MASS APPEAL

With the success of the XEV 9e, Mahindra is looking to take the fight further with its more conventional XEV 9S. We drive it to see how it fares in the real world.

- ISHAN RAGHAVA

The launch of the Mahindra XEV 9e was a pivotal moment for the Indian EV landscape.

It wasn't just about Mahindra showcasing ambition as a manufacturer but also about Indian consumers getting an EV that was affordable, futuristic, and realistically usable as an everyday vehicle. That said, for many customers, the coupe-like roofline of the 9e meant compromised practicality. Nevertheless, as the sales figures clearly show, the 9e is definitely a hit.

The success of the 9e naturally opens the door for Mahindra to use the same platform and package to appeal to an even wider audience – and this is where the XEV 9S comes in. You see, unlike the aggressive styling of the 9e, the 9S' design is much more conventional, which means more space, better practicality, and even three rows of seating. But the real question is simple – does the 9S make sense for Indian buyers? Well, we drove it briefly in Bangalore to find out just that.

SAME SAME, BUT DIFFERENT

At first glance, the 9S may appear a bit confusing in terms of design. You see, while Mahindra has given it a new face, it also carries a lot of the Mahindra style traits. Up front, a full-width unibrow-style DRL sets the tone at the front, while headlights are vertically stacked on either end. Of course, there's no grille per se, but you do get the vertical lines that are quickly becoming a Mahindra signature.