Mahindra XEV 9e Expert Review

The XEV 9e resembles what a facelifted XUV700 might look like—muscular, angular, and new-age. At over 4.7 metres, the 9e is slightly longer than the XUV700. 19-inch rims are standard with 20 inchers available as an option. A coupe-SUV roofline and full-width LED tail lighting add drama and presence.
The powered tailgate has gesture control and opens to a 663-litre boot. While deep enough for large bags, it isn’t very tall. Under the bonnet is a 150-litre frunk, large enough for a few soft bags.
The 9e is a born-electric SUV, built on Mahindra’s new Inglo skateboard platform.
 

Wide-opening doors make entry to the cabin easy. Inside, the three-screen setup (digital dials, centre touchscreen, passenger screen), two-spoke steering, and new gear selector give a modern feel.
Front-seat comfort is good, and the rear seat is spacious with ample legroom and width. The flat floor helps the middle passenger, though headroom is tight for tall occupants due to the sloping roof.
 

Two battery options—59kWh and 79kWh —  are on offer and power the rear-mounted motor. The motor produces 231hp when paired with the smaller of the battery pack and 286hp with the larger one. The 79kWh version offers strong performance and silent, refined driving. Drive modes let you fine-tune your experience.

MIDC range is 542km (59kWh) and 656km (79kWh), with over 500km claimed real-world. It supports 7.2kW/11kW AC charging and 175kW DC fast charging for 20–80% in 20 minutes.

Large tyres and a well damped suspension absorb bumps well, lending a toughness to the large EV. High-speed handling is surprisingly agile and the experience is helped by a well weighted steering. Regen braking is included and one-pedal driving is easy to get used to.

The XEV 9e comes loaded with features. The 12.3-inch digital dials are vibrant and versatile, displaying full maps, ADAS visuals, and side camera feeds. There’s also a head-up display with AR. The centre touchscreen is slick but cluttered and not intuitive in its layout. There’s also a dedicated screen for the front passenger. While it is a premium touch, the lack of a privacy filter is distracting for the driver. A 16-speaker, 1400W Harman Kardon system with Dolby Atmos and auto parking enhance the experience.
Safety-wise, the 9e boasts a full five-star Bharat NCAP rating. The safety suite includes seven airbags, ABS, ESC, hill controls, and ADAS using 12 ultrasonic sensors, five radars, and six cameras. The ADAS is well-calibrated for Indian conditions.
 

The Mahindra XEV 9e starts at Rs 21.9 lakh (ex-showroom), going up to Rs 31.25 lakh. It blends presence, comfort, and EV performance with a loaded feature set. The user interface needs polish, but the overall proposition is tempting enough to lure buyers from ICE SUVs.