Mumbai

•21h

I am planning to buy an electric car with a budget of around Rs. 30L as a family car. Which EV offers the best value for money in this price range? I also want to consider its resale value after 5-6 years. Which model would you recommend?

•10h

The best all-rounder when it comes to EVs at the Rs 30 lakh price range is the Mahindra XEV 9S. For one, it's a large vehicle with three rows of seats, giving you maximum space at this price. You also get plenty of choice in the form of three battery pack options, depending on your requirement, and on top of it all, it's loaded with features. For Cars Under 30 lakhs, you could get one of the top two variants - Pack Three or Pack Three Above - with all the bells and whistles and the largest battery pack. It also packs in strong performance, with a 286hp motor mounted on the rear axle, as well as good range from the large battery - around 480km in real-world usage.

Another strong option is the newly launched Tata Sierra EV. While not as large as the XEV 9S and without the third row of seats, its front and second row are incredibly spacious and comfortable, and it has a large boot too. The better news is that you get the top variant at around Rs 28 lakh, on road, and this not only gets you a similar feature set to the Mahindra, but also a battery and range figure that's almost as good. Moreover, this also gets you a dual-motor AWD setup with even greater performance. In outright terms, the seven-seat XEV is a better value, but if you have no need for the third row, the Sierra might work better for you.

Resale value on any EV at present is not going to be as good as an equivalent petrol car, due to various factors, such as uncertainty around the condition and quality of the battery after several years of use. With that in mind, a strong brand and popular model are likely to give a better resale value, and both these are popular models from popular brands, so they should be as good as it can get.

Explore cars mentioned

Mahindra

XEV 9S

from ₹22.00 Lakh

Tata

Sierra EV

from ₹19.92 Lakh

•6h

@preeyankbaid Go for XEV 9S because

•4h

@autocar.india what about harrier ev ?

•4h

@basith exactly what I was thinking

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More questions on similar cars

•4d

We are a family of two, and 95% of the time, the car will be used by just the two of us. We take trips with our extended family of 7 once or twice a year. My driving is split 50:50 between city and highway, and I also do leisure tours of at least 800 km every month as I enjoy driving and travelling. My overall monthly usage is between 2,500 and 3,000 km. My priorities are a car that is fun to drive, loaded with features, has low maintenance costs, makes a statement, is comfortable, and is practical for daily use. My budget is Rs. 27 lakh, and I have shortlisted the Sierra EV AWD and the XEV 9S Pack Two with the 79 kWh battery. Which one would you recommend?

•2d

Given your usage pattern of 2,500-3,000 km per month, with a 50:50 city-highway split and a strong touring habit, the Mahindra XEV 9S Pack 2 is the better fit. The larger 79kWh battery gives you a more comfortable real-world range buffer for your 800 km leisure trips, reducing charging anxiety. This Mahindra car also offers a third-row seat, which will come in handy when you travel with your extended family. The Tata Sierra EV AWD is more stylish and eye-catching, and it is thrillingly quick too. The AWD system adds an extra level of safety in poor weather and also gives the Sierra a better off-road capability. This Tata car also packs in plenty of cool features and has a strong wow factor. However, its two-row seating layout will not work for you when you have seven passengers.Go for the XEV 9S, as it is the more practical and well-rounded choice for your requirements.

Mahindra XEV 9S

Tata Sierra EV

•1w

I currently own a Maruti Ignis, which I have had for approximately nine years, and I am considering upgrading to the Sierra EV. I recently test-drove a demonstration model and found it to be quite heavy. This made me question whether such a robust build is truly necessary for vehicles. While I acknowledge that safety is paramount, I believe there may be opportunities to optimize the weight of the vehicle. The increased weight inherently affects the performance and power consumption of petrol, CNG, and electric vehicles. Modern safety features, such as ADAS, offer alternative approaches to improving vehicle safety.

•2d

The Tata Sierra EV is a very different proposition from your Ignis, and the weight you felt is a natural consequence of both its size and its construction. This Tata car is a significantly larger and more premium vehicle, and the battery pack itself adds considerable weight. That said, the Sierra EV is on the heavier side but is not unusually heavy for its class.On the question of whether such a robust build is necessary, it is important to understand that safety is not just about ADAS. While ADAS systems can help avoid accidents, it is the fundamental structure of the car that protects occupants when an accident does occur. A strong body shell, well-engineered crumple zones, and a rigid passenger cell are still critical elements of crash safety. That said, there is a trade-off. Heavier cars do consume more energy, whether petrol, CNG or electricity. Manufacturers are constantly working to optimise weight, but safety standards and battery technology set certain minimums. The Sierra EV is a safe, comfortable, and premium family electric car, but if you are particularly sensitive to weight and efficiency, you may want to consider slightly smaller EVs as well. Ultimately, the Sierra EV’s weight is not a flaw; it is a reflection of its priorities and its segment.

Tata Sierra EV

•4d

Hi, we live in Thane, and my commute is around 12 km on alternate days. Our budget is Rs. 20-25 lakh, and we’re looking for an automatic car. We’re open to both petrol and EV options. Based on reliability, comfort, mileage/running costs, and after-sales service, which cars would you recommend? Thanks!

•3d

With a 12km alternate-day commute and a Rs 20-25 lakh budget, you are in a sweet spot where both petrol automatics and electric cars make sense. The decision really comes down to your usage pattern and ownership priorities.If you have a dedicated parking space with charging access, an EV is a very strong option. The Hyundai Creta Electric is the most sensible recommendation here. It is a well-rounded EV with good range, a spacious cabin and a mature ownership experience. Your running costs will be significantly lower than those of a petrol car, and the short daily commute plays perfectly to an EV's strengths. Another good option is the newly launched Tata Sierra EV, though unless you stretch your budget, you might have to settle for the smaller 63kWh battery.If charging is not practical, a petrol automatic is the safer long-term choice. The Kia Seltos IVT is the recommendation here. It is a comfortable, well-equipped and reliable midsize SUV with a smooth automatic gearbox that is well-suited to city driving. Kia's after-sales network is strong in Thane, and the Seltos strikes a good balance between comfort, features, and peace of mind in ownership.

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•4d

I want to buy a low-maintenance car for my father, who is 65 years old. My budget is around 15 lakh. His daily commute is around 30-40km, and he also visits our farm 7-8 times a month. Which car would you recommend?

•3d

For your father, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza petrol automatic is the most sensible recommendation. At 65, ease of use, reliability and low maintenance are far more important than outright performance or flashy features. The Brezza’s naturally aspirated petrol engine is simple, proven and well-suited to a 30-40 km daily commute, while the automatic gearbox makes city driving effortless. Maruti’s service network is the best in the country, which means low running costs and peace of mind over the long term.This Maruti Suzuki car also has enough ground clearance and a robust suspension setup to handle occasional farm visits without any fuss. It is not the most exciting car in the segment, but it is comfortable, easy to drive and built for hassle-free ownership. At Rs 15 lakh, it is one of the most dependable choices you can make for your father. Since the Brezza facelift is just around the corner, you can wait for that or try to get a good deal on the outgoing model.

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I currently own a Toyota Innova Crysta 2.8 ZX Variant AT, which has covered 55,000 km and has been an absolute peace of mind. I am now planning to upgrade my vehicle with a budget of around Rs. 30 lakh. Which car would you recommend?

•6d

If you have enjoyed 55,000 km of trouble-free ownership with the Innova Crysta, the most logical upgrade is the Toyota Innova HyCross. It retains the core strengths of the Crysta - reliability, comfort and Toyota's experience - while offering a genuinely meaningful step up in refinement, technology and efficiency. The Toyota Cars hybrid powertrain is particularly well-suited to Indian conditions, delivering strong fuel economy in the city and a smooth, effortless driving experience on the highway. The cabin is a significant upgrade over the Crysta, with a more modern layout, better materials and a more premium feel overall. The only caveat is that the HyCross does not offer the same diesel torque as the 2.8, so if you are a very heavy highway user who values that diesel punch, you may want to consider the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel as an alternative. However, for most owners, the HyCross represents the best balance of reliability, comfort and long-term peace of mind.

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•1w

I'm planning to buy a small automatic car for my wife, who is 5'1" tall. The car will be used mostly in the city, with occasional highway trips. Which would be the best option?

•5d

For your wife, consider the Hyundai Exter. At 5'1", she will benefit from its good all-round visibility, light steering and compact dimensions, which make it very easy to manoeuvre in city traffic and tight parking spaces. This Hyundai car also gets driver's seat height adjustment from the base trim, which will be very handy for your wife. The AMT gearbox is smooth enough for daily commuting, and the car is very easy to drive. Fuel efficiency is decent; expect 9 to 10kpl in the city and 15kpl on the highway.If you want something a bit more efficient, consider the Maruti Suzuki Swift. In our testing we managed 12.7kpl in the city and 19kpl on the highway with the AGS. However, height adjustment for the driver's seat is only available on the ZXi trim onwards.Overall, the Hyundai Exter AMT is the better fit for your requirements. It is simple, reliable, easy to drive and well-suited to both city use and occasional highway trips.

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