There are cars that quietly enter the market, and then there are cars that arrive like they’ve booked an entire wedding band, DJ included. The Mahindra XEV 9S belongs firmly to the second category. Launched in 2025, this is Mahindra’s first-generation all-electric flagship crossover SUV, and it doesn’t just want to participate in the EV conversation—it wants to host the panel discussion, moderate it, livestream it in 5G, and then analyse audience feedback using AI.
At a glance, the XEV 9S makes it very clear that this is not an electric afterthought. This isn’t a familiar petrol SUV with its fuel tank replaced by batteries. This is a ground-up electric product, built on Mahindra’s global INGLO platform, the same architecture that underpins its new-age electric siblings. The intention is obvious: this SUV is meant to sit at the top of Mahindra’s electric food chain, both in technology and in presence.
Design: Big, Bold, and Confidently Electric
Designed under the leadership of Pratap Bose and shaped around Mahindra’s “Heartcore Design” philosophy, the XEV 9S looks every bit like a flagship. At 4.7 metres long and nearly 1.9 metres wide, it has serious road presence, but what really stands out are the details. The illuminated logos, centre signature lighting, sleek Bi-LED headlamps with sequential indicators, and the sculpted body panels all work together to ensure you never mistake it for anything conventional.
This is a large SUV, but it doesn’t feel clumsy. The proportions are well balanced, helped by a high ground clearance of 222 mm and muscular cladding that subtly reminds you this is still a Mahindra at heart—just one that has upgraded from gym workouts to a full wellness retreat.
Cabin: A Lounge, a Theatre, and a Tech Lab
Step inside, and the transformation from rugged SUV maker to tech-forward brand becomes impossible to ignore. The XEV 9S greets you with a coast-to-coast triple-screen layout that immediately sets the tone. Screens dominate the dashboard, but thankfully without feeling overwhelming. The graphics are crisp, the interface is fluid, and the underlying hardware—a Snapdragon 8295 automotive chipset with 24 GB RAM and 128 GB storage—ensures everything works exactly as quickly as it should.
Mahindra’s MAIA intelligent neural network quietly runs the show in the background, enabling features like voice interaction, connected tech, over-the-air updates, and even ChatGPT integration. Yes, your SUV can now hold conversations more intelligently than that one friend who forwards WhatsApp forwards at 2 a.m.
Comfort, meanwhile, is taken seriously. The XEV 9S is a full seven-seater, with multi-step reclining seats across the second and third rows. Ventilated front seats, a soft-wrapped dashboard, ambient lighting, dual-zone climate control with PM2.5 filtration, and acoustic laminated glass all contribute to a cabin that feels genuinely premium. This is less “utility vehicle” and more “mobile living space.”
Practicality hasn’t been forgotten either. A 527-litre boot, flexible seating, and even a 150-litre frunk (complete with a drain hole) make it clear Mahindra expects owners to actually use this SUV, not just admire it in parking lots.
Sound, Sun, and Small Luxuries
Then there are the indulgences. A 16-speaker Harman Kardon sound system with Dolby Atmos turns traffic jams into private concerts, while the massive panoramic sunroof floods the cabin with light. Thoughtful touches—like cooled storage, wireless charging with active cooling, rear entertainment screen mounts, and even optional folding tables—reinforce the idea that this SUV is designed for long journeys and busy lives.
Driving Experience: Electric, but Still a Mahindra
Under the skin, the XEV 9S sticks to rear-wheel drive, which immediately gives it a different character from most family SUVs. With the largest 79 kWh LFP battery pack producing 281 horsepower and 380 Nm of torque, this is no slow mover. A 0–100 km/h sprint in around seven seconds means it has more than enough pace for Indian highways, while a claimed range of up to 679 km keeps range anxiety firmly in the past.
The suspension setup—independent at both ends with intelligent adaptive damping—does an impressive job of balancing comfort and control. It glides over broken roads with composure and feels planted at highway speeds. Multiple drive modes, regen levels, and even a boost mode allow the driver to tailor the experience, whether the priority is efficiency or enjoyment.
Despite all the performance, Mahindra’s claim of low running and maintenance costs is perhaps the most convincing argument for the XEV 9S as a daily driver. At roughly ₹1.2 per km to run and minimal maintenance expenses, this flagship EV makes a strong case for itself beyond just technology and novelty.
Safety and Autonomy: Overprepared in a Good Way
Safety is another area where Mahindra has gone all in. Seven airbags, a robust body structure using high-strength steel, and a comprehensive Level 2 ADAS suite create a reassuring safety net. With multiple radars, ultrasonic sensors, and cameras working together, features like adaptive cruise control, lane centering, emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and autonomous steering assistance feel less like gimmicks and more like genuine aids for real-world driving.
Add to that 360-degree camera recording, driver and occupant monitoring, and smartphone-based surveillance through Secure360, and the XEV 9S starts feeling less like a car and more like a highly trained security professional on wheels.
Verdict: A Statement, Not Just an SUV
The Mahindra XEV 9S is not trying to be everything to everyone—and that’s precisely why it works. It’s expensive, unapologetically tech-heavy, and very clearly positioned as a flagship. But it also feels cohesive, well thought out, and confidently Indian in its execution.
For buyers who want an electric SUV that genuinely feels next-generation—without giving up space, comfort, or road presence—the XEV 9S makes a compelling argument. It doesn’t just signal Mahindra’s electric future; it defines it.
And once you’ve lived with this level of tech, comfort, and silence, going back to a conventional SUV may feel a bit like switching from a smartphone to a landline.
