The general EV rule to leave charging station at 80% doesn't apply much to these cars.

BHPian purohitanuj recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Did a 880km highway trip over weekend with full family of 5+2 and packed luggage. Destination: Rajasthan with temps around 42c. Family was super comfortable and sleeping most of the time.

Leg 1: 436 KMs done on highway in 74% Soc. Did charge 13kwh in a 16 min quick coffee take away break. Drive was in Power Saving mode at 85-90km/hr speed. Average trip speed is around 55km/hr, which is very decent for NH. Total trip 879km.

The car can easily cross 500km on highway runs below 100km/hr speeds in 1 full charge!

I did 436 kms with 16% SoC remaining , which would mean around 560km of full 0 to 100% SoC drive.

Few quick 20mins DCFC can result into over 1000km of distance in 1 day easily.

The car is super quick in DCFC. 22Kw at 98%!! The general EV rule to leave charging station at 80% doesn't apply much to these cars.

Speeds, which I was maintaining.

These are the EVs we all were waiting for!

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Both cars offer great value for their performance, with nice dynamics

BHPian robimahanta recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Had the chance to test drive the BE6 and XEV9 for a short while.

The Good:

• Both cars offer great value for their performance, with nice dynamics
• The stock audio system delivers a stellar sound
• A taut suspension setup ensures a composed ride.
• The 15-year warranty (for the first owner) is reassuring
• Packed with cameras and tech
• Large tires provide a solid stance, giving the cars a commanding road presence.
• XEV9 Interior: Plush interiors reminiscent of the XUV7OO, elevating the premium feel.

The Not-So-Good:

• Both cars lean towards a concept-like aesthetic that feels a bit exaggerated.
• Fake engine noises and flashy rear light displays seemed over the top.
• BE6:The rear bench is too high, and the sloping roofline could make it uncomfortable for taller passengers.
• The excessive use of piano black surfaces is a scratch magnet, and touch-sensitive buttons are less intuitive.
• A puny donut spare
• Hopefully, frequent software updates and recalls don't dilute the ownership experience

Both cars highlight a broader trend—vehicles are becoming increasingly gadget-like, more akin to a smartphone on wheels. It’s a bittersweet evolution, but also a reality we must embrace.

The two together

Massive screen in the XEV9

245/55 R19 Goodyear electric drive tyres on both

Rear light gimmicks

Some over the top rear console design

Fabric door handles akin to GT3RS, weight saving in a 2 ton behemoth

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

A quick update on a long drive from Gurgaon to Jaipur (via Del-Mum Expressway) and back Gurgaon (via NH8) in my Mahindra XEV 9e

BHPian purohitanuj recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Leg 1:
Gurgaon - Jaipur via Expressway
Drive Mode: Default

• Started trip with 100% SoC
• Cruised around 112-115 Km/Hr through out. Never went below 100km/hr
• Parked for 30-40 minutes with AC on for the baby.
• Reached Jaipur with 35% SoC with average Efficiency of 6km/kwh. Total distance in this leg - 280Kms
  
  Leg 1 Trip

During the end of the drive, found Power Saving mode (not the Range mode) which limits the top speed to 90km/hr and acceleration is like any NA 1.5L Petrol car.

Here is a video on how to apply it. In setting, you can also set if the AirCon is disabled in this mode which I have not.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/0HHUjlEGaL8

Leg 2:
Jaipur city drive
Drive Mode: Default

• Drove around 30-35 Kms in Jaipur
• Used the car in parking mode for about an hour with AirCon on
• Lost around 4-5% SoC

Leg 3:
Jaipur to Gurgaon via NH8
Drive Mode: Power Saving (not Range)

• Drove till Shiva Dhaba before Poata [ This has charger listed as 60Kw on Statiq but is effectively 40Kw on original Glida app ]
• SoC on arrival = 20%
• Kms Done till now = 361km
• Average Efficiency in Power Saving mode = Greater than 8.2Km/Kwh
• Charged from 20% to 59% at 30KW DC speed
• Arrived home with 36% SoC left with efficiency of 8.4Km/Kwh
• Drive range left 220-240Kms
• Drove like an ICE car but limited to 90km/hr. Overtook almost everyone on the way.
  
  Charging Stop

Complete Leg 3 - Jaipur to Home via NH8

Leg from charging stop to HomeHilights:

• The XEV can easily cross 500Kms on highway runs
• Was travelling with spouse and one 4yr old and one 6 month old. No issues. Very comfortable cruiser.
• VisionX , when enabled all features, and when navigated via the inbuilt Mapples navigation is a game changer.
• The VisionX in XEV can be configured to show POIs. When this is enabled, and when destination is set via the inbuilt navigation, the system shows charging points. They are shown as per the physical location of the chargers i.e. Left/Right on the VisionX as per if they are on LHS or RHS. This is very good feature.
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwVJyJDncEc
• If, it remains niggle free, this is the best EV to buy. Awesome product in all.
• ADAS works like a charm

Complete trip summary.

All in all, I am very satisfied with this trip did not face any range anxiety.
It's too early to pass on a final verdict, but as it stands, its one of the best EV.

I have a Tesla in the family, so I am benchmarking it against it. I am an avid follower of global EV space and well versed with the current global market offerings.

I am super proud that an Indian manufacturer has the ability to send shockwaves across the globe with these products.

Do let me know in case further details are required.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

We took delivery of the car on 21st March 2025 and straightaway drove towards a 150 km travel. The car was charged to 78% and ODO was 59 km when we took off after the delivery

BHPian Humane India recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

" Story Of Crusader That Will Change The Brand Perception Of Mahindra "

Mahindra is the king of diesels in India from a long time and they failed miserably with their first electric launch in the form of XUV400 - a CAFE puppet from the silent powerhouse conglomerate who are brilliant in the way they make marketing noise till the deliveries

Upon the unveiling of the new generation twin electrics from Mahindra in November 2024, we were a bit sceptical and wanted to know the complete information in depth on how has Mahindra assembled such brilliant hardware in the twins, as 400 track record was a big NO to take a decision blindly to buy either the BE6 or the XEV 9e. We gathered enough information towards our research till February 14th, the "online" booking date announced by Mahindra and took the dive to book the Mahindra XEV 9e - which is the most practical choice unless one is truly in love at first choice with the BE6

We received the call from dealership post the booking amount being paid online and were promised first lot delivery as our booking payment was done within 30 seconds of the online saga on 14th Feb 2025. We got a call in the first week of March that the car has landed at the stockyard of the dealership and we can proceed with the formalities for the delivery on 15th March, as announced by Mahindra in February. Fast forward to 14th March, we were let known that Mahindra has postponed the deliveries due to a major production software flashing of the cars and delivery would be on or after 20th March 2025

We took delivery of the car on 21st March 2025 and straightaway drove towards a 150 km travel. The car was charged to 78% and ODO was 59 km when we took off after the delivery. Upon reaching the destination with a driving of 90-110 kmph on NH roads, the SoC was 52% and ODO was at 184 km. So in 26% the drove 125 km on highway. Hence the extrapolated range that it gave was 480 km in realtime. As the car was charged on a 60 kW DC charge before delivery, we expect the car to give better range within the next 15 days upon slow AC charging and gradual cell balancing of the BYD Blade short cells.

This 9e is a car that has plush and luxurious ambience on the inside. The front seats have enough thigh support and cushioning for long drives BUT the most striking surprise is the rear seats of the 9e. The back seats have more than enough thigh support that is even lacking in EVs upto 60L in India and Mahindra has managed to provide boss like comfort for the rear passengers, which is the USP of their INGLO platform that will bring them premium customers slowly towards a change in brand perception transformation from rural king to a chauffer driven eSUV with comfort

I was a critique of these Mahindra eSUVs because of the tremendous power figures offered by them, which can be a overkill and lead to hazards on roads, if in the wrong hands. But Mahindra has added a default mode in their production software that was flashed before delivery which limits the sudden power surge and majority of first time EV owners MUST continue using that mode for a couple of months to get used to such behemoth instantaneous torque and power from these twins. I still pray that people use this powerful machines judiciouly and not be in the news for the wrong reasons in the months to come after beginning of deliveries

" Mahindra XEV 9e is the practical choice and a true winner "

EVs are the not only the future, they are already the present for the well informed ones

Ignore the noise from less informed distractors and get an EV asap folks

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

If you can make do with the smaller 59 kWh battery pack and aren't particularly fond of ADAS features, Pack Three Select is just about 3 lakh cheaper and makes a lot of sense

BHPian Ripcord09 recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Mahindra has revealed the complete variant and pricing of its flagship electric coupe SUV, the XEV 9e after nearly two months since its initial launch. It is a more spacious version of its younger sibling the BE 6 and is equipped with a lot of features. Here's a link to our full official review of the car - (Review Link).

A total of 4 variants are on offer, of which only the top-spec variant is offered with the larger 79kWh battery pack. Here's a deep dive into all the variants to help you identify the most valuable trim for your preferences.

Variants Breakdown

Pack One

Top Features
- LED Headlamps
- Connected LED Taillamps
- 19-inch Alloy Wheels
- 150-litre Frunk
- Fabric Seat Upholstery
- Height-adjustable Driver Seat
- Cooled Glovebox
- 60:40 Split Rear Seat
- Multi-step Reclining Rear Seats
- 12.3-inch Infotainment
- 12.3-inch Instrument Cluster
- 12.3-inch Passenger Display
- Climate Control with Rear AC Vents
- Tilt & Telescopic Steering Wheel
- Front & Rear 65-watt Type-C Charging Slots
- Wireless Android Auto & Apple Car Play
- 6 Speaker Audio
- Start/Stop Push Button
- Drive Modes
- Cruise Control
- Multi-step Battery Regeneration
- 6 Airbags
- All Wheel Disc Brake
- Rear-view Camera
- ABS with EBD
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
- Electronic Parking Brake
- Rear Camera & Parking Sensors
- Driver Drowsiness Detection
- 3-Point Seatbelts
- ISOFIX
- TPMS

Pack Two

Top Features Over Pack One
- Front Fog Lamps with Cornering Function
- Powered ORVMs
- Fixed Glass Roof
- Leatherette Upholstery
- Wireless Phone Charger
- Dual-zone Auto AC
- Powered Driver Seat
- Auto-dimming IRVM
- 16-speaker Harman Kardon Audio
- Level 2 ADAS
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Front & Rear Parking Sensors
- ORVMs with Auto-tilt Function for Reverse

Pack Three Select

Top Features Pack Two
- Leatherette Wrapped Cabin
- Rear Window Sunshade
- Front Ventilated Seats
- Keyless Entry
- Powered Tailgate with Gesture Function
- Video Calling & Selfie Camera
- Snapdragon Process
- Dual Wireless Phone Charger
- Adaptive Suspension
- 360-degree Camera
- 7 Airbags
- Blind Spot Monitor
- Auto Park Assist

Pack Three

Top Features Pack Three Select
- Ambient Lighting
- Puddle Lamps
- AR-based HUD
- Auto Lane Change
- Lane Keep Assist
- Front & Rear Cross-Traffic Alert

Conclusion

Mahindra’s strategy of offering the larger battery on the top-spec trim and then delaying the base-spec trim deliveries to August is interesting. People who can wait for base model delivery timelines can choose the Pack One variant as it offers good value for money.

Rather than going for the mid-spec trims, it makes sense to get the improved 11.2kW faster AC charger priced at Rs 75,000 (excluding installation fee). If your requirement is the bigger battery pack with the extra range, then you don't have any other option than the top-end Pack Three. However, if you can make do with the smaller 59 kWh battery pack and aren't particularly fond of ADAS features, Pack Three Select is just about 3 lakh cheaper and makes a lot of sense.

Do let us know what you think is the most value-for-money variant and also if you had to buy the Mahindra XEV 9e, which variant would you pick?

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The XEV 9e was launched last year with prices starting at Rs 21.90 lakh (ex-showroom).

Deliveries of the Mahindra XEV 9e have begun. The electric SUV was launched last year with prices starting at Rs 21.90 lakh (ex-showroom).

The XEV 9e was introduced alongside the BE 6. The born-electric SUV is based on Mahindra’s INGLO platform and is available with two battery options: 59 kWh and 79 kWh. The former comes with an electric motor that produces 228 BHP and 380 Nm, while the larger battery is paired with a single electric motor producing 282 BHP and 380 Nm.

Mahindra claims the electric SUV can complete the sprint from 0-100 km/h in 6.7 seconds. The 79 kWh battery pack has a claimed MIDC range of 656 km. It can be charged from 20-80% in 20 minutes using a 175 kW DC fast charger.

The XEV 9e comes with a futuristic interior featuring three 12.3-inch displays, a 2-spoke flat-bottom steering wheel and a panoramic sunroof. The electric SUV also gets a 360-degree camera, 7 airbags, Level 2 ADAS, and a parking assistant system.

Source: VedPrakash

One hell of a test drive - Driving 172 kms in a day makes really experience the nitty gritty of the car.

BHPian ferrarirules recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

172 kms long test drive in XEV 9e

The drive was to experience both the cars BE6 and XEV 9E as BE6 were lesser in number. Not everyone got to drive the BE 6.

The car - XEV 9E - Exterior looks are much more traditional as compared to its sister BE 6. The car grows on you. Interior is class ahead in comfort and space. Only one challenge - White interior will require a lot of maintenance.

City drive as driver-

1. The whole drive was done in everyday mode. There is enough acceleration in this mode to shove you back in the seat. 100 arrives in no time. No need for Sport or boost mode at all.
2. The steering is nimble. You don't feel the bulk of the car in traffic.
3. Switching on the turn indicators displays the left or right camera on the instrument cluster which is a boon for heavy traffic situations.
4. Drive assist shows, assists and warns in case of tight situations.
5. Cabin did get warm with the glass roof shade open but once the shade was closed, the cabin became comfortable again. The shade is thick not the thin fabric used in a lot of cars.
6. Suspension was sorted, the road undulations were easily masked

Highway drive as a passenger-

1. When this car was launched, I said "Three screens, Why?". After this drive I say "Three screens, Wow!!". My reasons for it are 1.The passenger doesn't need to bend over to the centre to operate the screen. 2. No interruption of the maps running on Android auto 3. The audio quality was better when playing via the car's inbuilt apps vs playing audio over Bluetooth/Android auto
2. Overall comfort for all the passengers was good. The ladies of the house did even quote - "Oh!! We are beyond 100, didn't even realize"
3. The NVH levels of the cabin are next level. No road or wind noise at high speeds, limited outside noise.
4. The function control knob in the center and the buttons around it help you access the major functionality like ac temp, audio volume and much more in a jiffy. You don't need to use the touch screen.
5. The sound system will give a lot of home theatre systems a run for their money. Listened to 8D and 4D music, Dolby ATMOS didn't disappoint at all.

Start SOC - 88%, End SOC - 68% - Distance covered - 86 kms - 15 kms city and 71 kms highway/expressway (100/120 kmph speed limit)

Multiple BE6 and XEV 9e at one location. The cars were head turners on expressway or the stop location. There was crowd gathering around the cars.

Leg 2 - The drive was from Mcdonald's back to Grand Hyatt. As we had the same car, we really got the understand the car deeper. This time I took the highway drive and my brother took the city drive.

1. As the drive back was not a convoy, we got to drive the cars with adaptive cruise set to 119 kmph . Adaptive cruise worked like dream. Car used regen to slow down when it encountered traffic.
2. The AR HUD is such a convenience. It shows to direction instruction with arrow guidance, it shows a white bar when it following another car, it shows yellow glow on the left or right if someone is in your blind spot. It turns the lane marking yellow solid line, if you are straying out of lane. It identified and displayed speed limits.
3. We had turned all the ADAS features. Lane keep assist worked like a charm (Please note: LKA won't make sharp turns). Blind spot detection and deterrence to not change lanes if some car was overtaking from either side worked really well at high speeds.
4. We had set the AEB to lowest setting, so it was not aggressive at all and didn't seem dangerous
5. The steering was weighted and had adequate feedback for all the assist like lane keep assist, blind spot avoidance and more.
6. Suspension was sorted at high speed as well.

City drive as passenger

1. Nothing specific to call out already covered before. Just comfort and NVH levels of the car were amazing

Start SOC - 67%, End SOC - 41% - Distance covered - 86 kms - 15 kms city and 71 kms highway/expressway (100/120 kmph speed limit)

Missed taking the instrument cluster photos.

Summary-

1. One hell of a test drive - Driving 172 kms in a day makes really experience the nitty gritty of the car. Thanks to Motoroctance and Mahindra to give such an opportunity.
2. Fit and finish of the car was top notch. Paint quality was super as good as European brands. All the tech in the car worked. There was a minor glitch in the software average energy consumption showed was wrong. Mahindra North India sales head present at the event assured that Mahindra was working on ironing out all software bugs identified in the extensive test drives being conducted all over the country.
3. The car used 47% battery to cover 172 kms. This imputes a range of around 360-380 kms when driven on expressway at expressway speed limits. This number will go much higher on highways with lower speed limits and also when the car is driven not "test driven".
4. The charging speed and the current charging setup on the highways will ensure your stops are short and quick.
5. At 30.5 lakhs, this car is undoubtedly the best EV available in market. This can compete with cars two segments above still come out as a winner.
6. Finally, It felt nice to see an Indian manufacturer bringing a product with features which were limited to European Marquees till date.

Disclaimer - The event was organized by Motoroctane in partnership with Mahindra. I am not associated to Motoroctane and Mahindra in anyway.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

I think for a city car or a second car, the BE 6 makes the best sense. I would buy the XEV only if I were to use it for long-distance touring or frequently seat 3 persons at the rear

BHPian driver641 recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Today I got to see the BE 6 and XEV 9e in person. And whoa! They definitely exceeded my expectations, and I'm going to book one of them for sure.
I did not get to drive the car yet, but below are my first impressions.

Mahindra BE6 vs XEV 9E: Exterior Appearance

Based on photos and videos, I initially liked the exterior of the BE more than the XEV. People seemed to suggest that the XEV was a bit more bulky at the rear, and the photos also looked like that. But honestly, when I looked at the cars in person, I found both of them to be equally good. The XEV looked proportionate to me and is quite striking as well. I really did not find them to be overdesigned, as few people had suggested. I liked the alloy wheel design of the BE more. Overall, the exterior appearance of both cars is fantastic!

Mahindra BE6 vs XEV 9E: Interiors

This is where my biggest opinion change happened after seeing the cars in person. I was expecting that I would not like the Halo and the drive selector on the BE 6. But in person, the interior of the BE was extremely striking. Even the rear AC console, which people mocked as being like a beard trimmer, actually looked fine in person. The steering, the cockpit feel, the door trims, and the seats, everything looked refreshing. The moment I stepped into another car after stepping out of the BE, the other cars looked so ancient! Even people who were there seemed to agree that the BE interior is very attractive. It's like nothing we have seen before, and for sure, any driving enthusiast will love it.

Coming to ingress and egress, I am 5'8", and it did not look like a problem at all. At times, my hair brushed the roof while getting in, but it's something to get used to. My 71-year-old mom also had no problems with getting in and getting out.

The XEV's interior looked more conventional after being in the BE; it was just like the XUV 700. The triple screen was neither an attraction nor a distraction. But, if you are looking for your EV to be a breath of fresh air, then the BE is it!

Mahindra BE6 vs XEV 9E: Rear Seat Comfort

This is where the difference is between both cars. Simply, the BE 6 rear seat is maximum for 2 adults and 1 kid. There's not enough width for 3 adults. The knee and leg room are totally fine, and my crocs were able to slide under the front seat as well. The issue, however, is with under-thigh support – it's just at the level of other compact SUVs like the Brezza, etc. At 5'8", I was able to sit comfortably, but it's not the best. For example, the That Roxx has better under-thigh support and better width. However, I have checked out the Curve EV before, and I can say that the BE’s rear seat is better than the Curvv EV in both under thigh and width. I think for people under 5'8", the rear seats are definitely liveable and not a deal breaker unless you use this car for touring and with 5 adults. I even think 200 km, 300 km trips should be just fine. People taller than 6 feet should stick to the front seats. If I compare the rear seats of the BE 6 with my Ciaz, the Ciaz just about has similar under-thigh support – maybe 2 cm more than the BE, that's it. But the Ciaz has much wider seats, which are more comfortable for 3 persons at the back.

In comparison, the XEV's rear seat was an extravaganza. For my height, it was more than enough, and very wide as well. Rear seat comfort and space are the single biggest advantage the XEV has over the BE. Even 3 adults will be very, very comfortable.

Mahindra BE6 vs XEV 9E: Colour Preferences

The BE was available only in firestorm orange. And TBH, it was just amazing. I thought that this color might be too flashy, but in sunlight, it actually looks lighter and suits the car very well. For a car like the BE, this is definitely a signature color. It even goes well with the dark interior. I also managed to get a glimpse of the Desert Myst while I was driving back home, and it also appeared to suit the car. If I were to make a conservative choice, the Desert Myst would be the one I'll pick. But I am sure Firestorm Orange will sell a lot as well!

Coming to the XEV, it was available in Everest White and Tango Red. To my eyes, the white looked very good. The dual-tone finish also looked much better in white and black.

Mahindra BE6 vs XEV 9E: My Choice

I went with an open mind to look at both cars and see which one I would like. In my opinion, the BE 6 is the more striking and attractive proposition. I think for a city car or a second car, the BE 6 makes the best sense. I would buy the XEV only if I were to use it for long-distance touring or frequently seat 3 persons at the rear. So, my current mindset is to retain my 6-year-old Ciaz and just get the BE 6 for my daily commute and as a city car.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The installer was very knowledgeable and also found a missing ground to my existing DB and added it. He also gave tips on the importance of a good ground

BHPian driver641 recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Today, Mahindra EV charger team visited our place for installing the charger's DB.
Few days back they had visited and checked the feasibility for installation and based on my current max demand, they recommended me to upgrade my EB line's max load by +5kW, which I did.

Below is a summary of my experience today:

• Mahindra is becoming more systematic, my sales guy was saying, every process is in email, and true to that, I also got email notifications when the charger installation site survey got completed.
• Mahindra had assigned their Mahindra Powerol team for the charger installations. This is the same team that had done installations for XUV 400 and hence they were experienced and knowledgeable. The team also had done the charger installations in the showroom and were already experienced in the XEV's charger setup.
• The charger installation is not as simple as it was for my Ather scooter. The team ensured that the diameter of the incoming power line, those of the cable coming out of the EB meter to my mains were all right sized. In my place the incoming cable was Aluminium 25 and the cable to my main was Copper 10. The installer said Copper 5 is the minumum needed and luckily the supply cable to our house were all well spec'd.
• The 11kW charger is 3 phase charger and hence the existing cables share 16A each and is relatively easier on the power line. They mentioned the 7kW charger is a single phase, and since all the current flows through one cable, single phase chargers need the incoming cables to be of large dia, and in many cases it might need rework from the EB itself. Long story short, if you have a 3 phase line it's better to go with the 11kW charger.
• Today, they only installed the Distribution Box - the actual charger will come with the car and they will install it at the time of delivery. The DB installation is what takes more time so they had visited much ahead to ensure there are no delays.
• The quality of the distribution box components were good - it had Surge protection, MCB and RCB. All switchgear were of good quality (from L&T I think). The DB also had a hybrid 16A and 5A socket. They suggested to use the DB even when say using the portable 5A charger because of the protective switchgear. Also, since the DB is directly connected to the mains, the rest of the home circuit and the EV's circuit are distinct.
• Interestingly the the power socket alone was of an unknown brand (Vinay) and the installer explained why they have gone with that. It's common for switches to overheat and melt and personally I have seen this with my Geyser switches at home even if they are from a good brand. Mahindra has tested this switch for 500+ iterations and hence have gone for this particular model as it's heavy duty.
• The installer was very knowledgeable and also found a missing ground to my existing DB and added it. He also gave tips on the importance of a good ground and mentioned that the EV charger won't work if the ground is not working. He also gave ground maintenance tips that I was not aware of - he said the ground should be moist and we can occasionally add rock salt to retain the moisture. He also explained how to keep an eye on surge protector and check if it needs replacement.
• Mahindra have explicitly instructed the installers to not use insulation tapes, but use sleeves that can be heated and fused together. Overall the setup was very professional. I am not sure if other manufacturers also have these standard practices, but Mahindra had put in process to ensure the setup is done right. The installer had to take pictures at multiple steps to ensure the standard is met, They also checked the voltage across phase-to-phase, phase-to-neutral, and ground were all good and uploaded those pictures. They also ensure there are no loose contacts as that's the number #1 enemy for electrical issues.
• The cabling was also done as neat as possible, they used spirit levels and clamps to ensure the cabling is neat. Usually they use a black pipe, but requested them to use a PVC pipe so that I can paint it. They suggested that's not the best practice, but still for my sake went with using PVC piping.

I know it's a long story just for the DB installation, but overall experience was good, and also I think there is some sense in why they insist using their own chargers for longer life - because they can ensure they do the right setup.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information. 

Other electric vehicles that have been included in this comparison are the BYD Atto 3, Mahindra BE6 and MG ZS EV.

BHPian Ripcord09 recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Mahindra XEV 9e

What you'll like:

• Bold & futuristic styling. Has strong road presence and stands out from the crowd
• Spacious interiors with comfy seats and fine ergonomics
• Powerful motor sends 282 BHP to the rear wheels (0-100 km/h in 6.8 seconds)!
• Sorted suspension offers good road manners & high-speed stability
• 79 kWh battery pack should comfortably offer 450 - 500 km real-world range. This is enough even for road-tripping with the family
• Lifetime warranty on the battery is a big assurance for EV owners
• 663-litre boot and the 150-litre frunk mean you can carry a lot of luggage
• An endless list of features with some very unique ones like 3 high-quality screens, augmented reality integrated head-up display, infinity roof with interactive lights, 16-speaker Harman Kardon system with Dolby Atmos, selfie camera, UV filtration glass, auto-park with remote car control and way more
• Safety tech includes Level 2+ ADAS, 7 airbags, fatigue alert system, all-wheel disc brakes, ESP, front parking sensors, 360-degree camera, hill hold, hill descent, TPMS, etc.

What you won't:

• Rearward visibility is horrible. Tall headrests and coupe styling seriously hamper rear view for the driver
• Some cabin plastics don't feel premium in an otherwise loaded SUV. Excessive piano black in the cabin isn't to my tastes and makes it very difficult to keep scratch-free
• This car is extremely complex - we have concerns over niggles & bugs in a freshly baked Mahindra, especially the early batches
• Mahindra's after-sales service is a hit or miss. Remains a gamble. Wondering how many of them will be able to handle such a complicated car too
• The usual EV challenges (charging infrastructure, setting up home charging etc.)
• Missing features like a full-size spare tyre (you get a skinny 135 mm space saver which will cap your cruising speed to 80 km/h), cooled glovebox and no physical buttons for HVAC controls
• While we love the styling, it is definitely not to everyone's liking. Has already divided the opinions of BHPians

Review Link

BYD Atto 3

What you'll like:

• A proper electric car that's built on a dedicated EV platform (and not an IC-engine convert)
• Well-rounded product that looks good, has a nice cabin and good space too
• Punchy motor offers fast performance. 0-100 km/h time of 7.3 seconds is enjoyable!!
• Selectable regenerative braking and drive modes allow you to extract maximum performance or efficiency, as needed
• ~400-km range is adequate for urban commuting as well as the usual road-tripping with family
• 8-year / 1,60,000 km battery warranty, 8-year / 1,50,000 km warranty on motor, 6 years roadside assistance, and more
• Features such as the vehicle-to-load function (AC power for appliances), 12.8-inch touchscreen, panoramic sunroof, adaptive cruise control, NFC key card, etc.
• 5-star Euro NCAP rating. Safety kit includes 7 airbags, level 2 ADAS features, a 360-degree camera, ESP etc.

What you won't:

• Expensive! The Atto 3 is premium priced at 35 - 37 lakhs OTR
• Funky interior design may not be to everyone's liking
• Comfort-oriented suspension setup offers nothing for the enthusiasts
• Missing features such as ventilated seats, rain-sensing wipers, connected car tech, spare wheel (!!!!!), wireless Android Auto / Apple CarPlay…
• 8-speaker sound system is ordinary for the price
• BYD's dealership & service network is currently very small

Review Link

Mahindra BE 6

What you'll like:

• Looks like something that’s straight out of the future. Has a very unique design inside out. Surely a head-turner
• Powerful motor sends 282 BHP to the rear wheels (0-100 km/h in 6.7 seconds)!
• Low centre of gravity, stiff suspension and connected steering offer a great handling package
• 79 kWh battery pack should comfortably offer 450 - 500 km real-world range. This is enough even for road-tripping with the family
• Lifetime warranty on the battery is a big assurance for EV owners
• 455-litre boot and the 45-litre frunk are good enough for family holiday luggage
• Fully loaded with a bunch of unique features like interactive rear LED strip, augmented reality integrated head-up display, infinity roof with interactive lights, 16-speaker Harman Kardon system with Dolby Atmos, selfie camera, UV filtration glass, auto-park with remote car control and many more
• Safety features include Level 2+ ADAS, 7 airbags, fatigue alert system, all-wheel disc brakes, ESP, front parking sensors, 360-degree camera, hill hold, hill descent, TPMS, etc.

What you won't:

• Uncomfortable rear seat experience. High floor, difficult ingress and egress and limited headroom (due to the sloping roofline)
• Stiff suspension setup means you feel the bad roads. Ride is liveable, but not for someone looking for a comfortable suspension
• Concept car-like styling may not be to everyone’s liking. Will surely divide opinions
• Rearward visibility is poor, as is the case with most Coupe-SUVs
• Some cabin plastics don't feel premium in an otherwise loaded SUV. Excessive piano black in the cabin isn't to my tastes and makes it very difficult to keep scratch-free
• This car is extremely complex - we have concerns over niggles & bugs in a freshly baked Mahindra, especially the early batches
• Mahindra's after-sales service is a hit or miss. Remains a gamble. Wondering how many of them will be able to handle such a complicated car too
• Missing features like a full-size spare tyre (you get a skinny 135 mm space saver which will cap your cruising speed to 80 km/h), cooled glovebox, rear sunshade and no physical buttons for HVAC controls

Review Link

Hyundai Creta Electric

What you'll like:

• Superbly engineered all-rounder that delivers a satisfying experience
• User-friendly interiors with sufficient space & good quality parts. Great interior upgrades over the Petrol / Diesel Creta
• 168 BHP motor is enjoyable to drive. 0-100 km/h in 7.9 seconds!
• Unladen ground clearance of 200 mm is perfect for Indian roads
• Sorted road manners & handling
• Zero emissions, cheap “fuel” costs, no gears, light controls make it an ideal city car
• Safety package includes ADAS Level 2, hill descent control, 6 airbags, ESP, all-wheel disc brakes, auto-hold, TPMS etc.
• Impressive kit (ventilated & electrically adjustable front seats, boss mode, reclining rear seats, memory function for driver seat, digital key, fully digital instruments, 360-degree camera, panoramic sunroof, rear window sunshades, adjustable regen, Bose sound system, V2L charging, in-car payment for charging & loads more)
• Hyundai's wide dealer & service network

What you won't:

• Smaller battery packs and shorter range compared to rivals such as the Tata Curvv & Mahindra BE 6
• EV-specific tyres limit the car's handling and braking capabilities
• Firmer suspension isn't as compliant as the regular Creta's
• Back seat's width makes it better for 2 adults and a kid, rather than 3 adults
• A few misses (e.g. wireless Android Auto & Apple Carplay, illuminated window buttons!!!)
• 433-litre boot is lesser than the Tata Curvv (500 litres)
• The usual EV challenges (charging infrastructure, highway range anxiety etc.)
• Although not bad, rear seat under-thigh support is lesser than the ICE Creta, and you do sit in a bit of a knees-up position. Taller people will have an issue with under-thigh support

Review Link

Tata Curvv.EV

What you'll like:

• Coupe SUV styling is unique & a great differentiator. Grabs attention on the road
• A good overall package that’s priced competitively against rivals like the ZS EV, XUV400 & Nexon EV Long Range
• 165 BHP motor is very enjoyable. 400 km real-world range is sufficient for city + highway driving
• Sorted road manners & high speed stability
• Zero emissions, cheap “fuel” costs, no gears, light controls make it an ideal city car
• 500-litre boot is accommodating enough for family holiday luggage
• Long list of features includes flush door handles, powered tailgate with gesture activation, 9-speaker JBL audio system (sounds really nice!), panoramic sunroof, V2L & V2V charging, Arcade.ev app suite, recline adjustment for rear seats and more
• Loaded with safety tech like level 2 ADAS, 6 airbags, all-wheel disc brakes, acoustic vehicle alert system for pedestrians, ESP, front parking sensors, 360-degree view camera, TPMS, hill hold assist & hill descent control

What you won't:

• Rear seat is uncomfortable for tall passengers - high floor, difficult ingress & egress and limited headroom (due to the coupe styling)
• Suspension has a firm edge to it due to 18-inch wheels (top variant). Ride is liveable, but you do feel the bad roads. 17” wheel lower variants could ride better
• Build quality and fit & finish – while being satisfactory - have room for improvement
• Rearward visibility is poor, as is the case with most Coupe-SUVs
• A few missing features like telescopic adjustment for the steering wheel, cupholders for front passengers, a rear sunshade…
• The usual EV challenges (charging infrastructure, range anxiety etc.)
• Tata's after-sales service quality is a hit or miss. Remains a gamble
• It's a brand-new Tata launch, so the probability of niggles is high, especially in the initial batches

Review Link

MG ZS EV

What you'll like:

• A well-built car with good interiors
• Fast performance and excellent mid-range. 0-100 km/h run of 8.5 seconds is enjoyable
• Selectable regenerative braking and drive modes help you extract maximum performance or efficiency, as needed
• Range is adequate for urban commuting as well as road-trips to nearby destinations
• 5 year / unlimited km warranty, 5 labour-free services & 8 year / 150,000 km battery warranty
• Features such as the panoramic sunroof, cruise control, Bluetooth key, connected car tech & more
• International model got a 5-star Euro NCAP rating. Safety kit includes 6 airbags, blind spot monitoring, ESP, HSA, TPMS etc.

What you won't:

• The very similar & arguably more practical MG Astor is 8 - 12 lakhs cheaper
• Firm ride quality means you always feel the road, especially with the recommended 41 PSI tyre pressure
• Missing features such as ventilated seats, auto-dimming IRVM, steering reach adjustment, ADAS tech (which Astor gets), wireless Android Auto / CarPlay…
• Size & interior quality are more comparable to a Creta than other 28-30 lakh rupee cars
• The rear seat is better suited to 2 adults & a kid, not 3 adults
• 6-speaker sound system is ordinary for the price. Subwoofer conspicuous by its absence

Review Link

Here's what BHPian bijims replied:

Mahindra has hit it out of the park with the BE 6 and XEV 9E, they have features, dimensions and even battery packs that are a step above the competition! The XEV 9E in terms of size is a huge vehicle as compared to the rest of the cars in this comparison, and looking at the bookings it seems to be a hit as well, whatever the case, my choice goes for the XEV 9E or BE 6E (both in Pack 3 i.e. 79 kWh)

Here's what BHPian Sensible_Speed replied:

I would like to wait for the e-Vitara. It seems to most sensible of the lot to me. Creta EV may have been my second choice. The only reason I chose the e-Vitara over the Creta EV is it seems new and interesting.

Here's what BHPian darkgamer replied:

I've test driven Atto 3, BE6, XEV 9E, Curvv EV and ZS EV (basically all except Creta EV). Finalized the BE6 among them because it was the most fun to drive and felt the most unique.

The only other car that has matched(or exceeded) the fun-to-drive factor of the BE6 is the BYD Seal. I'd have bought it if it wasn't for the low ground clearance v/s mini mountain speed breakers in Bengaluru. Yet to drive the Sealion, but will try to do it this weekend.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.