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

•4w

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.

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XEV 9S

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•1d

Which is the best 7-seater EV I can buy with the most features and a long driving range? I am confused between the MG Tomahawk EV and waiting for the Tata Safari EV. Should I buy the MG now or wait for the Safari EV to launch?

•16h

The MG Hector Tomahawk EV has been launched at a very attractive price. Although we haven't tested the Hector Tomahawk EV to comment on its performance, range or comfort, first impressions seem positive, and it seems very competent on paper. The Safari EV, on the other hand, hasn't been launched yet, and it's likely to be more expensive in comparison. So waiting for that might only delay your purchase.If you want a competent, proven seven-seater electric car, you could consider the Mahindra XEV 9S and the Kia Clavis EV. The former is more powerful and nicer to drive, while the latter is a lot more spacious in the third row and will be relatively more affordable.

MG Hector Tomahawk EV

I'm 6'2" tall and am on the heavier side. I have recently been affected with Disc bulge due to which doctors have adviced me to reduce driving. I currently own an Alto, and want to move to a car that will let me drive in a better posture with no further trouble due to the same in the long run. Please suggest suitable options. I prefer manual petrol car but I am open to automatic car. I do not prefer 6 or 7-seater cars. My budget is between 8-12 lakh (on road). Please guide.

•11h

Given your height, build and recent disc bulge, the priority should be a car with an easy entry and exit, a high seating position and upright driving posture. The Tata Punch is a good option here. The doors open very wide and the seat height makes entry and exit easy. The seats are also comfy and supportive enough. The suspension is also very good delivering a comfy ride and can manage bad roads, this would be important given your back troubles. Lastly, the Punch meets your budget and you would be able to opt for an automatic too. Given your back trouble it would make sense to have your left leg do less work as repeated use of the clutch could put a little strain on your hips and lower back area.

Tata Punch

•1d

Hi, I am 38 years old and am currently living in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. I am planning to buy my first car. I have a new born baby who is 8 months old. I am an area incharge due to which I have to travel to different cities for work since it's a transferable job. My budget is 12 lakh and looking for a sub-4 metre SUV with comfort, latest features and good mileage as well. I have to travel to hills as well. Please suggest.

•12h

Go for the Mahindra XUV 3XO diesel. It is the best fit for your requirements. Your job involves frequent intercity travel, and hill driving, so you need a car that is comfortable, fuel-efficient and easy to live with. The 3XO's diesel engine's strong low-end torque makes hill driving and overtaking on highways much easier. It is also one of the most spacious cars in the segment, with a wide rear seat that will be comfortable for your family as your child grows and you will be easily able to fit a child seat - something you must do - without affecting passenger space at the rear. The ride quality is well sorted, and the car feels stable and confidence-inspiring on highways and in the hills. It also comes with a good set of features for the price. The only real drawback is that the boot is on the smaller side, but for your usage pattern, the overall package is hard to beat.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

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Popular discussions right now

•2d

I have a Tata Nexon Creative AMT that is only a year old, but I have already had to replace the spark plugs four times and the ignition coil once. I am still facing engine misfires and vibrations inside the car. I am honestly fed up with Tata's service, as they have been unable to resolve the issue. I am therefore planning to sell the Nexon and buy a Kia Seltos with a manual transmission this time. My priority was safety earlier, and it remains my top priority. However, I now also want peace of mind and a hassle-free ownership experience. Would selling the Nexon and switching to the Seltos be a good decision?

•1d

Yes, it is a good decisionYes, it is a good decision to sell the Tata Nexon and move to the Seltos manual. The Nexon is generally a safe and well-engineered car, but if you are facing repeated engine issues and the service centre is unable to resolve them, it is understandable to lose confidence in the ownership experience. The Kia Seltos is a very well-rounded SUV with a strong safety package, a more refined ownership experience and a good service network. The manual transmission is also a good choice if you want to avoid any potential automatic gearbox-related issues. Overall, if peace of mind and a hassle-free ownership experience are your top priorities, the Seltos is a sensible upgrade.

Kia Seltos

Tata Nexon

•5d

I currently drive a Grand i10 Manual petrol and am now planning to buy a new compact SUV that is comfortable, fuel efficient and has low maintenance. My usage is 35km of daily office commute in Delhi-NCR traffic. Please advice which option is best fit amongst Hyundai Venue HX 6T, SONET HTK+O and XUV 3XO.

•4d

Go for the Hyundai Venue. With your daily 35km commute in Delhi NCR traffic, comfort and low maintenance are key, and the Venue delivers on both. The 1.2 NA petrol is smooth, refined and easy to drive in stop-start conditions, while Hyundai’s service network and ownership experience are among the best in the segment. The HX6T variant also gives you a good balance of features without pushing the budget too far.The Sonet HTK+O is mechanically very similar, but the Venue is a newer model and offers a more spacious cabin. The XUV 3XO is also a good option, but its turbo petrol engine won't be as efficient as the Hyundai’s.Overall, the Venue is the most sensible upgrade from your Grand i10 for daily city use.

I am planning to buy a sub-compact SUV. My budget is Rs. 13-14 lakh, and my priorities are a smooth automatic transmission and good mileage. I am considering the Brezza ZXi AT, Sonet HXT DCT, and Venue HX6 DCT. I am very confused because the Brezza’s torque-converter automatic offers good fuel efficiency but lacks some features, while the Sonet and Venue offer all the features I need. However, I am concerned that the DCT may be less fuel-efficient and could involve higher maintenance costs. My daily commute is around 30 km, mostly in heavy bumper-to-bumper traffic. Please suggest which one would be the best choice for my requirements.

•3d

Go for the Maruti Suzuki Brezza ZXI AT. Your priorities are a smooth automatic, good fuel efficiency and a daily 30km commute in heavy bumper-to-bumper traffic. The Brezza’s 6-speed torque converter automatic is the best fit for this usage. It is smooth, reliable and well suited to stop-start conditions, and the naturally aspirated petrol engine is efficient and easy to live with. Maruti’s service reach and low maintenance costs add to the ownership peace of mind.The Sonet and Venue DCTs are good cars, but the DCT gearbox is not ideal for heavy traffic. It can feel jerky at low speeds.Alternatively, if you can arrange for home charging, the Tata Punch EV is an excellent option.

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