I am being offered a Tata Curvv EV Empowered Plus A 55 (Electric) variant at a discount of around ₹4 lakh after the consumer discount, Tata EV loyalty benefit and insurance discount. The on-road price comes to ₹19 lakh. The car also includes the November 2025 updates such as rear window shades, passive rear ventilated seats and dual-zone auto climate control. Is the Curvv EV worth it at this price, or should I go for the Harrier EV? I also own a Punch EV, but it is not sufficient for highway trips.

The Toyota Innova HyCross is a good option for you. It is spacious, comfortable, and its strong hybrid powertrain will deliver an efficiency of around 13kpl in the city and 16kpl on the highway. Also, as a 7-seater, it is more comfortable, with ample space for adults in all three rows. Its ride quality is impressive in the city, and out on the highway too.The Mahindra XEV 9S is much better equipped in comparison, and on account of its pricing, it is a better value for money. But while the XEV 9S is comfortable in the city, its ride feels a bit bouncy on the highway, and space in the third row is much tighter than the Hycross. Hence, as a 7-seater, the Toyota car is the one to go for.

The Tata Punch EV is a good pick for your requirements. It's an easy-to-drive electric car whose relatively small size comes in handy in city confines. You could get a top-spec Punch EV within your budget with all the bells and whistles, like a 10.25-inch touchscreen, 360-degree camera, sunroof and leatherette seats. If you'd prefer something larger, more powerful and with more range, there's the Tata Nexon EV, the Creative 45 variant to consider. It's down on features to a fully-loaded Punch EV, though.

Among the CNG options under Rs 8 lakh, the Hyundai Exter and Tata Punch are worth a look. The Hyundai Exter CNG offers better performance than the Punch CNG, making it more suitable for highway usage. Do note, neither car feels absolutely effortless on the highway, and the lack of power is noticeable when you need to overtake. The Punch packs in a few more features in Smart CNG trim versus an Exter 1.2 EX, which is comparable in price. There's also a newness to the Punch that is fresh from a facelift. The Exter is due for an update of its own towards the middle of 2026.

If you don't mind going a bit above your budget, you should consider the Mahindra XUV 3XO, the RevX A turbo-petrol manual variant. It comes with a long list of features, including premium items such as leatherette upholstery, a large sunroof, dual-zone climate control, and dual 10.25-inch screens.The XUV 3XO also scores well for space, which is something your family members will appreciate. A strong petrol engine also gives this Mahindra car an upmarket feel.