A lot of hype has surrounded Tesla’s entry into the Indian market, and now booking a Model Y is just a click away. The stratospheric price may have created ripples on social media, but it was expected to be slotted in the luxury range. What is interesting to note is that even though the Model Y starts from Rs 59.89 lakh, ex-showroom, the top-of-the-line Mahindra XEV 9e, the Pack Three 79 kWh, costs half at Rs 31.25 lakh, ex-showroom. To give insights and a hands-on review of the two EV SUVs, a member of an automobile forum, TeamBhp, bares it all.
XEV 9e vs Model Y review: Driving Experience
The forum member under the handle BHPian Mechanto has been living in California and has been driving the Model Y for a long time. He recently got his hands on Mahindra’s flagship EV, the XEV 9e, and now he can’t stop raving about the made-in-India vehicle. To his surprise, he didn’t find any difference between the two in the driving experience. The ace in the pack for the Mahindra EV is its comfortable ride quality, which is very important for the versatile Indian road conditions.
The XEV 9e stayed planted on the tarmac, especially when it’s taking a sweeping corner. Better still is that it remains composed on broken roads, as the suspension setup is soft enough to neutralise any pothole or speed bump. BHPian Mechanto underlines that international vehicles struggle to adapt to the Indian diverse surfaces. The Model Y, though, is expected to inch ahead in the handling department.
XEV 9e vs Model Y review: Interiors
Tesla’s ‘minimalist’ cabin design approach may not be a runaway hit among the Indian buyers in India, as they want a premium feel and features. BHPian Mechanto reveals that the XEV 9e’s cabin and functions are ‘miles ahead’ of the Model Y. The Tesla only sports a 15.4-inch infotainment system, has no control buttons on the dashboard, and even the air conditioning vents are electronically controlled and lack any physical controls. What is impressive is that the Model Y offers an 8-inch display screen for the rear passengers, which the XEV 9e lacks.
The Mahindra EV, on the other hand, gets all the bells and whistles one can dream of and more. It is the first mass-market EV to sport three 12.3-inch displays, with one dedicated to the front passenger. The XEV 9e is equipped with dual-zone AC, soft-touch materials in the cabin and leatherette upholstery and steering wheel.
Both vehicles are packed with safety features like multiple airbags, Level 2 ADAS, front and rear sensors, a 360-degree camera, a blind spot detector, etc.
XEV 9e vs Model Y review: Specifications
The Model Y is available in two versions — Rear-Wheel Drive and Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive. The RWD does 0 – 100 kmph in 5.9 kmph and has a top speed of 201 kmph. According to Tesla, this version offers a 500 km range (WLPT). The Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive, on the other hand, has a top speed of 201 kmph and accelerates from 0 to 100 kmph in 5.6 seconds.
The XEV 9e is available in two battery options — 59 kWh and 79 kWh. The entry-level has a power output of 228 bhp and 281 bhp for the top model, with both having a torque output of 380 Nm. The 59 kWh and the 79 kWh have a range of 542 km and 656 km, respectively.
BHPian Mechanto believes that with such prices for the Model Y, he expects the company to struggle in India, especially with capable alternates available at lower prices like the Mahindra XEV 9e and the recently launched Tata Harrier EV.
