XEV 9e and Harrier.ev | Photo Credit: Kaizad Adil Darukhanawala

Electric SUVs today sit at fascinating crossroads. Brands are still navigating the ‘visual identity’ of electrification: should they embrace a ‘full spaceship’ aesthetic or simply evolve what already works? Tata and Mahindra stand at opposite ends of that debate, both attempting to define the future of Indian EVs in vastly different ways. The Harrier.ev feels like a familiar friend who has learned a few impressive new tricks, while the XEV 9e is Mahindra’s bold statement of intent.

At first glance, the XEV 9e looks like a sleek, futuristic spin on the XUV700. It is lower, wider and features that distinctive coupé-SUV stance that carmakers usually reserve for concept studies. The full-width light bar gives it a clear EV identity, while the main headlamps sit lower, flanking a closed-off grille topped by Mahindra’s newer infinity logo. In profile, its sheer scale is undeniable. The 19-inch wheels fill the arches convincingly, flush door handles add a premium touch and the roofline tapers neatly into a clean rear featuring another striking light bar and immense road presence.

Underneath, the XEV 9e rides on Mahindra’s INGLO skateboard platform, a born-electric setup rather than an internal combustion engine (ICE) conversion. While it is rear-wheel drive for now, the architecture is designed to easily accommodate a front motor for future AWD iterations.

The Harrier.ev takes a markedly different approach. It does not scream for attention, and that is precisely its charm. The familiar, muscular stance remains, now paired with a new closed-off grille, subtle strakes, a reshaped bumper, and a tidier air-intake design. From the side, the 19-inch aero alloys and a discreet EV badge are the primary giveaways. The side steps are a practical addition, aiding ingress while neatly masking the battery pack tucked below the chassis. Around the back, the absence of a tailpipe and refined EV badging quietly signal the shift to electric power. Unlike the XEV, the Harrier.ev is an evolution of its ICE sibling. Beneath the skin, however, it has been heavily reworked with a new floor, updated suspension and Tata’s advanced Acti.ev electrical architecture.

Step inside the Harrier.ev and Tata’s evolutionary philosophy continues. The centerpiece is the massive 14.53-inch Samsung Neo QLED touchscreen, easily one of the sharpest in the segment, paired with a crisp 10.25-inch digital driver’s display. The illuminated Tata logo on the four-spoke steering wheel feels properly premium, and the layered dual-tone dashboard adds a sense of richness. It is generously appointed, featuring touch-based HVAC controls, ventilated seats, a panoramic sunroof, a boss mode for the rear passenger and a 10-speaker JBL system enhanced with Dolby Atmos.

The XEV 9e’s cabin, meanwhile, feels as though Mahindra raided a European luxury car’s boardroom. The doors open nearly 90 degrees, though occupants will need to navigate a wide sill. The triple-screen layout stretching across the dash is pure theatre, the kind of tech one would expect in a high-end luxury SUV . The new two-spoke steering wheel looks futuristic and houses touch controls for regeneration, boost and one-pedal modes. The seats are wide, ventilated, and supportive, while the rear bench is genuinely spacious, comfortably accommodating three adults.

In terms of practicality, the Harrier.ev offers a 502-litre boot and a small frunk for charging cables. The XEV 9e counters with a massive 663-litre boot and a substantial 150-litre frunk. Both suffer from relatively high loading lips, and the choice of light-coloured upholstery paired with gloss-black trim will undoubtedly test an owner’s patience in dusty Indian conditions.

road test

On the road, the range-topping Harrier.ev QWD utilises a dual-motor setup. Its 75-kWh battery produces 313 bhp and 51.39 kg-m of torque. In Eco and City modes, the delivery is smooth and relaxed, but switching to Sport or Boost wakes the car up sharply. The torque hits instantly, providing a persistent ‘grin factor.’ Despite its heft, the Harrier.ev feels poised. The steering is light in the city and gains reassuring weight at speed, while the independent suspension with frequency-dependent dampers does a brilliant job of isolating the cabin from broken roads. Even on 19-inch wheels, the ride quality remains supple. Real-world range during our test hovered between 420 km and 450 km, and DC fast charging can replenish the battery from 20 to 80 per cent in approximately 25 minutes.

The XEV 9e takes a simpler, sportier route. A single rear-mounted motor produces 282 bhp and 38 kg-m from a 79-kWh battery. It feels properly quick; the sprint from 0–100 kph is dispatched in just 6.8 seconds. The power delivery is linear and clean, making the car feel significantly lighter than its dimensions suggest. The drive modes; Range, Everyday and Race, alter throttle and steering response, with Race mode proving to be the most engaging for the enthusiast. Ride quality is well-judged, handling poor surfaces with ease, though sharper bumps do occasionally make themselves felt. While stable at high speeds, the steering lacks some communicative feel, though NVH levels are excellent. In the real world, the XEV 9e managed to offer a range of around 550 km. As for charging, with a 175-kW DC fast charging, the XEV 9e charges from 20 to 80 per cent in around 20 minutes.

Both SUVs showcase the incredible strides Indian carmakers have made in the EV space, but the XEV 9e edges ahead, not through gimmicks, but through character. The Harrier.ev is refined, competent and easy to live with, slotting seamlessly into a sophisticated lifestyle. The XEV 9e, however, feels genuinely new — it is confident, exciting and unapologetically ambitious. If the Harrier.ev is the dependable professional, the XEV 9e is the risk-taker with the talent to back it up. In this silent duel, it is the Mahindra that leaves the stronger impression.

© Motoring World

Published on January 30, 2026