I am confused between the Mahindra BE 6 and the VinFast VF7. My primary priorities are performance, handling, and driving range. Could you please advise which of these two electric SUVs would be the better choice based on these factors?

autocar.india

•17h

Go for the VinFast VF6 if you can install a home charger - at 1,000 km a month, you’ll save a lot over diesel, and your daily runs will be quieter and smoother. That usage suits an EV well, because one or two top-ups a week will cover you, and you’ll sidestep the diesel emission filter and clutch hassles that crop up in traffic as a Fiesta ages.The VF6 is the sensible pick here because it is compact enough for city parking but still feels modern and comfortable, and running costs will be far lower than your diesel. The larger VF7 only makes sense if you truly need more space or do frequent long highway days.A point to consider is that VinFast’s dealer in India is still growing, so make sure you have a dealer close by. As an option, you can consider the Hyundai Creta EV, which is a very sorted electric car and backed by a wide dealer network.

Vinfast VF6

Vinfast VF7

Hyundai Creta Electric

autocar.india

•9m

With an annual running of just 8,000km, mostly in the city, the Hyundai i20 simply makes more sense. It offers the same 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine as the Venue, but being lighter, it should feel a little more responsive and should also be slightly more fuel-efficient. Considering you're comparing the top-spec i20 Asta (O) with a mid-spec Venue HX6, the i20 also offers a more premium cabin, a richer feature list and, at over Rs 2 lakh less, represents significantly better value for money.The Hyundai Venue HX6 is worth considering if you specifically want the higher seating position and SUV styling. However, with the same engine, the extra weight means it is unlikely to offer any performance advantage, and you'll be paying a significant premium primarily for the SUV body style.Coming from a 2015 Wagon R, both cars will feel like a substantial upgrade in terms of refinement, comfort and features. Unless the higher driving position is a non-negotiable requirement, we'd save the money and choose the i20.

Hyundai i20

Hyundai Venue

autocar.india

•40m

An 8kpl city figure for a Tata Nexon Petrol AMT in Hyderabad's traffic is on the lower side, but it isn't unheard of if most of your driving is in heavy, stop-start conditions.A few things can help improve fuel efficiency. First, ensure your tyre pressures are maintained at the manufacturer's recommended levels, as underinflated tyres can noticeably affect mileage. Try to accelerate progressively rather than using sudden throttle inputs, as the turbo-petrol engine tends to consume more fuel under hard acceleration. If your journeys are mostly short trips where the engine doesn't fully warm up, mileage will also suffer. Using good-quality fuel from trusted outlets and keeping up with scheduled servicing, as you already do, are also important.It may also be worth asking your Tata service centre to check whether the car has any pending ECU software updates and to inspect the air filter and spark plugs during the next service, as these can have an impact on fuel economy if they're not in good condition.

Tata Nexon