Boss Mode lets the passenger decide how much space they need
As the electric vehicle era matures from novelty to expectation, Mahindra prepares to unveil the XEV 9S on November 27 — a three-row electric SUV that signals how quickly premium comfort and long-range capability are becoming the baseline rather than the aspiration. With features like rear-seat legroom control and over 600 kilometers of projected range, the vehicle reflects a broader human shift: the desire not merely to move, but to arrive well. India's automotive landscape is quietly being redrawn, and Mahindra is staking its claim at the center of that transformation.
- Mahindra is building anticipation through a deliberate teaser campaign, with the XEV 9S global reveal locked in for November 27 and a companion off-road model, the BE Rall-E, arriving a day before.
- The 'Boss Mode' feature — electronically sliding the front passenger seat forward for rear legroom — signals a competitive arms race in premium EV comfort, with Tata already offering the same on its Harrier EV and Safari.
- A triple-screen dashboard, panoramic sunroof, ventilated seats, Level 2 ADAS, and wireless connectivity collectively raise the interior stakes in a segment where buyers increasingly expect flagship-grade experiences.
- Two battery options — 59kWh and 79kWh — anchor the XEV 9S technically, with the larger pack targeting 600-plus kilometers of range, positioning it firmly against the Hyundai Creta Electric and MG ZS EV.
- Mahindra's simultaneous launch of multiple electric models reflects an industry in rapid transition, where electric power is shifting from differentiator to default across India's SUV market.
Mahindra is preparing to pull back the curtain on the XEV 9S, its three-row electric SUV, at a global reveal on November 27. Ahead of that moment, the company has been releasing teasers — and the latest one spotlights a feature called Boss Mode, which allows the front passenger seat to slide forward electronically, freeing up legroom for whoever sits behind it. It's a small gesture with a clear message: this vehicle is designed with the passenger in mind, not just the driver. Tata already offers something similar on the Harrier EV and Safari, but its presence on the XEV 9S confirms the feature is becoming standard currency in the premium electric SUV space.
The cabin itself is built around three screens — infotainment, driver cluster, and a dedicated front-passenger display — alongside a panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, 360-degree cameras, dual-zone climate control, wireless charging, and Level 2 driver assistance. The exterior follows the clean, closed-grille aesthetic of modern EVs, with LED lighting and aerodynamically shaped wheels completing the look.
Underneath, the XEV 9S rides on Mahindra's INGLO platform — the same architecture underpinning the XEV 9e — and is effectively the electric evolution of the three-row XUV700. Two battery options are expected: 59kWh and 79kWh, with the larger unit projected to exceed 600 kilometers of range. That figure places it in serious contention with rivals like the Hyundai Creta Electric and MG ZS EV.
Mahindra isn't stopping there. The BE Rall-E, an off-road-focused electric SUV drawing heavily from its concept car origins, arrives on November 26, one day before the XEV 9S. Together, these launches reflect a market where electric power is no longer the exception — it is rapidly becoming the expectation.
Mahindra is counting down to the reveal of its three-row electric SUV, the XEV 9S, which arrives globally on November 27. The company has been releasing glimpses of what's coming, and the latest teaser pulls back the curtain on a feature called Boss Mode—a detail that speaks to how the automaker is thinking about the people who sit in the back.
Boss Mode is straightforward in concept but clever in execution. The front passenger seat adjusts electronically at the push of a button, sliding forward to create more legroom for whoever sits behind it. It's a feature built for passengers who prefer to be driven rather than drive, and Mahindra isn't the first to the idea. Tata already offers it on the Harrier EV and Safari. But its arrival on the XEV 9S signals that the feature is becoming table stakes in the premium electric SUV segment.
Inside, the XEV 9S reads as a thoroughly modern cabin. Three screens dominate the dashboard: a touchscreen infotainment system, a digital instrument cluster for the driver, and a dedicated display for the front passenger. A panoramic sunroof floods the interior with light. The front seats are ventilated. A 360-degree camera system wraps the driver's view around the vehicle. Dual-zone climate control lets front and rear passengers set their own temperatures. The driver's seat is powered. Wireless charging pads sit ready for phones. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connect wirelessly. The steering wheel is a two-spoke design with an illuminated logo. Level 2 advanced driver assistance systems handle some of the driving workload.
The exterior design, visible in the teaser images, follows the aesthetic language of modern electric vehicles. The grille is closed off—there's no engine to cool, so it becomes pure design. LED headlamps and connected daytime running lights frame the front. The wheels are shaped for aerodynamic efficiency. LED tail lamps finish the rear.
The XEV 9S sits on Mahindra's INGLO platform and is essentially the electric answer to the three-row XUV700. It shares much of its engineering with the XEV 9e, including the powertrain options. Two battery packs are expected: a 59-kilowatt-hour unit and a 79-kilowatt-hour unit. The larger battery is projected to deliver more than 600 kilometers of range on a single charge—a figure that puts it in competitive territory with other premium electric SUVs in its class.
Mahindra is not stopping with the XEV 9S. The company is also preparing the BE Rall-E, an off-road-focused electric SUV arriving a day earlier, on November 26. This vehicle will retain much of its concept car design and borrow features from the BE 6. It will compete directly against the Hyundai Creta Electric, the MG ZS EV, the Tata Sierra EV, and the upcoming Maruti e-Vitara—a crowded and rapidly expanding segment where electric power is becoming the default rather than the exception.
Notable Quotes
The feature is great for people who prefer being chauffeur-driven— Mahindra (via teaser messaging)
The Hearth Conversation Another angle on the story
Why does a feature that just moves a seat forward matter enough to highlight in a teaser?
Because it signals who the car is for. Boss Mode isn't about the driver—it's about the passenger who wants to be driven. It's a small detail that says Mahindra understands luxury isn't just about technology, it's about comfort and control.
Tata already has this on the Harrier EV. Is Mahindra just copying?
Not copying—matching. When a feature becomes expected in a category, not having it becomes a liability. Mahindra is saying: we understand what premium means in this segment, and we're not going to leave it out.
Three screens seems like a lot. Does anyone actually use all of them?
The passenger screen is the interesting part. Most cars ignore the front passenger. This one gives them something to do—navigation, climate, entertainment. It's a small gesture toward treating the cabin as a shared space.
What about the 600-kilometer range claim? How does that stack up?
It's competitive. That's the larger battery, so it's not the base model. But it puts the XEV 9S in the conversation with other premium three-row electric SUVs. Range anxiety is still real for buyers, so hitting that number matters.
Why reveal all this before the actual launch?
Teasers build anticipation, but they also manage expectations. By showing the features now, Mahindra is saying: this is what you're getting. No surprises, no disappointments. It's a confidence play.