Which would you recommend from an ownership perspective, considering after-sales service and customer feedback on public forums: the Mahindra XEV 9s Pack Two Above 79kWh or the Tata Harrier EV Fearless Plus 75kWh?

autocar.india

•18h

Unfortunately, there are very few EVs that will give you a real-world range of 600km - even though their official rating says so - and fewer still with a 7-seat layout. The only one that fits the bill is the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, whose price is around Rs 1.5 crore. If that fits your budget, then go for it, as it is one of the best luxury EVs you can buy in India today. The other three-row EVs lower down are the Tesla Model Y L (6 seater) and the Mahindra XEV 9S (6/7 seater). Both have official ratings of over 650km, but the real-world range is likely to be more in the region of 500km. In our real-world range test, the XEV 9S with the largest (79kWh) battery pack returned 477km overall, and while we haven't range tested the Model Y L, previous Tesla models have proven quite efficient. If your budget can accommodate the Tesla at around Rs 65 lakh, you should get it. If not, the Mahindra at around Rs 22-32 lakh should be adequate.

Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV

Tesla Model Y

Mahindra XEV 9S

autocar.india

•2h

Go for the Skoda Kylaq Signature automatic. It is the most complete package here, offering a higher seating position, better visibility and a more confidence-inspiring driving experience, which is especially helpful for a new driver. The Kylaq is also a genuinely safe car with a strong crash-test rating, and the 1.0 TSI engine, paired with the 6-speed torque-converter automatic, is smooth, reliable, and well-suited to both city and highway driving. The Signature trim is well-equipped, so you won't miss out on key features.Between a manual and an automatic car, go for the automatic. It removes the stress of clutch control in traffic and makes driving far easier, especially as you build confidence. The Kylaq’s automatic is a conventional torque converter, which is smooth and proven.The Honda Amaze VX and Maruti Dzire ZXi are both good value, reliable and comfortable, but they are smaller inside and do not offer the same level of driving experience as the Kylaq. The Baleno Zeta is spacious and feature-rich, but as a hatchback, it does not offer the same visibility or ground clearance as the Kylaq.Overall, the Kylaq Signature automatic is the best fit for your priorities of comfort, safety and value for money.

Skoda Kylaq

Honda Amaze

Maruti Suzuki Dzire

autocar.india

•45m

Pick the Toyota Innova Crysta diesel manual. For 90% highway use, it just eats distance, the seats are genuinely comfortable for seven, and the diesel’s easy torque makes overtakes calm even with luggage. It is a proper big, tough, ladder-frame car, so your 10% on rough roads is no worry, and Toyota’s service reach and consistency are a clear step up from what you’ve seen with Scorpio.The catch is that it is not a true 4x4, so deep slush or serious trails are off the menu, and it will not wow anyone with gadgets. If you want a more SUV-looking option and still a manual, the Jeep Meridian diesel manual is worth a look for its sharper cabin and nicer highway manners, but for space, toughness and hassle-free ownership, the Toyota car fits your brief best.

Toyota Innova Crysta

Jeep Meridian