I'm considering buying an EV with a budget of around Rs. 25-27 lakh. I want to know which brand or car offers the best long-term customer satisfaction and vehicle performance. The cars I am considering are the Mahindra XEV 9S, Tata Harrier EV, Hyundai Creta EV, and the Tata Sierra EV, which is expected to launch soon. Please help soon, as I am planning to make the purchase in the next 2-3 months.

autocar.india

•2d

With a monthly running of around 1,000 km and a planned ownership period of over 10 years, the Hyundai Creta petrol is the safer and more sensible choice. At your usage level, the fuel savings from an EV are unlikely to offset the higher upfront cost within a reasonable timeframe, especially when you factor in the long ownership period. The petrol Creta is a proven, reliable and well-rounded package that will serve you well over a decade, with no concerns about charging infrastructure. The Creta Electric is a good product, but it makes the most financial sense for higher annual running or buyers who are specifically looking to go electric. At your usage, the petrol Creta is the better long-term ownership proposition.

Hyundai Creta

Hyundai Creta Electric

autocar.india

•1d

Go for the Mahindra XEV 9S Pack 2 Above. With a 30km daily city run and a home charger, an EV makes far more sense than a diesel. The XEV 9S is a genuinely well-rounded EV with a strong battery pack, good range and a comfortable, premium cabin. It will be cheaper to run, smoother in the city and far more relaxing to own.Also, with its impressive real-world range, and fast charging ability, the XEV 9S will comfortably manage long drives without any stress.

Mahindra XEV 9S

autocar.india

•2d

First, a quick clarification: diesels are unlikely to be phased out anytime soon. There are tighter emissions norms and some city-specific restrictions to keep an eye on, but there is no immediate reason to avoid a modern BS6 diesel purely on the assumption that it will soon become unusable. Mahindra, in particular, is likely to continue offering diesel SUVs for as long as there is meaningful demand. The XUV 7XO AX7T’s 2.2-litre diesel remains a strong fit for frequent highway use, long-distance touring, heavy loads and buyers who value effortless torque and quick refuelling.Your EV reliability concern is understandable, but it should not be a deciding negative by itself. An electric car has fewer mechanical moving parts than an ICE vehicle, which can reduce routine powertrain maintenance requirements. The more relevant question is whether your charging situation and typical driving pattern suit one. If you have dependable home or workplace charging, the Harrier EV makes a compelling case with its quieter, smoother driving experience and substantially lower running costs. The Fearless+ gets a 65kWh battery with a claimed 538km range, while 75kWh versions claim up to 627km, though real-world range will naturally be lower and depend on speed, weather and driving style.If you do regular intercity runs, especially in areas where charging stops may be inconvenient, the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel is still the easier all-round ownership proposition. It is also likely to be the better choice if you plan to keep the car for a long time without changing your travel routine.If a hybrid is what you are after, there are now two relevant options. The MG Hector Tomahawk PHEV offers a useful EV-only range of around 100km, backed by a 1.5-litre petrol engine. However, a plug-in hybrid only makes sense if you can charge it regularly. The Kia Sorento is a conventional strong hybrid, so it does not need external charging and should offer better refinement and economy than a regular petrol SUV. It is, however, considerably more expensive than the XUV 7XOOur advice: Choose the Harrier EV if you have home charging and most of your running is urban or predictable. Choose the XUV 7XO diesel if long highway trips and maximum convenience matter more.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Kia Sorento

MG Hector Tomahawk PHEV

Tata Harrier EV