I am looking to buy a good EV and want something a segment above city cars. I had shortlisted the XEV 9e, but considering the ₹2 lakh price difference compared to the 9s, I feel the XEV 9e may not sustain its current pricing and could see a price correction. The December offers are available, but they are not attractive enough for me to close the deal. Should I wait for another 2-3 months, or do you think the current offers are the best and I should go ahead with the purchase?

autocar.india

•3d

The Mahindra XEV 9e is the right call, and go for the bigger 79kWh battery. You’re doing 125km a day, mostly on the highway, so range is what you’ll notice most. We got around 450km from a full charge in our test, which means plugging in every three days or so. The 9e is also lovely on the highway. The ride is plush and it feels planted at speed, which will make the switch from your Octavia easy.You don’t need a third row for five people. The 9e’s back seat is wide and the floor is flat, so three adults fit without a fuss, and the boot is huge, with a small extra one under the bonnet. The one thing to watch is the sloping roof. Anyone tall in the back may find their head close to the ceiling.In your case, we would skip the 9S six-seater. With captain’s chairs in the middle, someone in your family always ends up in the third row, and then there’s hardly any room for bags with the third row up. If you like the 9S, get the seven-seater instead. You all fit in two rows, and the third row folds away for luggage. It doesn’t ride as nicely as the 9e on the highway, though.

Mahindra XEV 9e

autocar.india

•5d

The MG Hector Tomahawk EV is the one to go for if you need a third row, comfortable seats and a spacious boot. Just check how much luggage space remains with all three rows in use.Otherwise, we’d recommend the Mahindra XEV 9e. It’s the stronger overall product, with better performance, better ride and handling, and a more impressive spread of features. Its cabin is comfortable too, but feels more refined and far more plush than the Tomahawk’s.The MG, in comparison, feels rather ordinary, with exterior and interior designs that don’t particularly stand out. On the road, its front-wheel-drive layout doesn’t deliver the same balanced, satisfying driving experience as the rear-wheel-drive 9e. That’s a comparison between these two cars, rather than a blanket judgement on front-wheel drive.If you don’t need seven seats, this Mahindra car would be our pick. And if a third row is essential, we’d recommend considering the Mahindra XEV 9S as well. We think it’s an even better option and worth a back-to-back test drive with the Tomahawk before you decide.

MG Hector Tomahawk EV

Mahindra XEV 9e

autocar.india

•2d

You are not overthinking the fuel savings, but the decision is not purely about fuel cost either. At Rs 12-14k per month on petrol, your running is high enough that an electric car makes strong financial sense, especially with solar at home.The bigger question is whether to replace the Grand Vitara or add a Tiago EV. If your daily usage is mostly city driving and the Grand Vitara is not being used for regular highway trips or family duties, replacing it with an EV is the cleaner financial decision. You eliminate the petrol expense entirely and avoid the depreciation and maintenance of a second car.If the Grand Vitara is still needed for highway trips, family use, or you simply enjoy owning it, then keeping it and adding a Tiago EV for city use is a sensible approach. The Tiago EV is a cost-effective city runabout and will take the bulk of your daily running, while the Grand Vitara remains available for longer trips.Financially, the biggest savings come from replacing the Grand Vitara with an EV. Adding a second car makes sense only if you genuinely need both vehicles. If the Grand Vitara is not essential, do not keep it just for occasional use.

Tata Tiago EV