KATHMANDU: Mahindra XEV 9S has attracted strong interest in Nepal with its combination of size, performance and pricing. The electric SUV was showcased at the NAIMA Mobility Expo 2026 with a starting price of Rs 6 million.
The XEV 9S is one of the most affordable large seven-seat electric SUVs available in Nepal. Its pricing has drawn attention in a market dominated by Chinese EV brands.
Mahindra is known as an SUV-focused Indian automaker. This has further increased interest in the XEV 9S among Nepali buyers.
Many customers who booked the SUV at the NAIMA Mobility Expo cited its large size, driving range and suitability for Nepal’s roads as key reasons for their decision.
The XEV 9S is based on Mahindra’s new INGLO electric architecture. It combines a large battery, powerful electric motor and a range of modern features.
Mahindra offers the XEV 9S in three variants with two battery options in Nepal. The entry-level Pack One gets a 59kWh battery pack and is priced at Rs 6 million.
The Pack Two and Pack Three variants come with a larger 79kWh battery. They are priced at Rs 8.65 million and Rs 8.9 million, respectively. This gives customers multiple options based on their budget and performance requirements.
Powerful electric motor
The entry-level XEV 9S Pack One uses a 170kW electric motor. It produces a peak torque of 380Nm.
The higher variants with the 79kWh battery get a more powerful 210kW electric motor. Both Pack Two and Pack Three use the same motor setup.
The XEV 9S comes with a rear-wheel-drive system.
The SUV also gets multiple regenerative braking modes and one-pedal driving. It offers different driving modes, including Default, Range, Everyday, Race and Snow.
The suspension setup is designed for a large SUV. It uses MacPherson struts at the front and a five-link multi-link independent setup at the rear.
Big SUVs, bigger price war
Mahindra appears to be targeting Chinese EVs not only with technology and design but also with aggressive pricing. This strategy could be important in Nepal, where Chinese brands have a strong presence in the EV market.
The XEV 9S offers a large seven-seat SUV package at a starting price of Rs 6 million. At the same time, the higher variants offer a 210kW motor and a 79kWh battery.
The combination of price and performance makes the XEV 9S a notable option in Nepal’s large electric SUV segment.
Strong safety package
The XEV 9S has received a five-star safety rating in Bharat NCAP testing. It scored 31.97 out of 32 points for adult occupant protection and 45 out of 49 points for child occupant protection.
The SUV comes with airbags, disc brakes on all four wheels, an electronic parking brake, driver drowsiness detection, parking sensors and cameras. Depending on the variant, the XEV 9S also gets Level 2 ADAS features.
