Autocar India
•21w

Hi, I am a 38-year-old surgeon with a daily travel of 100 km, split between city roads (50%) and state highways (50%). I am currently driving a 2018 Amaze and facing high fuel costs (around ₹8,000 weekly). I am looking to switch to an electric automatic SUV in the ₹20-35 lakh budget. I have considered the Harrier EV, XEV 9S, and Creta EV. Kindly suggest the right car (new or used) among these or any other suitable option.

Verified
•21w
The Hyundai Creta Electric is much smaller than the Tata Harrier EV and Mahindra XEV 9S, making it relatively much lighter than the other cars. It also has the smallest battery pack compared to the others, but on account of its lower kerb weight, it is a lot more efficient, and you can expect around 430km on a single charge with mixed usage.
Hyundai has also improved the battery's DC fast-charging capability recently, so charging times are also much lower. Furthermore, it is the most sorted electric SUV you can buy, with logical ergonomics and a clutter-free user interface/experience. Also, with no or minimal glitches, the Hyundai is much more reliable than the other two, and one that's very easy to recommend.
Since you have a budget of up to Rs 35 lakh, you could look for a Hyundai Ioniq 5. The Ioniq 5 is an outstanding electric car, and for all its merits, it even won our 2024 Car of the Year. It will be a bit more effort to source one, but because a facelift is expected soon, dealers will try to liquidate existing stock at mouth-watering discounts.
Hyundai Ioniq 5

Hyundai Ioniq 5

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Hyundai Ioniq 5

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Ioniq 5

from ₹59.33 Lakh

Hyundai Creta Electric

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Creta Electric

from ₹19.12 Lakh

Tata Harrier EV

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Harrier EV

from ₹23.11 Lakh

Mahindra XEV 9S

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XEV 9S

from ₹22.00 Lakh

•21w

Hello, fellow doctor! It’s great to meet a colleague here. I completely understand the grind—that 50 km commute each way between home and the hospital can be exhausting, and seeing ₹8,000 vanish into your fuel tank every week is enough to give anyone a headache. I’m actually driving a Hyundai Ioniq 5 myself for a very similar 100 km daily run. Like you, I charge at home, and the cost is literally less than ₹1 per km. Transitioning from your Amaze to an EV will be the best "financial surgery" you’ve ever performed on your monthly budget. Based on the current 2026 market, here is how your top choices stack up against your ₹20–35 lakh budget: 1. The Strongest Contender: Tata Harrier EV Since you mentioned the Harrier EV, it is now officially launched and fits your persona perfectly. It offers the "big SUV" feel you might be looking for. * Price: Approximately ₹22–30 lakh. * Range: Real-world range is around 440–480 km, which means you only need to charge it twice a week for your 700 km weekly commute. * Best For: If you want road presence, a rugged build, and the option of AWD (All-Wheel Drive) for those monsoon highway drives. 2. The Sophisticated Choice: Hyundai Creta EV Since you are coming from an Amaze, the Creta EV will feel like a massive upgrade in tech without being "too big" for city traffic. * Price: ₹18–25 lakh. * Range: Real-world range is about 400 km. * Best For: Seamless after-sales service (which we doctors need because we don’t have time for garage visits) and a very refined, "car-like" driving experience. 3. The Wildcard: BYD Atto 3 I highly recommend you test drive this. It fits right in the middle of your budget (₹25–34 lakh) and is globally one of the most reliable EVs. * Why it works: It has a very "premium clinic" vibe inside—high-quality materials and quirky design. The Blade Battery is also considered one of the safest in the world. 4. My Personal Suggestion: A Used/Demo Hyundai Ioniq 5 Since your budget goes up to ₹35 lakh, you might find a used or dealer-demo Ioniq 5 (usually retailing new at ₹46 lakh). * The "Doctor's Choice": It offers Level 2 ADAS, ventilated seats (a godsend after a long surgery), and ultra-fast charging. It feels like a luxury lounge on wheels. If you can find a 2024–2025 model within your budget, grab it. Comparison at a Glance | Feature | Tata Harrier EV | Hyundai Creta EV | BYD Atto 3 | |---|---|---|---| | Real Range | ~450 km | ~400 km | ~420 km | | Vibe | Tough & Dominating | Practical & Techy | Premium & Unique | | Weekly Fuel Cost | ~₹600 (Home Charge) | ~₹600 (Home Charge) | ~₹600 (Home Charge) | | Current Weekly | ₹8,000 (Gas) | ₹8,000 (Gas) | ₹8,000 (Gas) | The Verdict: If you want the best "VFM" (Value for Money) and peace of mind, go for the Creta EV. If you want a car that matches your status as a senior professional, go for the Harrier EV or look for a pre-owned Ioniq 5. Would you like me to help you calculate the exact "Break-even" period for these cars based on your current ₹32,000 monthly petrol bill?

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More questions on similar cars

•2d

Hello Autocar, I'm planning to buy an EV with a budget of around Rs. 20-22 lakh (ex-showroom). Although I can stretch it a bit if it's worth it. The models that I'm currently considering are Tata Sierra Adventure 75, Tata Harrier EV Adventure 65 and Mahindra XEV 9e 59 kWh (base variant). My usage will be around 70% city driving. I also own a 2025 Hyundai Creta Petrol CVT, so I'm looking for an EV that genuinely feels like an upgrade rather than just a different powertrain. Among these, I liked the XEV 9e the most, but I'm a bit concerned about the long-term practicality and battery life of the 59 kWh pack, since it's the smallest battery among the three. Which one would you recommend, and is there any other EV in this price range that I should consider?

Verified
•24m

Go for the Mahindra XEV 9e 59 kWh. It is the most complete electric car from the ones you're considering and will genuinely feel like an upgrade over your Creta. The Sierra and Harrier EV are good cars, but the XEV 9e feels more premium, more modern and more sorted as an overall package. Going for the smaller 59 kWh battery should not be a concern since it is still a large pack, and Mahindra’s battery management system is well engineered. The car is also more efficient than the Tata EVs, so real-world range is not as far behind as the numbers would suggest. The only reason to stretch to the larger battery is if you regularly do very long highway runs. For your 70% city usage, the 59 kWh pack is more than sufficient. The Sierra EV is the better Tata EV, but the XEV 9e is the better car overall.

VehicleMahindra XEV 9e
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VehicleTata Sierra EV
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•1d

I have a 2021 Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI Petrol AT and a 2025 Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 Petrol AT. We have decided to buy the Mahindra XEV 9S between December and February. The Kushaq has covered 31,100 km and is expected to reach around 33,000 km by then, while the XUV 3XO has covered 10,700 km and is expected to reach around 12,000 km by the time the XEV 9S arrives. Mahindra XUV 3XO is being sold for Rs. 14,30,000 and Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI Petrol AT is being sold for Rs. 14,60,000. Can you suggest which one I should sell after buying the Mahindra XEV 9S? Please advise based on practicality and financial considerations. I would be glad to hear your advice.

Verified
•4h

Sell the Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI AT and keep the Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 petrol AT. The Kushaq is already four years old and will be around 33,000 km by the time the XEV 9S arrives, so you are already past the steepest part of the depreciation curve. The XUV 3XO is a much newer car with only 12,000 km on the clock, so you are still in the early years of ownership where depreciation is highest. From a financial perspective, it makes more sense to sell the older car and retain the newer one.From a practicality perspective, the XUV 3XO is also the better car to keep. It is one of the most spacious compact SUVs in the segment, with a wide cabin that makes it a genuinely comfortable five-seater. It is also a very well-rounded car with good safety credentials and a strong ownership proposition. The Kushaq is slightly larger and more engaging to drive, but those aren't reasons enough to keep it over the 3XO.

VehicleSkoda Kushaq
VehicleMahindra XUV 3XO
VehicleMahindra XEV 9S
•2d

I am confused between Mahindra XEV 9S and XUV 7XO Petrol.

Verified
•1d

If you can arrange for home charging, despite your daily city commute of just 25km, the XEV 9S is the more economical option, as your running costs will only be a small fraction of a petrol-automatic XUV 7XO. Also, the electric car is smooth yet zippy performance, and comfy suspension, as well as its light steering and tight turning radius, makes it ideal for city drives. And with an impressive real-world range of over 400km, and quick DC fast charging times, this will be very usable on long highway drives too.The petrol-automatic is an excellent, punchy powertrain, however it isn't very efficient, and your fuel costs will be substantial compared to what you'll pay using home charging for the EV.

VehicleMahindra XUV 7XO
VehicleMahindra XEV 9S

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Popular discussions right now

•1w

I am looking to upgrade from my Hyundai Creta to a 7-seater SUV. My annual running is only around 6,000 km, and my budget is up to Rs. 25 lakh. Is the Hyundai Alcazar a good option for my usage? I have also considered the Mahindra XUV 7XO and Tata Safari, but I am concerned about their relatively low fuel efficiency. Which 7-seater SUV would you recommend?

Verified
•6d

With a yearly running of just 6,000km, petrol is the sensible choice, and the Hyundai Alcazar is a good option. It is a comfortable, easy-to-drive family SUV with a hassle-free ownership experience, and the 1.5 turbo petrol engine paired with the 7-speed dual-clutch automatic is powerful enough and relatively efficient too. Plus, since you're coming from a Creta, you'll be familiar with the Hyundai network and could even ask for a loyalty discount. However, the Alcazar’s third row is not as spacious as some larger cars in the segment, so if you genuinely need a proper 7-seater, it may not be the ideal solution. What's more, if your Creta is the 2020 or newer model, you'll find the Alcazar perhaps a little too familiar on the inside.The Mahindra XUV 7XO, Tata Safari and MG Hector Plus are good options that offer more space. However, as you have noted, they're not fuel efficient at all, and moreover, in your budget, you will only get a low to mid-spec variant, whereas you will get a fully-loaded Alcazar. Another option to consider, though not an SUV, is the Kia Carens Clavis. Its MPV shape is more space-efficient, and you actually get more passenger and luggage room than the Alcazar, with the same efficient engines, for around the same price.

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•4d

Hi, my brother and I are planning to buy a new family car. Our budget is RS. 10 lakh, and our maximum monthly running will be around 500 km. Our priorities are a reliable engine, good performance, and fuel efficiency. Please suggest the best all-rounder car within our budget.

Verified
•4d

The Maruti Suzuki Baleno is the most sensible recommendation here. It is spacious enough for family use, has a proven and reliable engine, and is one of the most fuel-efficient cars in its segment. Maruti’s service network and low maintenance costs also make it a very easy car to own over the long term.If you prefer a sedan, the Honda Amaze is worth considering. Honda’s engines are known for their reliability and refinement, and the Amaze is a comfortable and well-built sedan.Overall, the Baleno is the most balanced choice. It offers the best combination of space, efficiency, reliability and low running costs, which is exactly what you need given your usage and budget.

VehicleMaruti Suzuki Baleno
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•6d

Which car should I buy for a maximum monthly usage of 500 km? It will be used mostly by a 60-year-old person and his wife.

Verified
•5d

Given your requirements, the focus should be on ease of use, comfort and long-term reliability rather than performance. The Maruti Suzuki Baleno is the most sensible choice here. It is easy to drive, has a comfortable ride, a spacious cabin and it is easy to get in and out of. It is also extremely reliable and inexpensive to maintain, which is important for long-term ownership. The petrol engine is smooth and efficient, and with your low low monthly running, there is no need to consider diesel, hybrid or EV options. If you prefer a slightly higher seating position for better visibility, the Maruti Suzuki Fronx is a good alternative, offering the same reliability and ease of ownership in a more SUV-like package. Both cars are easy to manoeuvre in the city, comfortable on occasional highway runs and backed by Maruti’s extensive service network, making them ideal for your usage.

VehicleMaruti Suzuki Baleno
VehicleMaruti Suzuki Fronx

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Posted on: 2 Mar 2026