Mahindra XEV 9S Pack One Above 79kWh

Your 2024 Hyundai Alcazar with just 17,000km is still very new and has plenty of life left. Also, the Alcazar isn’t the fastest-moving SUV in the used market, so resale values aren’t particularly strong. If the car is running well, it may make sense to hold on to it for another couple of years. 

The EV space is evolving rapidly, and you’ll likely see many more options with better range and tech as manufacturers push new models to meet upcoming CAFÉ norms.

However, if you’re keen to switch right away, your budget becomes the key factor. Assuming you’d like something with similar flexibility, including a third row, options are limited today. In the Rs 25 lakh bracket, the Mahindra XEV 9S is among the more practical and well-rounded EVs to consider, offering strong range, space and performance.

If you plan to sell your Alcazar, we’d recommend posting it on our partner channel, Spinny.com, to get a competitive, transparent price.

Of the two options on your shortlist, the Mahindra XEV 9S suits your requirements better. It's got a significantly better third row with more adjustability and space than you get on the XUV 7XO. Third row space and comfort will become more important as your kids grow. 

The fact that you can install a charger at home also eliminates a big hurdle to living with an EV. EVs typically don't hold their value as well as petrol or diesel cars, but you also have to factor in lower ownership and running costs over your usage. 

As for your concerns on the XUV 7XO, the petrol engine is tuned to run on ethanol blends and will not give issues. However, fuel economy is on the lower side. The diesel engine will not give issues provided care is taken as per the manufacturer's recommendations. 

All your concerns are valid, and given your high usage, we would not recommend an EV. Especially for your occasional long highway runs, an EV will require one if not two charging stops, even in something with a battery as large as the Mahindra XEV 9S. Apart from that, if you do not have a home charging setup, it's not advisable either. 

Your office charging unit will suffice on most days, but in a pickle you will have to rely on public charging infra, which has its limitations and is an inconvenience. And after 10 years, an EV's battery will be as much of a concern as a diesel ban; battery replacement is very expensive, and EV resale value plummets like a rock after 5 years. 

As you mentioned, the mileage of the petrol XUV 7XO is very low, so given your usage, that's probably not worth it. The best choice, then, is the XUV 7XO diesel. Yes, while it will be banned after 10 years in some regions, it's still worthwhile to get a decade's worth of use out of the car, and sell it or scrap it for some return at the end. If your car is driven regularly, including some highway usage, DPF maintenance should not be an issue.

If your driving is largely city-based and you have access to home charging, the Mahindra XEV 9S makes a much better everyday car. It’s smooth, very refined, and has a soft, comfortable ride. It’s also significantly easier to drive in traffic compared to the Mahindra XUV 7XO.
The Pack Two with the 79kWh battery offers an excellent real-world range, which means even weekend trips are perfectly practical - not just short city commutes. 

Another advantage is the sliding second-row seat, which allows you to free up a bit more space in the third row. Though that last row still isn’t particularly spacious.

The XUV 7XO, on the other hand, doesn’t get a sliding middle row. Also, as you pointed out, the fuel efficiency, especially of the 2.0-litre petrol, isn’t particularly impressive.

Where the 7XO does make a strong case is on the highway. Its new suspension setup feels very composed and confident at high speeds, whereas the 9S can feel slightly floaty when pushed faster.

However, given your primarily urban usage, the XUV 9S would clearly be our recommendation.

Given your high daily driving and need for good range, the Mahindra XEV 9S is the best choice. It features a large 79kWh battery pack that offers a range of over 440km and it has strong performance for those who enjoy driving. The Pack One Above variant starts at around Rs 22 lakh and is extremely well-equipped. Moreover, the XEV’s 409V electrical architecture supports DC fast-charging speeds of up to 175kW making quick top ups quick, if you have a fast-charger in the vicinity. 

The other choice would be the Tata Harrier EV that gets a 75kWh battery and is more expensive than the 9S from the entry variant. It also doesn't get the same plush cabin as the Mahindra and overall lacks in terms of value for money.