2023 Mahindra XUV400 EV – Review, spec & Price

India’s favorite automobile manufacturer has brought its new EV four-wheeler, the Mahindra XUV400 EV which is the upgraded version of their concept car, the Mahindra XUV300 EV.

After a big bang showcase of its electric future in the UK last month, Mahindra has unveiled its electric present with the unveiling of the long-awaited XUV400 in Chennai.

The XUV400 is Mahindra’s first all-electric vehicle and offers many firsts in the segment such as class-leading dimensions, driving range, performance, and much more that you need to know about.

Mahindra XUV400 Review :

Mahindra took the covers off its first all-electric SUV, but one will be able to get their hands on the XUV400 in January 2023 when it is officially launched. Critics will say that the company is entering the electric vehicle segment, but Mahindra begs to differ saying that combining both the B and C segments, it constitutes about 2 percent of car buyers in the market. On the contrary, the Indian automobile manufacturer believes that this is an opportunity for the firm to carve out a niche with a fun element by introducing a safe, high-tech, and practical EV.

The XUV400 is based on its internal combustion sibling the XUV300, which is derived from the SsangYong Tivoli. Mahindra also confirmed that this platform will launch new electric vehicles and will be focused on the 4 to 4.2-meter segments. We got to drive the XUV400 briefly at the Mahindra SUV Proving Track near Chennai and here are our first impressions of the SUV.

Mahindra XUV400 Specifications :

Model	XUV 400
Range	450+ km
Battery	39.6 kWh
Motor	147 HP Power, 310nm torque IP67 certified
Acceleration	0-100 in 8.3 sec
Top Speed	180km/h
Charging Time	DC 1hrs approx
Length	4.2 m
Backspace	378 liters + 60/40 split

Mahindra XUV400 Design :

The XUV400 isn’t a ‘born electric’ EV and the XUV300 is based on the same Nexon EV IC engine-powered Nexon, but it has a trick-in form. Unlike the Nexon, which was originally envisioned as a sub-4m compact SUV, the XUV300 is derived from the SsangYong Tivoli and brought down to under 4m in length to take advantage of lower taxes for the category. However, with no benefit to profit from the sub-4 meter length (all EVs attract a flat 5 percent GST), Mahindra cleverly reverted to the Tivoli’s original 4.2-meter length with the XUV400.

This has two major advantages, firstly, it addresses one of the XUV300’s biggest weaknesses – the poor 257-liter luggage space. There should be no complaints about luggage carrying capacity in the XUV400 now, with a boot enlarged to a useful 378 liters. The extra length has also given Mahindra an edge in the positioning of the XUV400. This 4.2m-long SUV is technically no longer a compact SUV but in the Creta-dominated midsize SUV segment and is sized closer to the more expensive MG ZS EV and Hyundai Kona Electric.

Unlike the truncated rear of the XUV300, the XUV400 has better proportions and looks more balanced. The lengthening of the XUV400 has resulted in an all-new tailgate, though the design and tail-light cluster are similar to the XUV300 and that’s no bad thing.

Like the XUV300, the XUV400 also has the same muscular stance and apart from the rear, is identical to its petrol counterpart as both share the same doors, glasses, and bonnet. However, the XUV400 is nicely differentiated as an EV with a new bumper, a hollowed-out grille, and an extra dose of copper-colored accents. Logos, badging, and accents on the grille and bumpers are all finished in copper, which the company says is the signature color for the front of its EV.

Mahindra XUV400 interior :

The copper theme is carried over to the interior as well, with rotary knobs for volume and air-con, air vents and bits around the gear lever, and of course, the ‘twin-peaks’ logo on the steering wheel finished in copper. . It’s a bit extra and a touch ‘blingy’ but it’s a Mahindra EV.

The rest of the cabin doesn’t quite do that and it’s an XUV300 through and through. This means that you get a smaller 7.0-inch infotainment screen, analog dials (with a new skin for the EV variant), and an old-looking dash with old-fashioned buttons and knobs. After the XUV700’s and Scorpio’s state-of-the-art infotainment, the XUV400’s system is a step-down, with poor graphics and a screen that features too many reflections, such as the instrument cluster.

The XUV400 gets a big step up in connectivity, as it gets Mahindra’s BlueSense Plus technology, which comes with a suite of 60 features, including multiple remotely operated functions like range checking and climate control activation. Storage space isn’t great and although you get generous door bins and a reasonably sized glovebox, there’s no proper place to store your phone and no wireless charging pad.

Compared to the XUV300, there isn’t much equipment that’s missing. Other bits include no front fog lamps, dual-zone AC, rear AC vents, and front parking sensors.

Where the XUV400 scores are with cabin space, and this is where it feels like a class bigger than the Nexon. There is ample legroom and headroom all around and the cabin is spacious enough for three people.

To accommodate the battery, Mahindra has cleverly raised the floor only under the center console and middle passenger compartment, leaving the outer edges of the cabin almost untouched. As a result, your legs are not pushed and your sitting posture is not compromised due to the high floor like in other EVs. Overall, the XUV400’s cabin is extremely comfortable, though, in this sweltering heat.

Mahindra XUV400 Battery & Range :

The XUV400 is powered by a 39.4kWh battery and an electric motor mounted on the front axle. With a power output of 147.5 bhp and 310 Nm of torque, Mahindra claims that the new EV SUV is the fastest in its class as it can accelerate from 0-100 kmph in 8.3 seconds. According to the company, it has a top speed of 150 kmph. With electric cars these days, power is never an issue because of the instant response and we have no doubt it’s the same with the XUV400.

The challenge is range concerns and here the Indian automaker believes they are in pole position as the new electric SUV returns a segment-leading 456 km on a full charge as per the Indian Driving Cycle standard (MIDC).

Mahindra XUV400 Charging :

The next pertinent question that follows is its charging capacity. Mahindra has said that the battery can be charged to 80 percent with a 50kW DC fast charger within 50 minutes. For a full charge, the 7.2 kW/32A outlet takes 6 hours 30 minutes and 13 hours while using a standard 3.3 kW/16A domestic socket.

Mahindra XUV400 Price :

The price of this all-electric Mahindra XUV400 EV starts from Rs.17 lakhs to Rs. 21 lakh and if we talk about its launch and the booking of this car will start from January 2023, then the final price will be revealed at that time. Deliveries will be made around February 2023.