Mahindra's first electric SUV will go on sale next year in January 2023. However before that happens, we managed to get our hands on it for an extended experience at the company's proving grounds. The video below covers our in-depth review including performance parameters. At the same time, you can also scroll down this article to quickly go through some of the hits and misses of the Mahindra XUV400 Electric SUV.
XUV400 Hits
Performance on Tap
With an electric motor belting out 147 bhp of power and 310 Nm of torque, the XUV400 turns out to be the quickest electric SUV under Rs 50 lakh in India. Mahindra claims that this new e-SUV can sprint from 0 to 100km/h in just 8.3 seconds. Further, top speed is limited to a 155 km/h (true) which is about 157 km/h on the speedometer. These parameters are for the full performance 'Fearless' mode and not for the Fun or Fast modes.
Dynamically sorted
Power is nothing without control and Mahindra understands this. During our experience, we had a chance to push the XUV400 electric across various kind of road conditions including a high speed bowl. Even at an indicated 130 km/h, the XUV400 was stable like a rock. Later, during other test courses, its nimble nature was evident. The Fearless mode also adds more weight to the steering, thereby aiding confidence. The brakes too work well, bringing this e-SUV to a halt without any fuss.
Safety first
Most new Mahindra models have been topping the charts when it comes to crash test ratings. The XUV300 itself scored a 5-star rating and the XUV400 should follow the same pattern in our opinion. It also comes with as many as 6 Airbags, thereby increasing passenger safety in the unlikely event of a severe crash. Proving its reliability even further, the car has been rigorously tested under extreme weather conditions, ranging from +47 (Jaisalmer) to minus 20 (South Korea). Finally, it comes with disc brakes all around.
Space for everyone
The XUV400 has the longest wheelbase among rivals like the Nexon EV and the ZS EV. This in turn liberates more room on the inside. Infact, having two tall adults sitting one behind the other is easily possible here. And then the boot space - at over 370 litres, it is bigger / larger than all its rivals. Lastly, thanks to the width of the XUV400, this can seat 5 adults easily.
Range on offer
Range anxiety is one of the biggest reasons when it comes to prospective consumers shying away EVs in India. However, Mahindra has worked hard on this aspect and we were rather surprised (in a good way!) to know that the certified range stands at a whooping 456km! This ofcourse is with a light right foot and in the FUN mode. Real world range in traffic and with air-con running will still be about 350km which means you will have to charge this one once every 5-7 days.
XUV400 Misses
Missing features
In this era of features, gadgets and gizmos, the XUV400 does miss out on a lot of inclusions as compared to its rivals. For instance, it does not come with now common features like wireless charging, powered front seats and even seat ventilation. Next, it does not get heated outside mirrors or an electric park brake either. The sunroof is of the normal size and not panoramic as found in the ZS EV. There are no rear ac vents and it also misses out on rear charging outlets. Even the infotainment screen is smaller as compared to today's modern day cars in the Rs 15-20 lakh category.
Subjective looks
The XUV300 has been long due for a cosmetic makeover and we were expecting the XUV400 to look 'different' as well. However, while that did not happen, Mahindra decided to play bold by using 'copper' colour inserts instead of green or blue as we see on regular EV models. This has not played too well and a lot of backslash can be seen on our social posts.
Cabin Design
The cabin design of the regular XUV300 now looks dated as compared to rivals and we were all looking forward to a new / updated interior theme. Sadly, that is not the case here. While Mahindra has given the XUV400 an all-black theme as compared to the XUV300, the overall interior theme does not live upto the mark.
Conclusion
The Mahindra XUV400 scores high marks when it comes to thrilling performance, excellent range and a spacious cabin. It is also one of the safest e-SUVs in India but will not be able to excite those looking at modern day features or a tech-savvy interior. Watch this space for more!
