I want to buy an EV with a budget of around Rs. 20 lakh. I have shortlisted the MG Windsor Essence Pro, Tata Sierra EV Pure 63, and Hyundai Creta Electric Executive Tech. My main concerns with the Windsor Essence Pro are its laggy infotainment system and suspension. On the other hand, the Sierra EV Pure 63 and Creta Electric Executive Tech are lower variants and do not offer as many features. Which one would you recommend for my requirements?

autocar.india

•1d

With your usage of just 20-30 km a month plus a few long trips a year, an EV is actually a very sensible choice. You have home charging, which is the biggest hurdle for most buyers, and your low monthly running means you will not be burning fuel idling in the garage. The occasional long trips are manageable with planning, and modern EVs like the Sierra EV or XEV 9s offer enough range for most intercity runs with a single charging stop. The key advantage here is that you avoid the E20 question altogether. Modern petrol engines are E20 compliant, but higher ethanol blends do reduce fuel efficiency slightly, and with your low usage, the fuel savings of a petrol car are negligible anyway.If you are set on a D-segment SUV, the Mahindra XEV 9s is the most practical choice. It offers a spacious cabin, good performance and despite its size is easy to drive in the city as well.

Mahindra XEV 9S

Tata Sierra EV

autocar.india

•1h

For a 100km daily commute, you need an EV with a reliable real-world range, good comfort and low running costs. Also, ride comfort is crucial for the long daily drives. The MG Windsor is spacious and gets ventilated seats with a comfortable real-world range, but the ride isn't comfy, and the seats aren't the best either. The Tata Nexon EV is the best fit here. It offers a real-world range of around 300km from its 45kWh battery, which gives you plenty of buffer for your daily usage, and it comes with front ventilated seats in the Empowered+ trim. The Nexon EV is also one of the most proven EVs on the market, with a strong service network and good ownership experience. The only thing to keep in mind is that the boot is on the smaller side, so if you regularly carry a lot of luggage, it is worth checking if it meets your needs. Overall, it is the most practical and well-rounded EV in your budget.

MG Windsor

Tata Nexon EV

autocar.india

•2d

The Tata Punch EV is a great value proposition, but at 6'4", you are already experiencing its biggest limitation: cabin space. The driving position in this Tata car is upright, and the seat does not go low enough, which can become uncomfortable on longer drives. Since you are willing to stretch your budget, the MG Windsor EV is the better fit. It offers a significantly more spacious cabin, a wider and more comfortable seat, and a more relaxed driving position. Range is one aspect where this MG car doesn't really hit the 350km mark. Around 300km is what you can expect in normal driving conditions. Highway trips will have to be planned well. The screen inside dominates the dashboard. It is a more premium product than the Punch EV, but the extra spend is justified by the comfort and space.The other option is the new Kia Syros EV. It might seem compact, but the interior is surprisingly spacious, even for tall adults. The battery is a 51.4kWh unit from the bigger Clavis EV, so 400km in one charge should be possible. The rear seat space is also excellent, and the quality of the cabin, along with the usability of day-to-day functions, makes it a very strong contender.

Tata Punch EV

MG Windsor

Kia Carens Clavis EV

Kia Syros EV