The hype around Mahindra’s ‘Born Electric’ portfolio has been immense, and the XEV 9S 2025 is perhaps the most significant launch from this new stable. Unlike many manufacturers who simply electrify their existing petrol/diesel cars, the XEV 9S is a completely new launch based on the dedicated INGLO skateboard architecture, which promises better space, handling, and safety—the Holy Grail for a family SUV.
This is Mahindra’s direct answer to the growing demand for a premium, long-range electric 7-seater. The biggest headline, of course, is the starting price. The Mahindra XEV 9S 2025 Ex-Showroom starting price is an aggressive ₹19.95 lakh for the base Pack One 59kWh variant. The top-spec Pack Three Above 79kWh variant goes up to ₹29.45 lakh (Ex-showroom, Delhi). This pricing positions it as a direct threat to high-end ICE SUVs and is a fantastic value proposition for the premium electric segment.

1. QUICK SPECS TABLE (Key Highlights)
| Specification | XEV 9S (79 kWh Variant) | XEV 9S (59 kWh Variant) |
| Battery Capacity | 79 kWh | 59 kWh |
| Max Power Output | 282 BHP (210 kW) | 228 BHP (170 kW) |
| Peak Torque | 380 Nm | 380 Nm |
| Transmission | Automatic (Single-Speed) | Automatic (Single-Speed) |
| ARAI Claimed Range | 679 km | 521 km |
| Boot Space | 394 Litres (3rd row up) | 394 Litres (3rd row up) |
| Frunk (Front Trunk) Space | 150 Litres | 150 Litres |
| Ground Clearance | 205 mm (Unladen) | 205 mm (Unladen) |
2. EXTERIOR DESIGN & ROAD PRESENCE
A Bold, Contemporary Stance
Mahindra has truly embraced the future with the XEV 9S’s design. This is a big vehicle—longer, wider, and taller than its XUV700 sibling—and it has an undeniable road presence. The design language is clearly “electric-first.”
- Front End: It features a signature full-width LED light bar connecting the inverted L-shaped DRLs, replacing the traditional grille with a sleek, shut-off panel. This design is polarising, but it certainly screams premium EV.
- Side Profile: Unlike the XEV 9e, which has a coupe-like sloping roofline, the XEV 9S maintains a traditional, upright SUV silhouette to accommodate the third row comfortably. It gets flush-fitted smart door handles, which feel premium, and large, aero-optimised 19-inch alloy wheels (on the top variant) that fill the wheel arches nicely. The high ground clearance of 205 mm is perfect for Indian broken roads.
- Rear: The rear gets a similar connected LED light bar treatment, giving it a wide, planted look. It’s clean, modern, and has a certain sophistication that Mahindra was aiming for.
Does it turn heads? Absolutely. Especially in metropolitan cities, its size and distinct LED signature make it stand out from the sea of compact SUVs. It looks like a high-end European or Korean model, not something from an Indian manufacturer from just a few years ago.

3. INTERIOR, COMFORT & FEATURES
The Triple-Screen Cockpit and Luxury Seating
Step inside the XEV 9S, and the “premium” tag is instantly justified. This is arguably the most luxurious and technologically advanced cabin yet from an Indian OEM.
- Dashboard: The star of the show is the Triple-Screen Setup. You get three massive 12.3-inch displays laid out across the dashboard: one for the instrument cluster, one for the main infotainment, and a dedicated third screen for the front passenger. The screens are crisp, responsive, and the interface is intuitive. The material quality has also taken a huge leap; while not entirely soft-touch, the faux leather and ambient lighting integration feel expensive.
- Space & Comfort: Thanks to the born-electric platform, the floor is flat, which significantly improves middle-row comfort.
- Legroom/Headroom: First and second rows have fantastic space. The second row gets reclining seats and even ventilation for the outer seats—a segment-first for this price range!
- Third Row: Yes, three adults can squeeze in the back for short city hops, but it is realistically best suited for two medium-sized adults or children on long journeys. The boot space is a decent 394 litres even with the third row up, and the dedicated 150-litre ‘frunk’ (front trunk) is a brilliant, practical addition for charging cables and smaller luggage.
- Features Checklist (The Good & The Missing):
- Best-in-Class: Panoramic sunroof, Dual-zone climate control, Premium Harman Kardon 16-speaker audio system, multiple wireless charging pads (front and rear), and an Augmented Reality HUD (Head-Up Display) on the top trim.
- Missing Features (Minor Niggles): The biggest omission for an SUV this size is the absence of a powered tailgate. Also, a simpler physical control for the volume/AC fan speed would have been appreciated over the touch-sensitive panel.

4. ENGINE PERFORMANCE & DRIVING DYNAMICS
Punchy Power and Comfort-Oriented Suspension
Being an EV, you don’t call it an ‘engine’, but the electric powertrain is phenomenal. The top-spec 79kWh variant with 282 BHP and 380 Nm of instant torque gives you a 0-100 kmph time of just 7.0 seconds. This is fast for a 7-seater SUV.
- City Drive: This is where the XEV 9S truly shines. The steering is light and effortless at low speeds, making filtering through chaotic Indian traffic surprisingly easy. The instant torque means gaps are closed in a blink, and the electronic parking brake with auto-hold is a boon for stop-and-go traffic. Crucially, the regenerative braking has multiple levels and the ‘one-pedal-drive’ mode is perfectly calibrated for city commuting.
- Highway Drive: The 9S feels stable and planted, even when pushing past the 100 kmph mark. The massive weight of the battery pack (sitting low) keeps the centre of gravity low, which significantly reduces body roll, a common issue in tall SUVs. You get multiple driving modes: Range, Everyday, and Race. Stick to Everyday or Range mode for your daily commute, but the Race mode provides a rush of power for quick overtakes on a two-lane highway.
- Suspension: The suspension absorbs potholes easily, one of Mahindra’s traditional strengths. The ride quality is plush and absorbent, managing everything from sharp speed breakers to uneven rural roads with great maturity. The higher-end variant even gets Intelligent Adaptive Suspension, which fine-tunes the ride depending on the road condition—a huge plus for our unpredictable Indian roads.
5. SAFETY (Crucial Section)
Mahindra is synonymous with safety in the Indian market, and the XEV 9S carries that torch forward.
- Build Quality & Airbags: The SUV is built on the robust INGLO platform which uses advanced LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) battery technology from BYD, ensuring high thermal stability. The car comes with 7 Airbags as standard, along with the necessary ABS with EBD, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and ISOFIX child seat anchors.
- NCAP Rating: While a specific Bharat NCAP rating is pending for this exact model, the XEV 9S is expected to secure a 5-Star Bharat NCAP Safety Rating due to the platform’s inherent strength and Mahindra’s excellent track record in this department. Peace of mind is guaranteed.
- ADAS Suite: The top-spec variants feature a comprehensive Level 2 ADAS plus suite. This includes:
- Adaptive Cruise Control (works well even in Indian traffic)
- Lane Keeping and Centring Assist
- Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
- Traffic Sign Detection
- 360-degree camera with a 3D view.The presence of five radars and twelve ultrasonic sensors ensures the system works with commendable accuracy.
6. REAL WORLD MILEAGE (The Truth)
This is the most critical section for any EV buyer in India. The number you see on the brochure (ARAI Claimed) is never what you get in real life.
| XEV 9S 79 kWh Variant | Range Figure |
| ARAI Claimed Range | 679 km |
| Real World City Range (Estimated) | 420 – 460 km |
| Real World Highway Range (Estimated) | 480 – 520 km (In ‘Range’ mode, consistent 80-90 kmph) |
| Combined Real World Range (Estimated) | 450 – 500 km (A mix of AC usage, city traffic, and open road driving) |
For the 79kWh battery pack, getting a genuine 450-500 km on a single charge is a brilliant, no-range-anxiety figure. This means even a long Mumbai to Pune and back trip is comfortably done on a single charge. The running cost, at roughly ₹1.09 per kilometre (assuming a ₹10/unit electricity price), makes it exponentially cheaper than a diesel equivalent.
7. THE COMPETITION (Auto-Selected Rivals)
The Mahindra XEV 9S essentially creates its own segment: a large, 7-seater premium EV SUV. Its primary rivals are other large EVs or highly-anticipated new launches in the INR 20-30 lakh bracket.
Mahindra XEV 9S vs Tata Harrier EV vs Kia Clavis EV
We are comparing it with the highly anticipated Tata Harrier EV (which will likely have a 7-seater Safari EV version) and the Kia Clavis EV, which is a new entrant but in the smaller bracket.
| Feature | Mahindra XEV 9S (Top 79kWh) | Tata Harrier EV (Est. Top Spec) | Kia Clavis EV (Top Spec) |
| Segment/Seats | 7-Seater Premium SUV | 5/7-Seater Mid-Size SUV | 5-Seater Compact SUV |
| Starting Ex-Showroom Price | ₹19.95 Lakh | Est. ₹21.49 Lakh | Est. ₹17.99 Lakh |
| Battery Size | 79 kWh | Est. 60 kWh (AWD Option Likely) | Est. 60 kWh |
| Max Power (Est.) | 282 BHP | Est. 210-230 BHP | Est. 200 BHP |
| Claimed Range (Est.) | 679 km | Est. 622 km | Est. 490 km |
| Key Features | Triple 12.3″ Screens, Ventilated Rear Seats, Level 2 ADAS+ | V2L/V2V Tech, Panoramic Sunroof, AWD, Level 2 ADAS | Dual 12.3″ Screens, Ventilated Front Seats, V2L, 6 Airbags |
| VFM/Unique Selling Point | Pure 7-seater space, Longest Range, Best-in-Class Cabin Tech. | Rugged build, AWD capability, Tata reliability in EV space. | Features in a smaller footprint, Competitive pricing. |
Winner: Which one provides better Value For Money (VFM)?
The Mahindra XEV 9S takes the crown for Value For Money in the premium 7-seater EV space. While the Harrier EV will appeal to those needing a more rugged/AWD option, the XEV 9S’s sheer size, superior cabin technology (triple screens, ventilated rear seats), and class-leading claimed range (679 km) for a starting price under ₹20 lakh (for the base model) is an unbeatable proposition. It offers the space of a ₹35-40 lakh ICE SUV with the tech of an ₹80 lakh luxury EV.
Read More : 2025 Creta
8. FINAL VERDICT
The Mahindra XEV 9S is more than just a car; it’s a statement about the future of family mobility in India. It is spacious, ridiculously feature-rich, powerful, and offers a real-world range that finally takes the anxiety out of long-distance EV travel. Yes, the waiting period is expected to be long, and the top-end price is close to ₹30 lakh (Ex-showroom), but for the package it delivers, it hits the sweet spot.
| Pros | Cons |
| Genuine 450-500 km Real-World Range from the 79kWh pack. | High purchase price for the top-end variant. |
| Feature-loaded cabin: Triple screens, Ventilated rear seats, AR HUD. | No option of a dual-motor AWD setup (as of now). |
| Strong safety suite with Level 2 ADAS+ and 7 airbags. | A powered tailgate should have been included at this price point. |
| Excellent ride comfort and handling thanks to the dedicated INGLO platform. | Touch-sensitive controls for AC/Volume can be distracting. |
Buy it if:
- You need a genuinely spacious, no-compromise electric 7-seater SUV for long family trips.
- You prioritize cutting-edge technology (Triple screen, ADAS+) and a high-quality cabin experience.
- You want the best possible real-world driving range for an Indian family EV.
Skip it if:
- Your budget is strictly below ₹20 lakh (on-road).
- You need a proper off-roading SUV with an All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) system.
- You prefer the sheer convenience of a simple physical button layout over a completely digital interface.
Final Score: 9.0/10
9. FAQs (People Also Ask)
What is the expected On-Road Price of the Mahindra XEV 9S 2025?
The On-Road Price in major cities like Delhi or Bangalore is estimated to start around ₹21.5 lakh for the base Pack One 59kWh variant and go up to ₹32 lakh for the top-spec Pack Three Above 79kWh variant. This will vary based on state-specific EV subsidies, road tax, and RTO charges.
What is the current Waiting Period for the XEV 9S?
As the model has just been launched (bookings open in January 2026, deliveries from late January 2026), the initial waiting period is expected to be at least 6-8 months for the most popular variants, similar to the initial demand for the XUV700. Book early if you want to be a first owner!
Are there any CNG or Hybrid options for the Mahindra XEV 9S?
No. The Mahindra XEV 9S is built exclusively on the ‘Born Electric’ INGLO skateboard platform. It is a dedicated battery-electric vehicle (BEV) and does not have any CNG, Petrol, Diesel, or Hybrid powertrain options.
Does the Mahindra XEV 9S have a sunroof?
Yes, the higher-end variants of the Mahindra XEV 9S come equipped with a large Panoramic Sunroof.



