Hyundai Creta Electric Smart (O) LR

Considering that you may occasionally need more than five seats and plan to keep the car for at least four to five years, we would recommend opting for a six or seven-seater. Because of this, the Hyundai Creta EV and the Tata Harrier EV can be ruled out, as both are strictly five-seaters.

The Mahindra XEV 9S is very competitively priced and comes loaded with features. The downside is the ride quality, especially in the second and third rows. It can feel a bit too soft due to the suspension setup. This is not much of an issue in city driving, but at highway speeds on uneven surfaces, the car tends to bounce as the suspension takes time to settle.

Since you had also shortlisted the Hyundai Creta EV, we would suggest taking a look at the Kia Carens Clavis EV, as it uses the same powertrain and battery. It works better as a six or seven-seater, thanks to a more spacious third row compared to the 9S, where even adults can travel in reasonable comfort. While it is not as powerful as the Mahindra XEV 9S. It still offers more than enough performance even with a full load, and the suspension feels more comfortable overall.

One important thing to note is the battery size. The Clavis EV has a smaller battery pack compared to the XEV 9S. In real-world usage, the Mahindra can deliver over 450 km on a full charge. While the Clavis EV is likely to offer closer to 350 km of realistic range.

If you're happy with your 2019 Creta, the ideal switch for you will be a Hyundai Creta Electric. It's a relaxed, easy to drive and very likeable EV. Range is good, so you won't need to plug it in all that often, and there's ample boot space too. However, we would urge you to try fitting your golf set into be absolutely sure. 

Alternatively, you could look at the Kia Carens Clavis EV. It's got the same attributes as the Creta Electric (the two models are related) with the added flexibility of a third row of seats. With the last row of seats folded, your golf set should fit comfortably in the vehicle.  

Since you are able to purchase a new Kia Seltos or Carens Clavis EV, we would suggest you not look at a used Tata Harrier or XUV700, as these are quite close in size, performance and features. If you are buying used, it makes sense to get something from two segments above. 

As to your query about a diesel or electric, yes, both are not likely to have a high resale value. There's certainly a cloud over diesel's long term future, and the pre-owned EV market is too nascent to judge future potential. 

We would, however, recommend the EV as you will be keeping your car for about 10 years, and in that time with your running you would save on fuel bills. Between the Hyundai Creta electric and the Clavis EV, we would suggest the Kia as it's very similar mechanically. But also offers you the benefit of the third row of seats, which is quite spacious and usable. 

The Hyundai Creta Electric is the most practical, sensible, and most sorted EV out of the options listed. It is practical, spacious, and it drives well too. Moreover, it is very efficient, hence you can expect over 400km of range without trying too hard. Since you are looking at a long-term buy, it is the Hyundai's ownership experience that's likely to be fuss-free.

The Tata Nexon EV 45's real-world range isn't likely to be as good as the Creta Electric's. The Mahindra BE 6 is the most radical option with excellent performance, battery and range. However, its user-experience is simply too complicated, its ergonomics are flawed, and backseat space isn't as good as the others.

Short-term resale values of EVs are not as good as those of ICE cars. However, since you are likely to hold on to your car for 10 years, resale should be the least of your concerns.