Mahindra has been on a roll with its new generation of all-electric SUVs, and in many ways, the XEV 9S feels like the firm stepping confidently onto the front foot. Its dedicated INGLO platform has already delivered two strong products, the BE.6 and the XEV 9E, both of which have surprised many with their on-road presence. What you notice about these new Mahindra EVs is how frequently you spot them. For a brand just a few steps into its modern electric chapter, that’s impressive. And it’s not hard to understand why: striking design sells, and Mahindra’s EVs look like concept cars that somehow made it to production.
Which brings me to the newest electric SUV from the brand, the one I flew to Bengaluru to drive on a crisp November morning: the Mahindra XEV 9S. At first glance, especially from the side, you might mistake the XEV 9S for an electric XUV700. The proportions and some character lines definitely echo Mahindra’s popular three-row flagship. But walk around to the front, and the similarities fade quickly.
View this post on Instagram
The face is pure, clean-sheet EV design. Gone is the traditional Mahindra multi-slat grille. In its place sits a smooth, almost architectural surface that instantly telegraphs its electric intentions. The flush panels, the sharp cuts, and the distinctive LED lighting signature give it a futuristic stance that ties neatly into Pratap Bose’s new EV design language. Mahindra first redefined this identity with the Twin Peaks EV logo, and here, the rest of the design philosophy comes together: minimalism, flat planes, and a dramatic light signature.
Move to the side and rear, and Mahindra has chosen to play things safer. The 9S carries forward familiar lines from the 700, but the surfaces are smoother, and the details cleaner. It doesn’t shout for attention, but it looks modern and well-resolved. And importantly, it looks like a proper family SUV, which is exactly what Mahindra intends. As for personalisation, the XEV 9S comes in seven colours, including Stealth Black, Ruby Velvet, Everest White, Desert Mist, Midnight Black, and Nebula Blue. The palette is tasteful, and the lighter shades in particular show off the surfacing well.
View this post on Instagram
Inside, the design story becomes more dramatic. While the basic dashboard layout has traces of Mahindra’s earlier EVs, the real headline is the massive triple-screen setup stretching across the dashboard. Each display is 12.3 inches, forming a full-width digital wall that completely dominates the experience. There’s a clear intention here: Mahindra wants the cabin to feel like an entertainment lounge. One screen for the driver, one for the central infotainment system, and another entirely dedicated to the front passenger, a space for movies, streaming apps, music, and more. Everything from YouTube to Netflix to JioCinema is right there, and during charging stops or even traffic-light delays, that becomes a surprisingly relevant feature.
Quality levels inside the cabin have stepped up, too. The light-coloured theme with beige and olive accents instantly brightens the space. Materials feel better executed than Mahindra EVs from a couple of years ago, and the overall ambience is airy and premium. The gear selector feels familiar if you’ve driven Mahindra’s newer EVs, but that wide digital expanse sets this cabin apart.
Then there’s the audio system, a 16-speaker Harman Kardon setup powered by Dolby Atmos. This is another area where EVs shine, because the near-silent cabin really lets a good sound system breathe. Mahindra showcased a few Atmos demos at the event, and the surround effect genuinely impressed. You can feel the difference in dimensionality, and it’s great to see high-end theatre tech coming into a space where many of us spend hours a day.
Move to the second row, and the XEV 9S continues its practicality-first approach. The seats slide fore and aft, giving you the flexibility to balance second- and third-row space. The seats also get ventilation, which is a huge plus in our climate. The ‘boss mode’ button on the side of the front passenger seat allows rear occupants to push the seat forward for more legroom, adding a touch of chauffeur-driven polish.
The panoramic sunroof floods the cabin with light, and the wide window area enhances the sense of space; it also opens up fully. As a daily family car or even as something you’d sit in for long rides, the second row is genuinely comfortable. The third row is usable, but only for shorter adults or kids. I slid the second row forward and squeezed in, but it was tight, and my head brushed the roof. For regular use, I’d treat it as an occasional row.
That said, Mahindra has absolutely nailed the boot space. With the third row folded, you get a massive 527 litres — far more than what most five-seater EVs offer. And because this is a dedicated EV platform, you also get a 150-litre frunk, perfect for charging cables, laptops, or a small duffel bag. This is where the 9S’ positioning becomes clear: it’s the only mass market, all-electric three-row SUV currently on sale in India, and that alone gives it a substantial edge. Customers looking for a practical family EV with real space simply don’t have many choices.
We had the car for just about two hours — a quick run from the city’s outskirts up towards the foothills of Nandi Hills, but it was enough to understand its core dynamics. The XEV 9S comes with two battery options: a 59 kWh unit with a claimed 521 km range and a 79 kWh pack with a claimed 679 km range. The version we drove was in the higher configuration, and while we couldn’t run a full range test, the calibration seemed decent. At an 80 per cent charge, the display showed 405 km, and after our drive, it dropped to 71 per cent with 342 km remaining. Mahindra did mention that these were pre-production cars, and that range calibration would be refined closer to launch.
View this post on Instagram
Power delivery is smooth and linear, especially in the standard driving mode. Unlike some EVs that feel overly eager, the XEV 9S feels controlled and measured, which is great for city use. But we needed a bit more time to have some real fun, as this EV is rear-wheel driven. On a patch of rough road, I pushed a little harder and felt a hint of wheelspin before traction control cut in. With ESC relaxed below 30 kph, you can coax a tiny bit of sideways attitude, nothing dramatic, but enough to put a smile on your face. Realistically, though, this SUV will spend most of its life in bumper-to-bumper traffic where its quietness, one-pedal mode, and smooth throttle response make it easy to live with.
View this post on Instagram
Mahindra’s ADAS tuning has clearly matured. Lane-keep assist no longer gives that twitchy, videogame-like nudging many owners complained about in earlier models. The steering interventions are smoother, more predictable, and less intrusive. The system still isn’t something you should fully rely on, but as an assistant, it works well. Keep your hands on the wheel and let it help, not replace.
Ride quality at low speeds on concrete surfaces felt quite bouncy, with more rebound than expected, which felt floaty. The suspension seemed softer than ideal, with a touch of float over bumps. But interestingly, as speeds increased, the 9S settled nicely. On the highway, the ride felt more planted, composed, and confidence-inspiring. This is likely another area Mahindra will refine by the time customer cars roll out. They mentioned that the final damping calibration is still in progress. The SUV feels easy to manoeuvre in tight spaces despite its size, the steering is light yet predictable, and the platform feels solid. There’s a sense of maturity in how it behaves, something Mahindra has been steadily improving across its line-up.
Mahindra has priced its newest SUV very aggressively, beginning at ₹19.95 lakh (ex-showroom) for the One Above trim. That instantly makes it one of the most value-driven EVs in the segment, and one of the most practical. If you fold the third row, the 9S offers more usable boot space than almost any rival. It offers features you typically see in higher segments: triple displays, a Dolby Atmos audio system, ADAS, ventilated second-row seats, a frunk, and a modern EV platform underneath. And importantly, it feels like a car built with Indian families in mind — space, comfort, practicality, and no-nonsense usability.
We only had two hours with it, but in that short time, the XEV 9S left a clear impression: Mahindra has added maturity to its stated values of attitude and ambition. It goes about its business with a quiet confidence, and that alone makes it worth a look if you’ve been thinking about an electric family SUV.
