Hi, I'm planning to buy my first luxury car, preferably an SUV. We are a family of 4 adults and 1 child. My daily run is approx 30 kms, mainly within the city and then occasionally, once a month, a highway run. Total monthly running is around 1000 kms. My budget is between 50-60 lacs. I'm currently confused between BMW iX1 LWB, BYD sealion, Toyota Fortuner and newly launched Tesla model Y L (least likely due to concerns of resale value of Tesla 5 years down the line and uncertainty regarding import duties). I can also consider waiting for the upcoming BMW iX3 and Mercedes GLC EV. Will it be worth the wait of almost another 10-12 months, yes I'm aware of the fact that I'll have to stretch my budget a little bit for these two. Kindly advise. Thanks a lot

Autocar India

•1d

If you're looking to spend around Rs 53-57 lakh (on-road, Mumbai) for an EV, you have a lot of options - BYD Seal, BYD Sealion 7, Hyundai Ioniq 5, BMW iX1, Kia EV6, Mini Countryman, Mercedes CLA, Volvo C40 Recharge and Tesla Model Y.The BYD Sealion 7 is among the more affordable options here - it feels like a flagship product, with a richly appointed interior, and a solid, satisfying drive experience. The BMW iX1 gets its fundamentals right and will come closest to the BMW 523i's experience, as far as interior quality, sound insulation, and refinement go, although performance isn't its strong suit. For strong performance, a laundry list of features, and a larger and more spacious interior, consider the Kia EV6. Sure, on paper it is much more expensive; however, Kia dealers are offering mouth-watering discounts. Also, the AWD version's price is lower than the recently launched RWD Hyundai Ioniq 5.As far as resale value goes, EVs across the board don't hold strong residual values compared to their ICE counterparts, irrespective of the badge they wear or the segment they belong.

BYD Seal

BYD Sealion 7

Hyundai Ioniq 5

Kia EV6

BMW iX1 LWB

Autocar India

•52m

You want an automatic SUV that is fuel efficient and comes with strong after-sales support - in that case, pick the Maruti Suzuki Victoris ZXI (O) petrol automatic. It is powered by a refined 103hp, 1.5-litre petrol engine paired to a smooth 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox that has a claimed efficiency of 21.06kpl. Although the efficiency in the real world will be significantly lower than the claimed. Alternatively, you can also consider the Victoris VXI strong hybrid if fuel efficiency is paramount. The Victoris strong hybrid eCVT automatic has a claimed mileage of 28.65kpl, and you can easily expect over 20kpl in the real world in city driving conditions. Also being a Maruti model, the Victoris is backed by the manufacturer's widespread service network, so your ownership experience will be stress-free. Do note a couple of trade-offs. The strong hybrid costs more than the regular petrol-auto, and the boot is a bit smaller thanks to the battery.

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Autocar India

•3h

The Maruti Suzuki Celerio ZXi MT fits your brief the best. It costs under Rs 7 lakh on-road, it's easy to drive, fuel-efficient and stress-free to maintain.Since this is going to be your second car, you need something that's reliable and cheap to run, which the Celerio is. It's powered by a peppy and efficient 1.0-litre petrol engine, has light controls and compact dimensions, all of which make it ideal for city commutes. The hatchback also comes well-equipped, and being a Maruti car, you will enjoy stress-free ownership.Alternatively, you can consider the Tata Tiago XT MT. The Tata has a better ride quality and a nicer cabin, but it won't be as efficient as the Celerio.

Maruti Suzuki Celerio

Tata Tiago

Autocar India

•4d

You’re after a no-drama, long-term family car that is easy to drive, comfortable and roomy. For that brief, the Honda Elevate VX CVT is a good fit. The VX CVT is the sweet spot because the automatic keeps the engine smooth in traffic, and the VX trim gets the useful features without pushing the price too high.Why it fits your list: Honda’s simple 1.5 petrol has a long, clean track record, so it suits your “no issues for 10+ years” aim. The driving position is high, the steering is light, and the CVT makes stop-go city work very easy. Space is good for four adults, the seats are supportive, and the suspension deals with broken roads well, so daily comfort is strong.Trade-offs to note: it is not the quickest for fast highway passes, and rivals offer more flashy features. If you expect a lot of high-speed use with a full load, you may want more punch.Regarding waiting for a facelift, while it may launch this year, there is no confirmed date or list of changes. An update usually brings small styling tweaks and a few extra features, and prices can go up too. The basics you care about are space, ease of driving, Honda’s engine and service and these are unlikely to change much.If you do want to look around, pick the Kia Seltos IVT for more features and a more modern cabin. Overall, for your needs, the Elevate VX CVT lines up best right now.

Honda Elevate

Kia Seltos

Autocar India

•5d

Going by your shortlist, you want a bigger family car on a tight budget and are looking at base trims. If you need the car in the next couple of months for mostly city use with some weekend trips, pick the Kia Seltos HTE (O) IVT. It is well equipped and, compared to the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, gives you more back-seat space and boot room.The Brezza update will be relatively minor, though we expect the 1.5 NA engine to make way for the 1.0 turbo-petrol from the Fronx. Waiting for it only makes sense if you mainly drive in tight city areas and want an easier-to-park car.Overall, for a near-term purchase and everyday comfort, the Seltos lines up best with what you’re considering.

Kia Seltos

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Autocar India

•5d

You need a car for pure highway use and want the longest stretch between stops; in that case, we would lean towards the Mahindra XEV 9S 79kWh for its better real-world highway range. In our real-world testing, we managed 477 km on the highway, which suits your “pure highway” pattern. We have also tested the AWD Harrier EV, which managed 401 km (combined). While the RWD version should better that, it will likely still fall short of the XEV 9S’s range.One thing to note: the Mahindra’s ride can feel a bit floaty on undulating highway surfaces, so try it out before you commit. If that is an issue, the XEV 9e has a more settled ride.Overall, for highway-first use and maximum range, the XEV 9S 79kWh is the safer bet.

Mahindra XEV 9S

Tata Harrier EV