Mahindra has added a 6-seat option to its XEV 9S electric SUV in India. The new version replaces the second-row bench with two individual captain's seats, giving buyers another option besides the current 7-seat layout.
The price for the new 6 seat XEV 9S is Rs 25.25 lakh ex showroom. Mahindra will launch all the new seating in the Pack Two Above, Pack Three and Pack Three Above editions.
The new option is really about passenger comfort. There are no longer three people sitting on a bench in the second row of passengers, there are two people in separate seats with individual armrests.
Mahindra has not made major changes to the rest of the cabin. Most of the features and technology that are already available in the XEV 9S are retained by the company.
XEV 9S 6 seat price and what has changed?
The new 6 seat version is available in four configurations. The Pack Two Above with the 70kWh battery costs Rs 25.25 lakh. The same version with the 79kWh battery costs Rs 26.15 lakh.
The Pack Three with the 70kWh battery is priced at Rs 28.05 lakh, while the top Pack Three Above with the 79kWh battery costs Rs 30.15 lakh. These prices are ex-showroom and do not include the cost of the 11.2kW AC charger.
The 6 seat layout costs Rs.25,000 more than the 7 seat version. So buyers have the option of paying a little bit extra for a more comfortable second row.
The most dramatic change is that the two captain seats in the middle row have armrests. Each seat has its own armrest, so passengers have more personal space.
The gap between the two seats can also open a way to the third row. The passengers can move in and out of the back seats without folding or moving the second row seat.
The open space between the captain seats also gives third row passengers more space to stretch their legs.
Mahindra has retained features such as rear AC vents and dual 65W USB charging ports. So apart from the new seating arrangement, the cabin remains largely the same.
And the new layout would appeal to buyers who typically don’t need seven seats daily. Family members with four or five passengers might also find captain seats more comfortable.
Such a model would also appeal to buyers who have a chauffeur and would like more comfortable seating in the second row.
Battery, Range and Features
The XEV 9S 6 seat version also uses Mahindra's existing electric powertrain options.
The 70kWh battery version has a claimed range of up to 600km, while the 79kWh version is said to deliver up to 679km on a single charge. The latter is dependent on the battery and variant being selected.
The SUV uses one rear-mounted electric motor. Most variants produce up to 286hp and 380Nm of torque. The Pack Two variant has a lower motor output of 245hp.
XEV 9S already has a long list of features, especially on the higher variants. It features three 12.3 inch screens, ventilated seats, powered Boss Mode, panoramic sunroof and a 16 speaker Harman Kardon sound system.
The SUV also has connected technology, an air purifier, a 540 degree camera, digital key functionality and scheduled climate control. Higher variants also have Level 2+ ADAS and six airbags.
The addition of the 6 seat configuration also gives buyers more choice without changing the basic character of the XEV 9S.
The regular 7 seat version is still available for customers who want maximum passenger capacity. The new 6 seat version is more about comfort and space in the second row.
The XEV 9S is also a very important model for Mahindra in the electric vehicle market. The SUV was launched in 2025, and it is now one of Mahindra's main electric models of Mahindra’s. Sales were 4,131 units in the last month (India Today).
The new seating option will help Mahindra to appeal to other customers in the fast-growing electric SUV space as well.
The choice is now quite simple for customers. Those who need to carry seven passengers regularly can stay with the standard version. Second row passengers who want comfort can choose the new 6 seat layout.
We believe that the Rs 25,000 premium over the 7-seat version also keeps the upgrade relatively affordable within this price range.
The new captain seats, easy access to the third row and space for passengers make the Mahindra XEV 9S more premium.
The new 6 seat option starts at Rs 25.25 lakh ex showroom, giving buyers another reason to consider the XEV 9S if comfort is more important to them than having one extra seat.
