After the success of BE 6 and XEV 9e, Mahindra Auto expanded their electric vehicle portfolio to include the XEV 9S, which soon emerged as the most VFM offering in the lineup. That is because XEV 9S has been priced very aggressively, offering more equipment and a longer features list than the XEV 9e.
XEV 9S’ starts from Rs 19.95 lakh (Ex-sh) for the base Pack One Above trim, while XEV 9e starts from Rs 21.9 lakh (Ex-sh). At the Rs 19.95 lakh (Ex-sh) price tag, XEV 9S base Pack One Above poses as great value for buyers as it is loaded to the gills with tech and features. A detailed walkaround video of XEV 9S base variant by RS Auto World gives more insights.
Mahindra XEV 9S Base Pack One Above Variant
From the outside, there is not a lot of differentiation between a base variant and higher variant of XEV 9S. Even the base Pack One Above variant comes with quite a lot of attributes like top variant. These include LED projector headlights with LED DRLs, LED ice-cube fog lights, flush door handles, rear washer and wiper, auto headlights, rain-sensing fancy frameless wipers and more.
Things Pack One Above lacks are front parking sensors, front camera, side cameras, ADAS radar module and the door handles do not automatically pop out. Also, there are 18-inch steel wheels with wheel covers, instead of alloys. LED tail lights, front and rear bumpers and other attributes are premium in Pack One Above and do not look like they belong to a base variant.
On the inside, the distinction between base and top variant becomes even more difficult. That is because Mahindra is offering the same triple 12.3-inch setup on the dashboard with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Even the centre console is the same as top variant with the premium pop-up flap, electronic parking brake, illuminated gear selector, i-Drive-like dial and more.
Even the steering wheel is the same as top variant with paddle shifters to control regen. There is even a panoramic sunroof with base variant. Missing are powered and ventilated seats, leatherette upholstery, soft-touch elements on dash and door trims, auto-dimming IRVM, dual-zone climate control, wireless charging pads, 1400W Harman Kardon audio, auto-folding ORVMs and more.
What do we get?
Notable features include LED interior lighting including boot light, three-row seating, front centre armrest with a cooled compartment below, Type-C charging ports, rear AC vents, adjustable headrests, fabric upholstery, tilt and telescopic steering, steering mounted controls, cruise control, third display for front passenger, hydraulic bonnet struts, 150L frunk, hill descent control, 6 airbags, illuminated logos and more.
It is commendable that Mahindra is offering XEV 9S both 59 kWh and 79 kWh battery options right from the base Pack One Above variant. 59 kWh variant comes with a 228 bhp motor and up to 521 km range, while larger 79 kWh variant gets a 282 bhp motor and a range up to 679 km on a single charge. RWD comes as standard similar to BE 6 and XEV 9e.
