Mumbai

•28w

I am planning to buy a Mahindra XEV 9E or 9S in the next 5-6 months. The car will be used as my primary vehicle for city driving (30-40 km a day) and for 2-3 long cross-country trips per year across India. My questions are: Is the charging network reliable on Indian highways? Has Mahindra resolved the software issues related to the new platform? Is an AWD variant expected in either car in the next year? Thank you for answering my questions.

•27w

As a city car, the Mahindra XEV 9E/9S offers a good range and will work well. You’ll typically only need to charge it every couple of days, depending on your usage. In fact, if you have home charging, an EV is even more convenient than an ICE car.

On the highways, it's a different story altogether. A road trip in an EV can be an adventure, as the public fast-charging network can be hit-or-miss. With some proper planning and back-ups (for charging) built into your itinerary, it is possible to travel across India except for very remote locations.

The good thing is that the XEV 9E/9S has a good range, and you can comfortably get 400+ km on one charge with some careful driving.
The software issues are largely resolved, as Mahindra is constantly updating the software on its EVs to iron out bugs. We have also seen a dramatic reduction in customer complaints.
Though the XEV’s INGLO platform is designed to take AWD, the cost of an AWD variant is too high. Therefore, Mahindra doesn’t feel that there is an immediate market for it. Hence, an AWD variant is unlikely to be launched in the coming year.

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Mahindra

XEV 9e

from ₹23.33 Lakh

Mahindra

XEV 9S

from ₹22.00 Lakh

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•4d

Hi Autocar India, My name is Radhika from Hyderabad. I have tested XEV 9E, XEV 9S, BYD Sealion 7, Tesla Model Y and BMW iX1. My budget is not a constraint, and I can spend up to 55-57 lakhs on a car. BMW's driving dynamics felt better than those of Mahindra or Tata. FYI, I have tried BYD Sealion 7 also, but decided not to go with it due to their network, badge value and other reasons. My family did not like Tesla as the interiors are very minimal. My question is whether spending an additional 25 lakhs for the BMW iX1 makes sense, or if it's not a great car. Can you please clarify? Thank you!

•3d

Pick the BMW iX1 LWB. The extra spend gets you what you already liked on the drive - a tighter, more confidence‑inspiring feel than the Mahindra XEV 9e/9s, and a premium, normal‑to‑use cabin your family will prefer over Tesla’s sparse setup. You also sidestep your BYD worries with stronger brand pull and a wider service network.On our roads, the iX1’s steering and body control make everyday driving feel calmer and cleaner, whether in Hyderabad traffic or on the ORR. Fit and finish, seats, and infotainment feel a class up, so it will still feel special three years in, not just on day one.Be aware that rear space and boot are not as generous as the XEVs or Model Y L; the ride is on the firmer side on rough patches, and range and fast‑charge speeds are not class‑leading. If you carry tall adults in the back often or do frequent very long highway runs, you will notice those.If your deal lands close to Rs. 55‑57 lakh on road, the premium isn’t just badge tax, it’s daily satisfaction. If not, the XEV 9e/9s are a strong value, but for your priorities, the BMW is the right call.

Is it worth waiting for the new BREZZA, or are there better alternatives for Mumbai city use and a few random trips outside, say 2 to 3 in a year, up to Pune, Panchgani, etc

•4h

Go for the Brezza, but wait for the new model as it's just a few weeks away. The Brezza is easy to drive in traffic, rides well over broken roads and speed breakers, and the automatic is smooth and stress-free. The cabin is airy, the visibility is good, and Maruti service reach in the city makes ownership simple. For the odd Pune or Panchgani run, it feels stable enough if driven in a relaxed manner. A point to consider if you often go up the ghats with four people and luggage: the 1.5 petrol is smooth but not very strong, so overtakes need a little planning.If that bothers you, the Skoda Kylaq with the automatic is the better alternative. It feels quicker in the hills and in gaps, and the gearbox responds a bit faster, which helps both on the ghats and in stop-go Mumbai traffic. You will trade a slightly firmer ride and a lower city mileage for that extra shove.For mostly city use, though, buying the Brezza is the sensible call.

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•1d

Dear Autocar Team, I am looking to replace our household’s trusty Maruti Suzuki Swift AMT model. This vehicle serves strictly as our secondary car, and its duties are entirely urban: daily school runs, grocery trips, and the occasional trek across the city. It will not see any highway use. Given that city traffic is notorious for tanking the fuel efficiency of petrol cars, I am wondering if shifting to an EV makes sense. I have been looking closely at the Tata Punch EV as a potential replacement. Could you please advise on the following: 1. For an exclusively urban, low-to-medium mileage use-case, is an EV truly recommended over traditional ICE automatic models, and will it be economically viable in the long run? 2. How does the Punch EV fare as a pure city commuter in terms of real-world range, ease of driving in traffic, and long-term reliability? Are there specific variants you recommend? 3. Are there any other petrol, automatic or EV alternatives in this segment that I should consider before making my decision?

•5h

Yes, switch to an EV if you have a fixed parking spot where you can install a home charger - for a pure city, second car, the Tata Punch EV fits best. Stop-go traffic is where EVs save the most, and with low maintenance and cheap electricity, the math works out over a few years. If you cannot charge at home, skip the EV idea.As a city commuter, the Punch EV is easy. Light steering, smooth creep, strong regen that lets you use the brake less, and ground clearance for bad roads. In real use, the Medium Range handles a typical week of school runs and errands on a single charge; the Long Range provides more buffer if others in the family do longer loops. Tata’s EVs have held up well so far, and support is wide. For variants, pick the Medium Range if your daily running is short and you can top up at home; choose the Long Range only if you want to charge less often. The 7.2 kW home charger is nice to have, not a must-have.Also, look at the Tata Tiago EV for a lower price, and the MG Comet if you want something compact. If you stay petrol, the Hyundai i20 IVT or Amaze CVT automatics are the easiest city alternatives.

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•1w

Hi, I own a Wagon R 1.0 liter engine. I bought it in November 2025. I had done 2 free services of it. My car gives me about 13-15 kmpl in city driving when the AC is on. I drive at a speed of about 60 km in the city. Is this average ok? If not, then what should I do? My daily ride is about 20 km.

•5d

A city fuel efficiency of 13-15kpl with the air conditioning on is slightly on the lower side for a Wagon R 1.0, but it isn't necessarily a cause for concern, especially if you're driving in Lucknow's city traffic with frequent stops and the AC running throughout your journey.Your 20km daily commute should be enough for the engine to reach its normal operating temperature, but fuel efficiency can still vary depending on traffic conditions, idling time and driving style. We'd recommend checking that your tyre pressures are maintained at the manufacturer's recommended levels, avoiding hard acceleration and excessive idling, and using good-quality fuel from reputed fuel stations.

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•2w

I am planning to buy a family car. Should I choose the Toyota HyCross or the Hyundai Alcazar? Please suggest.

•5d

Go for the Toyota Innova HyCross. For a family, it simply works better as the cabin is roomier, the third row is actually usable for adults, the ride is smoother, and the hybrid saves a lot of fuel in city traffic where most family cars spend their time. Long trips feel easier too, and Toyota’s hassle-free ownership and resale help over years.Pick the Hyundai Alcazar only if you’re on a tighter budget or you want a slightly smaller, easier-to-park 3-row. It’s great for four or five with the third row used occasionally, and the diesel suits heavy highway use. But the last row and boot are tighter, and it doesn’t feel as plush or relaxed on bad roads.One honest trade-off with the Innova HyCross is the higher price and possible waiting period, and the boot with all three rows up isn’t huge. If that stretch and wait are okay, it’s the better family car overall.

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•2d

I am planning to purchase a new SUV. I have shortlisted two vehicles. Toyota Hyryder non-hybrid top model (manual) and Kia Seltos manual top model. Which one should I prefer? My daily running is very less around 10-15 kms.

•1d

With a daily running of just 10-15km, there's little benefit in stretching to a strong hybrid, and since you've shortlisted the non-hybrid Hyryder, the Seltos is the more complete package. It offers a more premium cabin, better performance from its naturally aspirated petrol engine, a stronger feature list and an overall more polished driving experience.The Toyota Hyryder still has its strengths. Toyota's reputation for reliability and aftersales support is second to none, and if long-term peace of mind is your top priority, it remains a very sensible choice. However, the non-hybrid petrol doesn't offer a significant efficiency advantage over the Seltos, so you miss out on the biggest reason to buy a Hyryder in the first place.Given your low running, we'd simply choose the SUV that you enjoy driving and living with every day. The Seltos also feels a little more modern inside and delivers a better overall ownership experience without asking you to compromise on reliability.

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