What type of vehicle is the Mahindra XEV 9S?

The Mahindra XEV 9S is a 7-seater electric SUV, aiming to appeal to the mass-family market in India.

What is the starting price of the Mahindra XEV 9S?

The Mahindra XEV 9S has a starting price of ₹19.95 lakh.

What is the claimed range of the Mahindra XEV 9S?

The company claims the Mahindra XEV 9S has a range of 679 km.

What is the expected real-world driving range of the XEV 9S?

Even if the SUV delivers 520 to 560 km in real driving, it is still expected to be a segment breaker.

How is the design and road presence of the Mahindra XEV 9S described?

The XEV 9S features a wide, solid SUV stance and is perceived as an electric mix of the Scorpio and XUV700.

How practical is the 7-seater layout of the Mahindra XEV 9S?

The third row is usable but not ideal for adults on long drives, while the second row offers genuine comfort and good legroom.

What are the key characteristics of the Mahindra XEV 9S's driving experience?

The driving experience is marked by stability due to effective weight management, light yet precise steering, and smooth acceleration.

₹19.95 Lakh for a 7-Seater EV? Mahindra XEV 9S Just Changed the Rules

Gaurav Jha

13 Dec 2025, 06:19 PM IST

Car Reviews

A decade inside the auto industry makes you question big EV claims, and the XEV 9S gives plenty to talk about beyond just range numbers.

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Mahindra XEV 9S: A Bold 7-Seater EV Entry

खबर का सार AI ने दिया · News Team ने रिव्यु किया

The Mahindra XEV 9S is a new 7-seater electric SUV boasting a claimed 679 km range.
Priced from ₹19.95 lakh, it aims to capture India's largely untapped 7-seater EV market.
Its design and strong road presence are noted to be more impressive in real life than in photos.

To be honest, when I first heard the name Mahindra XEV 9S, I didn’t buy it instantly. A 7-seater electric SUV, a claimed 679 km range, and a starting price of ₹19.95 lakh. After spending over a decade in this industry, your brain automatically switches to alert mode. Because we’ve heard big promises before. Seen flashy launches. And lived through the reality later.

Still, this car is hard to ignore. Not because of numbers alone, but because of timing. In India, the 7-seater EV space has always felt half-baked. Tata, BYD, MG all tried, but none really cracked the mass-family mindset. Mahindra is clearly swinging for the fence here.

Design and Road Presence Stronger in Real Life Than in Photos

The first time I saw the XEV 9S was at a dealer yard. Mud everywhere, SUVs parked randomly after a rainy day. From a distance itself, the XEV 9S stood out. Not overly futuristic. No unnecessary cuts or drama lighting. Just a wide, solid SUV stance.

फाइल फोटो : Strong SUV stance with a clean electric design.

A dealer casually said, people are seeing it as an electric mix of Scorpio and XUV700. He said it straight. And honestly, that made sense. That classic Mahindra road presence works everywhere, from small towns to Gurgaon expressways.

679 km Range Sounds Sweet on Paper

Now to the biggest shock point. The 679 km range claim. What the company is saying sounds impressive. But this is where old experience kicks in. I still remember another EV that claimed over 500 km. On test drive day, the showroom guy suggested switching off the AC. That moment said everything.

The Mahindra XEV 9S gets a large battery, a new platform, and improved efficiency. Fair enough. But even if this SUV delivers 520 to 560 km in real driving, it will still be a segment breaker. Chasing the 679 number isn’t necessary.

7-Seater Layout Real Use Matters More Than Brochure Claims

In India, a 7-seater means different things to different people. For some, the third row is just for kids. For others, it’s for parents on long trips. Mahindra has taken a practical approach here. The third row is usable, but don’t expect miracles. An adult sitting there on a long drive will complain.

फाइल फोटो : Spacious cabin with a modern EV-focused layout.

The second row, though, is genuinely comfortable. Flat floor, good legroom. This is where the battery placement actually helps.

Driving Experience EV Silence with Mahindra Weight Control

During the test drive, the first thing that stood out wasn’t silence. It was stability. Mahindra has learned how to manage weight. That old top-heavy feel is missing here. Steering is light but not vague.

Acceleration is smooth. No neck-snapping drama. And honestly, that’s a good thing. A family car doesn’t need theatrics.

Software and Tech This Is Where Mahindra Must Prove Itself

A real incident comes to mind. Years ago, I had an experience with a Mahindra EV where the navigation froze mid-drive. The service engineer smiled and said, sir, it’ll be fixed in the next update. Since that day, the word update always makes me cautious.

The XEV 9S software is better than before, but it’s not flawless. Touch response feels lazy at times. Connected features are decent, but the polish seen in some Chinese brands is still missing. This is a risk buyers should understand clearly.

₹19.95 Lakh Pricing This Is Where the Game Changes

If Mahindra actually manages to hold this price, rivals will feel the heat immediately. There is currently no true 7-seater EV at this price point. Not from Tata. Not from MG. Not from BYD.

That said, base variant availability, waiting periods, and dealer-level add-ons can change the real picture. I’ve seen it many times. Brochures promise one thing, the final invoice tells another story.

Should You Buy It or Wait?

As far as I’m concerned, the Mahindra XEV 9S is a bold and necessary move. It’s not perfect. Software still has room to grow. Real-world range needs to prove itself.

But if you’re planning to move from a petrol or diesel 7-seater to an EV, and your budget sits around ₹20 lakh, ignoring this SUV would be a mistake. Just go in with open eyes and understand the early-adopter risks.

Mahindra has delivered a shock. Now the real question is whether this shock stays relevant long-term, or fades once the launch excitement settles.

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Mahindra XEV 9S: Will its price redefine the EV market?