I am planning to buy a Mahindra XEV 9E or 9S in the next 5-6 months. The car will be used as my primary vehicle for city driving (30-40 km a day) and for 2-3 long cross-country trips per year across India. My questions are: Is the charging network reliable on Indian highways? Has Mahindra resolved the software issues related to the new platform? Is an AWD variant expected in either car in the next year? Thank you for answering my questions.

Autocar India

•3h

All your concerns are valid, and given your high usage, we would not recommend an EV. Especially for your occasional long highway runs, an EV will require one if not two charging stops, even in something with a battery as large as the Mahindra XEV 9S. Apart from that, if you do not have a home charging setup, it's not advisable either. Your office charging unit will suffice on most days, but in a pickle you will have to rely on public charging infra, which has its limitations and is an inconvenience. And after 10 years, an EV's battery will be as much of a concern as a diesel ban; battery replacement is very expensive, and EV resale value plummets like a rock after 5 years. As you mentioned, the mileage of the petrol XUV 7XO is very low, so given your usage, that's probably not worth it. The best choice, then, is the XUV 7XO diesel. Yes, while it will be banned after 10 years in some regions, it's still worthwhile to get a decade's worth of use out of the car, and sell it or scrap it for some return at the end. If your car is driven regularly, including some highway usage, DPF maintenance should not be an issue.

Mahindra XEV 9S

Mahindra XUV 7XO

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Autocar India

•1d

If your driving is largely city-based and you have access to home charging, the Mahindra XEV 9S makes a much better everyday car. It’s smooth, very refined, and has a soft, comfortable ride. It’s also significantly easier to drive in traffic compared to the Mahindra XUV 7XO.The Pack Two with the 79kWh battery offers an excellent real-world range, which means even weekend trips are perfectly practical - not just short city commutes. Another advantage is the sliding second-row seat, which allows you to free up a bit more space in the third row. Though that last row still isn’t particularly spacious.The XUV 7XO, on the other hand, doesn’t get a sliding middle row. Also, as you pointed out, the fuel efficiency, especially of the 2.0-litre petrol, isn’t particularly impressive.Where the 7XO does make a strong case is on the highway. Its new suspension setup feels very composed and confident at high speeds, whereas the 9S can feel slightly floaty when pushed faster.However, given your primarily urban usage, the XUV 9S would clearly be our recommendation.

Mahindra XEV 9S

Mahindra XUV 7XO

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Autocar India

•2h

Given your low daily running and usage largely limited to long road trips, it makes a lot of sense to keep your Ford EcoSport diesel if it is running fine. It is a car you clearly enjoy, its performance still holds up well, and for highway use, the diesel remains efficient and relaxed. There is also no urgency to replace it purely due to age, so holding on till the next decade is perfectly sensible.If you decided to replace it, and are specifically looking at compact SUVs, two strong options to consider are the Skoda Kylaq and the Mahindra XUV 3XO. The Kylaq is great to drive, feels comfortable on long journeys and is spacious enough for four adults. It is also being very well priced for what it offers. Its main limitation is the narrow body, which makes it more of a strict four-seater rather than a true five-seater. The XUV 3XO, on the other hand, offers a wide cabin and a genuinely spacious interior, making it a better option if you often travel with five people. Its punchy 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine makes it enjoyable to drive, though fuel efficiency will be on the lower side. The boot is the smallest in the segment in terms of usable space.

Skoda Kylaq

Mahindra XUV 3XO

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