MUMBAI, JULY 4, 2025: The Indian EV market is seeing intense competition between the country's two biggest OEMs for the biggest share of the mid-premium electric SUV market as the Mahindra BE6 & XEV 9E Pack 2 and the Tata Harrier EV get ready to hit consumers' homes by the end of this month.
Both brands are striving to capture consumer interest by showcasing advanced technologies and vying for supremacy in performance metrics such as speed and torque. While Tata highlights the Harrier EV's remarkable sprint speed and driving range, Mahindra's XUV.e9 boasts impressive torque, cutting-edge technology, and a bold design.
The Price War
Mahindra's introduction of the Pack Two versions of the BE 6 and XEV 9e, which start at ₹21.90 lakh, comes shortly after Tata Motors' launch of the Harrier EV, which starts at ₹21.49 lakh.
Mahindra's Pack Two approach is working well and has room to grow in the vital ₹22–28 lakh price range. These upgraded models come with larger battery packs, enhanced technology features, and premium design updates, allowing Mahindra to maintain its market position and compete against Tata's Harrier EV.
What Mahindra's Pack Two Offers
The newly announced Pack Two trims for the BE6 & XEV 9e provide options for 59 kWh and 79 kWh battery sizes, delivering claimed real-world city ranges of 400 km and 500 km, respectively. Fast charging capabilities allow both variants to charge from 20% to 80% in just 20 minutes, supported by 140 kW and 175 kW DC fast charging.
Tata and Mahindra anticipate beginning deliveries around the end of July, although Tata has already announced the production of its first all-new Harrier EV from its Pune plant.
India’s Electric SUV Turf War Intensifies
Mahindra representatives state, “Mahindra's Electric Origin SUVs have become the market leaders in India by value. Thanks to overwhelming customer trust and enthusiasm.” While Tata’s pricing may provide a competitive edge, the real differences arise in performance, features, range, and target demographics.
In terms of performance, Tata's top-spec Harrier EV features a 75 kWh battery and rear-wheel-drive layout that produces 238 hp, enabling it to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 6.3 seconds. In contrast, Mahindra’s XEV 9e offers a slightly larger 79 kWh battery with an output of 282 hp (210 kW), although it takes a bit longer to reach 100 km/h, clocking in at 6.8 seconds. While these differences may seem minor, they represent the brands’ distinct approaches: Tata focuses on sprint speed, while Mahindra prioritises torque.
Tata excels in terms of range as well. The Harrier EV’s 75 kWh rear-wheel-drive variant boasts a class-leading 627 km on a single charge, 29 km more than the top-spec XEV9e, which claims a range of 598 km. Even the lower-spec 65 kWh Harrier EV surpasses Mahindra’s 59 kWh version, achieving a claimed range of 538 km compared to the XEV 9e 534 km. For those prioritising range reliability, especially in areas with limited charging infrastructure, this advantage is noteworthy.
While Tata effectively plays the numbers game with pricing and range, Mahindra delivers a more immersive and premium experience, particularly in the higher trims of Pack Two. The XEV 9e features an impressive coast-to-coast triple-screen dashboard, a powered driver’s seat with lumbar support, a Dolby Atmos-equipped Harman Kardon 16-speaker sound system, and Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) utilising radar and camera technologies. These features are not yet included in the Harrier EV's launch configuration.
Mahindra is Riding the Momentum Wave
Mahindra claims it sells one electric SUV every 10 minutes in India and states that its Electric Origin SUVs now lead the market in value. Both brands also offer lifetime battery warranties, boosting customer confidence in the evolving EV market. They now provide options ranging from ₹21 lakh to ₹26 lakh, making this one of the most competitive segments in India’s transition to clean mobility.
Ultimately, the choice between Tata and Mahindra may depend on the type of EV buyer you are. If range and acceleration are your top priorities, the Harrier EV offers a strong entry at a slightly lower starting price. Conversely, if you seek powerful performance coupled with advanced technology, luxurious interior features, and focused electric architecture, Mahindra’s BE6 & XEV 9e Pack Two presents a more future-ready option.
This time, the rivalry between homegrown brands shifts to electric vehicles rather than internal combustion engines, firmly establishing the battleground as electrified.
EVStory.in - India's best EV Portal
