Mahindra has added a 6-seat option to the XEV 9S, and it costs ₹25,000 more than the 7-seat version. Instead of a bench in the middle, you get two individual captain chairs. The MG Hector Hawk EV launched in August 2025, and Mahindra's new seating option strengthens its position in the segment.
What's new: captain seats and the ₹25,000 upcharge
The big change is the second row. The regular bench is gone, replaced by two individual captain chairs with their own armrests. That turns the XEV 9S into a 2+2+2 six-seater. Mahindra charges ₹25,000 more for this layout over the equivalent 7-seat variant. Nothing else changes mechanically, so range, power, and battery stay the same. This is purely a seating and comfort play, aimed at buyers who want a more premium cabin without a new model.
Which XEV 9S variants get captain seats, and the prices
Mahindra XEV 9S
SUVThe 6-seat option is offered on all trims except the base Pack One Above. So you can pick it on Pack Two Above, Pack Three, and Pack Three Above. In the full range, the XEV 9S runs from ₹20.65 lakh to ₹30.7 lakh (ex-showroom). Pack Two Above starts at ₹25.05 lakh, Pack Three at ₹27.85 lakh, and Pack Three Above starts at ₹29.95 lakh and tops out at ₹30.7 lakh. Add ₹25,000 to whichever of these you choose for the captain-chair version. And remember, these are ex-showroom prices. On-road costs add road tax, registration, and insurance, which vary by state. The 11.2 kW AC home charger and its installation are also extra.
Captain seats vs. bench: Easier third-row access and more space
The main gain is comfort in the middle. Each captain chair gets its own armrest that flips up. And the gap between the two seats creates a clear walkway to the third row. That makes climbing into the last row much easier than squeezing past a bench. The freed-up floor space also lets third-row passengers stretch their legs a bit more. Rear AC vents and dual 65W USB ports carry over from the 7-seat variants, so you lose no convenience. This setup makes sense for chauffeur-driven owners and families who value second-row comfort over carrying seven people.
Battery, range, and charging: 70 kWh vs 79 kWh
The XEV 9S comes with three battery sizes: 59, 70, and 79 kWh (kWh means the battery size). Pack Two Above is offered with both 70 kWh and 79 kWh packs; Pack Three variants get the 79 kWh unit. The 70 kWh claims up to 600 km and the 79 kWh up to 679 km on ARAI (a government test that always reads higher than real driving). In real use, expect roughly 450–480 km from the big pack, more on the highway, and less in heavy city traffic. DC fast charging peaks at 180 kW, so a top-up is quick at a fast charger. Running cost is the real draw. Charging at home works out to about ₹1–1.5 per km, against ₹7–9 per km for a petrol SUV. For a family doing 1,500 km a month, that's a saving of thousands. Note: there is no central cash subsidy on electric cars; only some states waive road tax or registration, so check your RTO.
XEV 9S vs. MG Hector Hawk EV and Kia Carens Clavis EV
Kia Carens Clavis EV
MUV/MPVThe MG Hector Hawk EV launched in August 2025 in 6- and 7-seat forms. Right now the Kia Carens Clavis EV is the only other car in the segment offering both 6- and 7-seat layouts, so the XEV 9S joins a very short list. Against smaller electric rivals like the Kia Syros EV (₹13.49–20 lakh) and Maruti e Vitara (₹13.49–17.46 lakh), the XEV 9S sits ₹5 lakh or more higher at entry. But those are compact SUVs, not purpose-built three-row EVs. Built on the INGLO platform with a flat floor, the XEV 9S uses cabin space better than any petrol SUV converted to electric.
Should you pick the 6-seat, and is it worth ₹25,000 more?
If you regularly carry seven people, stick with the 7-seat bench. That extra middle seat is the whole point of a three-row SUV for many families. But if you rarely fill all seats, the ₹25,000 for captain chairs is easy money. You get better second-row comfort, easier third-row access, and a more upmarket feel. On Pack Three Above, where you already have ventilated seats, Boss Mode, and a 16-speaker Harman Kardon system, the captain layout completes the premium cabin. Our pick: the Pack Two Above 79 kWh with captain seats, around ₹25.05 lakh plus the ₹25,000 upcharge. It gives you the big battery and the comfort layout without paying top-trim money.
References: Mahindra India — official website
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