Mahindra XEV 9e Detailed Test Drive Review – Born Electrified!

Mahindra has launched two new EVs in India – XEV 9e and BE 6e based on the new INGLO architecture

We got an opportunity to review the newly launched Mahindra XEV 9e coupe electric SUV at the media drive event. Mahindra has announced its arrival in the EV space with a bang. Note that going forward, Mahindra has set up two electric sub-brands – XEV and BE. Each of these boasts Mahindra’s scalable and modular born-electric INGLO platform which will spawn a few other models in the coming years. Hence, the Indian auto giant is preparing an entirely separate EV portfolio which will cater to the global customers. Yes, Mahindra has plans to take these EVs to the global stage. For now, let us acquaint ourselves with the details of the Mahindra XEV 9e.

Mahindra XEV 9e Review – Performance

Both new Mahindra EVs get the same 59 kWh or 79 kWh variants. These use BYD’s Blade Cell technology with LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) chemistry. The power and torque figures are 231 hp / 380 Nm and 286 hp / 380 Nm, respectively. This is enough to lend it an enthusiastic performance. In order to experience its straight-line acceleration, we conducted a 0-100 km/h sprint in all three drive modes – Range, Everyday and Race. These, essentially, translate to Eco, Normal and Sport. In the Race mode, we unleashed the full potential of this impressive powertrain. We were able to get a 0-100 km/h time of 7.18 seconds which is close to the claimed 6.8 seconds. Even in the Everyday mode, the power supply is in plenty. In comparison to the diesel XUV700, the XEV 9e seems much quicker.

In terms of range, Mahindra claims a figure of over 500 km on a single charge with the larger battery pack in real-world conditions. That is a tall claim indeed. On the MIDC, the maximum range with the larger battery pack is 656 km, while with the smaller battery, this number drops down to a decent 542 km. Talking about ride quality, the XEV 9e offers a much plush experience, especially in comparison to the BE 6e which leans more towards the sporty side. However, due to the massive size of the vehicle, there is a fair amount of body roll. But that is to be expected. Also, this EV is meant for passenger comfort and not outright performance. To elevate the passengers’ experience even further, the NVH levels are low and the overall drive is smooth.

Finally, charging is a key component of any electric car. Mahindra has got you covered in that regard as well. The larger battery pack supports 175 kW DC fast charging capabilities which allows the battery to be juiced up from 20% to 80% in just 20 minutes. Interestingly, the smaller battery also takes a similar time but with a 140 kW DC fast charger. For home charging, you can either use a 7.2 kW or an 11 kW AC charger. The latter enables a charging time of 6 hours for the 59 kWh battery and 8 hours for the 79 kWh battery pack. For the initial buyers, the Indian auto giant is also offering a warranty of 10 years / 2,00,000 km (whichever is earlier). Hence, every specification of the Mahindra XEV 9e is impressive.

Mahindra XEV 9e Review – Interior and Features

On the inside, there is a fair amount of XUV700 resemblance. Having said that, there are some distinct upgrades which put it into the league of its own. The first thing that catches the eye is the triple display console like we see on flagship Mercedes cars. This is a 110 cm unit which constitutes the driver’s digital instrument cluster, the infotainment display and a screen for the passenger. The entire dashboard is full of digital estate. What reminded me of the XUV700 is the dual-tone upholstery and dashboard. Furthermore, there is a two-spoke digital steering wheel with gloss black elements and illuminating effect. Taking care of the active safety amenities, the XEV 9e gets Level 2+ ADAS tech. To ensure an airy feeling, the passengers will really appreciate the moon roof which consists of solid glass for the roof. The main highlights of the cabin are:

• Three 12.3-inch Screens on the Dashboard – Driver’s Instrument Cluster, Infotainment Display and a Passenger’s Screen
• MAIA (Mahindra Artificial Intelligence Architecture) with Advanced Neural Engine
• 51 TOPS with over 80 billion transistors and 130+ million lines of code.
• WiFi 6.0, 24 GB RAM, 128 GB Storage
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295
• 2 Entertainment Screens for Rear Passengers
• Bluetooth 5.2
• Wireless Charging
• 90-degree Opening Doors
• 16-speaker Harmon Kardon Sound System with Dolby Atmos
• 5G Internet Connectivity
• Massive Panoramic Sunroof with Integrated Multi-Colour Lighting Patterns
• Auto Park Assist with 12 Ultrasonic Sensors
• In-car Camera
• Electronic Parking Brake
• Ambient Lighting
• Powered Driver’s Seat with Memory Function and Lumbar Support
• OTA Updates
• Level 2 ADAS Suite with 5 Radars and 1 Vision Camera
• 360-degree Cameras
• 7 Airbags
• Electric Power Steering with Variable Gear Ratios
• Augmented-Reality (AR) Heads Up Display (HUD)
• Driver and Occupant Monitoring System (DOMS)
• Signature Sonic Tunes Curated by AR Rahman

Design and Dimensions

Just like on the inside, the resemblance with the XUV700 is evident on the outside as well. This is true until the B-pillars. It bears that boxy appearance with a familiar front fascia. However, due to its electric credentials, the entire front area has been sealed off. The airflow for cooling purposes is regulated through the lower section of the bumper. Also, the LED lighting looks futuristic and modern. The striking LED DRLs have a 7-shaped layout with a thin LED light bar running across the width of the SUV. Note that the XEV 9e carries a new ‘infinity’ Mahindra logo. The bonnet is slightly angular in comparison to the XUV700.

Moving down the sides, the coupe electric SUV boasts optional 20-inch aero-optimized alloy wheels with prominent wheel arches made up of gloss black materials. Moreover, there are flush-fitting front door handles and C-pillar-mounted rear handles and black side pillars to lend it that sportiness. The side body panels also use the gloss black cladding and the sloping roofline is what differentiates it from the XUV700. My favourite bit of the design is the tail section with that shark fin antenna, a roof-mounted spoiler, and a massive ducktail with an LED taillight strip covering the width of the vehicle. The lower section contains a sporty bumper with rugged elements including a skid plate. All in all, the Mahindra XEV 9e is bound to make heads turn everywhere it goes.

Price

Note that Mahindra has only announced the price of the base model of the XEV 9e at the moment. It starts at Rs 21.90 lakh, ex-showroom. Oddly enough, this price doesn’t include an AC charger or installation, for which you will need to pay an extra amount. The details of the prices of the entire range will be out at the Bharat Auto Expo in January 2025. Shortly thereafter, Mahindra is planning to commence deliveries by the end of February or starting of March. In inference, the Indian auto giant is ready to take on the global market with the world-class breed of electric SUVs with cutting-edge tech and scalable born-electric architecture. We just have to wait to see how well the customers respond to these.

Also Read: Mahindra XEV 9e vs Tesla Model Y – What’s Better?