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•23w

Hi, I am planning to buy an EV and would appreciate your guidance. I own a 2017 diesel Baleno Alpha, which I will keep. The EV will be an additional car. My usage is mostly in Bangalore city, but I want to use the EV for long road trips as well. Budget is ₹25-27 lakh. I prefer a big SUV or 7-seater, but I am open to a 5-seater. Priorities are comfort, real-world range, charging support, and modern features. I liked the Mahindra XEV 9s. I plan to buy it in Lucknow with BH registration but will use it in Bangalore. Should I prioritise range or features? Is it practical to use an EV for long trips today? Should I buy now or wait?

•22w

Opt for the Mahindra XEV 9S, and buy now rather than wait. It best matches your brief because it gives you the size, comfort and feature set you want while also offering strong real-world range and improving highway usability, which is key if you plan to use it as your primary travel car, and with a diesel backup in place, you already have a safety net for tougher routes. In your case, prioritise range and charging ecosystem over outright features, because that is what will actually determine how stress-free your long trips from Bangalore are. Today, the main corridors are reasonably well covered if you plan stops, though you still need to be slightly more mindful compared to an ICE car.

BH registration will not be an issue for usage in Bangalore as long as documentation is in order, and it actually adds flexibility if you relocate. While we would also have suggested the Kia Carens Clavis EV as a more polished and comfortable option, its smaller battery pack may not suit your need for longer highway drives.

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Mahindra

XEV 9S

from ₹22.00 Lakh

Kia

Carens Clavis EV

from ₹19.13 Lakh

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•2d

I am buying a new seven-seater EV and have shortlisted the MG Hector Tomahawk Exclusive and Kia Clavis SR HTX. I am confused about which one to choose. The Clavis has better build and ride quality, but it uses a smaller NMC battery and does not come with a 7.5kW charger. The MG Tomahawk is slightly larger and offers better range, although I have some concerns about its build and ride quality. I expect to drive around 2,000km a month, mainly in semi-urban Goa, with a mix of short highway and city driving. I am not planning many outstation trips. Which one would suit my usage better?

•7h

Goa, 2,000 km a month, semi-urban mix, mostly short highway and city runs, not many outstation trips, that’s a very clear brief. The MG Hector Tomahawk EV Exclusive is the better fit here. The bigger battery and better range are exactly what you want at this usage level, and the fact that you’re not doing long outstation runs means you’re not going to be pushing the car into situations where charging infrastructure becomes a headache. The Clavis SR HTX is the more polished product, but the smaller NMC battery and the lack of a 7.5kW charger are real drawbacks at 2,000 km a month.The MG’s size is also an advantage, but the Kia Carens Clavis EV actually has a better third row. The Tomahawk's ride and build quality are not as tight as the Clavis, but they’re not deal-breakers either. Overall, the MG Hector Tomahawk Exclusive offers better value for money for your usage.

MG Hector Tomahawk EV

Kia Carens Clavis EV

•5d

Which is the best electric SUV with seven seater capacity under Rs. 25 lakh?

•4d

Your choice boils down to the MG Hector Tomahawk EV and the Mahindra XEV 9S, both capable, practical and spacious electric SUVs with seven-seat options and prices that start around Rs 25 lakh or below. The Tomahawk EV is well-priced and offers good value, but we think the XEV 9S is the more compelling package, thanks to its stronger performance, superior ride quality and better-appointed cabin.

MG Hector Tomahawk EV

Mahindra XEV 9S

•1d

I have owned a Polo 1.2 Petrol for over 8 years and am now looking to upgrade. My annual running is 6,000-7,000km, with 60% city driving in Delhi NCR and the rest on highways, including 2-3 mountain trips a year. With a budget of Rs 18 lakh, these are my options: Citroën Aircross X AT Škoda Kushaq 1.0 AT Renault Duster 1.3 DCT Pre-facelift Volkswagen Taigun 1.5 DSG (Rs 2.5 lakh discount) Which would be the best option for my requirements and long-term ownership?

•5h

If the pre-facelift Volkswagen Taigun 1.5 DSG falls within your budget, this is certainly the one to go for. The 1.5 TSI and DSG combination works brilliantly, feels best on the open road, and will feel effortless during your drives to the mountains. Given that you're upgrading from a Polo, this Volkswagen car feels like the most natural option for you. Do keep in mind that with the pre-facelift, you miss the upgraded aircon, which is available on the facelift as well as the updated Kushaq. The Citroen Aircross X AT is an excellent car with a strong AC, excellent 1.2 turbo AT combination, and fantastic driving dynamics. But given Citroen's limited service network, it isn't a car we can recommend easily.

Volkswagen Tiguan

Citroen Aircross

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•5d

Hi Autocar Team, I am confused between the XUV 7XO AX7T diesel manual and automatic. My current ride is a Fluidic Verna diesel manual, which is nearing 15 years of ownership and has clocked nearly 2.5 lakh km. My usage consists of mixed city and highway driving, with around 40km daily and weekend highway runs of about 400km. For long-term ownership, which would be the better choice: the manual or automatic?

•5d

Go for the XUV 7XO AX7T diesel automatic. The diesel engine is well suited to your high running, and the automatic gearbox is a proven torque converter unit that is reliable and well matched to the engine. This Mahindra car will make your daily city driving far less tiring, while still being smooth and efficient on the highway. Coming from a 15-year-old Hyundai Verna diesel manual, the automatic will feel like a significant upgrade in terms of comfort and ease of use, without compromising on long-term reliability. The manual is still a good option if you strongly prefer the engagement, but for your usage and ownership horizon, the automatic is the smarter choice.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Hyundai Verna

•2d

I am a 6 ft driver who loves driving. I've driven the Swift 2013 petrol, Creta 1.6 Diesel Auto and the XUV500 the most on long trips. Now that I am planning to buy a car with a strict budget, do you think the 3XO AX5 TCMPFI petrol variant will be a wise decision to make, as I will be travelling once a month for short trips from Bangalore to Coorg, Pondicherry, GOA, and Mangalore? Which other car can be a perfect match for me, keeping a budget of 12 lakhs max? Also, the 3XO AX5 I'm getting from a friend who has hardly driven 6k km for 10 lakhs.

•11h

Go for the Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 TCMPFI petrol from your friend for Rs 10 lakh. At that price, it is a very good deal and a sensible upgrade from your Creta 1.6 diesel automatic. The 3XO is one of the most spacious compact SUVs in the segment, with a wide cabin and good rear seat comfort, which will make your long drives to Coorg, Pondicherry, Goa and Mangalore more comfortable. The turbo petrol engine is smooth and is well suited to both city driving and highway cruising. At Rs 10 lakh for a car with only 6,000 km on the clock, you are getting a nearly new car at a significant discount, which makes it a far better value proposition than buying new.If you are looking for alternatives under Rs 12 lakh, the Skoda Kylaq 1.0 TSI manual is the best option for an enthusiast driver. The new Brezza turbo-petrol could also be a good choice. Overall, the 3XO from your friend is the most sensible choice. It offers a good balance of comfort, reliability and value, and will serve you well on your monthly road trips.

I test-drove both the Kia Seltos GTX(A) IVT and the Hyundai Creta N10 Turbo DCT. For some reason, the Creta felt more balanced over rough roads and was also quieter. I initially wanted to purchase the HTX(A) Turbo DCT, but it wasn't available for a test drive. Now, I'm confused about two things: Seltos vs Creta and manual vs DCT. Around 60-70% of my driving will be in the city, but I still want a punchy engine. Having driven manual cars for years, I've always enjoyed them and am comfortable with them. However, considering the advancements in automatic transmissions in 2026 and the fact that I plan to keep the car for 7-8 years, a DCT seems like a convenient option. I'm now unsure which combination would be the right choice for my needs. What would you recommend?

•6d

Go for the Kia Seltos HTX(A) Turbo DCT as it strikes the best balance for your needs. The turbo petrol engine is punchy and enjoyable, while the DCT makes city driving far less tiring than a manual. You enjoy manuals, but with 60-70% city usage and a 7-8 year ownership horizon, the convenience of an automatic becomes hard to ignore. The Seltos also feels slightly more premium inside than the Hyundai Creta, and the HTX(A) is a well-equipped variant without pushing the budget too far. The Creta is also the older model, and the next-gen version is right around the corner. The difference in terms of stability and ride comfort between both is marginal, and the Seltos counters that with a more premium cabin and a slightly wider rear seat. The IVT is smooth but lacks the punch you are looking for, while the DCT delivers the performance you want without the fatigue of a manual. Overall, the Seltos HTX(A) Turbo DCT is the most complete package for your usage pattern and long-term ownership plans.

Kia Seltos

Hyundai Creta

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