63 variant is the one to consider. It is worth test-driving both the BE 6 and the Sierra EV back-to-back, as that will give you a much clearer idea of which one better suits your needs.

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•1w

I am confused between Taigun 1.5 Sport and Seltos Diesel X-Line top model. I have owned the Polo AT and Vento AT in the past, so my love for Volkswagen is making this decision difficult.

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•6d

Go for the Volkswagen Taigun 1.5 TSI Sport. Coming from a Polo and Vento automatic, you already appreciate Volkswagen’s driving DNA, and the Taigun 1.5 TSI is a natural progression. The engine is punchy, the DSG gearbox is quick and engaging, and the overall driving experience is far more involving than the Seltos. The Taigun also feels more compact and agile in the city, while still being comfortable on the highway. The Volkswagen Taigun mileage is 19.54 kpl for the 1.0 TSI AT, 19.98 kpl for the 1.0 TSI MT, and 18.85 kpl for the 1.5 TSI DCT.The Kia Seltos diesel X-Line is a strong all-rounder with better space, a more premium cabin and a more relaxed long-distance character, but it does not offer the same level of driver engagement. The diesel engine is efficient and torquey, but it lacks the excitement of the 1.5 TSI. Given your history with Volkswagen cars, the Taigun will simply feel more familiar and more enjoyable to drive every day. The Taigun price starts at Rs 11.00 lakh for the base variant (ex-showroom).

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•6d

I want to buy my first car, and I have a strict budget of Rs 10 lakh. I will not use the car on a daily basis; I will drive it occasionally, and I live in Kolkata.

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•5d

For a car under 10 lakh budget and occasional use, the Maruti Suzuki Baleno makes sense. It is a genuinely spacious hatchback with a comfortable ride. It's easy to drive in the city and has a proven ownership record. The naturally aspirated petrol engine is smooth and reliable, and Maruti’s service network in Kolkata is excellent, which keeps long-term running costs low.For occasional use, you want a car that is easy to live with, dependable and does not demand much attention, and the Baleno fits that brief perfectly. It also offers a good balance of features and practicality within your budget.If you prefer a slightly higher seating position, the Maruti Suzuki Fronx is worth considering.

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•1w

I am looking to buy an electric car in the Rs. 20-30 lakh price range. My driving is mostly within the city, with an annual running of only 5,000-7,000 km. Would you recommend buying an EV now, or would it be better to wait for the newer models that are expected to launch over the next few months?

Verified
•6d

With 5,000-7,000 km a year and mostly city driving, you are the ideal EV buyer. The Mahindra XEV 9S in its top-spec Pack Three guise will comfortably fit in your budget. With a 79kWh battery pack, you can easily expect a real-world range of around 480km in daily driving conditions. The 9S is also a full-size SUV with three rows, so practicality is excellent. There is a usable frunk as well, and the feature list is extensive with connected tech, panoramic sunroof, front and rear ventilated seats, drive modes, Level 2 ADAS and much more. Also, with 286hp, the 9S has plenty of performance for everyday needs. The overall package strikes a good balance and hence is our recommendation.

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Posted on: 5 Aug 2026