Mahindra XEV 9S Launched at Rs 19.95 Lakh: India’s First Mass-Market 7-Seater EV SUV

On November 27, 2025, at 5:14 PM UTC, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. rolled out the XEV 9S — India’s first dedicated, mass-market electric SUV with three rows of seats — during its Scream Electric event in Mumbai. Priced from Rs 19.95 lakh (ex-showroom), the XEV 9S isn’t just another EV launch. It’s a direct shot at the heart of India’s family car market, where demand for affordable, spacious electric vehicles has been simmering for years — and until now, entirely unmet. The twist? It’s cheaper than the XEV 9e, even though they share the same INGLO platform. That’s not a typo. That’s strategy.

Why This Launch Changes the Game

For years, Indian families wanting an electric SUV had two choices: compromise on space or pay a premium. The Tata Safari EV? Too expensive. The MG Comet EV? Too small. The Hyundai Kona? No third row. The XEV 9S arrives with a clear message: electric mobility doesn’t mean sacrificing family needs. With seating for seven, a 202kph top speed, and 0-100kph acceleration as fast as 7 seconds in higher trims, it’s not just practical — it’s thrilling. And unlike competitors, it offers three battery options: 59kWh, 70kWh, and 79kWh, all supporting 175kW fast charging. That means a 10-80% charge in under 30 minutes. For parents shuttling kids to school or heading to weekend getaways, this isn’t luxury — it’s necessity.

The Numbers Behind the Pitch

The entry-level Pack One Above variant starts at Rs 19.95 lakh, undercutting the XEV 9e by Rs 1.95 lakh — a bold move that signals Mahindra’s intent to dominate the volume segment. The 79kWh version, priced at Rs 21.95 lakh, still undercuts similarly sized EVs like the BYD Seal U by nearly Rs 3 lakh. Range estimates vary: 420km on the 59kWh, up to 550km on the 79kWh, according to Mahindra’s official specs. What’s surprising? Even the base model gets ADAS with adaptive cruise, lane-keep assist, and automatic emergency braking. Top trims add a drowsiness detector — a feature rarely seen in Indian cars, let alone EVs. The Harman Kardon sound system? Standard on the top two trims. Dual-zone climate control? Standard across the board. Leatherette seats? Yes. Ambient lighting? Of course.

And here’s the quiet win: home charging. Mahindra offers 7.2kW chargers for Rs 50,000 and 11.2kW units for Rs 75,000 — a rare inclusion in India’s EV ecosystem, where most automakers outsource charging hardware. This isn’t just selling a car; it’s selling an ecosystem.

Who’s Buying This? And Why Now?

Mahindra isn’t targeting early adopters. They’re targeting middle-class families in Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities — the same ones who bought the Scorpio and XUV700 in droves. The timing is perfect. India’s EV adoption is accelerating: over 1.2 million electric two-wheelers were sold in FY2025, and passenger EV sales crossed 300,000 units. But three-row EVs? Zero. Until now. The XEV 9S fills a gap that Tata, Hyundai, and Kia ignored — not because they couldn’t, but because they assumed Indians wouldn’t pay for it. Mahindra proved them wrong by pricing it aggressively. The fact that it’s Rs 1.95 lakh cheaper than the XEV 9e — which already undercut ICE SUVs — suggests Mahindra expects volume, not margins.

“This isn’t about competing with the XEV 9e,” said an anonymous Mahindra executive briefed by Autocar India. “It’s about competing with the Toyota Innova Crysta. That’s the real enemy.” And they’re right. The Innova still sells over 10,000 units a month in India. If Mahindra can convert even 5% of those buyers, they’ll sell 60,000 units a year — a number that would make them the top-selling EV brand in India by volume.

What’s Next? Bookings Start January 14, 2026

Bookings open on January 14, 2026 — a deliberate delay. It gives Mahindra time to ramp up production, train dealers, and build charging infrastructure. The company plans to install 1,200 new DC fast chargers across 300 cities by mid-2026. They’re also partnering with Ola Electric and Tata Power to expand public charging networks. And here’s the kicker: the XEV 9S is the third model under Mahindra’s Born EV platform, following the XEV 9e and BE 6. The Scream Electric event wasn’t just a launch — it was a declaration of intent. “#UnlimitLove” isn’t just a hashtag. It’s their new brand philosophy: electric vehicles that don’t just move you, but connect you.

The Bigger Picture: India’s EV Evolution

India’s EV journey has been bumpy. Early promises of 30% EV penetration by 2030 looked shaky after sales stalled in 2023. But 2025 changed everything. Affordable EVs like the Tata Tiago EV, Mahindra’s own XUV400, and now the XEV 9S are proving that price, not range anxiety, was the real barrier. The XEV 9S is the first EV that doesn’t feel like a compromise. It’s not a ‘green’ car for activists — it’s a family car for everyone. Analysts at Counterpoint Research predict Mahindra could capture 15-20% of the three-row EV segment by 2027. That’s 100,000 units annually — enough to make the XEV 9S India’s best-selling EV SUV within three years.

What’s more, the XEV 9S sets a new benchmark. If other automakers don’t respond with similarly priced, feature-rich three-row EVs, they risk being left behind. The race for the Indian family EV is on — and Mahindra just sprinted ahead.