People love AWD SUVs even if they have no plans on taking them off-road. Knowing that your SUV can handle tough terrain is enough of an excuse for them to buy it. And now Mahindra is suspected to be working on an AWD SUV to cater to those. Here are all the details you should know about this newly spotted SUV.
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Mahindra XEV9S Spotted!
Mahindra has made some big moves in the SUV market with the launch of the XUV7XO and XEV 9S. The success was so huge that Mahindra received more than 93,000 bookings in the first two weeks. Moreover, the XEV9S also took over the throne of the best-selling EV in India last month, by a big margin. But now the XEV 9S has been spotted again. What is Mahindra cooking now?
Tata received a great response when it launched the Harrier.ev AWD. And we think that Mahindra are planning to replicate the response for the XEV9S. There is no other reason why the XEV9S is still being tested. It has been on the market for a matter of months, so a facelift is definitely off the cards for now. The only thing these spy shots indicate is changes to the drivetrain.
The test mule was well camouflaged, but you can spot it as an XUV7XO or an XEV9S from a mile away. These spyshots left us in a bit of a dilemma. The headlights of the test mule are from the XEV9S, but, interestingly, the taillights are from the XUV700 (not the XUV7XO). This made us wonder which SUV it actually is. Mahindra are known for trying such tricks on its test mules. However, after some time, we received an indication that it was an EV, thanks to the aero-optimised alloys.
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What’s New?
The XEV9S is offered with 3 battery packs: 59kWh, 70kWh, and 79kWh. But all the battery packs are offered only with a single motor RWD drivetrain. While this drivetrain is plenty of fun as it is, it could still be improved. With an AWD drivetrain, it could also tackle the tough terrains. Tata marketed the Harrier.ev QWD with several off-roading stunts, which definitely boosted its sales. We could see the same with the XEV9S.
The AWD option is expected to be offered on the top “Pack Three And Above” trim, with the 79kWh pack. The power figures are expected to get a small boost over the RWD version, but the range could also take a hit for the worse due to this. Its fuel-powered sibling, the 7XO, offers an AWD option, so it is only fair that the 9S does as well.
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Mahindra XEV9S Spotted – Features
The AWD trim is expected to be offered only on the top variants, which means it will get all the available amenities. Some of these features include –
- Triple-screen dashboard (12.3-inch each)
- Front & rear ventilated seats
- Powered front seats
- Sliding 2nd row of seats
- Level-2 ADAS
- 360-degree camera
- Rear window sunshade
- Panoramic sunroof
- 16-speaker Harmon Kardon sound system
- Dolby Atmos
- Wireless Charging
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Expected Launch & Pricing
This is a minor update, so Mahindra may launch it on short notice. We expect the AWD variant to launch in the latter part of 2026, but don’t be surprised if it arrives earlier. You would also have to pay a slight premium of around Rs 75,000 to Rs 1 lakh over the top trim, which costs around Rs 31-33 lakh (on-road, Mumbai).
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Hi, I’m Ravindra Meena , a bike and automobile enthusiast. I share honest reviews, mileage tests, and latest updates about bikes, cars, and EVs to help you make the right choice. Stay connected for real-world insights and trending auto news! 🏍️🚗