India Gets 7-Seat Electric SUV for … $32,900!

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India has been somewhat disappointing in its transportation electrification. It’s a bit funny, or strange, since the country announced several years ago it was going to be the first 100% electric nation, and it is ridiculously far away from that while Norway is basically already there and China is more than halfway there (at least in terms of new vehicle sales). In fact, India has hardly electrified at all. However, we have some good news!

Mahindra Group, one of the largest Indian automakers, has launched the fully electric XEV 9S seven-seat SUV. It is “India’s first authentic electric origin 7-seater SUV built ground-up on the INGLO architecture,” Mahindra writes.

The electric SUV also has plenty of battery storage capacity, and fine fast charging. It has a 70 kWh battery (or 79 kWh at a higher trim), 380 Nm of torque, and 180 kW fast charging capacity.

Whereas previous Indian electric vehicles have mostly been small and limited, this model is about providing extra space, comfort, freedom. That’s what the marketing of the vehicle is all about. Here’s more on the new XEV 9S from Mahindra:

“If there’s one thing modern life rarely gives us, it’s space — space to pause, space to think, space to be ourselves, and space to be with the people who matter. Today, Mahindra brings that feeling back with something refreshingly meaningful: the XEV 9S, India’s first authentic electric origin 7-seater SUV built ground-up on the INGLO architecture.

“The XEV 9S arrives as India’s Big New Electric — a bold idea crafted into an intelligently spacious SUV for people whose lives, dreams, and daily journeys are getting bigger. It’s designed for families, creators, travellers, and everyday Indians who want one simple thing from their car: space for everything they want to do and everything they want to be.

“Powered by MAIA, India’s fastest automotive mind, and shaped with Mahindra’s expressive design philosophy, the XEV 9S doesn’t just introduce a new vehicle — it introduces a new feeling of electric freedom.

“A Big New Electric for Big Lives With its expansive cabin, clever three-row electric-first layout, whisper-quiet drive, and an almost magical sense of openness, the XEV 9S gives families, travellers, creators, and commuters something Indian mobility has long denied them: Comfort that isn’t negotiated. Space that isn’t apologised for. Electric that isn’t small.“

It’s a far cry from the Mahindra e2o of a decade ago. One thing that’s interesting, though, is that this vehicle is still so cheap. Just $32,900 for a 7-seat electric SUV?? It looks like cheap, compelling electric vehicles are available outside of China after all! Well, we have already seen cheap, compelling Chinese electric vehicles being sold in other parts of the world. But this is not even a Chinese model. It’s Indian, of course.

Naturally, India has cheap labor as well, but it certainly doesn’t have significant economies of scale like Chinese EV producers now do. Of course, Mahindra could be (read: is) investing in the future, trying to build up a customer base, and losing money on every vehicle sold.

“The future of Indian mobility will belong to brands that don’t just electrify vehicles, but reimagine categories. With the XEV 9S, we’re not just playing in the EV segment, we’re expanding it. This SUV signals the start of a BIG new electric era for Mahindra — one built on scale, on purpose, and on a deep understanding of how India moves. The attractive prices starting at ₹ 19.95 Lakh make a very high tech product accessible, with bookings opening on Jan 14 and deliveries start on Jan 23,” Nalinikanth Gollagunta, Chief Executive Officer — Automotive Division, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. and Executive Director, Mahindra Electric Automobile Ltd., said.

“Designing the XEV 9S wasn’t about adding lines to a surface, it was about shaping a feeling. We wanted it to feel like stepping into a personal sanctuary, yet one that carries the pulse of modern India. Electric gave us the canvas; INGLO gave us the freedom to sculpt light, space, and comfort. The result is an SUV that wears its size with grace and its technology with humility. It’s expressive, it’s calm, and it’s unmistakably Mahindra — built for a nation whose aspirations are only getting bigger,” Pratap Bose, Chief Design & Creative Officer — Auto & Farm Sectors, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., added.

Will this model bring India into a new electric future? Who knows? But we’ll be tracking it.

Here are some more details on the Mahindra XEV 9S:

Proven INGLO Platform

Intelligent adaptive dampers with i-Link at the front & 5-Link independent suspension at the rear
Advanced LFP battery with lifetime warranty with 500 km real-world range
Brake by Wire with IEB
High-power steering with VGR

Biggest Electric SUV

Biggest cabin space of 4076 L (for front & second row)
Boot space of up to 527 L
Best-in-class frunk space of 150 L
50:50 split seats in 3rd row

Second Row Luxury

Powered Boss Mode
Ventilated 2nd row seats
Recline & sliding adjustment
Sunshade for 2nd row windows
Acoustic “laminated” glass
Wireless phone charging
LiveYourMood with 3 modes
Bring Your Own Device capability
Lounge desk

Big on Your Well-Being

7 airbags
L2+ ADAS with 5 radars & 1 vision camera
Driver drowsiness detection with DOMS (Eyedentity)
Secure360 Pro — live view & recording with new live communication feature

Intelligent Connectivity

140+ features
Digital key, NFC, charge scheduler, user profile

Ultimate SUV DNA

Best ground clearance of 205 mm (222 mm battery ground clearance) with command seat position
Segment-leading power of 210 kW
Best in class torque of 380 Nm
Fastest 7-seat SUV in its class (0–100 km/h in 7.0 seconds)
202 km/h top speed

Driver Focused Features