Mahindra XEV 9S Review

I drove the top-spec Mahindra XEV 9S Pack 3 Above (rear-wheel-drive) during a media programme in Bangalore. The 45 km route combined city roads and the climb to Nandi Hills.

The car stayed composed on the winding sections. Around 60 kmph through the curves, the suspension absorbed bumps well and body roll remained minimal. Acceleration felt smooth and sufficiently responsive on inclines and for quick overtakes.

In default drive mode with auto regenerative braking and air-conditioning on, battery usage was 10 % (68 % → 58 %) for the full 45 km.

The white seat upholstery looks premium but will likely show dirt easily in regular use.

Detailed observations on exterior design, interior quality, features, performance, range and final thoughts follow below.

Exterior Design & Dimensions

The Mahindra XEV 9S is a big car on paper (4737 mm long, 1900 mm wide, 1747 mm tall), but in person it doesn’t feel bulky or intimidating. From the front it looks sharp and aggressive, with a completely closed face, DRLs, projector headlamps, cornering fog lamps and active aero flaps at the bottom that open or close for better efficiency. There’s no grille, which instantly marks it out as electric.

The side profile and rear are unmistakably XUV700-inspired (same roofline, window line and overall silhouette). The tail lamps are separate units, not connected across the tailgate. The 18-inch alloys fill the wheel arches well, and the 2762 mm wheelbase gives it a planted stance. Ground clearance is 201 mm (219 mm under the battery pack), and it cleared all the speed-breakers and steep inclines on the Nandi Hills route without any scraping.

The charging port is placed exactly where the fuel filler sits on the ICE XUV700. The boot opens electrically via the key-fob, cabin button or the usual hidden release button under the tailgate lip.

Fit and finish on the media vehicle was excellent: deep, even paint, tight and consistent panel gaps all around, and doors that close with a solid thunk. We’ll have to wait and see if customer cars maintain the same standards, but the press fleet certainly sets a high bar.

Overall, the XEV 9S looks premium and purposeful without being shouty. The front stands out, the rest feels familiar and well-proportioned (exactly what many Indian buyers seem to want in a family electric SUV).

Interior Design and Comfort

Step inside the Mahindra XEV 9S Pack 3 Above and the cabin feels instantly familiar if you’ve sat in the XEV 9e: the same triple 31.24 cm screen layout (instrumentation + infotainment + dedicated passenger display) and identical steering wheel design greet you. The big differentiator is the overall layout and seating configuration that clearly prioritises family use over the 9e’s more coupé-like approach.

Up front, both driver and front passenger get electrically adjustable seats with ventilation; comfort is excellent with good cushioning, decent under-thigh support and ample headroom even for taller drivers. A large panoramic sunroof adds to the airy feel.

The second row is where the XEV 9S truly shines. Thanks to the completely flat floor, three adults can sit comfortably side-by-side. Under-thigh support is generous, legroom is plentiful, and the bench can slide and recline for extra flexibility. Seat ventilation is provided for rear passengers too. On the left, a powered “boss mode” button lets the rear occupant move the front passenger seat forward and recline the backrest, instantly creating limousine-like space. A fold-out tray table and BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) mounts make it easy to work on a laptop with proper posture, whether you’re being chauffeured or simply parked somewhere quiet. Rear occupants also get a proper arm-rest with cup-holders, dedicated AC vents, and door pockets that easily swallow 1-litre bottles.

Third-row access is straightforward—the second row slides and tilts forward without fuss. Once in, there are separate AC vents, a fan-speed knob, a 12 V socket and cup-holders on both sides. Under-thigh support is limited (best suited for children or short journeys), but legroom is acceptable for the segment.

With the third row folded flat, boot space exceeds 500 litres—enough for a weekend family trip’s luggage without drama.

Overall, while the XEV 9e feels more driver-focused and futuristic, the XEV 9S delivers a significantly more practical and family-friendly cabin without sacrificing premium feel. The only thing which should have been improved are the white leatherette seats. A darker theme would have made it easy to maintain.

 Performance & Driving Experience

The XEV 9S Pack 3 Above is rear-wheel drive and puts out 210 kW (282 hp) and 380 Nm of instant torque. We didn’t do any 0-100 km/h launches (because in everyday Indian conditions it feels irrelevant), but the way it responds in normal driving is genuinely impressive.

Everything was left in the default drive mode with auto regenerative braking active. The regen system is easily the smartest I’ve experienced in an Indian EV so far: when no vehicle is detected ahead, lift-off is almost coast-like; the moment the front radar senses traffic, deceleration ramps up progressively and quite strongly without ever feeling jerky. The one pedal drive also works seamlessly and brings the vehicle to  a complete halt which is very useful in bumper to bumper traffic.

Straight-line response is effortless. A quick prod of the throttle on an incline or for an overtake and the car surges forward smoothly and silently. Cabin insulation is excellent; even at 70-80 kmph on the highway stretch there was barely any wind or tyre noise.

What really stood out was the ride and handling balance. Over broken patches and potholes the suspension simply flattens everything; impacts are heard more than felt. Yet when you turn into the sharp curves of Nandi Hills, body roll is remarkably well contained for a tall, 4.7-metre-long family SUV. The car feels planted and confident, never nervous. Steering is light at low speeds for easy city manoeuvring, yet weights up nicely as speed builds and always keeps you in control. A 5-metre turning radius is excellent for a vehicle this size. If I have to nitpick, there is a minor understeer on sharp turns but something which many will not notice in day to day drive. In our short 45 km drive, we consumed 10% SoC (68% to 58%). This translates loosley to 450 km range but that will be misleading. A proper range test under different scenarios needs to be done.

In short, the XEV 9S drives far better than its family-hauler brief suggests. It combines a relaxed, refined nature in traffic with genuine poise when the road gets interesting.

Verdict

The Mahindra XEV 9S is a practical, no-nonsense electric SUV that nails the family-hauler brief without unnecessary drama. Treat it as a very good 5-seater with the flexibility of occasional 7-seater duties—perfect for urban commutes or weekend getaways where space and efficiency matter more than outright sportiness.

Pricing is the knockout punch: starting at ₹19.95 lakh ex-showroom for the base Pack One Above, and the introduction of the 70 kWh battery in the Pack Two Above at ₹24.45 lakh will shift buying decisions for budget-conscious buyers seeking real-world range around 450-500 km. The 20-minute 20-80% DC fast charge is a boon for highway stops, making long vacations less stressful.

In the market, it won't just challenge 7-seater EVs like the Kia Carens Clavis EV or BYD eMax7—it'll encroach on the 5-seater space too, giving the Hyundai Creta Electric a tough fight and even pressuring Mahindra's own BE 6 on value. For some it will also compete with XEV 9e and Harrier EV as well in some variants. If you're eyeing a premium, feature-packed EV under ₹30 lakh that drives better than expected, the XEV 9S deserves a test drive.

All details of the Mahindra XEV 9S can be found here.

Overall Electree Score: 8.5/10