I am in the market for an electric car between Rs 20-25 lakh; Should I wait for Tata Sierra EV or Maruti eVitara?
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Question
I am in the market for an electric car between Rs 20-25 lakh; Should I wait for Tata Sierra EV or Maruti eVitara - or pick one from the current cars? If it helps, my driving will be mostly in a not-so crowded Tier 2 city in North India. the roads aren't great here, so driving comfort matters to me and family. We do not need a 7-seater but can consider one for luggage space purposes on our occasional hill station trips.
Answer
If you need a car now (don’t want to wait): pick a current EV with a proven ride and dealer/service support - think Tata Harrier EV (if it fits your budget) or Tata Nexon EV (if you want something smaller but sure-footed). These give comfortable ride quality for rough Tier-2 roads and good dealer support. Another option is the just-launched Mahindra XEV 9s. Mahindra has priced the car very well, and it also has a good ride quality as speeds increase.
If you can wait one more month, and safety + reasonably long range are a priority, Maruti eVitara is worth waiting for (strong Bharat NCAP result and long-range battery options). Also, Maruti is big on charging infrastructure. This should make the eVitara a great option for highway runs as well. If you’re buying for character/nostalgia and don’t mind a slightly unclear timeline, Tata Sierra EV is tempting - but its EV timing and exact specs/pricing are less certain. We expect the Sierra.EV to be launched only in the second half of 2026.
Timelines & certainty
Maruti eVitara: already unveiled for India, gets two battery options (around 49 kWh and 61 kWh) with long claimed range, and has recently scored very well in Bharat NCAP. This points to a mainstream, safe, long-range product from Maruti. It’s expected to be launched (sales) later this year with the deliveries commencing from January 2026. If safety, easy servicing and range matter, it’s a very credible wait.
Tata Sierra EV: Tata has revived the Sierra name and teased EV variants, but the Sierra story is a bit split - Tata launched the Sierra ICE derivative and the EV variant is being talked about for the future; Mid or end 2026 is when the Sierra.EV will be at showrooms. In short: attractive, but timeline & exact pricing/specs are less locked-in than eVitara.
Your use case: Tier-2 city + bad roads + family comfort + occasional hill trips
Comfort on poor roads means you need a vehicle with a longer wheelbase, suspension tuned for India (softer compliance, bigger shocks), and higher ground clearance. That tends to favour larger compact SUVs and C-segment SUVs over tiny city EVs. Again, the Tata Harrier.EV and the Mahindra XEV 9S are great picks.
Luggage / hill trips: A 5-seater with good boot can do most hill trips. A 7-seater is nice for extra luggage space but most 7-seat EVs in this price bracket are stretched or compromise on load space when all seats are up. If luggage is occasional, a roomy 5-seater with roof-carrier or hitch setup is more practical and comfortable on bad roads. (I’d avoid squeezing 7 people + luggage on rough Himalayan approach roads - suspension will be unhappy.)
After-sales & charging
Maruti wins on pan-India service/parts reach - huge plus if you live in a smaller city. Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) options may also reduce upfront costs (if offered). Tata also has a very strong EV presence and service network in many cities - and their EVs (Nexon/Harrier platforms) are tuned for Indian roads. Check local dealer capacity before deciding.
What to consider right now (if buying now)
Pick a current model in the ₹20–25L bracket that balances comfort + space + Indian-road ride:
Good picks to shortlist for test-drives (examples from market):
Tata Harrier EV (large, planted ride, good for bad roads/hill trips; competitive pricing in this segment). Great suspension for broken tarmac.
Mahindra XEV 9S (Mahindra has new EVs in this price band + good ride height and sturdy builds are a benefit on poor roads).
MG ZS EV / MG Windsor / other C-segment EVs - comfortable cabins, longish wheelbases, but service network depends on city. None of the MG's have great ride quality!
If you decide to wait
Wait for eVitara if: you want long range, excellent safety ratings, and Maruti’s service reach. This is my recommendation if you don’t urgently need a car and you value peace-of-mind ownership.
Wait for Sierra EV if: you’re attracted to the Sierra’s styling/character and are willing to accept uncertainty on exact launch/pricing. If the Sierra becomes a lifestyle/techy alternative to the Harrier-class ride, it could be great - but I’d only wait for this if the Sierra’s persona matters to you more than immediate ownership.
Concrete recommendation for your situation
You’re in a Tier-2 North Indian city with not-great roads and family comfort matters: don’t gamble on a tiny city EV.
If you need the car immediately: go test-drive Tata Harrier EV (if price fits) or a similarly sized Mahindra EV: XEV 9s. These give the ride comfort and ground clearance your family will thank you for.
If you can wait 2–4 months: prefer waiting for Maruti eVitara it offers an ARAI certified 543 Km range, 5-star Bharat NCAP safety, and the peace of mind of Maruti’s dealer network. Wait for official on-road pricing and book if the specs match your needs.
Final (one-line): If you want comfort & certainty now → buy a larger current EV (Harrier EV / Mahindra options). If you can wait and value safety + Maruti’s support → wait for eVitara. Sierra EV is attractive but more of a “wait-only-if-you-love-the-car” play because its timeline/specs are a bit fuzzy.