I want to purchase a car for my daily commute on village roads, as well as for highway driving. My monthly running is around 3,000 km, and once every quarter, I travel to a city that is approximately 350 km away from my town. Considering my usage pattern, would an EV be a suitable choice? Please suggest the best options within a budget of Rs. 20-30 lakh.

Autocar India

•1d

Consider the Hyundai Creta Electric 51.4kWh. Your 35 km daily city run is a breeze - one home charge can cover most of your week - and it has enough real highway range to handle your 500 km a month with one quick DC stop on longer trips.Coming from a City ZX, you will like the smooth, quiet drive and strong low-speed pull in traffic. Cabin space is good, features are plenty, and the Hyundai service network si wide spread.If you want a second option in the same price band, the Mahindra XEV 9e is a good choice, though your budget will only get you the smaller 59kWh battery pack.Overall, the Creta Electric is the sensible option for your budget and a good upgrade over your City.

Hyundai Creta Electric

Honda City

Mahindra XEV 9e

Autocar India

•1d

Pick the Mahindra XEV 9e unless you truly need the extra size of the 9S. It's slightly easier to drive day to day and should deliver slightly better range on a full charge. The 9S makes sense only if you carry family and luggage often and need the third row. One thing to keep in mind, early Mahindra electric cars have been reported to have software niggles, though these should have been ironed out by now, and make sure your home charging setup is sorted and check local fast-charger reliability before you commit.If you want the best all-rounder at an even more affordable price, the Hyundai Creta Electric is an easy pick. It may not look or feel particularly special, but for the job of being an EV, it is hard to fault at this price. Though it has a smaller battery than the Mahindra's, it is more efficient, and therefore its real-world range is actually higher. Its powertrain is smooth and refined, it's loaded with features, the controls and ergonomics are incredibly friendly, and its smaller size offers a great mix of space and driving convenience.

Mahindra XEV 9e

Mahindra XEV 9S

Hyundai Creta Electric

Autocar India

•52m

Consider the Mahindra Thar Roxx AX5L 4x4 diesel; it’s a true all-terrain SUV with strong pull and serious road presence at around Rs. 25 lakh. Coming from an i20 diesel, you’ll like the step up in torque for easy highway overtakes, the tall driving position, and the space for family and luggage. The proper 4x4 with low-range, terrain modes and a tough ladder frame means bad roads, slush and rocky hill trails are a non-event.It isn’t perfect. The ride can feel busy in the city and you will notice its size in tight lanes. If you need a third row then the Scorpio N 4x4 is also an option.If your use is mostly city with only light trails, the 4x2 versions should also suit you just fine.

Mahindra Thar Roxx

Mahindra Scorpio N

Hyundai i20