On the pricier side of the burgeoning midsize electric SUV segment are the Mahindra BE 6 and Hyundai Creta Electric, particularly their respective range-topping variants. The BE 6 Pack Three has a 79kWh battery with a 683km ARAI range, while the Creta Electric Long Range Excellence is rated at 473km. We put the e-SUVs through our rigorous and exhaustive mileage tests to check how close their real-world range is to their ARAI claim.
Mahindra BE 6 vs Hyundai Creta Electric specifications and price
BE 6 Pack Three has a larger battery, more power and a higher ARAI range figure than the Creta Electric Long Range
| Mahindra BE 6 vs Hyundai Creta Electric price and specifications | ||
|---|---|---|
| BE 6 Pack Three | Creta Electric Long Range Excellence | |
| Battery (kWh) | 79 | 51.4 |
| Drive layout | RWD | FWD |
| Max power (hp) | 286 | 171 |
| Max torque (Nm) | 380 | 255 |
| ARAI range (km) | 683 | 473 |
| 11.2kW AC fast charging speed (hrs) | 8 | 4.83 |
| DC fast charging speed (min) | 20 (180kW) | 58 (50kW) |
| Price (Rs, lakh) | 27.65* | 24.40-24.70 |
*Includes Rs 75,000 for 11.2kW AC charger and installation
Unlike the Mahindra BE 6, which is a born-EV, the Hyundai Creta Electric is an ICE to EV conversion, and as such, it continues with the Creta’s front-wheel-drive format. The Hyundai’s 51.4kWh battery is a massive 27.6kWh short of the BE 6’s 79kWh unit, and its output is also less by 115hp and 125Nm.
The BE 6’s larger battery also has a 210km advantage in ARAI range, but its size means it requires 8 hours to charge to full on an 11.2kW AC fast charger, whereas the Creta Electric’s 51.4kWh unit takes 4 hours and 50 minutes. However, when it comes to DC fast charging, the BE 6 can be topped up in 20 minutes at a speed of 180kW, but the Creta Electric takes nearly an hour, as the maximum charging speed is 50kW.
Do note that the Creta Electric Long Range Excellence with an 11.2kW AC home charger (HC priced at Rs 73,000) is also available in Knight Edition, Dual Tone and Dual Tone Knight Edition versions. However, even the range-topping Creta Electric Long Range Excellence (HC) Dual Tone Knight Edition costs a significant Rs 2.95 lakh less than the top-spec BE 6 Pack Three.
Mahindra BE 6 vs Hyundai Creta Electric real world range
BE 6 79kWh’s real world range is just 17km more than the Creta Electric, which is far more efficient
| Mahindra BE 6 vs Hyundai Creta Electric real world range and efficiency | ||
|---|---|---|
| BE 6 Pack Three | Creta Electric Long Range Excellence | |
| Tested city range (km) | 438 | 486 |
| Tested highway range (km) | 459 | 378 |
| Tested overall range (km) | 449 | 432 |
| Tested battery efficiency (km/kWh) | 5.68 | 8.4 |
Despite having a much smaller battery capacity, the Creta Electric uses the energy far more efficiently. In fact, our Creta Electric range tests showed a 486km range in the city, 48km more than the BE 6. Naturally, the Hyundai EV’s highway range was lower (378km), but its average real-world range was still an impressive 432km, just 41km shy of its ARAI figure. The 51.4kWh battery posted an efficiency of 8.4km/kWh, making it the second most efficient mass market EV we have tested.
Meanwhile, the BE 6 Pack Three’s combined range figure of 449km is a significant 234km short of its ARAI range. The Mahindra EV’s 79kWh battery recorded an efficiency figure of 5.68km/kWh, making it marginally more efficient than the Tata Harrier EV (5.35km/kWh) but slightly less efficient than the XEV 9e (5.78km/kWh).
Autocar India’s range testing
Before our real-world range test, the battery of our test car is fully charged, and we maintain tyre pressures as recommended by the manufacturer. The car is driven in a fixed loop in the city and on the highway, and we maintain certain average speeds. In the end, we calculate the range based on the percentage of charge consumed. Throughout our test, the climate control is set at 22deg C, the fan speed is set to auto, and other electricals, such as the audio system, lights and ventilated front seats (if equipped), are used when required, just like how a regular user would. We take pride in our testing data, which isn’t just consistent but also gives users an accurate indication of what they can expect in the real world.
