Mahindra cars in India (18)

Autocar India

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The base Mahindra XEV 9S gets a 59kWh battery, with a 231hp/380Nm rear motor, and its claimed range is 521km. The entry-level Harrier EV on the other hand gets a 65kWh battery, with a 238hp/315Nm rear motor, and its claimed range is 538km. Even though their specifications are similar, the Mahindra car is Rs 1.5 lakh more affordable. For the money, the XEV 9S also gets you a premium kit like a dedicated passenger (third) touchscreen and panoramic sunroof, among others. Additionally, the XEV 9S has a lighter steering and a tighter turning radius, which makes manoeuvring the car much easier in the city. Additionally, the extra row of seats can come handy occasionally. Overall, the Mahindra XEV 9S comes across as the better pick of the two.

Mahindra XEV 9S

Tata Harrier EV

Autocar India

•21h

Your 40–50 km daily running, plus periodic 500 km trips, is ideal for a diesel. These engines need consistent use and occasional highway driving to stay healthy, and you are already doing both. Issues with BS6 diesels usually arise only when the car is used for very short city runs or constant crawling traffic without ever getting a proper stretch.The DPF needs heat to clean itself, which happens during steady driving at moderate speeds or higher RPM. Short trips and low speed driving lead to soot build-up, but your usage naturally allows the system to regenerate. It also makes sense to choose diesel in cars like the Mahindra Scorpio N, XUV700 or Tata Safari, as the petrol versions are not very fuel-efficient.

Mahindra Scorpio N

Tata Safari

Autocar India

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Do keep in mind that none of the models that you've shortlisted are particularly fuel efficient. Among these, the Kia Seltos IVT is likely to be the most fuel efficient, delivering approximately 10.3kpl in the city and 14.22kpl on the highway, while the petrol-automatic versions of XUV 7XO and MG Hector are likely to return fuel efficiency in single digits.Additionally, the interior of Seltos feels upmarket. This Kia car is spacious and for a family of three, it feels the right size. Sure, performance isn't as strong as the XUV 7XO, however for leisurely drives with the family its 1.5-petrol IVT combination works well.

Kia Seltos

Mahindra XUV 7XO

MG Hector

Autocar India

•4h

Mostly Bengaluru city use with only occasional highway runs makes us suggest the Maruti Suzuki Brezza ZXi AT. The Brezza’s 6‑speed automatic is the smooth type, so in slow traffic it moves without jerks and responds cleanly when you press and lift the accelerator. The light steering, good all‑round view and easy ride over broken patches make daily drives in Bengaluru less tiring, and Maruti’s wide service reach keeps ownership simple.The Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 1.2 Petrol AT, which uses the same 6-speed gearbox as the Brezza, is a good option when you want stronger pull and acceleration to speed up quickly, which you will notice on flyovers and on the highway with passengers. It's a good long distance car but remember that when travelling with people the 3XO's boot is small for luggage. The Brezza doesn't respond has strongly as the 3XO and hence on the highway overtaking takes more effort and planning.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Autocar India

•3h

Given your focus on features, limited running, and openness to EVs, the Mahindra XEV 9S is a strong fit. It feels like a clear upgrade from your Kia Sonet in terms of tech and safety, with features like an HD triple-screen setup, a panoramic sunroof, a 360-degree camera and ADAS. It is smooth, quiet and effortless in city use, with plenty of performance for the highway. The first two rows are very comfortable and spacious, though the third row is tight for adults. Since you will mostly use it for your kids, it should work fine.If you want to stick with an ICE vehicle, then look at the Toyota Innova HyCross Hybrid VX (O) 7 seat. It is very quiet and easy to live with, and the third row is a touch better, but at this budget, you may miss some of the fancier tech that Mahindra offers. If you'd like to stay with Kia, then the Carens Clavis EV is also an excellent alternative. It isn’t as big as the Mahindra car, but it still has a better third row.

Mahindra XEV 9S

Kia Sonet

Kia Carens Clavis EV

Toyota Innova HyCross

Autocar India

•2h

With 70% city use in Faridabad and about 1,500 km a month, and since you want a petrol car, the Mahindra XUV 7XO petrol automatic (a mid-variant like AX5) is the better fit for you. Its petrol engine is smooth and quiet at low speeds, and more powerful than the Safari’s 1.5-litre engine. The automatic is well-tuned for stop-and-go driving, so it moves off smartly and does not fumble when you need a quick gap. On your highway runs, the strong petrol pulls cleanly for quick passes, and it feels stable with a well-sorted ride.A trade-off to note is that this Mahindra car can be thirsty in city traffic, so if you press it hard, fuel consumption can be higher than expected. Overall, the XUV 7XO is a good fit for your needs.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Tata Safari

Autocar India

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The XUV 3XO stands out because of its width and cabin space. At over 1,820mm wide, it is one of the widest cars in the segment, which directly translates to better shoulder room and a more comfortable three-abreast rear seat. For a family of five, this matters in daily use, not just on paper. This Mahindra car also feels more modern, more powerful and more substantial to drive, making it a clear step up from your Etios Liva in both performance and overall experience.The Brezza, on the other hand, is the safer and more predictable choice. It is not as wide or as exciting, but it is comfortable enough for five, extremely easy to live with, and offers proven reliability with low maintenance. This Maruti car has a more relaxed driving nature, which works well for your mix of city runs and occasional highway trips.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Autocar India

•1d

2,30,000km in 10 years is a huge amount, and the Ciaz diesel must have served you well to rack up that kind of mileage. Considering that usage, which amounts to around 1,900km per month, mostly on highways, we have to caution against getting an EV just yet. Public charging infrastructure is still developing, with chargers being few and far between, with varying degrees of functionality. Plus, if your planned charger is occupied, you could be waiting hours for access to a plug. Moreover, while there are electric cars today with large batteries and long ranges, such usage will still require frequent charging, which in the long run will take a toll on the battery's health, performance and overall lifespan. This could be offset by the relatively low maintenance costs of an EV versus an ICE vehicle, but when it is time for battery replacement, the cost will be high.With that in mind, of your two shortlisted EVs, we would recommend the Mahindra XEV 9e. While it shares its platform and powertrain with the smaller BE6, it is more spacious, more comfortable for long journeys, and feels like a more mature product overall. With the larger 79kWh battery, it offers an MIDC range of around 656km and a real-world highway range of about 488km, which amounts to an efficiency of 6.18km/kWh, which is quite impressive for an SUV.

Mahindra XEV 9e

Autocar India

•2d

For a 7-seater on a company lease that you’ll replace in 5-6 years, and with your worry about policy risk and resale, I’d lean to the Toyota Innova HyCross Hybrid VX(O). It is the safer long-term pick for your plan because hybrids are not under any talk of future limits, they draw wider demand in the used market, and in daily traffic, the hybrid’s smooth, quiet pull and lower fuel use make city runs easy on you and your wallet. It also offers a more useful third row and boot when all seats are up, which matters if you often have six or seven on board.Your pull towards the Mahindra is very understandable. The XUV 7XO (earlier sold as XUV700) AX7 Diesel Automatic still makes sense if you love its features and strong highway feel. For a 5-6 year horizon, there is no confirmed 2030 diesel ban across India today, and outside NCR, the main limit is usually 10 years, so usability should be fine, and resale should hold if you maintain it well.Do note two things for your use: if most of your driving is short city trips, modern diesels can be fussy with their exhaust filter and may need regular highway runs to stay healthy. And policy in big cities can tighten faster than we expect, which can nudge resale.So, if you want the least-risk choice for a lease cycle and you value smooth city driving and space, pick the Innova Hycross VX(O). If features and a stronger drive matter more and you are not in NCR, the XUV remains a confident buy.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Autocar India

•2d

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