All the models you have shortlisted have their highlights and weaknesses. The Maruti Suzuki Brezza is a well-rounded vehicle that excels in space and comfort. Maruti's service network is a huge plus in its own right. However, as you rightly identified, the Brezza is not exciting to drive. This Maruti Suzuki car's performance is fine in city driving conditions, and it will cruise comfortably on the highway. But the engine lacks punch in case that's important to you. 

If strong performance and good handling are requirements, the Skoda Kylaq and Mahindra XUV 3XO are the ones to be most interested in. Both models are good to drive, but fuel economy could be a concern in bumper-to-bumper city driving. 

We feel you will find a good balance in the Hyundai Venue 1.0 Turbo DCT. The engine is strong enough, and the gearshifts are also nice and quick. DCTs do tend to fumble at low speeds and aren't as smooth as torque converter autos. Although, it's not really an issue and surely not to the extent of avoiding the gearbox type altogether. 

Fuel economy should also be better than what you'd get with a torque converter.  The new Venue is also quite a wholesome package. The cabin is quite spacious, and the material quality is impressive. 

Given your requirements, the only options that are not wildly expensive are the Mahindra XEV 9S and the Kia Carens Clavis EV. Both are three-row SUVs that are pretty spacious and practical, but they differ in what they offer.
The Mahindra car comes across as the more premium of the two. It’s larger, has an imposing road presence and comes packed with technology and features. It wins the spec-sheet war and is a very comfortable, compelling option. However, once you consider how the car will be used, the Kia Carens EV could be the better everyday car.

One of the most significant factors is access to the cabin. The Carens Clavis EV sits lower, making getting in and out easier. Your requirement for a wheelchair suggests that someone with limited mobility will be using the car, and this is why the step-in height becomes something you notice every single day and a very important factor.

Also, the third row, too, is slightly more practical and usable in the Kia car. When the third row is folded down, the boot is spacious enough to accommodate a wheelchair. The lower floor also makes loading a wheelchair easier.

On the ownership side, Mahindra’s EVs have made rapid progress and the products are far more polished than before, but some owners still report software-related hiccups. Kia’s EVs, by comparison, are better sorted, suggesting a more predictable ownership experience.
Both cars are easy to drive; the XEV 9S offers a better ride and is more refined, but the Carens Clavis EV feels less cumbersome in tight spaces.
 

Yes, you are right, your short drive in Mumbai traffic won’t allow the diesel particulate filter (DPF) of Mahindra XUV 3XO to reach the temperatures. It needs to ‘light-off or regenerate properly to burn off the soot which will accumulate in your DPF and trigger a malfunction warning. 

The way to raise the exhaust temperature and subsequently heat the DPF to its ‘light-off’ point is to run the engine under a steady load. You should plan a long drive at least once a month, with around half an hour of continuous driving at around 50-60kph. 

Use a gear that keeps the engine between 2,000 to 2,500 rpm and drive steadily without hard acceleration or braking. 

The aim is to drive consistently so that the exhaust temperatures can stabilise and you can complete the regeneration process without interruption. Since you live in Powai, the Eastern Expressway is not far away and can be a convenient stretch for you to clear your DPF periodically.
 

If you and your son like the Mahindra Bolero Neo, you can go ahead and buy it. It’s a solid car and will take the potholes and bad roads in Mumbai quite easily. 

It’s also quite easy to drive, but lacks the features and polish of other SUVs. However, with your limited running, you will need to do a short highway drive of around 25-30 minutes every month. This will keep regenerating your DPF, making it soot-free and preventing it from clogging.
 

It’s good to know you have had a good experience with EVs and are ready to buy your next one. 

The Tata Sierra EV is unlikely to arrive before August next year, so you will have a long wait. If you like the Mahindra BE6, go for it. It has a striking design, drives really well and comes with a lot of features. 

The big negative is that the rear seat isn’t very comfortable, and you may want to wait for a new variant due in late January or early Feb 2026. It will get a three-screen infotainment system similar to the one in the XEV range

If you are getting a good deal, go for the Kia Seltos HTX iVT. The new Seltos is bigger and fresher but gets the same engines and is likely to be at least a lakh more expensive. 

Yes, your resale will be hit once the new model comes out, but that can be compensated with the good deal you get on the outgoing model. The Mahindra XUV 3XO is a smaller car than the Seltos, so it will be a step down in that sense.