I own a 2022 S-Cross, though it is not listed in your dropdown. I am looking to transition to an EV with a budget of around ₹20 lakh, extendable to ₹22 lakh. I need a real-world highway range of at least 400 km and prefer a spacious car similar to the S-Cross, rather than a compact SUV-based EV like the Nexon. The BE 6 is currently my choice, but my wife is not a fan of its design.

Autocar India

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The Mahindra XEV 9e is actually one of the more impressive electric SUVs in its class, offering a strong mix of performance, space, comfort and technology. In typical Mahindra fashion, it also feels quite robustly engineered, which is important for Indian road conditions.Coming to your friend’s point about the car wobbling after 60kph, that hasn’t really been a characteristic we’ve experienced. The XEV 9e is generally quite stable at highway speeds. EVs, by design, have a low centre of gravity because the battery pack sits in the floor, and that usually gives them very good straight-line stability and planted road manners. So if your friend is experiencing a wobble, it could be due to something specific to that particular car, such as tyre pressure, wheel balancing, alignment or even poor road surfaces can cause that sort of sensation. It’s not something that appears to be an inherent trait of the vehicle.In terms of grip and handling, this Mahindra car feels secure and predictable. It’s not meant to be a sporty driver’s SUV, but the wide track, long wheelbase and low battery placement help it feel planted through corners. The steering is light and easy for city driving, though, like most electric SUVs, it’s tuned more for comfort and ease rather than outright driver engagement.As for the Cinelux variant, it’s essentially a cosmetic and feature-focused update rather than a mechanical one. The changes are mainly around new exterior colour options, fresh interior trims and some additional equipment aimed at making the cabin feel a bit more premium and lounge-like.

Mahindra XEV 9e

Autocar India

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The Hyundai Creta Electric is the best model from your shortlist. It's got a very refined powertrain and delivers a good range (LR variant). It also feels the best-rounded thanks to its cabin being roomier than the Tata Punch EV's and Toyota Ebella's. The Tata Punch EV is impressive, but it is essentially two sizes smaller than the Hyundai Creta Electric. Correspondingly, it won't be as well-suited to family use as the Creta. Toyota's Ebella doesn't quite hit the spot. It's not particularly practical for its size, and the stiff ride quality also marks it down. The Toyota should be keenly priced when it goes on sale in the days to come.

Hyundai Creta Electric

Tata Punch EV

Toyota Urban Cruiser Ebella

Autocar India

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Among mid-size SUVs, there are several with genuinely spacious and comfortable rear seats, but the best choice depends a bit on your budget and whether you’ll be chauffeur-driven or driving yourself.At the top end of the segment, the Mahindra XUV 7XO offers a very roomy and supportive rear bench with good legroom and headroom The electric Mahindra XEV 9S goes a step further with a sliding middle row, which lets you prioritise either legroom or boot space as needed, and this adjustability makes a big difference if you often have adults in the back or use a child seat.Lower down the price band, the Tata Sierra stands out for rear seat comfort. It has an exceptionally accommodating back seat with loads of legroom, a natural, slightly elevated seating position and well-cushioned seats that give you that “loungy” feel. It’s the kind of rear bench you can spend hours in without feeling tired.If outright rear space is your priority, though, the MG Hector is still the benchmark. Its rear seat is very wide, so three passengers can sit comfortably, and the flat-ish floor helps as well. The low step-in height makes it easy for elderly passengers to get in and out, and the soft suspension setup does a good job of smoothing out broken urban roads. These traits make the Hector particularly well-suited if the car will be largely chauffeur-driven and rear seat comfort is at the top of your wish list.

MG Hector

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Mahindra XEV 9S

Tata Sierra