Mahindra XEV 9S

autocar.india

•1d

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.

Mahindra XEV 9S

Skoda Kushaq

Mahindra XUV 3XO

autocar.india

•5d

We'd recommend the Mahindra XEV 9S. With a daily commute of 30-40 km, almost entirely in city traffic, and access to home charging, an EV simply suits your usage better than either a petrol or diesel vehicle. It offers the lowest running costs, the smoothest driving experience in stop-start traffic, and significantly lower maintenance than an ICE SUV. Since you intend to keep the vehicle for 7-10 years, you'll benefit from these lower operating costs over a long ownership period.Between the two XUV 7XO variants, we'd choose the Mahindra XUV 7XO AX5 Petrol Automatic over the XUV 7XO AX5 Diesel Automatic. Although your daily driving distance is enough for the engine to reach its operating temperature, DPF-equipped diesel engines perform best when they are driven on regular highway runs at sustained speeds. With predominantly urban use, the petrol variant is the safer and more hassle-free option. We also wouldn't be concerned about E20 petrol or speculate about future diesel biofuel blends. Modern engines are designed to run on the fuels currently mandated, and there is no official roadmap that should influence your buying decision today.Your concern about charging infrastructure on long trips is valid, but it's becoming less of an issue with each passing year. The charging network on major highways continues to expand rapidly, and for the occasional outstation drive, a little route planning is usually all that's required. Since the vast majority of your driving is within Chandigarh, you'll spend most of your time charging conveniently at home rather than visiting fuel stations.

Mahindra XEV 9S

Mahindra XUV 7XO

autocar.india

•5w

The BMW iX1, Volvos and Mahindra XEV 9S are all quite different propositions, so the ‘best’ one really depends on what you value beyond interiors.The BMW iX1 is actually one of the more practical luxury EVs, with a spacious cabin. a genuinely premium feel and strong performance, which makes it very good value in the luxury EV space. If your only concern is that the interior doesn’t wow you visually, it’s still worth a serious look because the perceived quality, ergonomics and driving experience are all very strong.Assuming you’re referring to the Volvo EC40 and EX30, both offer very classy, minimalist cabins with high-quality materials and that typical Scandinavian design feel, but with almost everything controlled via the touchscreen. However, they are not very spacious; the EX30 in particular is tight at the rear, with limited legroom and a cramped benchThe Mahindra XEV 9S cannot match the Europeans for material richness or finesse of fit and finish, but it is fantastic value and absolutely nails space, comfort and features, especially if you need a proper family EV and possibly seven seats. If interior design “feel” matters more than outright luxury, the 9S may actually make you happiest in daily use, while the BMW is the better pick if you want a true luxury EV with strong dynamics.

BMW iX1 LWB

Volvo EC40

Mahindra XEV 9S

Volvo EX30

autocar.india

•8w

Pick a single-car solution and buy the Toyota Innova Hycross Hybrid. Your dogs get a low loading lip and a long, near-flat space with the third row folded, so they can actually lie side by side on highway runs. The hybrid makes touring simple with no charging hassles, calm cruising and a comfy ride, and Toyota’s durability fits an 8-10 year plan with sensible running costs.EV MPVs like the Kia Carens Clavis EV and BYD eMax 7 are great for city runs and dog space, but long trips with two dogs mean 30-40 minute fast-charge halts and patchy chargers once you leave big corridors. That’s a hassle you do not need. Mahindra XEV 9S and 9e are good choices, but their higher boot floors make them poorer dog haulers.You will wrestle with the Innova's size in tight parking, and it costs more upfront than adding a small EV, but day to day, it is still easy enough with light steering and cameras.If you must go smaller, the Kia Carens Clavis turbo petrol DCT is a solid choice, but fuel efficiency in the city won't be as good as the Hycross hybrid.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Kia Carens Clavis EV

BYD eMax 7

Mahindra XEV 9S

Kia Carens Clavis

autocar.india

•9w

Given your limited use of 10,000 km a year and a 500 km highway run every two months, the Mahindra XUV 7XO AX7L diesel is still a solid choice. However, since you live in NCR, the 10-year diesel ban will affect resale value in the long term.If you have dedicated parking at home where you can install a charger, and do not mind the additional planning required with an EV on road trips, then the Mahindra XEV 9S is a good alternative. In our testing, we recorded 477 km on a single charge, but with a full load and in the hills, this will drop sharply. If your highway route has enough chargers, then your 500 km hometown trips should not be an issue, with just one or two stops to top up along the way.However, if you cannot install a home charger and the planning required around EV road trips seems like too much work, you are better off sticking with the XUV 7XO you have booked.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Mahindra XEV 9S