Hi, I am thinking of purchasing the Mahindra XEV 9S due to the variety of features it offers. I am confused whether to buy an EV or the Innova HyCross, considering resale value in another 3 years.

Autocar India

•2d

While both brands are very popular, there's no doubt that Toyota has an edge over Mahindra when it comes to resale value. This is especially true of the Innova brand, which has made a strong name for itself with regard to reliability and longevity since its introduction in 2005, and that has passed on to the Innova HyCross strong hybrid as well.

Moreover, given that electric cars have only been around a relatively short time and the longevity of their batteries is yet to be proven, there is uncertainty around them, and thus their resale value is generally lower than that of vehicles with an engine, which aren't solely dependent on their battery.

So even after three years, the Innova will have a stronger resale value than the Mahindra XEV 9S. And yes, while the Mahindra has a long list of the latest features, the Toyota Innova HyCross in top-spec trim gets all the essentials and then some.

Explore cars mentioned

Toyota

Innova HyCross

from ₹21.24 Lakh

Mahindra

XEV 9S

from ₹21.10 Lakh

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Andy

•37m

Hi Vrinda, if you are reselling in 3 or 4 (<2030) years, then Hycross will be better. I am an automotive engineer by profession, and below is a comprehensive comparison of these two, and what I would do before buying the car. What you said is correct - it is the time of uncertainty, but not just for battery longevity, but also on resale value as well. I have driven the first generation of electric Nexon for the past 3 years, and I have driven 50K plus on this with just one incident where I ran out, and the company has stated the battery will be replaced. Now coming back to the comparison. This comparison is just on the top level you need to think of what the price of fuel would be if the wsituation such as war continues, what if India say no diesel cars, will the ICE (internal combustion engine powered with fuel) cars have any resale after 8 years (if India decides to stop production of ICE cars), part replacement cost that is higher in case of Toyota as few parts are imported unlike Indian suppliers in case of Mahindra. For the time being, the resale value for ICE is higher, I agree, but what if the ICE cars are stopped 10 years later? Then the table would reverse because the EU7 fuel norms are way more stringent compared to EU6, and manufacturers might stop ICE cars by themselves; we do not know. So thinking solely on resale value is not the correct way. And about the guarantee of the batteries, Tata has taken it seriously and provided a replacement when the battery did not function as expected after they did the tests. Just a tip, think of a car from a realistic mindset and not emotional or with a societal outlook, meaning what people would think if I drive around in a Mahindra? For that sake, Mahindra and Tatas are doing an amazing job, and their cars are competing with the likes of Mercedes. So use the link for the comparison: https://www.perplexity.ai/search/do-a-comparison-for-me-about-x-cGFGQRm4RAK2xziELWZn_Q?sm=d#1 Please do further research on EU7 regulations. When will India implement BS7, service charge for replacing the windshield at Mahindra and Toyota (just to get an understanding of the cost difference), and the future of ICE resale value?

Latest questions in the community

Sai charan

•1w

I am confused between Kia Seltos MT petrol and Tata Sierra Diesel MT. I have a plan to keep car for more than 10 year. I have driven about 1,40,000 kms with my previous car in 10 years. I want to buy a safe car. I generally drive on open and highways. Should I go for seltos or Sierra. Whether diesel car have future in India? Kia says K3 platform. But no guarantee until it is crash tested at BNCAP or GNCAP. Unlike Maruthi, they could have displayed their crash ratings during launch itself but not done.

Autocar India

•15m

In terms of safety, Tata cars usually have a better track record in crash tests than Kia, but it’s important to remember that star ratings are not the only factor that decides how safe a car is. They tell you how a particular variant performed in a specific set of tests, but things like active safety tech, tyre quality, stability at speed and how the car is driven matter just as much in the real world. The updated Kia Seltos now sits on Kia’s K3 platform, which has been engineered to meet stricter global safety norms and offers better torsional rigidity than the older SP2 architecture, so on paper it is a step up in crash protection, even though we do not yet have an official Bharat NCAP rating to point to for the India-spec car. Kia, like every other manufacturer, still has to comply with India’s mandatory crash regulations, which are aligned with UN regulations for frontal and side impact, so it is not an “unsafe” car just because it hasn’t been independently rated yet.On the Tata side, the new Sierra is built on a modern, heavily reinforced platform and is expected to score very well in Bharat NCAP, with a five-star rating widely anticipated, in line with Tata’s recent record with models like the Nexon and Harrier. That, combined with the inherent advantage of a larger, heavier SUV with a strong structure, will naturally give you more peace of mind if crash safety is high on your priority list. For your kind of usage – mostly open roads and highways over long distances – the Sierra diesel will also feel like the better long-distance car, thanks to its strong mid-range performance, relaxed cruising ability and planted high-speed manners. It is the sort of car that feels unflustered at triple-digit speeds and can munch miles comfortably, which suits your 1.4 lakh km over 10 years kind of running very well.The Seltos, particularly in its latest avatar, is also a competent highway car with a comfortable cabin and good performance, but it doesn’t feel as inherently solid or as planted at speed as a larger, heavier SUV like the Sierra. Where the Kia does score is in its more proven reliability record and aftersales experience, which becomes crucial when you’re planning to keep the car for a decade or more. Tata has improved a lot, but Kia still has the edge in consistency of service quality and hassle-free ownership in most markets. On the question of diesel’s future: stricter emission norms and the shift towards electrification will definitely make diesels less common over time, especially in smaller cars. But for now, for larger SUVs that do a lot of highway mileage, diesel is still very relevant in India, thanks to its superior fuel economy and long-range cruising ability. You’re not looking at a fuel that will suddenly become unusable in the next 8–10 years; what you might see instead are higher costs for emission systems and maybe fewer new diesel launches in the long run. So, if a diesel suits your driving pattern – which in your case, with frequent highway use and a long ownership horizon, it does – it can still be a perfectly sensible choice.

Kia Seltos

Tata Sierra

Sandeep

•20h

I' am currently owning Ignis 2017 model. I drove 60k. 65% in city and 35% on Highway. Looking for a Automatic car with Good interiors, safety features, good balance between touch & buttons, least service issues and should be steady atleast for the next 10 years. Selected Tata Harrier and New Seltos. I have already extended my budget till 22lacs (on road price. Please advise.

Autocar India

•50m

The Kia Seltos will feel like a clear upgrade over your Ignis and fits your requirements well. It was recently updated and feels modern, well equipped and premium inside. Considering your relatively limited running, we would suggest going for the 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine with the IVT/CVT automatic transmission. This combination is very refined and the gearbox is silky smooth, which makes the car extremely easy to drive in city traffic.Within your ₹22 lakh on-road budget, you can go for the HTX(A) variant, which comes very well equipped and even offers Level 2 ADAS, making it a strong value proposition.

Kia Seltos

Deepesh

•13h

I am a first-time car buyer and also a new driver. I am planning to buy a car for long-term ownership with a budget of around ₹11–12 lakh (on-road). My family has five members, and the car will be used mostly for city driving in Hyderabad, with occasional highway trips maybe once a month. I prefer an automatic transmission since it will be easier to drive in city traffic. Currently, I am considering the Mahindra XUV 3XO MX2 Pro Petrol AMT and the Tata Nexon Pure Plus S AMT Petrol. I am looking for a car that offers good safety, reliability, comfort for family use, and reasonable maintenance for long-term ownership. Between these two options, which one would you recommend? Also, are there any other better options in this price range that I should consider?

Autocar India

•1h

First, a small correction. The Mahindra XUV 3XO does not use an AMT gearbox. It comes with a proper torque converter automatic, which offers a much smoother and more refined driving experience compared to AMTs. This makes it easier to drive in city traffic and overall more comfortable for daily use.Because of this, the XUV 3XO MX2 Pro automatic becomes the better choice between the two cars you shortlisted. The wider cabin also makes it more comfortable for a family of five and the ride quality is well suited for both city drives and occasional highway trips.The Tata Nexon does offer a DCA/DCT automatic option with the turbo-petrol engine, but that variant is significantly more expensive and would go well beyond your ₹11–12 lakh budget. The Nexon AMT variants therefore do not match the smoothness of the torque converter automatic offered in the 3XO.For your requirements of ease of driving, comfort and a better automatic gearbox, the Mahindra XUV 3XO automatic would be the better option over the Nexon in your budget.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Tata Nexon

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