Mahindra XUV400 EV

Mahindra XUV400 EV Review

The Mahindra XUV400, launched in 2023, struggled to find its footing in the electric SUV market despite some enticing discounts. And the discounts were a result of the Tata Nexon EV being better than the XUV400 EV on most fronts. On top of that, the Nexon EV received a massive update in 2023. To counteract this, Mahindra unveiled an updated XUV400 EV in early 2024, aiming for it to be a more compelling choice. 

This enhancement focuses on interior improvements and a host of technological upgrades, while the exterior sees minimal changes. Is the updated XUV400 EV worth considering over the Nexon EV? Let’s find out. 

Mahindra XUV400 EV Pros and Cons 

Mahindra XUV400 EV Exterior Design 

The XUV400, and its ICE twin — the XUV300 — are both offsprings of an already existing model, that was a part of the Ssangyong lineup when Mahindra purchased the moniker. And while the XUV300 had to be cut short to be under four metres for tax benefits, the same wasn’t necessary with the XUV400 EV, since EVs don’t have any tax breaks for being under four metres in length. Thanks to this, the XUV400 gets the silhouette that was originally intended, making it more proportionate compared to its petrol-powered sibling. 

The strong shoulder lines and sharp creases on the bonnet and bumpers lend the XUV400 a muscular look, and its 4.20 metres length makes it over 200 mm longer than the Nexon EV, thereby making it more spacious and practical. Copper-coloured inserts all around the exterior also signify its electric nature, and the XUV400 also gets some unique paint options, which make it look more than just passable even in 2024. The fresh quotient is also upped by slightly redesigned headlights, and the taillights get transparent glass instead of red. The sealed-off grille completes the XUV400’s fresh look.

Mahindra XUV400 EV Interiors 

The updated XUV400 introduces a significantly refined interior, and the ageing dashboard is now gone. The interior has transitioned from an all-black theme to a more luxurious dual-tone ivory and black colour scheme. This not only uplifts the cabin's ambience, but also enhances the perception of space and airiness. 

The addition of chrome door handles, copper highlights, and updated upholstery with the twin peaks pattern infuses the interior with a premium feel. A new chunky steering wheel and redesigned dashboard, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch free-standing touchscreen, mark significant improvements over the outgoing model. 

Interestingly, despite this being an EV and getting a fresh update, Mahindra has still chosen to retain a large number of physical buttons on the dashboard. And while this may not look the most modern, it is — for sure — way easier to use on the go than a touchscreen crammed with features. As before, thanks to being longer than the Nexon EV, the XUV400 gets more space in both rows, as well as a larger 378-litre boot, as opposed to the Nexon EV’s 350-litre boot.

Mahindra XUV400 EV Comfort 

The XUV400's seating is comfortable and supportive, offering a pleasant ride for both front and rear passengers. The rear seats can also accommodate three adults comfortably, thanks good legroom. The rear seat experience is further elevated by the inclusion of AC vents and a sunroof. The suspension is tuned for comfort, ensuring a smooth ride at lower speeds. But that also means that it can become bouncy when driving faster on highways. Additionally, the suspension noise is prominent when encountering rough roads, detracting from the otherwise relaxing cabin experience.  

Mahindra XUV400 EV Performance and Handling

Powering the XUV400 EV is a strong 110 kW (148 bhp) motor that puts out 310 Nm of instant torque, offering strong performance. While initial units of the XUV400 exhibited crude acceleration with sharp throttle responses, Mahindra has updated the XUV400 to include ESC, which manages the throttle response well. The result is a less dramatic and more manageable feeling of acceleration than before, but still a strong 8.3 second claimed 0-100 km/h from a standstill. There’s also an over-boost function which can come in handy for quick overtakes or off-the-line launches, but the system only stays active for a short while. 

Drive modes — Fun, Fast, and Fearless — adjust the motor’s response, with Fearless mode unlocking its full potential. On top of that, the driving modes also alter the steering weight allowing you to have a lighter or heavier steering on demand. However, the steering still lacks feedback, and doesn’t weigh up as much as an enthusiast would like, even in Fearless mode. The suspension, while comfortable at low speeds, also doesn't translate as well to higher speeds.  

Mahindra XUV400 EV Battery, Charging, and Range

The XUV400 is available in two battery variants, offering options of 34.5 kWh and 39.4 kWh battery packs. These promise impressive claimed range figures, with the 34.5 kWh battery claimed to deliver 375 km on a single charge, while the 39.4 kWh battery variants claimed to deliver 456 km on a single charge. Real-world range with the larger battery should be around 250-265 km in mixed driving conditions, giving it just about enough juice to take it on intercity tours. However, while this figure is great, it is about 15-20 km short of what the Nexon EV LR (long-range) offers in the real world.

The smaller battery pack on the XUV400 can also return respectable figures on a single charge, whereas the Nexon EV MR (medium-range) is restricted to city usage, due to a 50 km lower claimed range. And while the base variant of the XUV400 is about ₹1 lakh costlier than the base variant of the Nexon EV, that price is justified by the better range.

Mahindra XUV400 EV Key specifications 

Mahindra XUV400 EV Safety Features

Mahindra has not skimped on safety in the XUV400, equipping it with essential features like ABS with EBD, disc brakes on all four wheels, ESP, six airbags, cruise control, a tyre pressure monitoring system, ISOFIX child seat mounts, and an auto-dimming mirror. 

However, it lacks some advanced features available from competitors, such as LED headlamps, which could enhance visibility and safety during night driving. While the XUV400 is yet to be crash tested, the XUV300 did score 5-stars at the Global NCAP when it was tested, making the proposition promising in terms of safety.

Mahindra XUV400 EV Technology and Infotainment

The infotainment system in the XUV400 has received a significant overhaul, featuring a brand new 10.25-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, enhancing connectivity and user experience. The screen also has over 55 connected car features, with built-in Alexa. Twinning with the infotainment is a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, which shows a variety of driving data. The climate control panel's redesign, with its tactile buttons and knobs, improves usability too. Additional creature comforts include wireless charging, rear air-con vents, and USB-C and 12V charging ports, making the cabin a more tech-enriched environment.

Is the Mahindra XUV400 EV for you?

With its update, the XUV400 has finally lost most of its sore points which made it a tough proposition to recommend. But while that’s said and done, the thoroughly updated Nexon EV is still a thorn in the XUV400’s side. If you are not on a strict budget, you can just pick the long-range variant of the Nexon EV and be done with it. However, if that is not the case, the XUV400 EV does offer a good value-for-money proposition. The top variant of the XUV400 with the larger battery pack is almost ₹2 lakhs cheaper than the Nexon EV, while also offering most of the features, more space, and only slightly lower range, making it a compelling package. And while the smaller battery variant of the XUV400 is ₹1 lakh costlier, it gets over 50 kms of extra range, making it usable for occasional intercity trips as well.