Mumbai

•19w

My running is approximately 5,000 km per year, entirely within the city. Should I go for an EV or an automatic petrol car in the ₹20-25 lakh price range? I am considering an EV mainly for tax savings (40% tax deduction), but I am unsure whether petrol would be better. Please guide me on what makes more sense financially, as well as from a maintenance perspective.

•19w

Since your annual usage is so low, and all within the city, an electric car makes a lot of sense, both from the point of view of tax savings and due to much lower running costs. However, our advice is not to rely on the public charging network alone, and instead ensure you have a charger installed at your home or place of work, if not both. If you do have to make an occasional outstation trip, plan carefully and pick a route with multiple public chargers along the way, topping up in small amounts as you go.

As for which car you should choose, there are plenty of options. If you want the best all-rounder with maximum efficiency, get the Hyundai Creta Electric. If you require more space, the Kia Carens Clavis EV is a great option. If you want ultimate value for money, try the Vinfast VF7. And if you want a dramatic and exciting EV with some compromises to practicality, check out the Mahindra BE 6.

Explore cars mentioned

Hyundai

Creta Electric

from ₹19.09 Lakh

Vinfast

VF7

from ₹23.25 Lakh

Kia

Carens Clavis EV

from ₹19.06 Lakh

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More questions on similar cars

•3d

I am considering buying the Mahindra XEV 9S Pack Two or the Hyundai Creta Electric. My driving is 70% in the city, and my priorities are ride comfort and driving pleasure. Which would be the better choice?

•1d

Pick the Hyundai Creta Electric. For 70% city use, its performance and throttle modulation are just perfect for a relaxed city drive. Its power delivery is smooth and quick, with light, accurate steering, so darting through gaps feels easy and safe rather than startling. Hyundai’s EV tuning is very polished, with useful regen levels, so you can ease into a near one‑pedal flow in traffic. That makes daily driving calmer but still satisfying. The cabin is quiet, and the seats are supportive, which matters after a long weekday commute. The ride is also good, and it rounds off speed breakers and potholes nicely so you and your passengers won’t get tossed about. On the highway, too, you will find the ride nicely tied down, whereas the Mahindra can get a bit floaty on long undulations.The only bit is that the drive experience is more dialled down and not sporty, which is what you will get with the Mahindra. So this is non-negotiable, go with the XEV 9S. For city comfort and a relaxed driving pleasure, the Creta Electric is the better bet.

Hyundai Creta Electric

Mahindra XEV 9S

•2d

I am 26 years old, and my daily running is 20 kms in the city and 3-4 trips a year to hill stations like Mussorie and Shimla. Usually, I am alone or with 2 people in a car, but occasionally, I have to travel with a family of 5. I don’t want an underpowered car. I am confused between the Seltos DCT or Hycross zx, which is better?

•48m

The Seltos DCT is a solid choice for your needs. It has plenty of performance for trips to the hills, enough space to comfortably accommodate five passengers when needed, and a premium-looking cabin that is packed with features.The Innova Hycross, being a three-row MPV, will naturally feel more spacious when fully loaded. But since you are usually driving with no more than two people, it can feel a bit cumbersome in the city. Also, the naturally aspirated engine in the Hycross does not have the same punch as the Seltos’ turbo-petrol.Overall, the Seltos fits your needs better. If you do want a three-row vehicle, then the Kia Carens Clavis or the Mahindra XUV 7XO are worth considering as well.

Kia Seltos

Toyota Innova HyCross

Kia Carens Clavis EV

Mahindra XUV 7XO

•1w

Which would be the better choice among the BYD Sealion 7, Mahindra XEV 9e, and Vinfast VF7? I currently own a Skoda Superb, which is 6 years old, and my ownership experience has been good so far. However, I am considering switching to an EV as a replacement, mainly because I am concerned about potential mechatronics-related repairs and higher maintenance costs as the car ages, even though I have not faced any issues yet. My heart says the BYD Sealion 7 would be the ideal replacement or upgrade for the Superb because of its build quality, premium cabin, and overall feel. However, my mind wonders whether it truly offers good value for money considering its premium price tag, although budget is not a major constraint for me. My daily driving is around 20-30 km, mostly within the city, with only occasional outstation trips. Considering my usage pattern and expectations, which of these EVs would you recommend?

•2d

Pick the BYD Sealion 7. It comes closest to your Superb in the way it feels inside and the calm, premium way it goes down the road, and BYD’s EV tech is well proven here. For 20-30km city usage it is smooth, very efficient, and the cabin quality, quietness and ride will feel like a real upgrade that's on par with luxury cars in the same price range.The Mahindra XEV 9e and Vinfast VF7 do sound like good value with the amount of performance and features they offer, but they both belong a size and segment down on the BYD, and that's reflected in the price too. Plus, though feature laden, their cabins will not give you the same plushness you enjoyed in your Skoda Superb. One catch with the Sealion 7 is BYD’s smaller network as compared to Mahindra. But with budget not being a big worry and your usage being mostly in the city, the peace-of-mind of mature EV hardware and genuine upmarket feel makes the BYD the right call for you. Charge at home and you will need to top up just once every few days.

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HyundaiCreta Electric

Popular discussions right now

•1w

I have a 5kW solar connection at my house. I would like to buy an EV with a range of 500km+ on a full charge, within a budget of Rs 25-28 lakh. Which is the best option?

•6d

The Mahindra XEV 9S and XEV 9e would both be excellent choices within your budget. The key difference comes down to your space requirements. The XEV 9S is the one to choose if you need the flexibility of a 7-seat layout, while the XEV 9e is a 5-seater with a sleeker design and more emphasis on style. Beyond that, both models share the same battery packs and electric motors, so there is little to separate them in terms of performance, charging capability or range.While both have claimed ranges comfortably above 500km, in the real world you should expect closer to 450-470km on a full charge, depending on your driving style, speed and usage conditions. Even so, that remains among the best figures available in this price range.Your 5kW solar setup is an added advantage and should help keep charging costs very low over the long term.

Mahindra XEV 9S

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•1w

I was planning to buy the Honda Amaze CVT earlier, but due to uncertainty around a higher percentage of ethanol blending, I have decided to go with the Tata Altroz diesel. But now I read that the government is also planning to blend isobutanol in diesel. Should I buy a diesel vehicle or not? Will isobutanol adversely affect diesel engines and affect fuel economy?

•6d

There is no reason to avoid either a petrol or a diesel car purely because of future fuel-blending plans.Just as modern petrol cars are being engineered to handle higher ethanol blends, any future diesel blend regulations will be accompanied by corresponding changes from vehicle manufacturers. If isobutanol blending is introduced, it will be done in a controlled manner, and vehicles sold in the market will be calibrated accordingly. There is currently no evidence to suggest that such blends would cause adverse effects on modern diesel engines when used within the prescribed limits.The more important question is whether a diesel suits your usage pattern. If your running is high and includes regular highway trips, the Altroz Diesel remains a compelling option. However, if your usage is predominantly urban, the Honda Amaze CVT is still the more sensible choice. It offers a smoother driving experience, lower complexity and none of the DPF-related concerns associated with modern diesel engines.

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•5d

Hi, I am looking to buy the Renault Kiger mid-spec AMT. Is it a good choice, or can you please recommend any other car within a budget of Rs. 8.5 lakh?

•4d

The Renault Kiger AMT is a decent choice, but the naturally aspirated 1.0-litre engine paired with the AMT gearbox can feel a bit lethargic, especially when carrying passengers or during highway overtakes. It gets the job done, but it isn't the most refined or responsive package in the segment.At your budget, the Maruti Suzuki Baleno Delta AMT is worth serious consideration. Its four-cylinder petrol engine is smoother, more powerful and more refined than the Kiger's three-cylinder unit. The AMT gearbox is also better calibrated, making the overall driving experience more pleasant in daily use.If you prefer the higher seating position and crossover-like stance of the Kiger, then the Hyundai Exter AMT is another strong alternative. It also gets a smooth four-cylinder engine paired with a well-sorted AMT, and it feels more refined in city driving.

Renault Kiger

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