The Mahindra BE 6 is one of the most powerful electric midsize SUVs, featuring a sporty, radical design and based on a pure electric platform. The Creta Electric, on the other hand, is a family-oriented EV that is an electric counterpart to the ICE-powered Creta. In this article, we compare the real-world performance of both models and see how they fare. For this comparison, we’ve chosen their respective long-range versions with a larger battery pack and more powerful motor.
Mahindra BE 6 vs Hyundai Creta Electric: Specifications
BE 6 gets a much larger battery and a more powerful motor
Mahindra BE 6 vs Hyundai Creta Electric: Specifications | ||
|---|---|---|
Specifications | Mahindra BE 6 | Hyundai Creta Electric |
Battery capacity (kWh) | 79 | 51.4 |
Electric motor setup | Single, rear-mounted | Single, front-mounted |
Power (hp) | 286 | 171 |
Torque (Nm) | 380 | 255 |
| Kerb weight (kg) | 2,115 | 1,577 |
| Power-to-weight (hp/tonne) | 135.22 | 107 |
| Torque-to-weight (Nm/tonne) | 179.67 | 158.9 |
Gearbox | Single-speed automatic | Single-speed automatic |
Claimed 0-100kph time (seconds) | 6.7 | 7.9 |
ARAI range (km) | 683 | 510 |
The BE 6 is powered by a 79kWh battery pack and gets a rear-wheel-drive layout, while the Creta has a smaller 51.4kWh unit and a front-wheel-drive layout. Also, the BE 6’s motor puts out 115hp and 125Nm more than the Creta’s, translating to a faster claimed 0-100kph time. But how does that lead to real-world performance?
Mahindra BE 6 vs Hyundai Creta Electric: Acceleration timings
BE 6 delivers quicker timings, but Creta Electric is not too far behind
Mahindra BE 6 vs Hyundai Creta Electric: Acceleration timings (seconds) | ||
|---|---|---|
0-100kph | Mahindra BE 6 | Hyundai Creta Electric |
0-20kph | 1.37 | 1.36 |
0-40kph | 2.69 | 2.69 |
0-60kph | 4.00 | 4.03 |
0-80kph | 5.38 | 5.73 |
0-100kph | 7.14 | 8.04 |
0-120kph | 9.48 | 11.03 |
While Mahindra claims a 6.7-second 0-100kph time for the BE 6, the SUV took 7.14 seconds in our real-world test. Despite having much lower power, the Creta Electric was not too far behind at 8.04 seconds. In fact, our tests show that the Creta Electric’s performance was neck and neck with the BE 6 till 60kph.
The reason why there isn’t much of a gap between the BE 6 and Creta Electric is due to powertrain calibration. Thanks to interventions from the traction control system, the BE 6 doesn’t allow for aggressive launches, nor does it dump all its torque in one go. Instead, power is meted out in a progressive manner, allowing for smooth acceleration. The BE 6 is also significantly heavier than the Creta Electric due to its larger battery, which affects performance.
Mahindra BE 6 vs Hyundai Creta Electric: Rolling acceleration timings
More powerful BE 6 maintains a marginal lead in rolling acceleration tests
Mahindra BE 6 vs Hyundai Creta Electric: Rolling acceleration timings (seconds) | ||
|---|---|---|
Rolling acceleration tests | Mahindra BE 6 | Hyundai Creta Electric |
20-80kph (in kickdown) | 4.03 | 4.55 |
40-100kph (in kickdown) | 4.46 | 5.23 |
When it comes to rolling acceleration, the BE 6 manages to pull ahead of the Creta Electric, completing the 20-80kph and 40-100kph tests 0.52 and 0.77 seconds faster, respectively. As with their 0-100kph timings, the time difference in rolling acceleration between the two SUVs is also minuscule despite the considerable power gap.
Mahindra BE 6 vs Hyundai Creta Electric: Braking tests
Mahindra BE 6 vs Hyundai Creta Electric: Braking tests | ||
|---|---|---|
Mahindra BE 6 | Hyundai Creta Electric | |
80-0kph distance (m) | 26.81 | 28.05 |
80-0kph time (seconds) | 2.71 | 2.52 |
80-20kph L1 regen distance (m) | 299.47 | 318.83 |
80-20kph L2 regen distance (m) | 190.02 | 190.43 |
80-20kph L3 regen distance (m) | 122.11 | 138.7 |
The BE 6 may be heavier than the Creta Electric, but its 80-0kph braking distance is surprisingly shorter. However, the Creta Electric manages to decelerate in slightly less time.
Mahindra BE 6 vs Hyundai Creta Electric: Prices
Creta Electric’s long-range versions are much more affordable
Mahindra BE 6 vs Hyundai Creta Electric: Prices | ||
|---|---|---|
Mahindra BE 6 | Hyundai Creta Electric | |
Price range (Rs lakh) | 23.50 to 26.90 | 19.99 to 23.66 |
When it comes to the prices of their respective long-range versions, the Creta Electric is more accessible than the BE 6 by Rs 3.51 lakh. Notably, the Creta Electric’s top-end long-range version costs just Rs 16,000 more than the starting price of the BE 6 with the larger battery pack.
Autocar India’s testing standards
Before conducting our performance tests, we check and maintain tyre pressure based on the manufacturer’s recommendation and ensure that the car is charged to 100 percent. The car is then tested in a controlled environment with two people on board, and the data is collected via highly accurate GPS-based timing equipment.
All prices are ex-showroom, India.