Mumbai

•15w

Hi, I need advice as I am confused between buying a 6-7 seater EV or a hybrid. My usage will primarily be city driving, along with bi-monthly trips to Goa and nearby destinations. I am looking for a comfortable vehicle with good after-sales service, adequate charging infrastructure, and conveniently located service centres in South Mumbai (Colaba), as well as along the route to Goa and in the Margao area. My budget is around ₹30–35 lakh. Could you please guide me to the right choice?

•15w

Shortlist the Toyota Innova Hycross hybrid, Maruti Invicto hybrid and the Mahindra XEV 9S. The Innova Hycross is a car you just can't go wrong with - it is reliable, comfortable, and the hybrid powertrain makes it quite efficient too. The Invicto is the Innova's badged-engineered version sold and marketed by Maruti - it misses a few features, but it is a much better value for money. Both these are cars you just can't go wrong with.

The Mahindra XEV 9S is an excellent EV alternative. It has plenty of performance, new-age features, and its charging capability, as well as real-world range, are much superior to most EVs at this price.

So, Mumbai to Goa with one stop along the way (for 30-40 minutes) while you stop for snacks/lunch, is all you need to reach Goa with ease.

Do keep in mind that space, especially in the last row, isn't as good as the hybrid options listed here. And if you plan to carry six or seven adults at all times with luggage, then go for the Hycross or Invicto.

Explore cars mentioned

Maruti Suzuki

Invicto

from ₹29.85 Lakh

Mahindra

XEV 9S

from ₹22.00 Lakh

Toyota

Innova HyCross

from ₹22.07 Lakh

•15w

Thank you so much for providing immense clarity. One point that I will seek your opinion is that it is detrimental to charge the XEV9S or for that matter any EV on fast charging points located at fuel stations as they impact and reduce the life if the battery pack - is that true?. Grateful your kind advice. Tabbsl

•15w

Derek Fernandes • 3s Thank you so much for providing immense clarity. One point that I will seek your opinion is that it is detrimental to charge the XEV9S or for that matter any EV on fast charging points located at fuel stations as they impact and reduce the life if the battery pack - is that true? Grateful your kind advice Thanks 🙏

•12w

Mr. Derek, You can charge your EV how ever you want, just that frequent use of fast chargers will damage the battery pack. Occasional charging during highway trips does not degrade your battery significantly. Batteries even after covering distance of 30k kms are retailing battery health of over 99%

Help Divya Iyer with similar question

Divya Iyer

421 Views

Experiencing the Smooth Low Speed EV Mode of the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid

Answer Now

More posts on similar cars

•17h

Hi, I have booked Toyota Innova Hycross VX (O) in February and hopefully the company will deliver the vehicle in November. As per news, the facelift is under pipeline. Should I wait for the facelift or go with the current version?

•11h

The Toyota Innova HyCross facelift is expected to arrive in the coming months, so if you are already waiting until November for delivery, it makes sense to hold on a little longer and get the updated car. The facelift is expected to bring a refreshed exterior, an updated interior and a revised feature list, which will make the ownership experience feel more current and future-proof. The HyCross is already a strong product, but the facelift will likely address some of the minor criticisms of the current car, like interior quality and keep it competitive for the next few years. If you can wait, it is the sensible decision. If you need the car urgently, the current HyCross is still an excellent choice, but given your timeline, waiting for the facelift is the better option.

Toyota Innova HyCross

•18h

I am 74 years old and have an XL6. I feel like buying an Innova HyCross G, as my driving is not much, but I love driving.

•13h

The Toyota Innova HyCross G is a sensible upgrade from your XL6, especially if you enjoy driving and value long-term ownership. The HyCross is a genuinely comfortable and spacious MPV with a strong reputation for reliability and durability, which is important at this stage of ownership. The G variant is well-equipped and offers a good balance of features without unnecessary complexity.However, given that your running is not much, the hybrid premium may not be fully justified from a fuel savings perspective. The HyCross is still a very comfortable and easy car to drive, but it is a large vehicle and may feel unnecessarily big if you are not regularly carrying a full family or using the third row.If you love driving and want something more engaging, you could also consider the Skoda Kushaq. It is smaller, more driver-focused of an SUVs with strong turbo petrol engines and a more enjoyable driving experience. Its is also easier to manoeuvre in the city and more suited to lower running.Ultimately, the decision comes down to your priorities. If you value space, comfort and long-term reliability, the HyCross G is a great choice. If you want a more engaging driving experience and do not need the extra space, the Kushaq would be a better fit.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Skoda Kushaq

Maruti Suzuki XL6

•2d

Hi, I am currently using an XUV700 AX5 5-seater petrol manual and have driven 76,000km in four years. I am now planning to switch to an EV and am considering the Mahindra XEV 9S. Should I make the switch now or wait?

•1d

With 76,000 km in 4 years, you are clearly a high-mileage user, and that changes the EV equation. The bigger question is whether you are ready for the electric car ownership experience. If you have reliable home charging and your usage pattern is predictable, the Mahindra XEV 9S can make sense. But if your driving includes frequent long highway trips or unpredictable routes, the Mahindra XUV 7XO petrol remains the more hassle-free option for now, or perhaps a diesel to bring down your fuel bills.As for the XEV 9S is a very interesting product and will feel like a natural slide over from your 700; however, expect a softer-sprung suspension, which can be discomforting to passengers who feel travel sick, and the electronic features, while plentiful, can cause some more niggles than your 700. These points aside, the XEV9S is a good EV worth considering.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Mahindra XEV 9S

View all Posts

Curated collections

Electric Cars

116 CARS

Popular discussions right now

•5d

I am a first-time buyer. My salary is Rs 4.2 lakh per year (CTC). Which company and which model would suit me?

•3d

With a CTC of Rs 4.2 lakh per year, the key is to keep the purchase affordable and running costs low. The Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 is the most sensible starting point. It is reliable, easy to maintain and has excellent service reach, which is exactly what you want as a first-time buyer. The 1.0-litre petrol engine in this Maruti Suzuki car is efficient, and the car is easy to drive in the city.If you need a bit more space, the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R is a good alternative with its tall-boy design and larger boot. If you are open to a slightly higher budget, the Tata Tiago is worth considering for its stronger build and more premium feel, but Maruti's service network and lower maintenance costs make it the safer long-term choice at this budget. The Alto K10 is the most practical and financially sensible first car.

Maruti Suzuki Alto K10

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R

Tata Tiago

•1w

I am confused between the Tata Safari and Mahindra XUV 7XO, and I also like the XUV700. My budget is approximately Rs. 18 lakh. Can you suggest which one I should choose?

•6d

With a budget of Rs. 18 lakh, you're likely to get the entry-level variants of the Mahindra XUV 7XO and Tata Safari. Between the two, the Tata Car has a more spacious third row; however, the XUV 7XO is the better all-rounder.The XUV 7XO is essentially the facelifted XUV700, so you get the same proven mechanical package, along with a more modern interior, updated features and a more premium feel. The 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine is strong and refined, making this Mahindra car well suited to both city and highway driving, while the manual gearbox is smooth and easy to use.The Tata Safari is still a good car, with a comfortable ride and a spacious cabin, but the XUV 7XO feels more modern and premium inside.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Tata Safari

•5d

We are planning to upgrade from a Hyundai i10 to an automatic petrol compact SUV under Rs 14 lakh. We have shortlisted the Hyundai Venue Turbo DCT and Skoda Kylaq Prestige AT. We liked the Venue, but we are not sure about the maintenance cost of its DCT gearbox.

•3d

Yes, dual-clutch automatic gearboxes are more complex and can be expensive to repair if something goes wrong. That said, the Hyundai Venue Turbo DCT is quite well-sorted. However, do keep in mind that if you drive a lot in stop-start traffic, it might not feel as smooth as a torque converter.The Skoda Kylaq AT uses a 6-speed torque converter automatic, which is far better suited to Indian conditions. It is smoother, and the Kylaq is more engaging to drive, with a strong turbo petrol engine and a well-balanced chassis. Overall, the Skoda car seems to be the safer and more sensible choice for you.

Skoda Kylaq

Hyundai Venue

View all Posts

Cars you may like