What is your take on EV cars vs internal combustion (IC) cars vs hybrids in the current situation and looking toward the future, especially with the expected move from E20 to E27 fuels? With so much change happening, I am a bit confused. I have a flexible budget of ₹12-26 lakh on-road, but I would prefer to spend less and get the best value for money. I plan to keep the car for 10-15 years. I am considering the XEV 9E/9S (futuristic) and the 3XO (value for money). My monthly run will be around 500 km, mostly on the highway, and I expect to take two long trips per year. Please advise.

Autocar India

•9w

Your running of just 500km a month and mostly on the highway doesn’t justify an EV. It will take many years to recover the extra cost of buying an EV, and on the highway, the charging infrastructure is still a hit-and-miss. Also, it is not advisable to hang onto an EV for 10-15 years, as it depreciates badly and the battery stands to become obsolete.

In view of this its better to stick to an ICE vehicle because your worries on the E20 and E27 are unfounded. All manufacturers have upgraded components and materials to be E27 compliant, though the regulations only call for E20 compliance. This is to future proof themselves and customers in case the ethanol blend goes up from the current E20 mix which it is unlikely to for next couple of years. In any case, E20 will be the base fuel for many years. So if you are looking at value, the Mahindra XUV 3XO is a good choice - dont worry about it being ICE.

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Related questions you may find helpful

Rajesh

•1w

Hi, I have booked a Honda Elevate V CVT for Rs 15.30 on road, along with 50k worth of free accessories. However, I am quite confused about the Kylaq Prestige and XUV 3XO AX5L, which come in the same budget. So, I need your suggestion whether I can proceed with the Elevate or should I go with 3XO or Kylaq because of their plush interiors.

Autocar India

•3h

Go ahead with the Honda Elevate V CVT you’ve booked. At Rs 15.30 lakh on-road plus Rs 50,000 in accessories, it secures a smooth automatic, solid 5‑seat practicality, and hassle‑free, predictable ownership. Switching now could mean losing the Rs 50,000 accessory bundle and current discount.Compared to the Skoda Kylaq and Mahindra XUV 3XO, the Elevate is a segment bigger with significantly more cabin space and luggage room. The one thing you give up is a plusher‑feeling cabin, compared with the 3XO or Kylaq. The Elevate V’s interior and touch points are more basic at this trim.If cabin ambience matters more than anything else and you’re okay with a smaller footprint, consider the XUV 3XO AX5L (preferably the AT) instead, provided the AT fits your ₹15.30 lakh budget in your city. The Kylaq 1.0 TSI is nicer to drive, but doesn’t have the cabin ambience of the 3XO.

Kartheek Adivi

Hi, I am planning to buy a compact SUV within a strict budget of ₹20 lakh. I have shortlisted the petrol automatic variants of the Mahindra XUV 3XO AX7L and the Hyundai Venue N Line, as both offer Level 2 camera and radar-based ADAS systems. Although I prefer manual cars, I am choosing an automatic with ADAS to reduce driving fatigue. I will be undertaking a 300–500 km round trip once every month and longer trips every 3 months. I am quite confused between the two options. Which one is better among them, and why?

Autocar India

•1d

With both cars now offering Level 2 ADAS, the decision is no longer about features alone, but how they suit your usage.For your requirement of regular 300-500km highway drives, the Mahindra XUV 3XO AX7L petrol automatic still comes across as the better overall choice. It has a more powerful turbo petrol engine, which makes highway overtakes easier and less stressful, and the overall package feels more stable at cruising speeds. It is also a wider car, and despite the new Hyundai Venue improving in terms of space, the 3XO still offers a more spacious cabin, which adds to comfort on longer drives.Another important difference is the gearbox. The 3XO uses a torque converter automatic, which is smoother and more predictable in everyday driving, especially in mixed conditions. The Venue uses a dual-clutch transmission, which feels quicker but is not as smooth at low speeds and in stop-go conditions, something you will notice in real-world use.Where the Venue does well is ease of use and practicality. It feels more compact and easier to drive in the city, and it also offers a slightly more usable boot. If you are considering the N Line specifically, do note that its suspension is tuned to be stiffer, which affects ride comfort. If comfort is a priority, the standard Venue is the better choice.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Hyundai Venue

Chandra

•1w

Hello Autocar, We have shortlisted a few petrol automatic options within our ₹15 lakh on-road budget that seem to meet our requirements: Skoda Kylaq Prestige+ Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5L Hyundai Venue HX8 We are also considering whether it would be worth waiting for the upcoming Maruti Suzuki Brezza facelift before making a decision. Considering our priorities - ease of driving for first-time drivers, rear-seat comfort for family use, safety, reliability, and low maintenance over 10 years, which of these petrol automatic variants would you recommend as the best overall choice? Additionally, are there any major pros or cons we should be aware of for these models in terms of long-term ownership and service experience? Thank you.

Autocar India

•1d

For your requirements of ease of driving, rear-seat comfort, safety and low-stress long-term ownership, the Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5L automatic is the most well-rounded choice among your shortlist. Its smooth 6-speed automatic and light controls make it very friendly for first-time drivers, while its compact size helps in city use and parking. At the same time, the cabin is among the most spacious in the segment, which makes it more comfortable for family use, especially over longer drives. Mahindra’s wide service network is another advantage if you are planning to keep the car for 8-10 years.The Skoda Kylaq offers good driving manners, but the service network is not as widespread, which can matter over long-term ownership depending on your location. The Hyundai Venue is the easiest to drive and will likely be the most hassle-free from a maintenance perspective, but its rear seat is not as spacious, which makes it less ideal for regular family use.The only real compromise with the 3XO is boot space, which is smaller than both the Kylaq and the Venue. So, if you travel with a lot of luggage, that is something to keep in mind.As for the Maruti Suzuki Brezza facelift, if you are not in a hurry, it is worth waiting for. Maruti’s reliability, low maintenance and strong service reach make it a very compelling long-term ownership choice, and it could end up being the most fuss-free option of the lot.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Skoda Kylaq

Hyundai Venue

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