Mahindra XEV 9S First Drive Review: Complete Family Electric SUV?

The Mahindra XEV 9S is the latest electric SUV to from the Indian carmaker. From the looks of it, it’s an electric cousin of the XUV700, or the 7-seater version of the XEV 9E, depending on where you are standing. Looks aside, the important question is, can the XEV 9S be the electric SUV that can take on family duties? We spent a couple of hours with it near Bengaluru and from the looks of it, your family is going to be impressed with Mahindra’s latest electric SUV. However, just don’t ask it to satiate your thirst as an enthusiast, because while it is quick, it’s not really engaging. Let me explain.

Mahindra XEV 9S First Drive Review Design: A familiar feeling

Irrespective of which angle you are looking from, there is a feeling of familiarity in the XEV 9S’ design. From the front, its inverted L-shaped LED DRL’s, projector headlamps, cube-shaped fog lamps, and massive front fascia finished in the body colour look almost the same as the XEV 9E. I say almost because Mahindra has played around with the width of the DRL and the positioning of its logo.

Step to the side or the rear of the XEV 9S and you suddenly find yourself looking at the XUV700. The side profile is similar, barring the alloy wheel design, and at the rear too, the boot-lid is sculpted in a similar fashion. In fact, the tail lamp shape is also the same, and just to differentiate the two, Mahindra has added an internal hexagonal pattern into the lights which light up. Ultimately though, the familiarity with the XUV700 is just that, because underneath it all, the XEV 9S is built on Mahindra’s INGLO architecture for electric vehicles and the carmaker has engineered it so that the XUV700’s body panels could be used for the XUV 9S as well.

Mahindra XEV 9S First Drive Review Interior: Comfortable and tech-loaded experience

Step inside the cabin, and the feeling of familiarity continues here as well. Those with a keen eye will see elements from both, the XEV 9E and the XUV700 in here. However, the first thing you will notice is that seats are highly comfortable. If you are getting behind the wheel, you will also notice that this is a proper SUV in terms of the driving position, which is high set (even at the lowest seat setting) and gives you a commanding view of the bonnet and beyond.

Mahindra has stuffed the XEV 9S with features, but it is the triple screen layout that steals the show here. The screens feature crisp graphics, and the touch interface works well. The passenger screen is handy as if you are not driving as you can catch up on a TV show or a movie. However, there are couple of concerns here as well. First, the passenger screen is not shielded from the driver’s view in any form, and that will be a distraction. Second, the lack of physical controls for the HVAC system and the front ventilated seats means that you get distracted every time you use them.

In the second row, Mahindra has taken great care of keeping the occupants entertained. Second row passengers use their own phones or tablets as a screen and mount them behind the front seats using a magnetic extension. The seats also feature a 65W Type C USB charging port to ensure your screens never run out of juice. There is wireless smartphone charging in the second row as well, just in case you forget your cable. Furthermore, there is a sunshade for the second-row windows, and the seats themselves feature a recline and slide function for more comfort and versatility.

Stepping into the third row requires you to fold down the left seat in the second row, which can be done with one hand, if the multiple seat settings are configured correctly. Climbing into the third row can be a step up and the height involved in this manoeuvre means that it won’t be comfortable for the elderly. In terms of space, the third row is best reserved for children as space is limited. However, as the second-row seats can slide and recline, you do have a bit of adjustability here to liberate more room in the third row. You also sit here in a knee’s up position and that won’t be comfortable on longer journeys. However, third row occupants do get their own AC vents, blower control, 12V power socket and cupholders – all of which do make the time spent here a little easier.

Mahindra XEV 9S First Drive Review Performance: Effortlessly quick but not engaging

The electric powertrain of the XEV 9S is the same as the XEV 9E and BE6, meaning you get a single electric motor powering the rear wheels. Mahindra has however added a third 70 kWh battery pack option, apart from the 59 kWh and 79 kWh options seen previously. The claimed range for the new battery pack is 600 km. We got to drive the 79 kWh option and the performance on offer felt brisk.

Like the other EVs before it, the XEV 9S has a well-tuned throttle response. Step on it, and it quickly gets up to speed without pinning you back in your seat. I feel it's great as you stay comfortable while having enough torque on tap to glide past any traffic in front of you. If you would prefer a sharper response, you can simply use the Boost mode which can be activated from the steering for 10 seconds of maximum power, or alternatively, you can shift into Race mode which gives you all the torque instantly.

While the speed is great, there is no denying the fact that the XEV 9S is a heavy car. Around the bends, you do feel it get out of shape as you hustle it, however, Mahindra has tuned the NVH levels of the car in such a manner that you struggle to hear as the tyres start to squeal. That’s a good thing as you and your passengers stay comfortable, but as a driver, you do end up missing that connection that tells you what the tyres are doing. All-in-all, the NVH levels are setting a benchmark in the segment here.

Mahindra is also offering independent suspension at each corner of the XEV 9S, and the ride feels like a magic carpet. In our short experience, it soaked up all the minor undulations that the road had to offer. However, as we were not driving with a full passenger-load, the ride did feel a little floaty, which felt a bit unnerving at times, especially past 100 kmph. With a full load of passengers, it shouldn’t be too much of a problem.

Mahindra XEV 9S First Drive Review Verdict: Killer Pricing

Mahindra has also nailed the pricing of the XEV 9S, especially for the lower variants. Starting at Rs. 19.95 lakh, the XEV 9S packs in some serious value for money, especially when you consider that features like a panoramic sunroof and the triple-screen layout are available from the base variant. The fact that it undercuts the XEV 9E, which is a five-seater, also makes it seem like a sweeter deal.

The top-end pricing at Rs. 29.45 lakh also feels justified for everything that Mahindra is offering here, but ultimately, as is the trend with most new cars in this segment, this will be increased in a few months. For now, Mahindra has ticked off a lot of boxes that make the XEV 9S a good family SUV. If you are looking for a big SUV that will lower your running costs in comparison to an ICE vehicle while also being kinder to Mother Earth, then, the XEV 9S is a car you should check out. However, if driver engagement is also a key priority for you, you will be better off looking elsewhere.