I am planning to buy an EV car for my daily travelling of 100 km on the highway with 3 to 4 passengers and 200 kg of luggage. I am looking for a safe, low-maintenance, and efficient car. Budget is below ₹25 lakh. I am confused between the Tata Harrier EV, Mahindra XEV 9S, and Maruti e Vitara 61 kWh. Please suggest or recommend any other option, considering efficiency and safety.

Autocar India

•1d

The right choice essentially boils down to your priorities. If the driving experience and general feel-good factor are important to you, the Mahindra XUV 7XO AX7 L has more to offer. The 200hp petrol engine is strong and refined, and delivers an enjoyable drive experience. The 6-speed AT gearbox that's well in tune with the engine's character and well-balanced ride and handling also easily makes the XUV 7XO a better driver's car. Mahindra has also gone to town with features on the XUV 7XO, and elements like the triple screen layout do add a wow factor to the cabin. On the flipside, the 7XO isn't the best vehicle for 6/7 passengers. The middle row seats don't slide fore and aft, so there's no way to balance space for the third row of occupants. Space in the last row is tight, and there's also very limited luggage room with all seats up. The Toyota Innova Hycross with the 2.0-litre petrol engine does little to excite. Sure, engine refinement is good, and performance is pleasant, but the CVT gearbox really takes away from the experience. Fuel economy is also very poor (to be fair, the XUV 7XO petrol is also poor on efficiency). Also, the GX(O) is a mid-spec variant of the Hycross. The interior looks and the fabric upholstery are not in keeping with a vehicle of this price. Where the Innova Hycross excels is in seating comfort and space. The second row is flexible, and there's loads of room even in the last row. It's easily the comfiest vehicle on long distance journeys. Further, the Hycross also offers reasonable space for luggage with all seats up. An alternative you could consider is the all-electric Mahindra XEV 9S. It has all the wow factor of the XUV 7XO and also adds in seating flexibility with sliding middle row seats. Other highlights include refinement and strong power. The XEV 9S offers more than enough range for your daily drives and, if you choose a route with ample charging stations on the way, can also be used as a long-distance vehicle.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Mahindra XEV 9S

Autocar India

•19h

Within your price range, you are choosing between the Tata Harrier Adventure X+ and the Mahindra XUV 7XO AX5, both with diesel-automatic powertrains. Between the two, the XUV 7XO would be our pick. Since you are comparing a five-seater with a seven-seater, the third row clearly isn’t a priority. However, the XUV 7XO still has the more spacious and comfortable cabin of the two. Its 2.2-litre diesel engine is also more powerful than the 2.0-litre unit in the Harrier. In terms of features, the Harrier offers ADAS in the Adventure X+ trim, which is only available on the AX7 Tech trim of the XUV 7XO. However, if this isn’t important to you, the XUV 7XO is still quite well equipped. Before you decide, make sure you test drive both these vehicles extensively.

Tata Harrier

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Autocar India

•21h

While a full-on 4x4 system is useful for off-roading, a part-time AWD system, as offered by the Maruti Victoris, is handy in low-traction environments like the loose mud you encounter during your 30 percent rural usage. Yes, both the new Renault Duster and Tata Sierra have advanced electronics to deal with low-grip environments. But they can't quite compare to an AWD system that drives all four wheels, in case you get stuck in a tight spot. The Victoris AWD, then, proves to be the best compromise between utility and everyday usage. While its engine is not super powerful, it is efficient and reliable, and the Victoris offers good high-speed comfort and stability. It should aid you on the highway, which is where you do most of your driving.

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Renault Duster

Tata Sierra