Electric Mahindra XEV 9S seven-seat SUV revealed, NZ arrival possible

Mahindra has pulled the covers off the XEV 9S, a model it’s touting as India’s first genuine electric seven-seat SUV.

While the brand has signalled its intention to export its new-generation EVs, Mahindra’s local distributor says it’s still too early to comment on any New Zealand plans.

The XEV 9S launches in India from ₹19.95 lakh (approximately NZ$37,000) and offers a claimed range of up to 500km, supported by 180kW fast-charging capability. For context, the equivalent petrol SUV, the XUV700, starts at ₹13.66 lakh in India and sells for NZ$49,990 in New Zealand.

Using that same India–NZ pricing gap as a guide, the XEV 9S could land somewhere around NZ$73,000 if it eventually makes it to our market.

Performance and technical details

Mahindra says the XEV 9S delivers class-leading outputs, producing 210kW and 380Nm when paired with the 79kWh battery. The company claims a 0–100km/h sprint time of 7.0 seconds and a 202km/h top speed.

Fast-charging capability depends on the battery option: the 79kWh pack supports 180kW DC charging, enabling a 20–80 per cent top-up in 20 minutes. The 70kWh version accepts up to 160kW, while the 59kWh battery charges at 140kW.

Under the skin is an intelligent adaptive suspension setup with a 15-millisecond response time, brake-by-wire, and a 10-metre turning circle. Ground clearance is rated at 205mm, with 222mm clearance for the battery pack.

“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,” says Nalinikanth Gollagunta, Chief Executive Officer – Automotive Division, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.

Inside, Mahindra claims generous cabin volume—4076 litres across the first two rows—along with up to 527 litres of boot space and a 150-litre frunk. The third row features 50:50 split seats.

Safety tech includes up to seven airbags, Level 2+ ADAS using five radars and a vision camera, driver drowsiness detection, and a high-strength steel body structure.

As for in-car tech, the SUV features three 31.24cm displays, a 16-speaker Harman Kardon system with Dolby Atmos, 5G connectivity, and more than 140 connected functions including a digital key and charge scheduling.

Built on Mahindra’s INGLO electric platform and powered by the brand’s MAIA AI system, the XEV 9S will be offered in six variants across three battery capacities: 59kWh, 70kWh, and 79kWh. The architecture incorporates technology from Volkswagen’s MEB platform, while the LFP battery uses BYD-sourced cells assembled in India.