Vinfast VF7

Autocar India

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While they all make compelling cases for your usage pattern, we’d lean toward the Mahindra XEV 9e from your list. The XEV 9S is the most spacious, which is always good if you need an extra pair of seats in a pinch, and if not, they can be easily folded away. It's well equipped too and the seats are very comfortable, and with the widest price range and most variants, there's more to choose from. However, its size makes it cumbersome around town, and its overly soft suspension can feel too bouncy at higher speeds.The Vinfast VF7 feels more compact, making it easier around town, its suspension feels more tied down, giving it a mature, European ride quality, and if you choose the dual-motor version, performance is exceptionally strong. However, its efficiency and range aren't particularly good, and though early impressions have been good, it's still a new brand with a relatively smaller and as-of-now-unproven network. The XEV 9e strikes a good middle ground between the two. It doesn't suffer from the soft suspension of the 9S, yet it has all the same equipment and two out of the three battery options. You don't get the third row of course, but you get a sleek coupe SUV form factor instead with little sacrifice to boot space and rear headroom. Do bear in mind though, there have been reports of electronic glitches in Mahindra's EVs, mostly pertaining to the screens, but these are things that can be fixed with software. Overall, we feel the XEV 9e is the best fit of these three for you.

Mahindra XEV 9e

Mahindra XEV 9S

Vinfast VF7

Autocar India

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The VinFast VF6 and VF7 are interesting new options in the growing EV market. The brand’s rapid expansion has already made it the fourth-largest EV maker in India. While some success comes from initial hype, the products offer impressive value for money. The VF6 and VF7 also stand out because of their distinctive and modern designs.Although ownership feedback is still limited, current owners seem largely satisfied with their vehicles. Many owners have especially appreciated the performance, solid build quality, and comfortable ride quality. However, the real-world driving range appears slightly lower compared to some established rivals. One advantage of EVs is that they generally require very little regular maintenance. VinFast’s service network is currently limited, but Delhi should still offer adequate support coverage.As an alternative, you could also consider the Hyundai Creta Electric for your requirements. Since you already own a Hyundai, the ownership experience may feel more familiar and convenient. Hyundai’s widespread after-sales network could also provide greater peace of mind during long-term ownership. Within your budget, you would likely get a lower-spec variant with the smaller battery pack. Even then, the Creta Electric remains reasonably well-equipped for everyday driving requirements. As a second car mainly for city use, its driving range should feel sufficient.The Creta Electric is also highly efficient, while offering better space and everyday practicality. It may not feel as distinctive or quirky as the VinFast models. However, as a practical and dependable EV, the Creta Electric performs its role very well.

Vinfast VF6

Vinfast VF7

Hyundai Creta Electric

Autocar India

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The VinFast VF7 is an able cruiser that's engaging to drive. The AWD version packs in plenty of performance, and you feel confident behind the wheel, with characteristics similar to the Jeep Compass. What also works in the VF7's favour is its upmarket interior that genuinely exudes a premium car vibe.To entice buyers, VinFast is also offering several attractive schemes, such as buyback offers, incentives to exchange your ICE car, free charging options, long warranty, etc.Do keep in mind, its high cabin floor could hamper comfort, the user interface isn't very easy due to the over-reliance on its touchscreen for all controls, and its (overall) range is around 391km, which is lower than the Mahindra XEV 9E's (456km).

Vinfast VF7

Mahindra XEV 9e

Jeep Compass

Autocar India

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The VinFast VF7 is an excellent choice - it feels premium, performance is strong, seats are comfortable, and you're certainly going to stand out from the crowd. What's nice is that VinFast is also providing impressive warranty, ICE to EV incentives, and many more ownership solutions to entice buyers, thus making the VF7 worthy of your consideration. If you can account for home charging, this is a great option, as your running cost will be very low. Another excellent EV you could consider is the Hyundai Creta Electric - being a Hyundai, you will be familiar with the service and maintenance, and even though the Creta's design isn't as radical as the VF7, it is a very sensible EV you can buy.

Vinfast VF7

Autocar India

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If you are considering an electric car, the VinFast VF7 stands out as an excellent choice. In its higher variants, which fall within your budget, it gets a dual motor setup producing around 350 hp and can do 0 to 100 kph in just over 6 seconds.At this price point, you will not find a quicker accelerating five seater. More importantly, it is not just fast in a straight line. The ride is comfortable, the cabin is spacious, and it feels well-suited for daily driving as well as longer journeys.Other EVs you could also look at include the Mahindra BE 6 and the Tata Harrier EV AWD, both of which have strong performance and a fun-to-drive nature. But the VinFast remains the quickest and most exciting option on pure performance.If you prefer an internal combustion engine, the Mahindra XUV 7XO turbo petrol automatic is a very good option. The petrol engine is powerful, smooth and refined, and with the recent facelift, Mahindra has improved the suspension setup as well. As a result, it now offers a more comfortable ride without losing its engaging driving character, making it a good balance between fun and comfort for daily use.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Vinfast VF7

Mahindra BE 6

Tata Harrier EV

Autocar India

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Since your annual usage is so low, and all within the city, an electric car makes a lot of sense, both from the point of view of tax savings and due to much lower running costs. However, our advice is not to rely on the public charging network alone, and instead ensure you have a charger installed at your home or place of work, if not both. If you do have to make an occasional outstation trip, plan carefully and pick a route with multiple public chargers along the way, topping up in small amounts as you go.As for which car you should choose, there are plenty of options. If you want the best all-rounder with maximum efficiency, get the Hyundai Creta Electric. If you require more space, the Kia Carens Clavis EV is a great option. If you want ultimate value for money, try the Vinfast VF7. And if you want a dramatic and exciting EV with some compromises to practicality, check out the Mahindra BE 6.

Vinfast VF7

Hyundai Creta Electric

Kia Carens Clavis EV

Autocar India

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Both the Mahindra BE 6 and Vinfast VF7 are excellent EVs at a similar price but offer two completely different experiences. Where the Mahindra wows you with its design and long list of features, the Vinfast doesn't have the same road presence, though it is still unique-looking. Similarly, the interior of the BE 6 is far more radical and exciting to look at, but the VF7 is built of higher-quality materials and has better ergonomics. The biggest difference, however, is space, of which the Vinfast offers far more, especially in the rear seat, where the BE 6 is cramped. And finally, performance, where the VF7 comes in dual-motor guise with 350hp, the BE 6 offers 286hp for about the same price. The Vinfast's AWD system allows for much better acceleration than the RWD setup of the Mahindra. On handling, too, the lower-slung Vinfast feels sharper and more confident around corners, whereas the Mahindra feels loose, with lots of body roll.As for range, the two have similarly sized batteries, and we expect range to be comparable. In our real-world test, the Mahindra achieved 449km of range overall, so expect the AWD Vinfast VF7 to offer a slightly lower number.

Mahindra BE 6

Vinfast VF7

Autocar India

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Autocar India has driven the VF7, first in Vietnam and very recently in India as well. VinFast VF7 is indeed powerful; we drove the AWD variant and were pleasantly surprised by how quick it was. Looks are subjective, but we think if you compare it with the Mahindra XEV 9e, it's not as eye-catching and from some angles, it looks more like a hatchback than an SUV.Interiors look premium overall; there are no physical buttons except for gear selectors, and everything is controlled by the screen. While this approach isn’t new, the screen has noticeable lag.As for reliability, there’s no historical data to fall back on yet, and the bigger concern at the moment is the lack of a service and dealer network. If reliability is a priority, we would recommend going with the Mahindra XEV 9S or even XEV 9e, which offers a better value proposition.

Vinfast VF7

Mahindra XEV 9S

Mahindra XEV 9e

Autocar India

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In your price range, the XUV700 remains one of the best options. However, if you want something new, consider the Toyota Innova Hycross Hybrid VX — it offers a spacious and premium cabin, excellent ride comfort, and outstanding fuel efficiency.On the EV front, the Mahindra XEV 9e Pack Two (79kWh) is a great option, while the recently launched VinFast VF7 Sky Infinity AWD is also worth considering for its strong value proposition.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Mahindra XEV 9e

Vinfast VF7