Comparison: Mahindra XEV 9e vs Mahindra BE 6

It is always heartening to see an Indian carmaker pushing the envelope, and Mahindra has once again done this by presenting two new radical products, the Mahindra BE 6 and Mahindra XEV 9e. The launch of these electric coupe SUVs has begun a new chapter of electric cars and taken the competition to the next level. As a matter of fact, both the Mahindra BE 6 and Mahindra XEV 9e are so advanced and smartly priced that it would not be wrong for Mahindra to consider exporting them to disrupt the monopoly of foreign electric car manufacturers. All the same, since the XEV 9e and BE 6 share a lot, including the platform, features, and battery packs, it can be hard for a buyer to choose the right one, as the price difference between the two is not big. To ease things for you, in this comparison of Mahindra XEV 9e and Mahindra BE 6, we compare them on important grounds and find out which one you should buy.

Mahindra XEV 9e vs Mahindra BE 6: Dimensions & Design

Since the Mahindra BE 6 and Mahindra XEV 9e are built on the same INGLO (Indian Global) platform, both have the same width and wheelbase. However, the XEV 9e is larger, as it is longer and taller and offers better headroom inside the cabin. With this, the XEV 9e offers a significantly larger boot. In fact, it is one of the largest boots offered across all cars in the Indian car market.

Coming to the design, the BE 6 is the bolder and sportier of the two. With plenty of pronounced ridges all around the exterior, an aggressive face, dual spoilers, sharp-edged chunky black cladding at the bottom, trapezoidal wheel arches, and many more sharp design elements, the BE 6 appeals as a highly powerful sports car and exudes a Batmobile vibe to a noticeable degree.

At the same time, while the XEV 9e also has a sharp silhouette, it features cleaner and flatter planes compared to the BE 6, and this makes it look calmer. Since XEV 9e draws inspiration from the Mahindra XUV700, its silhouette has many similar curves, especially at the front and side. Nonetheless, at the back, the XEV 9e looks much like the BE 6, featuring the raised boot and loading lip, connected taillights, and chunky blacked-out bumper.

The Mahindra XEV 9e is larger and more spacious than the Mahindra BE 6. In terms of design, the Mahindra BE 6 looks more aggressive and sportier, while the XEV 9e appeals to a more conventional family-friendly coupe SUV.

Mahindra XEV 9e vs Mahindra BE 6: Battery Pack & Range

Both the Mahindra BE 6 and Mahindra XEV 9e are offered with the same battery packs – 59 kWh in lower variants and 79 kWh in the top variants. However, the range these battery packs offer differs in both cars. While both BE 6 and XEV 9 offer extensive ranges that make them compelling offerings for long road trips, the BE 6 offers a few but considerably more kilometres in one single top-up.

When it comes to powertrains, the other factor that sets the BE 6 apart from the XEV 9e is driving dynamics. The BE 6 is configured to deliver more outright and sportier performance, and even though both cars produce the same 380 Nm torque, the BE 6 feels punchier on the go. On the other hand, the XEV 9e drives slightly more like a comfortable, family-friendly SUV, and there is a sober touch to how its powertrain behaves. However, this difference can only be felt when you drive both these cars back-to-back.

Both the Mahindra BE 6 and Mahindra XEV 9e are powered by the same battery packs. However, the Mahindra BE 6 delivers a longer driving range and feels sportier to drive.

Mahindra XEV 9e vs Mahindra BE 6: Features & Comfort

Much like the exterior design, the Mahindra BE 6 and Mahindra XEV 9e differ significantly on the inside. In the BE 6, most of the interiors are angular and mirror the sporty attitude of its exterior. A special highlight of the BE 6 that sets it apart not only from the XEV 9e but all other cars is a curved halo-like trim. Splitting the front section, this trim starts beside the front armrest and from over the centre console, it extends to the dashboard, covering the driver side’s AC vents and giving the driver’s side a cockpit simulation. Adding to such sporty settings are the squarish two-spoke steering wheel, roof-mounted toggle switches, and a floating centre console that houses an aircraft lever-styled drive mode selector, a rotary dial for the drive modes, and a magnetic slot on the centre console for the futuristic key.

On the other hand, the XEV 9e has a more conventional layout on the inside. But that is not to say it does not feel premium. In fact, it features a premium triple 12.3-inch screen set-up for the driver’s display, infotainment, and the front passenger display at the dashboard, which is something we have only seen in Mercedes-Benz cars so far. Moreover, while there are many differences from the BE 6, a key one is more space for passengers, especially in the rear seat. Even though the XEV 9e is as wide as the BE 6, Mahindra has smartly designed the rear seat and made it a more comfortable three-seater. Space around the seat to stretch your limbs is also impressive, and like the BE 6, a panoramic glass roof lights up the cabin.

In terms of features, barring the touchscreen infotainment for the front passenger on the XEV 9e, both cars are loaded with the same set of features. Both XEV 9e and BE 6 pack 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, 12.3-inch full-colour LCD instrument cluster,  panoramic glass roof with integrated multi-colour lighting patterns and laminated glass, auto park assistance, electronic parking brake with auto hold, in-car camera, a 1400 W Dolby Atmos 16-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, ambient lighting, dual-zone climate control, powered driver’s seat with memory function, 5G connectivity with in-built Wi-Fi, 360-degree camera, power tailgate with gesture control, and more.

In terms of cabin experience, the Mahindra XEV 9e offers a conventional yet extremely premium atmosphere and more space for passengers. Whereas, the Mahindra BE 6 feels sportier on the inside with a special design done for the driver’s seat.

Mahindra XEV 9e vs Mahindra BE 6: Safety Features

Built on the same platform, both the Mahindra XEV 9e and Mahindra BE 6 are equally safe. As a matter of fact, both XEV 9e and BE 6 were tested by the Bharat NCAP, and both scored full 5-star ratings, exhibiting their robustness. Meanwhile, both are equipped with the same safety equipment, including the Level-2 ADAS safety suite, which consists of a forward collision warning system, automatic emergency braking system, lane departure warning system, lane keep assist system, lane sway alert, lane centring function, traffic sign recognition, front vehicle start alert, intelligent adaptive cruise control, smart pilot assist, risk mitigation support, high beam assist, forward cross-traffic alert, and rear cross-traffic alert.

Mahindra XEV 9e and Mahindra are equally safe for passengers and are equipped with the same set of safety features.

Mahindra XEV 9e vs Mahindra BE 6: Price comparison

Across its price range, the Mahindra XEV 9e is available in four variants: Pack ONE, Pack TWO, Pack THREE SELECT, and Pack THREE. Meanwhile, the Mahindra BE 6 is available in five variants: Pack ONE, Pack ONE ABOVE, Pack TWO, Pack THREE SELECT, and Pack THREE. Given the price difference between the two, both XEV 9e and BE 6 offer great value for their asking prices. For someone looking to buy the BE 6, the larger and more family-friendly XEV 9e for a few more lakhs is an attractive deal.

Mahindra XEV 9e vs Mahindra BE 6: Summary

Choosing between the Mahindra XEV 9e and Mahindra BE should be subjective. For the way it looks and behaves, the Mahindra BE 6 is more of a driver-centric car. It can easily be felt while sitting in its driver seat, thanks to the cockpit-like ergonomics around it. However, due to the raked roof, limited headroom, and thick bodyshell, the rear seat of the BE 6 is not as comfortable as that of the XEV 9e. Meanwhile, the XEV 9e looks like a more sorted and Bonafide coupe SUV, even though there is an element of radicalness to its design. Moreover, with its more family-friendly ergonomics, more space for passengers, and a huge boot, the XEV comes in as a better offering for family ownership.

Mahindra XEV 9e vs Mahindra BE 6: FAQs