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Subra

•5w

I am planning to buy the XEV 9e Pack 3 with the 79kWh battery. I am a heavy-footed driver and tend to drive aggressively. Performance is the main reason I am considering this car. However, I saw a review where the XEV 9e was driven at around 170kph for about eight minutes, after which the power dropped by 14% from the initial. If performance is my priority and I am not concerned about range, should I still go for it? I am scared that it may underperform a lot after driving at excessive speeds for a long time.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•4w
Don’t be alarmed by the video you saw. All electric cars discharge very fast when driven at speed. And a fast discharge also heats up the battery and motor, so to protect the hardware, the battery management system (BMS) cuts the power, which explains the 14% drop you noticed.
Because of aerodynamic drag, speed is the biggest enemy of range, and there is an exponential drop the faster you go. For example, if you drive at 160-170kph, the batteries will discharge 2.5 to 3 times faster than if you were driving at 90-100kph.
Even EVs with large batteries can lose charge at the rate of 1-2% per minute with hard and sustained high-speed driving.
So if all you want is performance and don’t care about range, the Mahindra XEV 9e in Race mode is very quick for short bursts of acceleration to overtake and fast highway runs. But no EV will give you full peak power indefinitely at extreme speeds.
It all depends on how the BMS is calibrated, but after sustained high-speed driving, expect a drop in power, which is normal for an EV and not a flaw of the 9e specifically.
Mahindra XEV 9e

Mahindra XEV 9e

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Mahindra XEV 9e

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Pulakesh Chakraborty

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Hi Autocar Team, I am considering the MG Windsor EV (38 kWh) as my primary car and would appreciate your expert opinion. Based on your real-world testing, would this be a good long-term choice for someone with the following driving pattern? Daily commute: 52 km (home to office) Occasional weekly drives: around 150 km Variant under consideration: mid-spec version Could you also share your observations on the real-world range, efficiency in different drive modes, and any potential limitations I should keep in mind before making a purchase decision?

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Aswin R

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I have a budget of ₹22 lakhs and am looking for an automatic petrol car, either a proper 5-seater or a 7-seater. Suspension and performance are my top priorities. I am confused between the Mahindra XUV 7XO, the 2026 Renault Duster 1.3 L Turbo (as I do not have clear information on its suspension), and the Volkswagen Taigun GT Sport (which feels cramped for 5 people). Please suggest the best option.

Autocar India team

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•1h

The Mahindra XUV 7XO is the best option for you. It has a spacious and comfortable cabin with three rows of seats, though it's worth noting that the third row is a bit cramped for adults. The Mahindra XUV 7XO is powered by a 203hp/380Nm, 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbo petrol engine paired with a 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox, delivering strong performance. The XUV 7XO also features new 'DaVinci' dampers and hydraulic bump stops in the suspension setup. As a result, this SUV feels plush and comfortable at low speeds and composed at highway speeds. Mahindra XUV 7XO petrol-auto prices range from Rs 17.47 lakh to Rs 23.64 lakh (ex-showroom, India).

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We have a Mahindra XUV300 petrol in the family. I am looking for a car within an ex-showroom budget of ₹10-14 lakhs that offers similar driving pleasure to the XUV300, especially in terms of pickup and NVH levels. However, it should deliver better mileage than the XUV300. My driving is mostly on state highways with minimal city usage, and my annual running is around 5,000 km. Please suggest suitable options.

Autocar India team

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•2h

The problem with strong performance is that it usually comes at the cost of mileage. However, the Mahindra XUV 300 - and Mahindras in general - is that they have been tuned to prioritise performance over fuel economy; hence, they are all very powerful. If you want strong performance and a fun-to-drive character, check out the Skoda Kylaq. Its 1.0 TSI engine makes 115hp, which is less than what the Mahindra offers. But as is often the case with Volkswagen Group's famous TSI turbo-petrol engines, it feels a lot stronger than the numbers suggest. The good bit is that it comes with a smooth 6-speed AT option, in case that is what you want, but the 6-speed MT is a fun and easy gearbox as well. As for fuel economy, it will definitely be better than the XUV 300's 1.2-litre turbo petrol, but you will still have to be careful with the throttle to achieve good real-world economy numbers.

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Posted on: 12 Jan 2026