I have recently purchased a Tata Punch and am very satisfied with the car. Previously, I owned a Dzire and a Honda Civic. Now, I am planning to buy a German car, and my budget will be around ₹50 lakh (on EMI). I am confused about which one to go for. Since this budget puts me close to the premium car market in India, I have shortlisted brands like the Jeep Meridian, VW Tayron, Fortuner, etc. My priorities are good mileage (expecting at least 15 kmpl), top-notch performance, luxury seating and comfort, and decent looks. The powertrain would be petrol manual only. Please suggest a suitable choice.

autocar.india

•3h

The best all-rounder when it comes to EVs at the Rs 30 lakh price range is the Mahindra XEV 9S. For one, it's a large vehicle with three rows of seats, giving you maximum space at this price. You also get plenty of choice in the form of three battery pack options, depending on your requirement, and on top of it all, it's loaded with features. For Cars Under 30 lakhs, you could get one of the top two variants - Pack Three or Pack Three Above - with all the bells and whistles and the largest battery pack. It also packs in strong performance, with a 286hp motor mounted on the rear axle, as well as good range from the large battery - around 480km in real-world usage. Another strong option is the newly launched Tata Sierra EV. While not as large as the XEV 9S and without the third row of seats, its front and second row are incredibly spacious and comfortable, and it has a large boot too. The better news is that you get the top variant at around Rs 28 lakh, on road, and this not only gets you a similar feature set to the Mahindra, but also a battery and range figure that's almost as good. Moreover, this also gets you a dual-motor AWD setup with even greater performance. In outright terms, the seven-seat XEV is a better value, but if you have no need for the third row, the Sierra might work better for you.Resale value on any EV at present is not going to be as good as an equivalent petrol car, due to various factors, such as uncertainty around the condition and quality of the battery after several years of use. With that in mind, a strong brand and popular model are likely to give a better resale value, and both these are popular models from popular brands, so they should be as good as it can get.

Mahindra XEV 9S

Tata Sierra EV

autocar.india

•6h

The Kia Syros is a great option for tall occupants. It's got a relatively high roof and will make you feel immediately comfortable. The large glass area also helps, and you can adjust the steering and seats to find a comfortable driving position. Space at the back is also more than adequate for tall individuals. This Kia car also has other plus points like a well-finished cabin, a good feature set and peppy turbo-petrol and efficient diesel engines. Ride comfort is on the firmer side, though.

Kia Syros

autocar.india

•6h

With 3,000km a month and mostly highway driving, a diesel automatic is still the most sensible choice. At Rs 27 lakh, the Kia Carens Clavis diesel automatic is the best fit. It is one of the few cars in this price range that genuinely offers comfortable seating in all three rows, which is critical for long family journeys. The diesel engine is refined, efficient and well-suited to high-mileage highway use, and the automatic gearbox is smooth and reliable. Kia's service also has a good reputation in India.Alternatively, consider the Mahindra XUV 7XO. It has a more powerful diesel engine, is packed with features and rides superbly. However, its third row is not as accommodating as the above-mentioned Kia car.An electric car can work for your needs, but you will need to plan your stops around charging. Charging infrastructure is improving, but it is still inconsistent in places. Overall, the Kia Carens Clavis diesel automatic is the best fit for your needs.

Kia Carens Clavis

Mahindra XUV 7XO