I am planning to buy the e-Vitara, as I feel the cost is a bit easier on the pocket when compared to the Creta EV, which is 5 lakh costlier for the same variants. Or should I wait for Sierra EV? What can it cost? What would you suggest among e Vitara, Creta EV and Sierra EV?

Autocar India

•21h

What you felt in the Mahindra XEV 9e Pack Three is a fair observation. The XEV 9e does have a softer suspension tune, and for some rear seat passengers, that can translate into a floaty, slightly boat-like vertical movement over undulations, which can feel uncomfortable or even nauseating if you are sensitive to that kind of motion. As far as we know, there is no major suspension hardware difference between Pack One, Two and Three that fundamentally changes this character, so we would not expect the lower variants to feel significantly different in this regard.If rear seat ride quality and body control are a major priority, the Tata Harrier EV is the better option right now. It feels more tied down, composed and generally better controlled from the rear, without that excessive floatiness. If you still want to stay with Mahindra, the XEV 9e actually feels more balanced in this respect and does not have the same exaggerated bouncy character as the XEV 9S.That said, since you are clearly particular about ride quality and already like how Tata’s EVs are tuned, we would absolutely suggest waiting for the Tata Sierra EV as well, especially since its launch is right around the corner. It should sit in that sweet spot above the Nexon EV in size while potentially offering the kind of more settled suspension setup you seem to prefer.

Mahindra XEV 9e

Mahindra XEV 9S

Tata Sierra EV

Tata Nexon EV

Tata Harrier EV

Autocar India

•2d

If you are waiting for the Tata Sierra EV, the good news is that it does not seem too far away. Current indications suggest a launch could happen either later this month or in June.Expect it to slot below the Tata Harrier EV in Tata’s electric line-up, likely with multiple battery pack options and a more premium positioning than the Tata Curvv EV. Tata has also indicated that both Rear Wheel Drive and All Wheel Drive versions are planned, which should make it one of the more interesting mainstream electric SUVs in India.

Tata Sierra EV

Tata Harrier EV

Tata Curvv EV

Autocar India

•1h

With 100-125 km a day, mostly in the city, you should consider getting a strong hybrid like the Maruti Suzuki Victoris. In city driving, a strong hybrid runs on electric power a lot of the time without you needing to charge, so your fuel bills will drop noticeably. Do note, though, the Victoris strong hybrid will be more expensive to buy than the regular petrol versions, and it has a smaller boot thanks to the battery.However, if you have access to home charging, an electric car like the Hyundai Creta Electric makes sense. It will drop your per-km cost sharply, one overnight home charge can comfortably cover your daily run, and the smooth, quiet driving experience makes heavy traffic far less tiring than your Creta diesel. You will also appreciate the familiarity with your current Creta.

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Hyundai Creta Electric

Autocar India

•4d

You’re after a no-drama, long-term family car that is easy to drive, comfortable and roomy. For that brief, the Honda Elevate VX CVT is a good fit. The VX CVT is the sweet spot because the automatic keeps the engine smooth in traffic, and the VX trim gets the useful features without pushing the price too high.Why it fits your list: Honda’s simple 1.5 petrol has a long, clean track record, so it suits your “no issues for 10+ years” aim. The driving position is high, the steering is light, and the CVT makes stop-go city work very easy. Space is good for four adults, the seats are supportive, and the suspension deals with broken roads well, so daily comfort is strong.Trade-offs to note: it is not the quickest for fast highway passes, and rivals offer more flashy features. If you expect a lot of high-speed use with a full load, you may want more punch.Regarding waiting for a facelift, while it may launch this year, there is no confirmed date or list of changes. An update usually brings small styling tweaks and a few extra features, and prices can go up too. The basics you care about are space, ease of driving, Honda’s engine and service and these are unlikely to change much.If you do want to look around, pick the Kia Seltos IVT for more features and a more modern cabin. Overall, for your needs, the Elevate VX CVT lines up best right now.

Honda Elevate

Kia Seltos

Autocar India

•5d

Going by your shortlist, you want a bigger family car on a tight budget and are looking at base trims. If you need the car in the next couple of months for mostly city use with some weekend trips, pick the Kia Seltos HTE (O) IVT. It is well equipped and, compared to the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, gives you more back-seat space and boot room.The Brezza update will be relatively minor, though we expect the 1.5 NA engine to make way for the 1.0 turbo-petrol from the Fronx. Waiting for it only makes sense if you mainly drive in tight city areas and want an easier-to-park car.Overall, for a near-term purchase and everyday comfort, the Seltos lines up best with what you’re considering.

Kia Seltos

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Autocar India

•5d

You need a car for pure highway use and want the longest stretch between stops; in that case, we would lean towards the Mahindra XEV 9S 79kWh for its better real-world highway range. In our real-world testing, we managed 477 km on the highway, which suits your “pure highway” pattern. We have also tested the AWD Harrier EV, which managed 401 km (combined). While the RWD version should better that, it will likely still fall short of the XEV 9S’s range.One thing to note: the Mahindra’s ride can feel a bit floaty on undulating highway surfaces, so try it out before you commit. If that is an issue, the XEV 9e has a more settled ride.Overall, for highway-first use and maximum range, the XEV 9S 79kWh is the safer bet.

Mahindra XEV 9S

Tata Harrier EV