Team-BHP - Advise needed for daily commute car, EV or something else?

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarthakverma97 (Post 5817866)

1. Daily Running: 80kms
2. Transmission: Automatic
3. Fuel: Petrol and Hybrid.
6. Budget: INR20 Lakhs on road (tops)
7. Ownership: Confused whether new or used

New Options
1. Suzuki Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid
3. Hyundai Creta
4. Hyundai I20 N-line
5. VW Virtus

Since the target usage is mainly you, my suggestion would be to buy the I20 N-line.
That DCT, paddle shifters and the exhaust! And to drive it daily for that much distance! It's fairly reliable too. And all this for considerably less price than others listed here.

Since your budget is 20L, if you invest what's left of it after buying the N-line, the returns can easily take off big chunk of fuel expenses - essentially making even the thirsty turbo-DCT animal to be as light as a normal petrol engine on the pocket!

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarthakverma97 (Post 5817866)

Hello everybody,

I need some help and expert advice on which daily commuter to purchase for myself. Though I have gone through the thread already, but since there have been many changes in the market and many new options have been introduced, I feel the perspective now would be very different.

Hello,
If your daily route involves significant highway driving, it would be advisable to pick a fun sporty car like virtus 1.5 DSG.
If your communting is mostly urban with speeds < 50kmph and bumper to buumper traffic, relax and pick a Grand Vitara Hybrid. In this case i would even suggest you to go electric, if you can charge daily at home.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.Bentley (Post 5817952)

I have a strong feeling about the i20 N-line too, as it feels a boyish car to drive around and an easy on pocket vehicle to own. However, the Turbo and DCT combo might be a little jerky in traffic conditions, considering my route is a mix of highway and city drive.

PS: I am not a pro finance guy, so investing the remainder being a great idea as it is, could go south for me haha :crying. However, thank you so much for the advice!

Quote:

Originally Posted by dvskhh (Post 5817968)

Since this would be my first independent purchase (kind of a big deal for me), I too want the car to be fun to drive. But I feel the compass might lose it's charm over the time and get overshadowed by the Virtus GT. Since it has to be a daily driver - my route being a mix of city and highway with average speed <50kmph in city and <80kmph on the highway - I could use a more economical car in terms of running, by the idea of which Grand Vitara Hybrid seems to be the best and clear choice. Now since I work a job, the requirement of a super economical to run car is situational, as over the year I might be working at a different place, which is nearer to my house. That's what the confusion is all about.

EV on the other hand is in the grey area for me, as we tend to keep the car for at least 7 years and I am not sure about the tech and resale value or even the long term reliability on the batteries, irrespective of the warranties these OEMs have to offer.

Hi, I feel current EVs around 20 lacs onroad are Windsor EV, MG ZS EV & Curvv.ev which are, in terms of features (gadgets), reached the saturation point. I don't think there will be significant better features in next 5 to 7 years except better software experience.

However, in next 5-7 years we will see huge improvement in battery tech and range. I am anticipating lighter batteries with higher range with lower KW battery. May be 50kWh battery which weight 350kgs now (I am just guessing), may be after 4-6 years may be we will get 101kWh battery weight 200kgs (SSD EV Battery) and offer 1000km real world range in single charge. May be such high kWh battery we will see in sub 25 lacs ex showroom EV in 2026 or 2027.

EVs may not be selling in good numbers in India ever and may remain within 15% to 20% maximum overall PV market but EV tech will improve in next 2-3 years and I am confident India will have best of the EVs in the world even in sub 25 lacs budget.