Mahindra XEV 9e first drive review – the game-changing flagship

Does Mahindra XEV 9e redefine the eSUV experience as we know it? We tested the coupe in different scenarios to find out

Story: Gaurav Dhavare

Photography: Sanjay Lekha

We know that SUVs have been dominating the automotive landscape for some time now, and recently, starting with the Citroen Basalt and Tata Curvv, the trend towards coupe-SUVs has begun. Well, after much anticipation from the concept preview, Mahindra has begun a new era of quiet revolution and entered the coupe-SUV game with the XEV 9e. One of two eSUVs launched by Mahindra The Electric Origin SUV range promises a lot on paper, but is it enough to be a game-changer in this ultra-competitive segment? We drove the XEV 9e to find out.

Utilizing the Heartcore design philosophy, what immediately makes it stand out is the futuristic design and is very close to its concept version, which is a big positive. That being said, there’s some arc in the aggressive cut and strong shoulder line that gives it a more traditional feel. LED daytime running lights and rear-connected taillights look stylish, while the closed front grille, aerodynamic 19-inch alloy wheels (20-inch optional) and recessed door handles create a minimalist theme. The combination of gloss black cladding adds some muscle, but it’s the sloping roofline that blends seamlessly into the chunky tailgate that gives it that attractive coupe-SUV profile. In fact, if you look closely, you’d think it’s essentially a facelifted XUV700, just with a coupe body style, but the XEV 9e is slightly longer at 4,789mm. The highlight is the illuminated logo that sums up the XEV 9e’s mature design.

The similarities between the XEV 9e and the XUV700 include the interior layout and the door pads which look quite the same. But the latter does stand out in a number of ways, including a two-spoke steering wheel and a panoramic glass roof with gorgeous lighting. Of course, the biggest highlight is at the top of the dashboard, where there’s not one, not two, but three digital screens as part of a massive 43-inch display that handles touchscreen infotainment duties, driver’s instrumentation, and Entertainment unit for co-passenger.

One could write an article on how feature-loaded the Mahindra XEV 9e is, so I’ll focus on the really important parts. They include wireless smartphone connectivity, multiple wireless phone charging pads, ambient lighting in multiple colors, Mahindra’s MAIA AI interface, the GrooveMe app that synchronizes car lights with music playing in the car, Alexa Assist, and the Fun&Work suite that essentially makes This SUV becomes a smartphone on wheels. Drivers also get some fun with the VisionX augmented reality head-up display, which sits within the line of sight and can display key information such as navigation tips, driver assistance alerts, and even nearby charging stations.

Now, to have such functionality built-in, you need serious computing power, and that comes in the form of a Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset and 5G connectivity. This facilitates relatively lag-free use of all three digital screens. The six-speaker Harman/Kardon sound system with Dolby Atmos technology is a treat for audiophiles as the audio experience is very premium.

In terms of space, the front and rear seats are quite spacious and the seats are quite comfortable. For the chauffeur-driven folks, there are niceties like multiple Type-C charging ports, rear AC vents, and sun visors. You can also plug in a tablet to use the interface on the front touchscreen. However, not everything is rosy with the XEV 9e, as the coupe-SUV body style means the rear windscreen is small and the headrests are located in the middle of the rear cabin, making visibility poor and you have to rely on 360-degree cameras and mirrors. In addition, due to the space saving and spare tire, the 663-liter trunk is very shallow, so after loading two large suitcases, the space will be limited.

Now, the heart of the matter is the Mahindra XEV 9e’s mechanicals. It is built on the new INGLO platform and has a flat floor that allows for a variety of body styles to aid space and driving dynamics. There is a choice of a 59 kWh battery pack paired with a 231 hp electric motor, and a larger 79 kWh battery pack paired with a 286 hp electric motor. While both are rear-wheel drive motors, they are already among the most powerful motors produced by Indian OEMs, and there is room for all-wheel drive. Still, we drove the top-spec 79 kWh/286 hp unit to see how the XEV 9e drives.

Since there is limited scope to truly test a vehicle’s capabilities in a busy city like Chennai, we got a chance to head to the Mahindra SUV validation track facility, which has multiple courses to really relax and unwind. What’s impressive is that despite this eSUV’s tall stature, acceleration is strong and, more importantly, there’s no sign of the speeds fading into triple digits. Daily, Range and Race driving modes are pretty self-explanatory, but Mahindra also has a boost mode where you can unleash the full potential of the electric motor in just 10 seconds, while you’ll notice a slight boost in performance.

As for cornering performance, you’ll notice that the XEV 9e can be a little lazy at times due to its large stature, but it remains fairly stable for a weight of around two tons. The semi-active suspension also features soft biasing to keep the ride comfortable and able to resolve any imperfections with relative ease. Overall, this is a great choice for casual city commuting or highway cruising.

While we didn’t really get an in-depth look at the onboard Level 2 ADAS, the lane change assist and autonomous emergency braking feel advanced and help avoid catching the driver off guard. Another impressive party trick is the parking assist feature with automatic parking, which can also be done using the key fob when exiting the car.

Throughout our drive, the range wasn’t particularly long, so we didn’t push the range to its limit. Fortunately, we don’t have to worry about the range counter at any point, and that’s all that matters. The 79 kWh setup gets a MIDC (Part 1+2) claimed range of 656 km on a single charge, with Mahindra claiming an actual range of around 500 km, which is more than adequate for a non-stop trip from Pune to Goa . Mahindra has also provided this future-ready eSUV with fast charging capability of up to 175 kW, which can charge from 20 to 80 per cent in just 20 minutes.

While we only have the Pack One with an introductory price of Rs 21.90 lakh (ex-showroom) for the base variant, there is a lot to impress about the Mahindra XEV 9e, with its eye-catching looks, spacious and feature-rich cabin and performance as a and startup scope. So if Mahindra can price the rest of the range correctly, the XEV 9e will likely be seen as a flagship family electric coupe-SUV that’s large, practical and generously loaded.

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