Mahindra XEV 9S first drive: A world-class experience engineered for Indian families

Mahindra’s EV travel has been steadily accelerating implicit the past fewer years, and the accomplishment of the XEV 9S, marks a important measurement forward. This is an SUV with intent —larger, much refined, much technologically assured than thing the institution has built before.

We spent clip with the Pack Three Option, the afloat loaded 79 kWh version, to spot however it behaves successful the existent world, and the abbreviated reply is this: Mahindra has delivered a profoundly considered electrical SUV that feels engineered for Indian families without compromising connected sophistication.

Visually, the XEV 9S strikes a equilibrium betwixt acquainted Mahindra cues and an evolving, much planetary plan language. The stance is unmistakably SUV—upright, muscular and assured—but determination is besides restraint successful the surfaces and detailing. It feels cleaner than the brand’s earlier designs, with a much mature look of their Heartcore philosophy. The lines are assured yet measured, the proportions are well-judged, and the wide aesthetic hints not conscionable astatine the vehicle’s electrical origins but perchance astatine the aboriginal absorption of the XUV700 arsenic well. The Pack Three variant further elevates its beingness with the benignant of lighting signatures, ambient treatments and premium touches you would usually expect from higher segments.

Step wrong and the improvement and the displacement successful Mahindra’s reasoning becomes adjacent much apparent. The compartment feels airy and contemporary, with a beardown absorption connected comfortableness and tactile quality. The leatherette upholstery, the soft-touch finishes, and the integration of 3 wide screens crossed the dashboard lend a lounge similar atmosphere. These displays run smoothly, acknowledgment to Mahindra’s adoption of the high-end Qualcomm 8295 chip, and the passenger-side surface susceptible of streaming YouTube makes the SUV consciousness much similar a rolling amusement pod. It is simply a amazingly premium experience, not conscionable successful presumption of features but successful wide execution and perceived quality.

Space, though, is the XEV 9S’s existent trump card. Mahindra has leaned heavy into the INGLO architecture to carve retired a compartment that genuinely breathes. The 2nd enactment enjoys generous legroom and a level of pampering that is uncommon successful this class—ventilated seats, a sliding mechanics that allows meaningful adjustment, and a consciousness of openness amplified by the panoramic entity roof. The 3rd row, portion champion suited for children oregon abbreviated adults, is full-sized successful signifier and usable connected shorter journeys. What completes the practicality representation is the sheer measurement of storage: a sizeable 527-litre boot, an unusually generous 150-litre frunk, and plentifulness of clever interior spaces marque this an EV that really respects the needs of a increasing family.

Where the XEV 9S genuinely sets itself isolated is successful motion. The Pack Three mentation delivers 210 kW of powerfulness and 380 Nm of torque, numbers that construe into brisk acceleration and a level of responsiveness that feels perfectly judged for a ample household EV. Mahindra claims a 7-second sprint to 100 km/h, but what stands retired adjacent much is the SUV’s composure. The INGLO level feels tighter and much polished present than successful the smaller XEV 9E, offering a planted, assured thrust astatine motorway speeds. There is simply a notable suppression of harshness, and compartment sound is highly good controlled — attributes that substance immensely erstwhile you are carrying six oregon 7 passengers.

The suspension deserves peculiar praise. The operation of i-Link beforehand suspension, a five-link rear setup, and adaptive dampers has fixed Mahindra a handling bundle that strikes an effectual compromise betwixt comfortableness and control. There is immoderate firmness implicit sharper imperfections, but it ne'er becomes intrusive, and assemblage question is kept impressively successful check. Even nether hard braking, the chemoreceptor stays composed, which is not thing you tin accidental astir galore three-row SUVs. The variable-ratio steering is different pleasant astonishment —light astatine parking speeds but reassuringly weighty erstwhile you prime up pace.

Switching into Race Mode brings a chiseled alteration successful character. The throttle sharpens, responses get keener, and the XEV 9S begins to consciousness much diversion than its size would suggest. Climbing a acceptable of twisty ghats, the SUV really feels enthusiastic, particularly with the electrical powertrain’s instant torque making abbreviated enactment of inclines. It is present that Mahindra’s EV engineering maturity reveals itself — the 9S does not conscionable determination quickly, it moves with purpose.

Technology and safety, traditionally areas wherever Mahindra has attempted to overdeliver, person a important boost successful the 9S. The suite is expansive and modern, but what stands retired is however seamlessly everything integrates into the driving experience. The L2+ ADAS bundle feels well-calibrated for Indian conditions, the 360-degree monitoring systems genuinely adhd confidence, and the VisionX AR heads-up show is 1 of the much polished implementations we’ve seen yet. Add to this features similar dual wireless charging, precocious filtration, flush doorway handles, and an array of convenience modes, and the 9S begins to lucifer the benignant of EV you would expect from a planetary premium marque alternatively than a accepted Indian SUV maker.

Mahindra volition connection the XEV 9S successful six variants, dispersed crossed 59 kWh, 70 kWh and 79 kWh artillery options. The range-topping variant we drove sits astatine the apical of this hierarchy, but it is encouraging to spot Mahindra targeting a wide spectrum of buyers with a well-spaced range.

The starting terms of ₹19.95 lakh (ex-showroom) is aggressive, positioning the XEV 9S arsenic 1 of the astir value-rich electrical SUVs connected sale. The afloat loaded 79 kWh Pack Three Above variant, meanwhile, tops retired astatine ₹29.45 lakh, which inactive feels tenable for the instrumentality and show connected offer.

At the extremity of our drive, 1 content lingered astir strongly: this is the astir implicit Mahindra EV to date. It iss not flawless, thing successful this conception is, but it feels thoughtfully engineered and confidently executed. More importantly, it feels similar a merchandise that belongs successful 2026, not 1 catching up to it. In refinement, space, exertion and driving manners, the XEV 9S signals a caller section for Mahindra’s electrical ambitions. For families looking to clasp an electrical aboriginal without compromising practicality oregon presence, this mightiness conscionable beryllium the perfect bridge.

Price range: ₹19.95 – 29.45 lakh. The XEV 9S goes connected merchantability successful January 2026.

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