Autocar India
39w

I plan to buy an EV before June 2026. My daily usage is around 100 km (about 2,500 km per month). I am confused between a 5-seater and a 7-seater — we usually travel as 4 family members, but parents or my mother-in-law join occasionally, so a 7-seater may be useful. My budget is ₹15–25 lakh. The Clavis EV seems suitable, and I’ve heard about upcoming EVs like the XUV700 EV, Sierra EV, and new Suzuki, Toyota and Honda EVs, along with current options like the Harrier EV, Nexon EV and MG Windsor/ZS EV. Please suggest the right option, clarify whether I should pick a 5-seater or 7-seater, the best time to buy (including tax relaxation benefits), and whether PY/BH registration is cheaper.

Verified
39w

We'd strongly advise you to get a 7-seat EV for times when more family members join in. Of the current options, the Kia Carens Clavis EV is a great option. It is very smooth, offers good performance, and the flexible seating means you can maximise middle row space (when there's only 4 on board) or make more space for the last row (when there are 6 or 7 passengers on board). 

Upcoming 7-seat options include the Mahindra XEV 9S, which will be launched on November 25. Our review of the model goes live later this month. Stay tuned to know if it fits your needs! 

Kia Carens Clavis EV

Kia Carens Clavis EV

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13h

I want to know which car under 12 lakh is suitable as per my requirements listed below. I only drive on weekends in Delhi's traffic. I want to finalize either Nissan Tekton base model 1.0 litre turbo engine and Brezza Turbo VXI. Is buying Turbo engine 3 cylinder not a good decision as I drive very less and that too within the city and less. I have heard that a turbo car requires more maintenance, is less fuel efficient, has carbon blockage, handling its wear and tear is also expensive compared to an NA engine .

Verified
9h

Go for the Maruti Suzuki Brezza VXi. With your usage pattern which is very low running, mostly weekend city driving in Delhi traffic - a simple, naturally aspirated petrol engine is the better choice. It will be easier to live with, more predictable in stop-start conditions and generally lower maintenance over time. The Brezza is also a proven product with Maruti’s strong service network, which is a big advantage for long-term ownership.The Nissan Tekton is a good car, but the 1.0-litre turbo three-cylinder is not the ideal fit for your usage. Turbo petrol engines are at their best on highways, where the extra performance benefits come into play. In city driving with very low mileage, you are unlikely to see those benefits, and the engine can feel a bit laggy at low speeds.On your second question, the concerns around turbo petrol engines are often overstated. Modern turbo petrols are reliable, but they are more complex than naturally aspirated engines and can be more expensive to repair if something does go wrong. The key point is that they are not the ideal for low-mileage, city-only usage.The Brezza VXi is the safer, more sensible choice for your requirements.

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11h

Hi, I’m planning to upgrade my car. I currently drive an EcoSport diesel and am planning to buy a 7-seater. I’m confused between the XUV 7XO Diesel Automatic AX5 and the Toyota Hycross GX, as both fit into my budget at the moment. I usually drive around 200-300 km a month in city traffic for my office commute, and I also go on long trips of around 500-600 km one way once every three months. I want a car that is good on the highway, allows for good overtaking, and offers decent mileage. It should also be easy to maintain, as I don’t want to deal with frequent issues or headaches. Reliability is also important to me.

Verified
1h

Based on your usage and priorities, the Toyota Innova Hycross GX is the better fit. Your monthly running is relatively low, but you do regular long highway trips with family, and you want a car that is reliable, easy to maintain and hassle-free over the long term. The Hycross is a proven Toyota product with a strong reputation for reliability and low maintenance costs, and the naturally aspirated petrol engine paired with the e-CVT is smooth, refined and well-suited to both city traffic and highway cruising. It may not have the outright punch of a diesel for quick overtakes, but it is still a capable highway car, and the hybrid system helps with efficiency. The XUV 7XO diesel automatic is the better choice if you specifically want strong mid-range performance for overtakes, but if your daily running is very short trips, you could face DPF clogging issues. Given your priorities, the Hycross GX is the safer and more sensible long-term choice.

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Popular discussions right now

6d

I want to buy a car for 40% city use and 60% long trips. I own a 2015 model of Celerio AGS. Should I buy Baleno AGS considering E20 fuel in the future.

Verified
6d

Given your usage pattern of 40% city and 60% long trips, the Maruti Suzuki Baleno AGS is actually a sensible upgrade from your 2015 Celerio AGS. The Baleno offers a more comfortable cabin, better highway stability and a more refined driving experience, which will make those long trips far more enjoyable. The AGS gearbox is also well suited to your occasional city use, keeping things simple and efficient.On the E20 front, there is no reason to worry. The Baleno is E20 compliant, and modern engines are engineered to handle this blend without any long-term reliability concerns. Maruti has also stated that their E20 engines are built for a material tolerance of slightly more than E20, so on the material front the car should be good for something like E22 for example. The main impact of a higher blend would be a reduction in fuel efficiency.The only thing to consider is whether you want to stick with AGS or move to a more conventional automatic. If you are happy with how AGS behaves, the Baleno is a solid choice. If you want a smoother and more premium automatic experience, you could look at something like the Hyundai i20 IVT or the Honda Amaze CVT instead. Both offer a more refined automatic gearbox, which can make a difference on long highway drives.Overall, the Baleno AGS is a good fit for your usage and there is no E20-related reason to avoid it. The decision really comes down to whether you are happy with AGS or want to move to a more conventional automatic.

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Posted on: 18 Nov 2025