Autocar India
•6h

My current car is a Toyota Etios Petrol, and I am planning to upgrade to a D-segment SUV. My on-road budget is Rs. 30 lakh. My usage is very low, with around 20 km per month, along with a few long trips each year. Considering the current E20 petrol scenario, should I buy an EV or continue with a petrol SUV? I also have the facility for home charging.

Verified
•3m

With a car under 30 Lakhs on-road budget, 20 km daily usage and only occasional long trips, you are actually in a very comfortable position to go electric. The key factor here is your home charging facility, which makes EV ownership far more convenient and cost-effective. With your usage pattern, the lower running costs of an EV will add up over time, and you will not be affected by E20 fuel concerns at all. For your budget, the Mahindra XEV 9S or 9e is the most sensible choice. Both cars have good real-world range, a comfortable cabin and a mature ownership experience. The only caveat is your occasional long trips. As long as you are comfortable planning charging stops on those journeys, an EV is the right choice. If you are not, then a petrol car like the Mahindra XUV 7XO is still the safer option. But given your usage and home charging, we would recommend going electric.

Mahindra XEV 9S

Mahindra XEV 9S

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Mahindra XEV 9S

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Mahindra XEV 9e

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•6s

@autocar.india the usage is 20 km/ month, not daily

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More questions on similar cars

•1d

I am looking to buy a 6/7-seater electric car. I am currently inclined towards the Mahindra XEV 9e, but I am unsure about its ride quality and suspension comfort. I have also considered the Kia Clavis EV, but its smaller battery pack and overall design are not very appealing to me. I can also wait for the Tata Safari EV if it is likely to be a better option. Which EV would you recommend?

Verified
•18h

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.

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•1d

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?

Verified
•18h

With 5,000-7,000 km a year and mostly city driving, you are the ideal EV buyer. The Mahindra XEV 9S in its top-spec Pack Three guise will comfortably fit in your budget. With a 79kWh battery pack, you can easily expect a real-world range of around 480km in daily driving conditions. The 9S is also a full-size SUV with three rows, so practicality is excellent. There is a usable frunk as well, and the feature list is extensive with connected tech, panoramic sunroof, front and rear ventilated seats, drive modes, Level 2 ADAS and much more. Also, with 286hp, the 9S has plenty of performance for everyday needs. The overall package strikes a good balance and hence is our recommendation.

VehicleMahindra XEV 9S
•2d

I currently own a used Maruti Suzuki Celerio VXi Manual, which I have been driving for the past six years. I am now planning to sell it and buy a used sub-4-metre SUV. Since I do not drive very frequently, I do not want to spend too much on a brand-new car. My budget is around Rs. 8-9 lakh. Do you think buying a used compact SUV is a good idea? If yes, which models would you recommend? Thanks in advance.

Verified
•1h

Yes, it is a sensible idea. Since your running is low and you do not want to spend too much, buying a used sub-4m SUV is a practical upgrade from the Maruti Suzuki Celerio. With a budget of Rs 8-9 lakh, you can find a well-maintained example that will give you the benefits of a higher seating position, better ground clearance and a more comfortable ride without the steep depreciation hit of a new car.The Maruti Suzuki Brezza is the most sensible recommendation here. It is reliable, easy to maintain, has a strong service network and is one of the most dependable cars in the segment. The naturally aspirated petrol engine is smooth and well-suited to city driving, and ownership costs are low. You should be able to find a relatively recent model within your budget.If you want something a bit more premium and feature-rich, the Mahindra XUV 3XO is worth considering. It offers a more powerful turbo petrol engine, a wider cabin and a more modern feel. However, it may be slightly harder to find a newer example within your budget compared to the Brezza.Overall, the Brezza is the safer long-term choice, while the XUV 3XO offers a more premium experience if you can find a good deal.

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•6d

I currently own a Skoda Kushaq Petrol AT. Everything is fine except the mileage. I am getting only around 10-13kpl with E20 petrol. My daily running is around 100 km. Should I buy a diesel car or an electric car?

Verified
•6d

With a daily running of around 100 km, fuel efficiency becomes a major factor in ownership costs. The Skoda Kushaq petrol automatic is a good car, but the 10-13kpl you are seeing is typical for a turbo petrol automatic, especially with E20 petrol. At this usage, a diesel or a strong hybrid makes far more sense.If you do regular highway runs, a diesel is still the most practical and cost-effective solution. The Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel automatic would be the recommendation here. It is a strong highway car, comfortable, spacious and the diesel engine will deliver significantly better fuel efficiency than your Kushaq. Diesel running costs will be far lower over your kind of mileage. If that is out of your budget, something smaller like a Kia Seltos diesel, while not as powerful, is even more efficient.If your usage is mostly city a strong hybrid could be a better solution. The Maruti Suzuki Victoris is the most practical and cost-effective option. It is well priced, has a proven track record and will dramatically reduce your running costs. The strong hybrid is better suited to the city, where it is more likely to run on its electric motor than use the engine and deliver the better mileage.

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•4d

I’m planning to buy an EV with a budget of Rs. 19 - 20 lakh. My heart says the Tata Sierra EV Pure 63, but my mind says the Kia Syros top variant because of features like ventilated seats. Kindly suggest which one would be the better choice.

Verified
•3d

The choice really comes down to your usage and what you value in the car. If you need more space for both passengers and luggage and have a few long drives that you would undertake, then opt for the Tata Sierra. It is a much larger car and has a very spacious interior. The ride quality is also very good over both bad city roads as well as high highway speeds. If, however, your usage is mainly going to be within the city, then the Kia Syros is the better buy. Its compact footprint will be much easier to manage while driving congested streets, and finding parking would be easier. You would also enjoy the top variant of Kia car and its features.

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•1w

Dear friends, I do not currently own a car and am not driving one yet, but my dream is to own a Hyundai Creta. Is this car comfortable for a beginner driver, or should I go for a small and portable car instead?

Verified
•6d

The Hyundai Creta is a perfectly fine car for a first-time driver. It is not a large SUV by modern standards, and it is actually quite easy to drive thanks to its light controls, good visibility and comfortable seating position. The automatic versions are easier to live with in city traffic. The only thing to keep in mind is that the Creta is a midsize SUV, so parking in tight spaces will require a bit more attention than a hatchback, but with all the parking aids, it will not be very intimidating once you get used to the dimensions.If your dream is to own this Hyundai car, there is no reason to compromise on a smaller car just because you are a beginner. The key is to take a proper driving course, spend time getting comfortable with the car and start with quieter roads before tackling busy city traffic. The Creta is a well-rounded, comfortable and easy-to-drive SUV that will serve you well for many years.You could also consider waiting for the new-gen Creta expected in the first quarter of 2027.

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Posted on: 4 Aug 2026