I am looking for my first EV car. My requirements are a spacious cabin, a usable 3rd row, and good storage space that can fit a folded wheelchair, along with reliable service - please suggest suitable options. Thank you.

Autocar India

•1d

All your concerns are valid, and given your high usage, we would not recommend an EV. Especially for your occasional long highway runs, an EV will require one if not two charging stops, even in something with a battery as large as the Mahindra XEV 9S. Apart from that, if you do not have a home charging setup, it's not advisable either. Your office charging unit will suffice on most days, but in a pickle you will have to rely on public charging infra, which has its limitations and is an inconvenience. And after 10 years, an EV's battery will be as much of a concern as a diesel ban; battery replacement is very expensive, and EV resale value plummets like a rock after 5 years. As you mentioned, the mileage of the petrol XUV 7XO is very low, so given your usage, that's probably not worth it. The best choice, then, is the XUV 7XO diesel. Yes, while it will be banned after 10 years in some regions, it's still worthwhile to get a decade's worth of use out of the car, and sell it or scrap it for some return at the end. If your car is driven regularly, including some highway usage, DPF maintenance should not be an issue.

Mahindra XEV 9S

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Reply

Autocar India

•1d

If your driving is largely city-based and you have access to home charging, the Mahindra XEV 9S makes a much better everyday car. It’s smooth, very refined, and has a soft, comfortable ride. It’s also significantly easier to drive in traffic compared to the Mahindra XUV 7XO.The Pack Two with the 79kWh battery offers an excellent real-world range, which means even weekend trips are perfectly practical - not just short city commutes. Another advantage is the sliding second-row seat, which allows you to free up a bit more space in the third row. Though that last row still isn’t particularly spacious.The XUV 7XO, on the other hand, doesn’t get a sliding middle row. Also, as you pointed out, the fuel efficiency, especially of the 2.0-litre petrol, isn’t particularly impressive.Where the 7XO does make a strong case is on the highway. Its new suspension setup feels very composed and confident at high speeds, whereas the 9S can feel slightly floaty when pushed faster.However, given your primarily urban usage, the XUV 9S would clearly be our recommendation.

Mahindra XEV 9S

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Reply

Autocar India

•1h

If your usage is relatively low and evenly split between city driving in Pune and occasional highway runs, the TCMPFi engine in the Mahindra XUV 3XO automatic should suit you perfectly well.For everyday driving, the MPFi (indirect injection) turbo petrol offers smooth, easy performance that’s more than adequate for both city commutes and relaxed highway cruising. It may not have the outright punch of the TGDi, but in real-world conditions, especially in stop-and-go traffic, it feels progressive and easy to manage. For most drivers, it delivers more than enough performance for overtaking and long trips a few times a year.From a long-term ownership perspective, the TCMPFi is also the simpler engine. With fewer complexities than a direct-injection TGDi unit, it can potentially mean slightly lower maintenance costs and less to worry about over time, particularly if you’re not clocking very high annual kilometres. It’s also usually priced a bit more attractively, which improves overall value.The TGDi makes sense if you really enjoy strong acceleration and want that extra mid-range punch, or if you frequently drive fully loaded on highways. But given your described usage and focus on reliability and ownership costs, the TCMPFi automatic would be the more sensible and well-rounded choice.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Reply