Mumbai

•28w

I have been using a Verna Diesel 1.6-litre for the past 8 years, and it has served me well in terms of fuel efficiency. My average monthly running is around 2,500km. Due to the diesel ban in Delhi NCR and the need for a more comfortable car, I am now looking to switch to an EV (XEV 9S or the Harrier EV). I am not very particular about having too many features. I have been waiting for bookings to open for the XEV 9S, but with the launch of the new Seltos, should I consider that as well?

•28w

We would recommend taking a test drive of the Mahindra XEV 9S before making a final decision, as its suspension can feel a bit too soft on undulating roads.

Since you are also considering the Tata Harrier EV, which is a 5-seater, it makes sense to look at the XEV 9E as well. The Harrier EV is comfortable to drive and rides well, and the dual motor AWD option is available at a lower price than the XEV 9E. The Mahindra XEV 9e, however, stands out with more features, more comfortable seats, a larger boot, better range, and faster charging.

The new Seltos is a well-rounded product, but given your requirements, the running costs of the petrol automatic will be significantly higher than the electric cars you are considering. If you are keen on a Kia EV, the Carens Clavis EV is also a strong package. While it does not offer the same range as the XEV 9E or the Harrier EV, it is a polished EV with a comfortable ride, adequate performance, and a third row that is spacious and comfortable enough for adults as well.

Explore cars mentioned

Kia

Carens Clavis EV

from ₹19.09 Lakh

Mahindra

XEV 9e

from ₹23.33 Lakh

Tata

Harrier EV

from ₹23.11 Lakh

Mahindra

XEV 9S

from ₹22.00 Lakh

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More questions on similar cars

•6h

I am a retired person, and my daily city driving is around 15-20 km in heavy traffic, with occasional highway trips. My current car is a 2010 Honda Jazz. I am looking for a reliable and safe automatic car with a budget of around Rs. 25 lakh. I am open to a hybrid automatic, electric, or petrol automatic. Which option would you recommend?

•1h

Given your limited usage, the initial premium a hybrid or an electric car command over a petrol-automatic can't be justified, despite the significant difference in running costs. Hence, we'd advise you to consider a petrol-automatic car instead. For the money, you can consider a VW Taigun 1.0 TSI 8AT or a Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI 8AT. Both these are smooth and compact in size, and will feel rather easy to drive in urban conditions. Also, both are solid, and you will feel confident driving on your occasional highway drives. In case you want a car that's larger and more modern, the Kia Seltos 1.5 IVT is an excellent option.However, if you're still keen to keep the running costs to a bare minimum, and if you have a provision for home charging, then consider the upcoming Kia Syros EV (expected to launch in the coming weeks). This Kia car is compact in size, yet it is surprisingly spacious, and with adjustable rear seats, the Syros will feel like a natural progression from your outgoing Honda Jazz. The electric powertrain is likely to be shared with the Clavis EV, which means it will be smooth and very efficient too. Sure, the Syros EV's looks might not be universally appealing; however, we'd strongly recommend that you drive it once - it is likely to be an ideal Jazz replacement for you.

Which would you recommend from an ownership perspective, considering after-sales service and customer feedback on public forums: the Mahindra XEV 9s Pack Two Above 79kWh or the Tata Harrier EV Fearless Plus 75kWh?

•7h

The Mahindra XEV 9S Pack Two Above 79kWh is the stronger choice from a customer ownership perspective. Both are impressive electric cars, but Mahindra currently has an edge in powertrain maturity, charging performance and, importantly, the ownership feedback emerging from early customers and enthusiast forums.From an ownership perspective, both Tata and Mahindra have improved significantly, but public discussions continue to highlight more consistent showroom and service experiences with Mahindra. Tata's service quality remains more dependent on the individual dealership, and there are still recurring reports of inconsistent quality control and after-sales support. Mahindra is not flawless either, but early XEV owners have generally reported greater satisfaction with the buying and ownership experience.

Mahindra XEV 9S

•5d

I want to buy a 7-seater SUV EV. I can make the purchase anytime within the next six months. My priority is a real-world driving range of over 600 km. Which model would you recommend?

•1d

Unfortunately, there are very few EVs that will give you a real-world range of 600km - even though their official rating says so - and fewer still with a 7-seat layout. The only one that fits the bill is the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, whose price is around Rs 1.5 crore. If that fits your budget, then go for it, as it is one of the best luxury EVs you can buy in India today. The other three-row EVs lower down are the Tesla Model Y L (6 seater) and the Mahindra XEV 9S (6/7 seater). Both have official ratings of over 650km, but the real-world range is likely to be more in the region of 500km. In our real-world range test, the XEV 9S with the largest (79kWh) battery pack returned 477km overall, and while we haven't range tested the Model Y L, previous Tesla models have proven quite efficient. If your budget can accommodate the Tesla at around Rs 65 lakh, you should get it. If not, the Mahindra at around Rs 22-32 lakh should be adequate.

Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV

Tesla Model Y

Mahindra XEV 9S

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Popular discussions right now

•4d

Is it worth waiting for the new BREZZA, or are there better alternatives for Mumbai city use and a few random trips outside, say 2 to 3 in a year, up to Pune, Panchgani, etc

•3d

Go for the Brezza, but wait for the new model as it's just a few weeks away. The Brezza is easy to drive in traffic, rides well over broken roads and speed breakers, and the automatic is smooth and stress-free. The cabin is airy, the visibility is good, and Maruti service reach in the city makes ownership simple. For the odd Pune or Panchgani run, it feels stable enough if driven in a relaxed manner. A point to consider if you often go up the ghats with four people and luggage: the 1.5 petrol is smooth but not very strong, so overtakes need a little planning.If that bothers you, the Skoda Kylaq with the automatic is the better alternative. It feels quicker in the hills and in gaps, and the gearbox responds a bit faster, which helps both on the ghats and in stop-go Mumbai traffic. You will trade a slightly firmer ride and a lower city mileage for that extra shove.For mostly city use, though, buying the Brezza is the sensible call.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Skoda Kylaq

•1d

My budget is around 14 lakhs, and I am confused between the MG Windsor exclusive, the Tata Nexon Empowered 45 and the Tata Punch Empowered S40. Please Suggest.

•1d

Go for the MG Windsor Exclusive. At Rs 14 lakh, it offers the best ownership experience of the three. The Windsor is a genuinely spacious family car with a comfortable ride, a premium cabin and a strong feature set. It feels like a proper step up from your 2018 Nexon, with a more mature driving experience and a much more spacious rear seat. The Nexon Empowered 45 is a good car, but it is essentially an evolution of what you already own, and the Windsor simply feels like a bigger upgrade for the money. The Punch Empowered S40 is a solid value proposition, but it is a smaller car and does not feel as premium or as spacious as the Windsor. The only real drawback with the Windsor is that MG's service network is not as extensive as Tata's, but it is still a well-supported product in most major cities. Overall, the Windsor Exclusive is the best fit for your budget and your upgrade expectations.

I am considering the Skoda Kushaq, but am confused between the 1.0 and 1.5 variants. Around 80% of my driving is within the city, with occasional highway trips. I also want to know how effective the air conditioning is in the facelifted model, both in the 1.0 and 1.5 variants.

•4d

Pick the Skoda Kushaq 1.0. Your driving is mostly in the city, and the 1.0 feels easier and smoother at low speeds, uses a bit less fuel in traffic, and costs a lot less. It still has enough go for occasional highway runs. The 1.5 only really pays off if you do frequent long trips with a full load or you enjoy driving and value the added performance. One catch with the 1.0 is that it sounds a bit gruff when pushed.About the AC, the facelift’s system is the same across 1.0 and 1.5. Skoda has addressed the early cars’ cooling complaints. The upgraded compressor now delivers best-in-class cooling, rapidly bringing the temperature down even on the hottest of days.

Skoda Kushaq

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Posted on: 27 Dec 2025

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