I’m 65 and am considering the Mahindra BE 6, Tata Sierra EV, Maruti Suzuki e-Vitara and Toyota Urban Cruiser Ebella. I particularly want ventilated front seats and a 360-degree camera. I am not very concerned about performance or technical aspects and instead want an EV that is comfortable and easy for me to drive. My usage will include both city driving and long-distance trips. Which one would be suitable for my requirements?

autocar.india

•3d

You are making the right call moving away from the Scorpio N. It is ok as a highway SUV, but in dense city traffic and tight parking, its size becomes a daily headache. The XEV 9e would put you in exactly the same situation, so it is not the right replacement. The BE 6 is a good EV, but it is more of a coupe-style SUV with a sloping roofline, which compromises rear headroom and practicality for family use.The BE 07 is the right car to wait for. It is Mahindra’s upcoming flagship EV and is expected to be a proper midsize SUV with a more practical, family-friendly cabin. It should offer the right balance of size, space and EV performance for your 70:30 city-highway usage. The only caveat is timing - if you need a car soon, the BE 07 may not arrive quickly enough.If you want an alternative that is available now, the Hyundai Creta EV is a very good option. It is spacious and practical EV with a comfortable ride and a family-friendly cabin. It is not as rugged as the Scorpio N, but for city commuting and occasional highway runs, it is a very well-rounded package, moreover the electronics and powertrain are very well calibrated making for a fuss free and easy drive experience and with very good reliability. Not something todays current EVs can boast off. Overall, your thinking is correct: the BE 7 is the right size and type of EV to replace a Scorpio N for city-focused family use. If you can wait, it is worth holding out for to see if it shapes up well. If not, electric Hyundai Creta is the best available alternative at the moment.

Mahindra BE.07

Mahindra BE 6 Sporteq

Mahindra XEV 9e

Mahindra Scorpio N

Hyundai Creta Electric

autocar.india

•9h

Go for the Tata Punch petrol. With a family of five and a maximum monthly running of 500 km, CNG simply does not make financial sense. The savings are too small to justify the compromises in boot space and convenience. The Punch is the better choice over the Altroz because it offers a higher seating position, better ground clearance and a more robust suspension setup, which is particularly useful in a tier 3 city where road conditions can be unpredictable. It is also easier to get in and out of, which matters for family use. The Altroz is a good hatchback, but the Punch is the more practical and versatile option for your needs. As for ethanol, modern engines are engineered with tolerance for higher ethanol blends, and there is no official roadmap beyond E20. The impact is mainly a slight reduction in fuel economy, not a reliability concern.

Tata Punch

Tata Altroz

autocar.india

•10h

With your low monthly running and long-term ownership plan, petrol is the right choice. The Honda Elevate is the best fit here. It offers a spacious cabin with good rear legroom, a comfortable ride and Honda’s reputation for long-term reliability. The naturally aspirated petrol engine is smooth and easy to live with, and the car is well suited to both city driving and occasional long trips. The Hyundai Creta is also a strong option with a more premium cabin and a slightly more comfortable ride, but the Elevate offers a bit more performance for highway use. The Skoda Kushaq is the driver’s car of the lot, but it is not as spacious as the rest. The Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder hybrid is a good, no-nonsense altenative. Go for the Elevate petrol CVT if you want an automatic, or the manual if you prefer to drive. It is the car you are most likely to be happy with after 10 years.

Honda Elevate

Hyundai Creta

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Skoda Kushaq