MAHINDRA XEV 9S

Mahindra says that 80 per cent of its buyers of the XEV 9e and BE 6e are first-time owners of the brand.

- TUHIN GUHA

So it only makes sense that the company broadens the appeal of its quite successful INGLO EV architecture in a more familiar package. The Mahindra XEV 9S seems to have been made to fill this gap. It also happens to be one of the few three-row EVs you can buy for under Rs 30 lakh, which makes things more interesting.

Styling

The Mahindra XEV 9S is 4,737mm long, 1,900mm wide and 1,747mm tall. This makes it 52mm shorter, 7mm narrower and 53mm taller than the XEV 9e, underscoring its more practical brief. That being said, there is a proportionate, flat stance to it that looks purposeful.

The face is quite similar to the 9e but there are subtle differences that give it a tougher, traditional SUV feel that traditional Mahindra owners will like. The air dams below the flat face are more open and aggressive, while the glass panel around the full-width DRLs is more prominent. The lighting and other elements seem similar to the 9E.

As with the other INGLO cars, there is a sizeable frunk which, at 150 litres, can come in handy when you are travelling with passengers in all three rows. The hydraulic struts for the bonnet make accessing this space easier.

In profile, the XEV 9S is quite familiar. You have a functional look with the large windows, simple panels and the haunches over the rear wheel that add some presence. Surprisingly, the XEV 9S has a 13mm shorter wheelbase than the 9E, possibly to account for this bodystyle and the extra row of seats.

The full-LED lamps at the rear are new, their honeycomb pattern being a striking touch. This detail is repeated in the bumpers that add more effect. The black band that connects the lamps and the gloss black panelling in the lower sections around the car are a good foil to the upright shape.