Mumbai

•13w

I am planning to buy a 7-seater car that has low recurring maintenance costs and offers good comfort. I am considering the XEV 9S, but I am not very confident due to the uncertain future of EVs in India. Will there be good resale value after 5-7 years, and how do we see the future of EVs given the rapidly evolving technology?

•13w

If you are considering the Mahindra XEV 9S, it really comes down to how you balance running cost benefits versus long-term certainty.

On one hand, electric cars make a lot of sense today for daily use. They offer very low running and maintenance costs, a smooth and quiet driving experience, and are well-suited to city driving. Over a 5 to 7 year period, you will likely save a meaningful amount on fuel and routine upkeep compared to petrol or diesel cars. At the same time, your concern about resale is valid. The EV market in India is still evolving, and while adoption is growing steadily, resale values are not as predictable as those of diesel or petrol cars yet. A big factor is battery health, and while manufacturers are offering long warranties, the used car market is still figuring out how to value older EVs, especially as newer models keep improving quickly.

Looking ahead, EVs will almost certainly become more mainstream over the next few years, which should improve resale confidence, but it is also true that rapid technology changes could make older models feel outdated sooner than traditional cars. So the decision is more about your comfort level.

If you plan to keep the car for the full 5 to 7 years and prioritise low running costs and a modern driving experience, the XEV 9S can work well. If resale value and long-term predictability matter more, a diesel car like the Mahindra XUV 7XO or a hybrid 7-seater like the Toyota Innova HyCross will still feel like the safer choice today.

Explore cars mentioned

Mahindra

XEV 9S

from ₹22.00 Lakh

Toyota

Innova HyCross

from ₹22.07 Lakh

Mahindra

XUV 7XO

from ₹16.51 Lakh

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•13w

My choice is 5 Seater Compact Car

•13w

Go for Tata Nexon/Punch or Altroz. If you want Maruti, check out Baleno and Swift. Hyundai Exter and i10/i20 are equally good.

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•2d

I'm 36 years old and currently own a Kia Seltos petrol automatic. My annual running is around 10,000-11,000 km, with about 20% city driving and 80% long highway trips, typically covering 600-1,000 km in a single journey. I'm now looking to buy a 7-seater SUV and am confused between the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel automatic and petrol automatic. I'm also wondering if I should consider the Mahindra XEV 9S, given the push towards EVs However, I feel that doing 800km one-way trips in an EV could be difficult, especially since the charging infrastructure still doesn't seem adequate. What would you recommend?

•1d

Go for the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel automatic. Your usage pattern is very clear: 80% highway, long 600-1000 km trips, and around 10,000-11,000 km a year. This is exactly the kind of usage where a diesel engine makes the most sense. Moreover, the diesel engine of this Mahindra car is the superior one in the line-up; it is a strong highway performer and will be significantly more efficient than the petrol on long runs.The XEV 9S is a very capable and practical electric car. It offers good value for money, but as you've pointed out, for your kind of 800 km one-way trips it is simply not practical yet. Charging infrastructure is improving, but it is still not at a point where you can do these kinds of distances without significant planning and downtime. The XUV 7XO diesel automatic is the right tool for the job and will give you the best ownership experience for your usage.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

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•2d

Hi Autocar, I am currently using a 2019 Mahindra XUV300 diesel, and I have driven 2,50,000km so far. We are now planning to buy an EV. My daily usage would be around 100km (if I use city roads), 200km (if highway). We also go on a 3,000km road trip across South India every quarter, and once every year we drive 6,000- 7,000 km to North India. I am from Hyderabad, and I am considering the Tata Harrier EV, Tata Sierra EV and Mahindra XEV 9S. Please suggest whether an EV will really work for me. If yes, which one should I choose? If not, which car would suit my usage better? Thanks.

•1d

Given your usage pattern, an electric car is not the right choice for you. Your daily running of 100- 200 km is well within the comfort zone of modern EVs, but your quarterly 3,000km South India road trips and annual 6,000- 7,000 km North India trips are the deciding factor. While the charging infrastructure has improved significantly, long-distance EV touring in India still requires careful planning, and charging stops can add considerable time to your journey. The Harrier EV, Sierra EV and 9S are all capable EVs, but none of them can match the convenience and flexibility of a diesel SUV on long, cross-country trips.Given your experience with the XUV300 diesel and your high annual mileage, the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel is the most sensible upgrade. It offers strong performance, excellent highway stability and a proven diesel powertrain that is well-suited to long-distance touring. If you want a more premium and comfortable experience, the Tata Harrier diesel is also a strong contender, with a spacious, refined cabin and a comfortable ride. Both cars will give you the range, flexibility and peace of mind you need for your long road trips, without the compromises of charging infrastructure.

I am looking for a 7-seater SUV with an automatic transmission, as it will also be driven by the female members of my family. It will be used for both city driving and long trips, so I am looking for a diesel engine. Comfort and ADAS are also important features for me. Please recommend a suitable vehicle. We currently use a Ford EcoSport diesel.

•2h

Based on your requirements, the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel automatic is the most sensible recommendation. It is a genuinely well-rounded 7-seater SUV with a strong diesel engine, a smooth automatic gearbox and a comfortable ride, making it easy to drive in the city while still being capable on long highway runs. The diesel engine is refined and efficient, which is important given your long-distance usage, and the car offers a good balance of performance and fuel economy. The XUV 7XO also comes with a comprehensive ADAS suite and a modern, feature-rich cabin, which adds to the overall ownership experience. Coming from an EcoSport diesel, you will appreciate the step up in space, comfort and refinement, while still retaining the diesel efficiency you are used to. The only real drawback is that the third row is best suited to children or occasional use, but that is true for most SUVs in this segment. Overall, the XUV 7XO diesel automatic strikes the right balance between comfort, safety, ease of driving and long-term ownership suitability.

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•3d

I am confused between the Toyota Innova Crysta and the Mahindra XUV 7XO. I am looking for a comfortable 7-seater with good luggage space and a premium interior, including a high-quality music system. My usage will be mostly on highways, with occasional city driving. Which one would you recommend?

•2d

Go for the Toyota Innova Crysta. Your usage is highway-heavy with occasional city runs, and you want a proper 7-seater with good luggage space and a premium feel. The Crysta is still the benchmark for this kind of requirement. It is genuinely spacious in all three rows, has a large and usable boot even with all seats up, and is built for long-distance comfort and reliability. The diesel engine is strong, refined and well-suited to highway cruising, and Toyota’s ownership experience and long-term reliability are hard to beat. The Mahindra XUV 7XO is the more modern product with a more premium-looking interior and a better sound system, but it does not match the Crysta for outright space, practicality or long-term peace of mind. If your priority is a proper 7-seater that will serve you well for years, the Crysta is the safer and more sensible choice. If you want a more premium cabin and a richer feature set, the XUV 7XO is the alternative, but it is not as practical as the Crysta.

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•1w

I want to buy a low-maintenance car for my father, who is 65 years old. My budget is around 15 lakh. His daily commute is around 30-40km, and he also visits our farm 7-8 times a month. Which car would you recommend?

•6d

For your father, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza petrol automatic is the most sensible recommendation. At 65, ease of use, reliability and low maintenance are far more important than outright performance or flashy features. The Brezza’s naturally aspirated petrol engine is simple, proven and well-suited to a 30-40 km daily commute, while the automatic gearbox makes city driving effortless. Maruti’s service network is the best in the country, which means low running costs and peace of mind over the long term.This Maruti Suzuki car also has enough ground clearance and a robust suspension setup to handle occasional farm visits without any fuss. It is not the most exciting car in the segment, but it is comfortable, easy to drive and built for hassle-free ownership. At Rs 15 lakh, it is one of the most dependable choices you can make for your father. Since the Brezza facelift is just around the corner, you can wait for that or try to get a good deal on the outgoing model.

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•6d

I am a senior citizen, 5'10" tall, and currently own a 2012 Maruti Wagon R. I am planning to replace it and am considering the Swift, Wagon R, and Exter. How is the Hyundai Exter Petrol AMT for my needs? My usage is limited to city driving with low annual running. Which one would you recommend?

•6d

Given your requirements, the Hyundai Exter AMT is the best fit. As a senior citizen with city-only driving and low annual kilometres, the Exter offers the right balance of ease of use, comfort and practicality. The higher seating position makes ingress and egress easier, visibility is excellent, and the AMT gearbox is smooth enough for city traffic. The cabin is more spacious than the Swift, especially in terms of headroom and rear seat comfort, and the ride quality is better over broken roads. Compared to the Wagon R, the Exter feels more premium, better built and more refined, while still offering the same ease of use and practicality. The Swift is a good car, but its lower seating position and tighter rear seat make it less suitable for your needs. The Wagon R remains a practical choice, but the Exter is a clear step up in comfort, safety and overall ownership experience. Go for the Exter AMT, and you will have a car that is easy to live with for many years.

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