I am looking to buy an electric car in the Rs. 20-30 lakh price range. My driving is mostly within the city, with an annual running of only 5,000-7,000 km. Would you recommend buying an EV now, or would it be better to wait for the newer models that are expected to launch over the next few months?

autocar.india

•44m

Go for the Mahindra XEV 9S. It is the best fit for your requirement of a 6/7-seater EV. The Mahindra car has a large battery pack, strong performance and a well-sorted suspension setup. Mahindra has tuned the suspension to handle Indian roads well, and it feels stable and comfortable even with a full load of passengers.The Kia Carens Clavis EV is a good family EV, and is more suited only if you have adults in the third row more often. Interestingly, the Kia's third-row is more spacious and comfier than the XEV's. However, the Kia's smaller battery limits its range and long-distance usability. The Tata Safari EV is still some time away and is worth waiting for only if you are specifically looking for a larger, spacious three-row EV.

Mahindra XEV 9S

Kia Carens Clavis EV

Tata Safari EV

autocar.india

•2h

Given your budget and requirements, the Kia Sonet petrol DCT is actually a very sensible choice. This Kia car is one of the most polished sub-4-metre SUVs on the market, with a refined turbo-petrol engine, a well-appointed cabin and a strong aftersales network. The DCT gearbox is quick and smooth in normal driving, and the car is compact enough to be easy to manoeuvre in city traffic. The reverse camera is available on mid-spec variants, so you do not have to stretch your budget to the top-end model.On the DCT reliability question, it is important to be realistic rather than alarmist. DCTs are fundamentally different from torque converter automatics. They use two clutches and can feel slightly jerky at crawling speeds, especially in stop-start traffic. Over very high mileages, clutch wear can become a factor, but this is not a widespread issue at 70,000 km if the car is driven sensibly and serviced on schedule. The Sonet's DCT is one of the better-tuned units in the segment, and for your monthly running of 500 km, it should not be a major concern. The key is to avoid excessive creeping on the brake and to shift to Neutral when possible.If you are open to alternatives, the Mahindra XUV 3XO petrol automatic is worth considering. This Mahindra car uses a torque converter automatic, which is smoother at low speeds and better suited to heavy traffic. The 3XO is also one of the most spacious sub-4-metre SUVs, with a wide rear bench and a strong safety rating. However, the boot is smaller than the Sonet's, and the overall cabin does not feel as premium.Given your requirements, the Sonet petrol DCT remains the best fit.

Kia Sonet

Mahindra XUV 3XO

autocar.india

•3h

With Hyundai having only launched the Creta Electric in 2025, there is no new model or major mid-lifecycle update expected in the immediate future. The SUV was recently given a big software update that enabled faster charging speeds, which went up from around 45kW to as much as 72kW. It was also made available with a BaaS (Battery as a Service) purchasing option. The car is still very new in the market, and Hyundai will likely just move onto the next-generation model, which will likely follow after the new-gen ICE Creta in 2027. If you are considering the Creta Electric, now is a good time to buy as you are getting the latest version of the car.

Hyundai Creta Electric