India, Dec. 13 -- With the success of the XEV 9e, Mahindra is looking to take the fight further with its more conventional XEV 9S. We drive it to see how it fares in the real world.

The launch of the Mahindra XEV 9e was a pivotal moment for the Indian EV landscape. It wasn't just about Mahindra showcasing ambition as a manufacturer but also about Indian consumers getting an EV that was affordable, futuristic, and realistically usable as an everyday vehicle. That said, for many customers, the coupe-like roofline of the 9e meant compromised practicality. Nevertheless, as the sales figures clearly show, the 9e is definitely a hit.

The success of the 9e naturally opens the door for Mahindra to use the same platform and package to appeal to ...