At xBhp, we recently welcomed the sleek Mahindra BE6 into our long-term fleet. The decision came down to a stark choice between the BE6 and the larger, more conventional XEV 9E, and we chose the BE6 purely for its dynamic and sporty nature—the raw, driver-centric EV experience we prioritise. We therefore expected the successor, the XEV 9S, to continue leaning towards pure comfort and family utility. However, when you walk up to the new Mahindra XEV 9S, though your first thought is probably the same as mine: “This thing is huge.”

It stands tall, wide, and imposes itself on the road in a way only a proper 7-seater SUV can. Naturally, I climbed into the driver’s seat expecting the usual trade-offs of driving a big family haulier with heavy steering, body roll, and the constant stress of navigating tight city streets.

But five minutes into the drive, I realised I was completely wrong.

The first surprise came at a tight U-turn. In any other SUV of this size, this is a three-point affair involving a lot of wheel shuffling. I braced myself, turned the wheel, and… the car just spun around.

The XEV 9S has a turning radius of just 10 meters. To put that in perspective, that’s tighter than some sub-4-meter hatchbacks. Combined with the Variable Gear Ratio steering, which feels incredibly light at low speeds and makes navigating this massive SUV through chaotic city traffic feel like a cheat code. You sit high with a commanding view, but you move with the agility of a much smaller car.

As I hit the broken tarmac on the outskirts of the city, the “Family” aspect of this SUV really shone. Mahindra has resisted the urge to slap on massive 20-inch wheels that look cool but ruin the ride. Instead, the XEV 9S rides on 18-inch alloys with thick sidewalls.

Pair that rubber with the Intelligent Adaptive Suspension, and the result is what I can only describe as a “magic carpet” ride. The suspension features Frequency Dependent Damping, which basically means it knows the difference between a speed bump and a pothole. It eats up the sharp bumps silently, without that crashing thud you expect in heavy EVs.

But when I got to press the paddle for speeding up on the open roads, the cabin remained eerily quiet. It’s not just “EV quiet”; it is library quiet. Mahindra has used acoustic laminated glass and special low-rolling-resistance tyres to cut out road noise.

It’s so silent that I could clearly hear the details in the track playing on the 16-speaker Harman Kardon system. It transforms the cabin into a sanctuary, completely isolating you from the honking madness outside.

But don’t let the comfort fool you, this is still a Rear-Wheel Drive machine with 210 kW of power.

I switched the drive mode from ‘Range’ to ‘Race’, and the personality of the car flipped. Mash the pedal, and the 380 Nm of torque hits instantly. It does 0 to 100 km/h in just 7 seconds (with the claimed top speed of 202 km/h). The acceleration is linear but forceful, pinning you back in the seat. Because it’s RWD, the front wheels are purely for steering, making the car feel planted and confident even when you push it hard into a corner.

When you have so much of power to enjoy, you need to ensure safety as well, and the XEV 9S ensures top-tier safety and convenience, featuring an advanced Level 2+ ADAS suite that is perfectly adapted for challenging traffic conditions; this comprehensive system relies on five radars and a front vision camera to enable features like Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Centering Assist, and Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), alongside crucial urban aids such as Blind Spot Detection (BSD) and Front & Rear Cross-Traffic Alerts, with AutoPark Assist available on the top trim, and augmenting this technological safety net are seven airbags (including a driver knee airbag) fitted across the cabin for comprehensive passive protection.

When I wasn’t driving, I hopped into the second row to test the “Boss Mode”. With the push of a button, the front passenger seat slides away, giving you acres of legroom. And yes, the second-row seats are ventilated, a feature that is an absolute blessing in our climate.

Tech-wise, the triple 12.3-inch screens look straight out of a sci-fi movie, and the convenience of the NFC Digital Key meant I never actually had to fish for a key fob. I just tapped my phone on the door, and I was in.

The Mahindra XEV 9S is a confusing car, in the best way possible. It has the space of a minivan, the acceleration of a sports sedan, and the agility of a hatchback.

At a starting price of 19.95 Lakh, it feels like a steal. But even if you go for the fully loaded Pack Three Above at 29.45 Lakh, you aren’t just buying an electric SUV; you are buying a future-proof family lounge that is genuinely fun to drive.