- VinFast launched its first seven-seater electric car VF MPV 7 priced at Rs 24.49 lakh
- VF MPV 7 has a 60.13 kWh battery with a 517 km ARAI-rated range and 80 kW fast charging
- Kia Carens Clavis EV offers 42 kWh and 51.4 kWh battery options with up to 490 km range
VinFast has launched its third electric car in the Indian market, the VF MPV 7. This is the automaker's first seven-seater model in the country and comes at a starting price of Rs 24.49 lakh (ex-showroom). The electric vehicle marks the brand's presence in a new segment and opens the gates for a new set of consumers. However, this market already has models like the Kia Carens Clavis EV and Mahindra XEV 9s. Here, we take a look at how the range and charging time of VF MPV 7 compare against the aforementioned models. The one with more range and less charge time is the best option for highway runs.
VinFast VF MPV 7
VinFast has equipped the VF MPV 7 with a 60.13 kWh battery, which offers a claimed range of 517 km (as per ARAI standards). This battery pairs with a front-mounted electric motor that produces 204 hp and 280 Nm of torque, enabling the vehicle to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in under 9 seconds. The VF MPV 7 features three driving modes: Eco, Normal, and Sport, along with various settings for brake regeneration. It supports DC fast charging at a rate of up to 80 kW, which allows the battery to be charged from 10 per cent to 70 per cent in just 30 minutes.
Kia Carens Clavis EV
Currently priced at Rs 17.99 lakh (ex-showroom), the Kia Carens Clavis EV offers two battery options: a 42 kWh unit that provides an ARAI-rated range of 404 km, and a 51.4 kWh unit with a claimed range of 490 km. The smaller battery version is paired with a 135 hp electric motor, while the larger battery supports a more powerful 171 hp motor. Both options are located at the front axle and deliver a torque of 255 Nm.
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Kia reports that the 51.4 kWh version can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.4 seconds. The vehicle also includes four levels of regenerative braking, which can be controlled using paddle shifters, and features a drive selector mounted on the steering column. For charging, Kia offers two AC charger options: 7.4 kW and 11 kW, with the 11 kW charger allowing the 42 kWh battery to go from 10 per cent to 100 per cent in 4 hours, while the 51.4 kWh battery takes 4 hours and 45 minutes for a full charge.
Mahindra XEV 9S
The Mahindra XEV 9S starts at Rs 19.95 lakh (ex-showroom). Mahindra offers three battery pack options for the XEV 9S, all of which are compatible with DC fast charging at rates between 140 kW and 180 kW. The entry-level Pack One Above variant is available with options for a 59 kWh (231 hp) and a 79 kWh (286 hp) battery, both of which drive the rear wheels.
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The XEV 9S with the 79 kWh battery has an ARAI-rated range of up to 521 km for the base variant with the 59 kWh battery, while the larger battery can achieve an impressive range of up to 679 km. The mid-range Pack Two Above trim is equipped with a new 70 kWh battery that powers a 245 hp motor, providing an ARAI-rated range of up to 600 km.
The top variants, Pack Three and Pack Three Above, are exclusively available with the 79 kWh battery pack. Mahindra claims that the more powerful models can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 7 seconds, while the 59 kWh XEV 9S achieves this in 7.7 seconds, with a top speed of 202 km/h.