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

•2d

Unfortunately, in your budget of Rs 10-15 lakh, there aren't many 7-8 seaters that meet all your criteria. Your best bet would be the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, or its 6-seat counterpart, the XL6. It's reliable, efficient and has the essential features you'll need for your intended use. It's comfortable for passengers, and the 1.5-litre petrol engine is smooth and powerful enough, though not outright strong. As for safety, it was rated 3 stars in Global NCAP's crash tests, but that was back in 2019. It has since been given multiple safety updates, including 6 airbags as standard, which should mean a higher score. Another option is the Kia Carens Clavis, but in your budget, you'll only get a low-spec petrol manual model, with only basic features. Overall, the more efficient and value-for-money Ertiga or XL6 is a much better bet. There are, unfortunately, no three-row MPVs in your price range, the closest being the Kia Carens Clavis EV, which starts at around Rs 19 lakh on road.

Maruti Suzuki Ertiga

Maruti Suzuki XL6

Kia Carens Clavis EV

autocar.india

•3h

Go for the Toyota Innova HyCross. For a family, it simply works better as the cabin is roomier, the third row is actually usable for adults, the ride is smoother, and the hybrid saves a lot of fuel in city traffic where most family cars spend their time. Long trips feel easier too, and Toyota’s hassle-free ownership and resale help over years.Pick the Hyundai Alcazar only if you’re on a tighter budget or you want a slightly smaller, easier-to-park 3-row. It’s great for four or five with the third row used occasionally, and the diesel suits heavy highway use. But the last row and boot are tighter, and it doesn’t feel as plush or relaxed on bad roads.One honest trade-off with the Innova HyCross is the higher price and possible waiting period, and the boot with all three rows up isn’t huge. If that stretch and wait are okay, it’s the better family car overall.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Hyundai Alcazar

autocar.india

•4d

Pick the Creta Electric. For your Rs 25-27 lakh budget, it is the safest bet, and Hyundai’s huge service network will make long-term ownership hassle free. As an EV, it is smooth, quiet and quick enough, and Hyundai’s software and battery management have been trouble-free for most owners, which matters more than a flash spec sheet five years down the line. It is also known to reliably deliver the closest real-world range to its official rating amongst its peers, thanks to a highly efficient powertrain. The Harrier EV and XEV 9S are tempting for space and power, but are likely to sit higher than your budget and have been known to have some niggles especially in the software and electronics departments. The Sierra EV has now been launched and is certainly worth considering. It offers a larger battery, a spacious cabin and a premium overall package. However, being a brand-new product, we'd prefer to wait and see how it settles in before recommending it over the more established Creta Electric. You should also expect a waiting period on popular variants.Another EV you could consider is the Maruti Suzuki e-Vitara. Though not as spacious as the others, nor as efficient, being from the house of Maruti Suzuki, it is expected to offer hassle-free reliability and a smooth ownership experience.

Hyundai Creta Electric

Tata Harrier EV

Mahindra XEV 9S

Maruti Suzuki e Vitara

Tata Sierra EV