I have been using a Nexon EV for the past three years and would now like to upgrade to another EV. What would be an ideal replacement below ₹50 lakh? We are a family of three, the car will be self-driven, and I prefer something compact.

autocar.india

•2h

With a monthly running of 800km, the financial case for an electric car is not particularly strong. The savings on fuel are real, but at this usage level it will take a long time to offset the higher upfront cost of the Punch EV 40kWh. Your Grand i10 Asta petrol is a reliable, well-maintained car and still has plenty of life left in it, so from a purely financial perspective it makes sense to continue with it for a few more years.The decision to switch to the Punch EV should be driven more by your desire for a modern, feature-rich car and the EV ownership experience rather than running cost savings alone. The Punch EV 40kWh is a well-rounded product with a usable real-world range of over 300km, good ride comfort and a strong feature set.If you are happy with the Grand i10 and it is serving your needs well, the sensible decision is to continue with it. If you are keen on the EV experience and want a new car, the Punch EV 40kWh is a good choice, but do it for the ownership experience rather than the savings.

Tata Punch EV

autocar.india

•4h

Go for the Skoda Kodiaq or Volkswagen Tayron, which are sister models from different brands. They are among the best driver’s SUVs in the segment, with strong performance, excellent handling and a genuinely premium feel. The ride is well judged, the cabin is spacious enough for four adults plus a child seat, and the boot is large enough to comfortably accommodate a stroller and a couple of suitcases. If you stretch your budget, you can get the 7-seat versions with greater space flexibility and more features, but the five-seat versions are closer to your budget with the same performance and handling. Bear in mind, however, that they are still on the expensive side and fuel economy will not be great.A bit easier on the pocket will be the Jeep Compass, which is more affordable and comes with a diesel engine. It's also quite a lot of fun to drive, but doesn't score as well on the reliability stakes. Finally, another option is the outgoing Audi Q3, remaining stocks of which should be available with some good discounts given the launch of the new model is right around the corner. It's a bit smaller than the VW and Skoda, but even more fun to drive, with the same 2.0 TFSI engine. And though it's the outgoing generation, it remains a premium and luxurious SUV that feels worth the money.For your needs, though, the Skoda Kodiaq and VW Tayron are the best bet. Choosing between them is down to preference, but the Tayron has a sportier design for the exterior and interior, while the Kodiaq has more of a luxurious vibe.

Skoda Kodiaq

Volkswagen Tayron

Jeep Compass

autocar.india

•1h

With a monthly running of 1,500 km and 70% highway usage, a diesel car makes the most sense. The higher torque and better fuel efficiency on long runs will pay off over time, and your usage pattern justifies the premium over petrol. Since you prefer a manual car, you will also avoid the complexity and cost of automatic gearboxes, which is a plus for long-term ownership.The Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel manual in a lower trim would be our first recommendation. It is a genuinely strong highway car with a punchy diesel engine, good stability at speed and a comfortable ride over long distances.If you want something a bit more compact and easier to live with in the city, the Kia Seltos diesel manual is also a very good option. It is more affordable, feels premium on the inside and is still very capable on the highway.Overall, the XUV 7XO diesel manual is the best fit for your usage and budget.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Kia Seltos