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.

Autocar India

•1d

For your usage and budget, an EV like the Mahindra XEV 9S works well. The top-spec Pack Three Above with the larger 79kWh battery fits well within your budget, and for that, you'll get all the bells and whistles. This suits you because the XEV 9S is smooth and quiet, with no gear shifts, so stop-and-go traffic feels easy and less tiring. The taller seat makes getting in and out simple, and the view out is good. Some things to be aware of - Mahindra EVs are known to suffer a few software glitches, though these should be fixable with OTA updates, and some find the ride quality a bit soft, so check if you're comfortable with that. The XEV 9e does a better job in this respect.Additionally, considering you're using it mainly in the city, you might find it quite large for your needs. If you're looking at something more compact, the BYD Atto 3 is also worth considering at this price range.

Mahindra XEV 9S

BYD Atto 3

Autocar India

•37m

Given you drive 100 km a day and mostly on the highway, the Kia Sonet diesel automatic fits your use case better. The torquier diesel engine means it pulls effortlessly, so overtakes are easy and it cruises calmly for long stretches. The Sonet is also a proper, smooth torque converter automatic compared to the Punch's AMT, so it'll be more seamless to drive with fewer jerks and less effort in slow traffic. On long runs, the diesel’s bigger tank gives a longer range, so you stop less for fuel.The Tata Punch CNG with automatic suits city-heavy use and those who want the lowest fuel cost, but on the highway, it feels slower, and you need to plan every pass. CNG pumps on many highways are still fewer than diesel, the filling takes longer, and you have to contend with the queues usually seen at CNG pumps. Trade-offs with the Sonet: it costs more upfront, and the diesel is a bit louder than a petrol or CNG. Even so, for your high daily highway run, the Sonet diesel automatic lines up best.

Kia Sonet

Tata Punch

Autocar India

•16h

As a second car alongside your Toyota Fortuner, the Volvo EX30 Single Motor Long Range is the stronger fit because it is small on the outside and easy to park, yet feels very upmarket inside. It is also quick, refined, and very quiet in city traffic.Three reasons it suits your brief. One, the compact size makes daily driving and tight parking far less stressful than a bigger EV, which is what you want when the Fortuner already handles the long trips. Two, Volvo’s safety focus and the helpful driver add peace of mind. Three, the cabin, though cramped at the back, feels special, which keeps the “premium” feel you’re after every time you get in.A couple of trade-offs to note. The back seat and boot are not very big, so it is not the best choice if you often carry five people or a lot of luggage. Also, most controls sit on the centre screen, which takes a few days to get used to.If you expect more family use or frequent highway drives in the EV, pick the BYD Sealion 7 instead. It is larger, offers more rear seat space and a bigger boot. Plus, its battery is likely to give you a longer real-world range. The flip side is that it is bulkier in the city, and BYD’s service reach is still building up.Overall, as a premium, easy-to-live-with city EV to pair with your Fortuner, the Volvo EX30 fits best. Choose the Sealion 7 only if space and range matter more than compact size.

Toyota Fortuner

BYD Sealion 7

Volvo EX30