Mahindra XEV 9S Pack One Above deliveries have commenced, priced at Rs 19.95 lakh (ex-showroom), undercutting the XEV 9e's base price by nearly Rs 2 lakh.
Despite being the entry-level trim, the Pack One Above comes loaded with features including a triple screen setup, panoramic sunroof, and choice of two battery packs.
Mahindra's latest electric SUV, the XEV 9S, has already made a case for itself as the most accessible and feature-rich option in the brand's growing EV portfolio.
Now, with deliveries of the base Pack One Above variant formally under way, buyers keen on getting into the XEV 9S at the lowest possible outlay are finally getting their keys.
Priced at Rs 19.95 lakh (ex-showroom), the entry trim undercuts the XEV 9e's starting price of Rs 21.9 lakh (ex-showroom) by a meaningful margin, all while offering a longer features list.
Exterior Features That Punch Above the Entry-Level Tag
Step up to the Pack One Above and the outside tells a story that does not quite match the "base variant" label. LED projector headlights with LED DRLs, LED ice-cube fog lights, flush door handles, rear washer and wiper, auto headlights, and rain-sensing frameless wipers are all present from the outset.
The LED tail lights and front and rear bumper styling carry a premium look that would not look out of place on a higher trim. That said, buyers do give up a few things at this level. Front parking sensors, a front camera, side cameras, the ADAS radar module, and auto pop-out door handles are absent, and the wheels are 18-inch steel units with covers rather than alloys.
A Cabin That Barely Feels Like a Base Variant
Inside, the gap between the Pack One Above and the top-spec trim narrows considerably. Mahindra has retained the same triple 12.3-inch display setup on the dashboard, complete with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
The centre console is carried over from higher variants too, featuring a premium pop-up flap, electronic parking brake, illuminated gear selector, and an i-Drive-style rotary dial.
Even the steering wheel with paddle shifters for regenerative braking control is unchanged. A panoramic sunroof also makes it to this base trim, which is a notable inclusion at this price.
What the Pack One Above Does Without
The areas where Mahindra has trimmed specifications to maintain the price point are noticeable but largely comfort-focused.
Powered and ventilated seats, leatherette upholstery, soft-touch materials on the dashboard and door trims, an auto-dimming interior rear-view mirror, dual-zone climate control, wireless charging pads, a 1400W Harman Kardon audio system, and auto-folding wing mirrors are all reserved for higher variants.
Features That Still Make It Worth Considering
What the Pack One Above does offer remains an impressive spread. The cabin gets LED interior lighting including a boot light, three-row seating, a front centre armrest with a cooled storage compartment below, Type-C charging ports, rear AC vents and adjustable headrests.
In addition to this, it also has fabric upholstery, tilt and telescopic steering, steering-mounted controls, cruise control, a third screen for the front passenger, hydraulic bonnet struts, a 150-litre frunk, hill descent control, and six airbags.
Two Battery Options Available From the Base Trim
One of the more impressive aspects of the Pack One Above is that Mahindra offers both battery options right from this variant.
The 59 kWh pack pairs with a 228 bhp motor and delivers a claimed range of up to 521 km, while the 79 kWh option steps up to a 282 bhp motor with a range of up to 679 km on a single charge. Both variants are rear-wheel drive as standard, consistent with the BE 6 and XEV 9e.
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