Hi. I'm looking for a new car in the range of 20-25 lakh. My usage is primarily city-based, with an average monthly distance of about 500 km, and I plan to retain the car for around 10 years. I'm leaning towards EVs mainly due to their lower running cost, lower maintenance costs, smoother ride quality, lower exposure to fuel price fluctuations, and being the technology for the future. I can have home charging installed, and I rarely go on long road trips. Given my usage conditions, should I go for an EV instead of a regular petrol car? If yes, which car would be best suited for my needs?

Autocar India

•23h

Both the Toyota Urban Cruiser Ebella and the Hyundai Creta Electric should cope well with brutal Delhi summers. Both cars are equipped with automatic climate control and rear AC vents, so basic cooling performance will not be a deal-breaker in either.However, the Ebella story in India is still evolving. Toyota has unveiled the car and opened bookings, but prices and full variant details are only being drip-fed and final ex‑showroom pricing has still not been announced, which is unusual this long after a reveal and suggests Toyota is still not clear on its India EV strategy. That uncertainty could affect delivery timelines.The Hyundai Creta EV, on the other hand, is based on a well‑proven package with a clear India focus. It offers a roomy, practical cabin, a larger and more usable boot, and plenty of comfort features, including dual‑zone automatic climate control and rear vents that will help keep occupants cool in slow, bumper‑to‑bumper traffic. For a 100 km daily Delhi commute, its balance of efficiency, space and everyday usability makes it the more sorted and predictable choice today.

Toyota Urban Cruiser Ebella

Hyundai Creta Electric

Autocar India

•2d

These two EVs are quite different in character and how you would use them. The Hyundai Creta Electric is a no-nonsense, practical SUV that is spacious, user-friendly, and very efficient. With a 51kWh battery delivering over 400km of real-world range, this Hyundai car is well-suited for everyday commuting and family use. The interface is intuitive, and there is a strong sense of familiarity if you have experienced the regular Creta; the EV variant essentially feels like a Creta with an electric powertrain.The Mahindra BE 6, on the other hand, is all about making a statement. Its radical design will turn heads, though it may feel a bit too polarising for some. It is the more driver-focused option here, with a sportier feel and impressive ride quality. The range is competitive too, but practicality takes a hit because the rear seat is not as accommodating, and the infotainment and controls are not as intuitive as those in the Hyundai.In the end, it comes down to your priorities. If you want a comfortable, easy-to-live-with EV that works well as a daily family car, the Creta Electric is the safer bet. If you are after something more distinctive, sporty, and primarily for self-driving enjoyment, the BE 6 fits the bill better.

Mahindra BE 6

Hyundai Creta Electric

Autocar India

•2d

Motion sickness in cars is usually caused by inconsistent movement, not the fuel type. It happens when the body senses motion, but the eyes do not match it, which is common in stop-and-go driving, frequent braking, body roll or jerky acceleration over longer drives.In petrol cars, this often comes from gear shifts, uneven power delivery and sudden braking, while in electric cars it can come from instant acceleration or strong regenerative braking if driven abruptly. So the root issue is how smooth or jerky the car feels, not whether it is petrol or electric.This is where newer EVs can actually help. Cars like the Hyundai Creta Electric and Kia Carens Clavis EV are among the smoothest to drive, with very linear acceleration, no gear shift shocks and a comfortable ride. Driven gently, they feel far more consistent in their movement compared to their petrol or diesel versions, which can reduce the chances of nausea.Compared to your Fiat Punto Evo, both will feel like a clear upgrade in refinement, ride comfort and overall smoothness.

Hyundai Creta Electric

Kia Carens Clavis EV

Autocar India

•3d

On paper and in real-world ownership, these are very different cars, and the Mahindra XUV 7XO sits in a clear segment above. The XUV 700 is a bigger, more complete SUV. It offers more space, better road presence, stronger performance and a far richer overall experience, including the option of a third row and a more premium cabin. It is designed as a proper family SUV and feels more capable on highways and long drives.The Renault Duster, even in its new form, is a simpler, more driver-focused and lighter SUV. It will likely be easier to drive in the city and feel more rugged and straightforward, but it is still a step down in terms of overall size, features and cabin experience.So the decision really comes down to intent. If you are moving because you want something more compact, easier to use daily and less feature-heavy, then the Duster can make sense. But if you are expecting it to feel like an upgrade or even equal to the XUV700 in terms of space, comfort and overall experience, it will not.

Renault Duster

Autocar India

•3d

The Tata Sierra is a big, heavy car, and the petrol engine, being a naturally aspirated unit, feels just about adequate, especially once you load it up or hit the highway. The diesel, on the other hand, suits the car far better with its stronger low-end pull, making overtakes easier and long-distance driving far more relaxed.That said, with your low annual running of under 6000 km, the petrol still makes sense if your usage is mostly in the city. It will feel smoother, easier to live with and perfectly adequate for everyday driving, even if it lacks that effortless punch on highways.If you are open to alternatives for a better petrol manual experience, the Renault Duster with its turbo petrol engine is a strong option. It feels far more effortless to drive, while naturally aspirated options like the Kia Seltos or Hyundai Creta offer a more refined and effortless experience than the Sierra petrol.

Tata Sierra

Renault Duster

Kia Seltos

Hyundai Creta

Autocar India

•5d

For 60-70km a day inside Delhi NCR and mostly city use, the Kia Seltos GTX(A) diesel fits your brief better. It is easier to live with in traffic and tight parking than the Harrier Fearless Plus Dark; it will use less fuel in the city, and Kia’s service network is usually more consistent. It's diesel and automatic work smoothly at low speeds, and while it doesn’t have the grunt of the Harrier’s diesel, it is adequate for city use. Fuel efficiency is also a tad better on the Seltos. On service and reliability, Kia’s 1.5 diesel and this automatic have been around for years, and owner reports are generally good, while Tata has improved, but feedback on service quality still varies across workshops.There are trade-offs. The Seltos does not feel as big or have the same road presence as the Harrier, and you will feel sharp bumps a bit more at low speeds. If you often carry five adults or do long highway trips, the Harrier’s extra space and heavier, more solid feel are a plus.Overall, for your daily city grind and focus on service, reliability and fuel efficiency, the Seltos GTX(A) diesel is the better fit.

Kia Seltos

Tata Harrier