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Mahindra BE 6 vs Hyundai Creta EV vs rivals: What would you pick?
BE6 for me. No contest. I haven't driven it yet, but based on our official review and the many drive reports from BHPians, it's got the looks, build, power, sorted suspension, features, sound system and the makings of an all-rounder.
BHPian Ripcord09 recently shared this with other enthusiasts:
Hyundai Creta EV
What you'll like:
• Superbly engineered all-rounder that delivers a satisfying experience
• User-friendly interiors with sufficient space & good quality parts. Great interior upgrades over the Petrol / Diesel Creta
• 168 BHP motor is enjoyable to drive. 0-100 km/h in 7.9 seconds!
• Unladen ground clearance of 200 mm is perfect for Indian roads
• Sorted road manners & handling
• Zero emissions, cheap “fuel” costs, no gears, light controls make it an ideal city car
• Safety package includes ADAS Level 2, hill descent control, 6 airbags, ESP, all-wheel disc brakes, auto-hold, TPMS etc.
• Impressive kit (ventilated & electrically adjustable front seats, boss mode, reclining rear seats, memory function for driver seat, digital key, fully digital instruments, 360-degree camera, panoramic sunroof, rear window sunshades, adjustable regen, Bose sound system, V2L charging, in-car payment for charging & loads more)
• Hyundai's wide dealer & service network
What you won't:
• Smaller battery packs and shorter range compared to rivals such as the Tata Curvv & Mahindra BE 6
• EV-specific tyres limit the car's handling and braking capabilities
• Firmer suspension isn't as compliant as the regular Creta's
• Back seat's width makes it better for 2 adults and a kid, rather than 3 adults
• A few misses (e.g. wireless Android Auto & Apple Carplay, illuminated window buttons!!!)
• 433-litre boot is lesser than the Tata Curvv (500 litres)
• The usual EV challenges (charging infrastructure, highway range anxiety etc.)
• Although not bad, rear seat under-thigh support is lesser than the ICE Creta, and you do sit in a bit of a knees-up position. Taller people will have an issue with under-thigh support
Mahindra BE6
What you'll like:
• Looks like something that’s straight out of the future. Has a very unique design inside out. Surely a head-turner
• Powerful motor sends 282 BHP to the rear wheels (0-100 km/h in 6.7 seconds)!
• Low centre of gravity, stiff suspension and connected steering offer a great handling package
• 79 kWh battery pack should comfortably offer 450 - 500 km real-world range. This is enough even for road-tripping with the family
• Lifetime warranty on the battery is a big assurance for EV owners
• 455-litre boot and the 45-litre frunk are good enough for family holiday luggage
• Fully loaded with a bunch of unique features like interactive rear LED strip, augmented reality integrated head-up display, infinity roof with interactive lights, 16-speaker Harman Kardon system with Dolby Atmos, selfie camera, UV filtration glass, auto-park with remote car control and many more
• Safety features include Level 2+ ADAS, 7 airbags, fatigue alert system, all-wheel disc brakes, ESP, front parking sensors, 360-degree camera, hill hold, hill descent, TPMS, etc.
What you won't:
• Uncomfortable rear seat experience. High floor, difficult ingress and egress and limited headroom (due to the sloping roofline)
• Stiff suspension setup means you feel the bad roads. Ride is liveable, but not for someone looking for a comfortable suspension
• Concept car-like styling may not be to everyone’s liking. Will surely divide opinions
• Rearward visibility is poor, as is the case with most Coupe-SUVs
• Some cabin plastics don't feel premium in an otherwise loaded SUV. Excessive piano black in the cabin isn't to my tastes and makes it very difficult to keep scratch-free
• This car is extremely complex - we have concerns over niggles & bugs in a freshly baked Mahindra, especially the early batches
• Mahindra's after-sales service is a hit or miss. Remains a gamble. Wondering how many of them will be able to handle such a complicated car too
• Missing features like a full-size spare tyre (you get a skinny 135 mm space saver which will cap your cruising speed to 80 km/h), cooled glovebox, rear sunshade and no physical buttons for HVAC controls
Tata Curvv.EV
What you'll like:
• Coupe SUV styling is unique & a great differentiator. Grabs attention on the road
• A good overall package that’s priced competitively against rivals like the ZS EV, XUV400 & Nexon EV Long Range
• 165 BHP motor is very enjoyable. 400 km real-world range is sufficient for city + highway driving
• Sorted road manners & high speed stability
• Zero emissions, cheap “fuel” costs, no gears, light controls make it an ideal city car
• 500-litre boot is accommodating enough for family holiday luggage
• Long list of features includes flush door handles, powered tailgate with gesture activation, 9-speaker JBL audio system (sounds really nice!), panoramic sunroof, V2L & V2V charging, Arcade.ev app suite, recline adjustment for rear seats and more
• Loaded with safety tech like level 2 ADAS, 6 airbags, all-wheel disc brakes, acoustic vehicle alert system for pedestrians, ESP, front parking sensors, 360-degree view camera, TPMS, hill hold assist & hill descent control
What you won't:
• Rear seat is uncomfortable for tall passengers - high floor, difficult ingress & egress and limited headroom (due to the coupe styling)
• Suspension has a firm edge to it due to 18-inch wheels (top variant). Ride is liveable, but you do feel the bad roads. 17” wheel lower variants could ride better
• Build quality and fit & finish – while being satisfactory - have room for improvement
• Rearward visibility is poor, as is the case with most Coupe-SUVs
• A few missing features like telescopic adjustment for the steering wheel, cupholders for front passengers, a rear sunshade…
• The usual EV challenges (charging infrastructure, range anxiety etc.)
• Tata's after-sales service quality is a hit or miss. Remains a gamble
• It's a brand-new Tata launch, so the probability of niggles is high, especially in the initial batches
MG Windsor
What you'll like:
• A unique proposition for the Indian market. The Windsor is a Crossover MPV that focuses on practicality and comfort
• Very well-priced! MG has set the cat among the pigeons. Definitely worth considering over the competitors. BaaS (Battery as a Service) option is also available if you want a lower acquisition cost
• A well-built car that doesn’t feel cheap by any standards
• Good looking cabin paired with spacious interiors. Rear seats are especially comfortable with plenty of legroom & headroom
• 134 BHP motor has enough power for the city as well as highway runs. Real-world range of 250 km should be good for urban dwellers
• Selectable drive modes and adjustable regen braking are useful in various driving conditions
• 604-litre boot is great for family outings (note: top variant has ~579 liters of boot space)
• Long list of features includes electronic flush-fitting door handles, ventilated front seats, 135-degree reclining rear seats, 15.6-inch touchscreen head-unit with wireless Android Auto & Apple CarPlay, connected car tech, OTT apps and more
• Zero emissions, cheap running costs & green image will appeal to a lot of people
What you won't:
• MPV styling – in this era of SUVs & Crossovers - may not appeal to everyone. Also, the headlight placement makes them prone to damage
• 250 km range is on the lower side by 2024 standards. MG should have given the bigger 50 KWh battery as an option
• Suspension tune is busy at the rear. The ride is liveable, but you do feel bad roads
• Lack of physical buttons is a major inconvenience. Too much dependence on the touchscreen even for core functions (e.g. ORVM adjustment)
• Missing some features like a spare wheel (please get one at additional cost), rear wiper (big miss), ADAS tech, height adjustable seatbelts…
• The usual EV challenges (charging infrastructure, range anxiety, setting up home charging etc.)
• A/C does take some time to cool the large cabin; the large greenhouse & glass roof are contributors
Tata Nexon.EV
What you'll like:
• A solidly built & good-looking electric car
• Zero tailpipe emissions & green image will appeal to the environmentally-conscious
• Increased driving range is adequate for city commutes & inter-city travel to nearby destinations
• Stupendously cheap fuel cost of 1 rupee / km (if you charge at home)
• Fast performance! 0-100 km/h in ~9 seconds is enjoyable
• Sorted road manners & solid high-speed stability due to the lower center of gravity & firmer suspension
• Smooth drive, no gears, light controls & compact size make it an ideal city car
• Nice, spacious cabin with comfortable seats. You get a practical 350-liter boot too
• Loads of features over the standard Nexon EV such as faster charging, ventilated seats, auto-dimming IRVM, Sport & Eco modes, multi-mode regen, cruise control, air purifier, wireless smartphone charging, sunroof and more
• Safety kit includes disc brakes all-round, ESP, traction control, TPMS, electronic parking brake, auto hold etc.
• Low running costs & cheaper long-term maintenance (as is the case with all EVs)
What you won't:
• Considerably more expensive than the Petrol / Diesel Nexon. You're paying for the tech & being an early adopter
• Needs a charging point installed at your home parking spot. This is not doable for many people
• Lack of charging infrastructure limits long-distance / highway usability
• Long “full tank” charging times in comparison with an ICE car. Overnight charging is best
• Top speed is restricted to 140 km/h
• Ride is compliant, but not plush. Firmness at lower speeds means you feel the big potholes
• Only 3 dual-tone colour options to pick from. No single tone colour options available. Boring colour palette = just white, grey & blue
• Fit, finish & interior quality don’t match up to the 20-lakh on-road price of the XZ+ Lux
• Tata's after-sales service quality is a hit or miss. Remains a gamble
Mahindra XUV400
What you'll like:
• Finally a proper EV from Mahindra that's well-built and refined
• Zero tailpipe emissions & green image will appeal to the environmentally-conscious
• 250-260 km real-world driving range should be adequate for city commutes & inter-city travel to nearby destinations
• Exhilarating performance! 0-100 km/h in 8.3 sec is fun
• Remarkably cheap fuel cost of 1 rupee / km (if you charge at home)
• Sorted road manners, compliant ride quality & solid high-speed stability. Beautiful handling package
• Smooth drive, no gears, one pedal operation, light controls & compact size make it an ideal city car
• Spacious and wide cabin with comfortable seats. Now gets a more practical 378-litre boot too
• Well-equipped with features like drive modes, sunroof, cruise control, auto headlamps & wipers
• Safety kit includes 6 airbags, disc brakes all-round, IP67 protection for motor and battery, and adjustable headrests for all 5 passengers. The XUV300 has scored 5-stars in the GNCAP!
• Low running costs & cheaper long-term maintenance (as is the case with all EVs)
What you won't:
• Needs a charging point installed at your home parking spot. This is not doable for many people
• Lack of charging infrastructure limits long-distance / highway usability
• Long “full tank” charging times in comparison with an ICE car. Overnight charging is best
• Boring interior design feels kind of old by current standards
• Concerns over niggles in a freshly baked Mahindra EV. Our test car itself had issues!!
• A few cabin plastics & rough areas don't feel premium
• Mahindra's after-sales service quality is a hit or miss. Remains a gamble
• Missing features such as fog lamps, front parking sensors, auto-dimming IRVM, ventilated seats, wireless charging, rear AC vents, etc. Some of these are provided in the XUV300
• Will carry a price premium, like most EVs today. We expect the pricing to be in the vicinity of the Nexon EV
• OEM speaker & sound quality are terrible
MG ZS EV
What you'll like:
• One of the most sorted EVs in India!
• A well-built car with good interiors
• Green image & zero tailpipe emissions appeal to the environmentally conscious
• Fast performance and excellent mid-range. 0-100 km/h run of 8.5 seconds is enjoyable
• Selectable regenerative braking and drive modes help you extract maximum performance or efficiency, as needed
• Range is adequate for urban commuting as well as road-trips to nearby destinations
• Low running costs & cheaper long-term maintenance (as is the case with all EVs)
• An excellent city car. Smooth driving experience, easy to drive, very chuckable
• 5 year / unlimited km warranty, 5 labour-free services & 8 year / 150,000 km battery warranty
• Features such as the panoramic sunroof, cruise control, Bluetooth key, connected car tech & more
• International model got a 5-star Euro NCAP rating. Safety kit includes 6 airbags, blind spot monitoring, ESP, HSA, TPMS etc.
What you won't:
• Expensive! Even after subsidies, EVs carry a huge price premium over ICE cars. You're paying for the tech & being an early adopter
• Needs a charging point installed at your home parking. This is not doable for many people
• Lack of charging infrastructure & ~350 km range limits long-distance / highway usability
• Firm ride quality means you always feel the road, especially with the recommended 41 PSI tyre pressure
• Long “full tank” charging times in comparison with an ICE car. Overnight charging is best
• Missing features such as ventilated seats, auto-dimming IRVM, steering reach adjustment, ADAS tech (which Astor gets), wireless Android Auto / CarPlay…
• The rear seat is better suited to 2 adults & a kid, not 3 adults
• 6-speaker sound system is ordinary for the price. Subwoofer conspicuous by its absence
Here's what GTOÂ had to say on the matter:
BE6 for me. No contest. I haven't driven it yet, but based on our official review and the many drive reports from BHPians, it's got the looks, build, power, sorted suspension, features, sound system and the makings of an all-rounder. Other than the XUV700, these might just be the best cars Mahindra has ever made in 10 years.
Two points though:
1. I will wait for 2 years and buy a fully sorted BE6. This is a brand-new model from Mahindra with brand-new technology. There are bound to be many niggles. I don't want to be their beta tester.
2. Between the BE6 and XEV 9e, I will most likely go for the latter. But final comments after driving both
Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.
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