Tata Harrier EV vs Mahindra XEV 9e: India's Most Important Electric SUV Battle, Decided
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| image credits: autocarindia |
This is the comparison that Indian electric vehicle buyers have been waiting for since both cars were first teased in 2024. Two homegrown electric SUVs. Two radically different design philosophies. Two companies making ambitious, confident claims about the future of Indian EVs.
On one side: the Tata Harrier EV — built on the familiar Harrier template, re-engineered beneath the skin with a new floorpan, revised suspension, EV-specific hardware, and a world-first 14.53-inch Samsung Neo QLED touchscreen. Familiar, mature, and quietly radical.
On the other: the Mahindra XEV 9e — Mahindra's first Born Electric Vehicle, built ground-up on a dedicated EV platform, wearing bold futuristic styling, equipped with triple 12.3-inch screens and a 16-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, and making no apologies for looking like nothing else on Indian roads.
Both hover around the ₹30 lakh mark, both pack in the latest features and tech, and both boast claimed ranges of over 600 km. Both have Level 2 ADAS. Both are from Indian manufacturers who've invested their best engineering into these platforms.
After driving both back-to-back — and with the benefit of Autocar India's VBOX-instrumented performance data — here is the complete, honest, and decided verdict.
Design: Evolution vs Revolution
The Harrier EV resembles its ICE sibling — well-proportioned, muscular and handsome. The XEV 9e's styling is bold, radical and futuristic, and is bound to turn heads. The XEV 9e is longer than the Tata, while it is the Harrier EV that's wider and taller.
The Harrier EV takes the Harrier's already-strong visual identity and sharpens it for the EV era. A blanked-off aerodynamic front grille, 19-inch aero-optimised alloy wheels, discrete EV badges on the doors and tailgate, and an AVAS (Acoustic Vehicle Alert System) are the primary external distinctions. It measures 4,621 mm in length, 1,994 mm in width, and 1,791 mm in height, riding on a 2,741 mm wheelbase — making it substantially wider and taller than the XEV 9e, delivering a more commanding road presence.
The XEV 9e is a completely different proposition. Built on a C-segment electric platform, it measures 4,789 mm long, 1,907 mm wide, and 1,694 mm tall, with a 2,775 mm wheelbase. Its EV-biased design includes a sealed front façade with pixel-inspired accents, active air flaps for improved cooling, and 19-inch tyres that strike a balance between grip and aerodynamic efficiency. The XEV 9e's SUV-coupe roofline is polarising — dramatic from some angles, compromised in rear headroom from others. But as a visual statement, it is undeniably effective. It looks like a car from five years in the future, sitting in Indian traffic today.
The Harrier EV takes the lead in width (+225 mm) and height (+46 mm), while the XEV 9e is significantly longer by 182 mm. The XEV 9e's slightly longer wheelbase (2,775 mm vs 2,741 mm) makes for more comfortable rear seating.
Design verdict: Subjective, but clearly segmented. Traditional buyers and families upgrading from ICE SUVs will appreciate the Harrier EV's commanding, familiar confidence. Buyers who want their EV to announce itself as something genuinely new will find the XEV 9e's futuristic language irresistible.
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| image credits: autocarindia |
Specifications at a Glance
| Specification | Tata Harrier EV (AWD top) | Mahindra XEV 9e (Pack 3, 79kWh) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 75 kWh | 79 kWh |
| Motor | Dual motor (AWD) | Single motor (RWD) |
| Power | 313 bhp | 286 bhp |
| Torque | 504 Nm | 380 Nm |
| Claimed Range (ARAI) | 622 km | 656 km |
| Real-world Range (est.) | 400–450 km | 450–500 km |
| 0–100 km/h (claimed) | 5.7 sec | 6.2 sec |
| 0–100 km/h (VBOX tested) | ~6.14 sec (AWD) | ~6.85 sec |
| Top Speed | 180 km/h | 200+ km/h |
| DC Fast Charging | 120 kW (25 min, 20–80%) | 175 kW (20 min, 20–80%) |
| AC Charging | 7.2 kW | 7.2 kW / 11.2 kW (optional) |
| Boot Space | 502 litres | 663 litres |
| Frunk | 35 litres (67L on 2WD) | 150 litres |
| Wheelbase | 2,741 mm | 2,775 mm |
| Kerb Weight | ~2,300 kg | ~2,167 kg |
| Airbags | 7 (standard all variants) | 6 standard / 7 on top variant |
| Infotainment | 14.53-inch Samsung Neo QLED | Triple 12.3-inch screens |
| Audio | 10-speaker JBL Dolby Atmos | 16-speaker Harman Kardon Dolby Atmos |
| V2L / V2V | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| 540° Camera | ✅ Yes | ❌ (360° only) |
| Starting Price | ₹21.49 lakh | ₹21.90 lakh |
| Top Variant Price | ₹30.23 lakh | ₹31.25 lakh |
Performance: The AWD Advantage Is Real
On paper, the Harrier EV is the powerhouse, with its dual motors producing a combined 313 bhp and 504 Nm. The Harrier EV continues to hold the advantage on the ground, out-accelerating the XEV 9e from a standstill to the 100 km/h mark and beyond. The AWD system helps put that 504 Nm of torque cleanly, giving the Harrier EV a 0.16-second lead from 20 km/h and widening it to 0.71 seconds at 100 km/h, as measured by GPS-equipped timing equipment.
Both models' tested 0–100 km/h times are slower than their respective claimed times, with the Harrier EV lagging by 0.44 seconds and the XEV 9e by 0.65 seconds.
In everyday driving conditions, the character of each powertrain is felt differently. Power delivery on the Harrier EV is very linear, and on account of its sheer 2.3-tonne weight, the Harrier EV masks its speed — acceleration doesn't feel sudden or electrifying.
The XEV 9e's single-motor RWD setup delivers a different kind of acceleration — more linear at lower speeds, satisfying on highway overtakes. The XEV 9e musters 228 bhp and a stronger 380 Nm at its base spec level, providing linear throttle feel that some drivers prefer for smoother overtakes.
The Mahindra EV has a higher top speed, reaching a little over 200 km/h, while the Harrier EV maxes out at 180 km/h. The XEV 9e also has a Boost function accessible via a steering wheel button for short bursts of maximum power in Everyday and Range modes — a useful overtaking tool.
Both cars also have three levels of regenerative braking. The Mahindra EV offers a single-pedal regen mode — a much more aggressive setting that can bring the XEV 9e to a complete halt. The brake pedal feel on the Harrier EV left much to be desired.
Performance verdict: Harrier EV AWD wins on 0–100 km/h acceleration and torque delivery. XEV 9e wins on top speed and single-pedal regen implementation.
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| image credits:autocarindia |
Range & Charging: The Critical Daily-Life Numbers
Range anxiety is the primary EV purchase concern for Indian buyers, and both cars make strong claims — though the real-world picture is more nuanced than the ARAI figures suggest.
The Mahindra XEV 9e claims up to 656 km on a single charge versus the Tata Harrier EV's 622 km. Independent tests and early owners report real-world figures closer to 450–500 km for the XEV 9e and 400–450 km for the Harrier EV.
The XEV 9e's charging advantage is meaningful for long-distance users. The Harrier EV charges slightly faster on AC (10.7 hours vs 11.7 hours, from 10%–100%). In terms of DC fast charging, the XEV 9e has an edge — 20 minutes from 20% to 80% with a 175 kW fast charger, compared to 25 minutes for the Harrier EV using a 120 kW charger.
The Harrier EV's exclusive advantage: V2L and V2V charging capability — allowing the car to power external devices or charge another EV directly. This is a feature the XEV 9e does not offer, and one that will matter increasingly as EV adoption grows in India.
For home charging infrastructure context: Tata Motors' EZ Charge network covers 530 cities and towns, offering more than 100,000 home chargers, over 5,500 public charging points, and 1,100 bus charging stations across India. Mahindra has over 1,100 connected EV charging stations available nationwide, accessible through the Bluesense+ app. Tata's charging infrastructure advantage is decisive today — a critical real-world ownership consideration for buyers outside Tier 1 cities.
Range and charging verdict: XEV 9e leads on both claimed and real-world range estimates and DC fast charging speed. Harrier EV leads on V2L/V2V capability and Tata's substantially larger charging network.
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| image credits: autocarindia |
Interior: Two Generations of Premium
The cabin experience is where the philosophical divide between these two cars is most viscerally felt.
The XEV 9e's cabin immediately grabs attention thanks to the brighter upholstery and its signature three-screen layout. The front seats are more supportive than the Tata's. However, on the Mahindra, seat ventilation is hidden within touchscreen menus — rather inconvenient on the move. The whole infotainment system is very confusing, and users will need to invest time to get acquainted with it. Using the steering wheel's haptic buttons inadvertently triggers the horn.
The Harrier EV's interior is more intuitively familiar. It retains a dual-tone dashboard similar to its ICE counterpart but upgrades materials and layout to feel more premium. A new four-spoke steering wheel with an illuminated Tata logo sits ahead of a fully digital driver display, while the centre console houses a rotary drive selector, touch-based HVAC controls, and an electronic parking brake. Upholstery features leatherette inserts with contrast stitching.
The technology contrast is the headline act. The Harrier EV debuts what Tata claims is the world's first 14.53-inch Samsung Neo QLED touchscreen in a production car, paired with a 10-speaker JBL Dolby Atmos system. The XEV 9e offers a triple 12.3-inch screen setup — driver cluster, central infotainment, and a passenger-facing display — all powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295 and Mahindra's MAIA AI architecture (51 TOPS). Its Harman Kardon 16-speaker, 1,400W audio system with Dolby Atmos delivers immersive sound.
The Harman Kardon system in the XEV 9e is genuinely superior in audio quality to the Harrier EV's JBL — the 16-speaker, 1,400W output delivers an immersive, concert-quality experience that the 10-speaker JBL cannot match. For audio-prioritised buyers, this is a meaningful differentiation.
In the XEV 9e's rear: wide-opening doors make ingress easy, and space is generous, although tall passengers may find headroom compromised. The flat seat base and recline function enhance comfort, and all three passengers get individual adjustable head restraints.
The Harrier EV's rear seats — thigh support could be better. As far as storage goes, the Mahindra's luggage-carrying ability is leagues ahead — a generous 663-litre boot, a flat load bay, and a 150-litre front-loading area. The Harrier EV has a smaller 502-litre boot, a raised boot floor, and a 35-litre front-loading area (67 litres on the 2WD version).
The XEV 9e's storage advantage is decisive for families: 813 litres of combined boot + frunk versus 569 litres on the Harrier EV AWD. For buyers who carry luggage regularly, this is a material quality-of-life difference.
Interior verdict: XEV 9e wins on tech spectacle, audio quality, rear cargo space, and frunk capacity. Harrier EV wins on infotainment usability, intuitive ergonomics, and cabin familiarity.
Safety: Both Strong, Harrier EV More Consistent
Both SUVs offer a strong safety suite including Level 2 ADAS, electronic stability control, ISOFIX mounts, and a 360-degree camera system. The Harrier EV has an edge by providing seven airbags as standard across all variants, while the XEV 9e includes six airbags as standard, reserving seven airbags only for its top-spec model.
The Mahindra XEV 9e received 5 stars at Bharat NCAP. The Harrier EV stands out with added features such as a knee airbag, Acoustic Vehicle Alert System, a transparent under-car camera, all-wheel disc brakes with a wiping function, and an SOS call capability.
The Harrier EV's 540° surround-view camera with kerb-proximity alerts is a genuine urban parking advantage over the XEV 9e's standard 360° system. The inclusion of V2L capability also has emergency preparedness utility — in a power outage or emergency, the Harrier EV can power appliances or charge other devices.
Safety verdict: Both are strong. Harrier EV leads on standard airbag count across all variants, 540° camera, knee airbag, V2L, and AVAS. XEV 9e holds its own with 5-star Bharat NCAP and superior audio system for notification alerts.
Price: More Nuanced Than the Starting Figures Suggest
The Tata Harrier EV Adventure 65 kicks off at ₹21.49 lakh ex-showroom, while the Mahindra XEV 9e Pack One starts at ₹21.90 lakh. On-road figures in Delhi balloon to roughly ₹31.91 lakh for the Harrier EV and ₹32.98 lakh for the XEV 9e.
The starting price comparison, however, is somewhat misleading. The XEV 9e's home charger is not included in the base price — a 7.2 kW home charger costs ₹50,000 extra, capable of charging the battery fully in 8.7 hours. An 11.2 kW charger is offered for ₹75,000, doing the job in 6 hours. The Harrier EV includes a 7.2 kW home charger as standard — a genuine ₹50,000 value advantage that the base price comparison doesn't capture.
Running costs hover around ₹1.20 per km for both models — making long-term operating costs broadly equivalent when both are charged at home.
3 Real-World Case Studies
Case Study 1: The Family Road Tripper — Suresh, Mumbai
Suresh was choosing his family's primary car — replacing a Tata Safari for a family of five that does two Goa trips and four Lonavala trips annually. He chose the Harrier EV Empowered+ 75 (2WD) after six months of deliberation. His decision factors: the 67-litre frunk on the 2WD variant, V2L capability for powering the family's devices at a beach campsite, Tata's 530-city charging network that gave him confidence for highway runs, and the familiar interior that his 60-year-old parents found immediately intuitive. His real-world Harrier EV range on the Mumbai–Goa run (mixed driving) was approximately 430 km — requiring one charge stop. He considers the V2L feature a genuine lifestyle addition that has made the Harrier EV feel like more than a car.
Case Study 2: The Tech-First Early Adopter — Priya, Bengaluru
Priya works in tech and evaluates products for a living. She chose the Mahindra XEV 9e Pack 3 (79 kWh) specifically for the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295-powered triple-screen setup and the Harman Kardon audio system. After five months of ownership, her verdict is enthusiastic about the hardware and critical about the software. The audio system is, by her assessment, the finest in any car she's ever driven. The triple-screen setup is genuinely futuristic in daily use. The infotainment software, however, has required a significant learning investment — she estimates two months before the system felt intuitive. Her real-world range in Bengaluru traffic: 470–490 km per full charge, which exceeds her expectations. Her standing criticism: seat ventilation requiring multiple menu navigation steps while driving is a genuine ergonomic regression.
Case Study 3: The Rational Numbers Buyer — Vikram, Delhi NCR
Vikram evaluated both cars purely on specifications and ownership cost. His conclusion: the Harrier EV AWD at ₹28.99 lakh delivers 313 bhp, 504 Nm, faster 0–100 km/h acceleration, 7 airbags standard, V2L capability, a home charger included, and access to Tata's 530-city charging network — all for up to ₹1.51 lakh less than the comparable XEV 9e Pack 3 at ₹30.50 lakh. He bought the Harrier EV AWD and considers it the more complete value proposition at the performance end of the range. His one concession: he privately admits the XEV 9e's Harman Kardon audio system is meaningfully better — and plays music loudly enough to pretend otherwise.
Head-to-Head Verdict Table
| Category | Winner | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h (VBOX tested) | Harrier EV AWD ✅ | 0.71 seconds quicker at 100 km/h |
| Top Speed | XEV 9e ✅ | 200+ km/h vs 180 km/h |
| Real-world Range | XEV 9e ✅ | 450–500 km vs 400–450 km |
| DC Fast Charging Speed | XEV 9e ✅ | 175 kW / 20 min vs 120 kW / 25 min |
| AC Charging (home) | Harrier EV ✅ | Charger included; XEV 9e charger costs ₹50,000 extra |
| Charging Network | Harrier EV ✅ | 530 cities vs ~1,100 stations — Tata decisively leads |
| V2L / V2V | Harrier EV ✅ | XEV 9e does not offer this |
| Boot Space | XEV 9e ✅ | 663L + 150L frunk vs 502L + 35L frunk |
| Infotainment Screen | XEV 9e ✅ | Triple 12.3-inch + Snapdragon 8295 vs single 14.53-inch Neo QLED |
| Infotainment Usability | Harrier EV ✅ | More intuitive; XEV 9e requires significant learning investment |
| Audio Quality | XEV 9e ✅ | 16-speaker, 1,400W Harman Kardon vs 10-speaker JBL |
| Airbags (all variants) | Harrier EV ✅ | 7 standard across all variants; XEV 9e: 6 standard, 7 only on top |
| 540° Camera | Harrier EV ✅ | XEV 9e has 360° only |
| Single-pedal Driving | XEV 9e ✅ | Full-stop regen mode available |
| Brake Pedal Feel | XEV 9e ✅ | Harrier EV brake pedal feedback criticised across reviews |
| Value for Money (AWD spec) | Harrier EV ✅ | Up to ₹1.51 lakh less with more power and torque |
| Rear Cargo Practicality | XEV 9e ✅ | 813L combined vs 569L combined |
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Tata Harrier EV if:
- You want the fastest, most powerful version — the AWD delivers 313 bhp and 504 Nm
- You prioritise charging network confidence across India — Tata's 530-city coverage is unmatched
- V2L capability matters — powering devices, appliances, or other EVs from your car
- You want 7 airbags standard on every variant, not just the top spec
- Infotainment that is intuitive from day one without a learning curve
- The home charger included in the price is a budget consideration
- Your family prefers a familiar, confident SUV design over a futuristic coupe-SUV
- You're buying at the performance top of the range and want the better 0–100 km/h time
Buy the Mahindra XEV 9e if:
- You want the largest boot and frunk combination for family luggage practicality
- The Harman Kardon 16-speaker audio system is a priority purchase driver
- You want longer real-world range — 450–500 km vs 400–450 km
- Faster DC fast charging matters for your regular inter-city usage (175 kW vs 120 kW)
- The triple-screen, Snapdragon 8295-powered tech ecosystem excites you
- You want a car that turns heads with genuinely futuristic styling
- Single-pedal regen driving is important to your driving preference
Final Scorecard
| Category | Tata Harrier EV | Mahindra XEV 9e |
|---|---|---|
| Performance (AWD) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Real-world Range | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Charging Speed | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Charging Network | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Interior Practicality | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Infotainment (Quality) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Infotainment (Usability) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Audio System | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Safety | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Value for Money | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Design Impact | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Overall | 4.4 / 5 | 4.2 / 5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which has better real-world range — Harrier EV or XEV 9e? The XEV 9e leads on real-world range estimates. Independent tests report approximately 450–500 km for the XEV 9e and 400–450 km for the Harrier EV AWD in mixed driving conditions. ARAI claims are 656 km and 622 km respectively — figures achievable only under ideal test conditions.
Q: Which is faster — Tata Harrier EV or Mahindra XEV 9e? The Harrier EV AWD is faster in acceleration. Autocar India's GPS-based VBOX testing found it 0.71 seconds quicker at 100 km/h. The XEV 9e has a higher top speed (200+ km/h vs 180 km/h for the Harrier EV).
Q: Is the Mahindra XEV 9e home charger included in the price? No. The XEV 9e's 7.2 kW home charger costs ₹50,000 extra, and the 11.2 kW charger costs ₹75,000. The Tata Harrier EV includes a 7.2 kW home charger as standard — a meaningful total cost of ownership advantage that the base price comparison doesn't capture.
Q: Which has better charging infrastructure in India? The Tata Harrier EV benefits from Tata's EZ Charge network covering 530 cities with over 100,000 home chargers and 5,500+ public charging points. Mahindra currently has approximately 1,100 connected charging stations. For buyers outside Tier 1 cities or planning long highway runs, Tata's network advantage is decisive today.
Q: Which electric SUV offers better value for money? At the performance end of the range: the Harrier EV AWD at ₹28.99 lakh offers 313 bhp, 504 Nm, faster acceleration, 7 airbags, V2L, and charger included — for up to ₹1.51 lakh less than the XEV 9e Pack 3. At the entry level, the XEV 9e Pack 1 at ₹21.90 lakh offers a larger boot and frunk, but the home charger adds ₹50,000. For most family buyers evaluating total cost of ownership: the Harrier EV delivers stronger overall value.
💬 Harrier EV or XEV 9e — Which One Would You Choose?
This is India's most important electric SUV debate right now — and it's one where the right answer genuinely changes based on what you value. Do you drive far and need maximum range? Does a world-class audio system matter to you as much as charging speed? Is an intuitive infotainment system or a spectacular infotainment system more important in your daily life?
Drop your verdict, your experience, your priority list, or your ownership story in the comments below. We read and respond to every one.
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