I think for a city car or a second car, the BE 6 makes the best sense. I would buy the XEV only if I were to use it for long-distance touring or frequently seat 3 persons at the rear
BHPian driver641 recently shared this with other enthusiasts:
Today I got to see the BE 6 and XEV 9e in person. And whoa! They definitely exceeded my expectations, and I’m going to book one of them for sure.
I did not get to drive the car yet, but below are my first impressions.
Mahindra Be6 VS XEV 9E: Exterior Appearance
Based on photos and videos, I initially liked the exterior of the BE more than the XEV. People seemed to suggest that the XEV was a bit more bulky at the rear, and the photos also looked like that. But honestly, when I looked at the cars in person, I found both of them to be equally good. The XEV looked proportionate to me and is quite striking as well. I really did not find them to be overdesigned, as few people had suggested. I liked the alloy wheel design of the BE more. Overall, the exterior appearance of both cars is fantastic!
Mahindra Be6 vs Xev 9e: Interiors
This is where my biggest opinion change happened after seeing the cars in person. I was expecting that I would not like the Halo and the drive selector on the BE 6. But in person, the interior of the BE was extremely striking. Even the rear AC console, which people mocked as being like a beard trimmer, actually looked fine in person. The steering, the cockpit feel, the door trims, and the seats, everything looked refreshing. The moment I stepped into another car after stepping out of the BE, the other cars looked so ancient! Even people who were there seemed to agree that the BE interior is very attractive. It’s like nothing we have seen before, and for sure, any driving enthusiast will love it.
Coming to ingress and egress, I am 5’8″, and it did not look like a problem at all. At times, my hair brushed the roof while getting in, but it’s something to get used to. My 71-year-old mom also had no problems with getting in and getting out.
The XEV’s interior looked more conventional after being in the BE; it was just like the XUV 700. The triple screen was neither an attraction nor a distraction. But, if you are looking for your EV to be a breath of fresh air, then the BE is it!
Mahindra BE6 vs XEV 9E: Rear Seat Comfort
This is where the difference is between both cars. Simply, the BE 6 rear seat is maximum for 2 adults and 1 kid. There’s not enough width for 3 adults. The knee and leg room are totally fine, and my crocs were able to slide under the front seat as well. The issue, however, is with under-thigh support – it’s just at the level of other compact SUVs like the Brezza, etc. At 5’8″, I was able to sit comfortably, but it’s not the best. For example, the That Roxx has better under-thigh support and better width. However, I have checked out the Curve EV before, and I can say that the BE’s rear seat is better than the Curvv EV in both under thigh and width. I think for people under 5’8″, the rear seats are definitely liveable and not a deal breaker unless you use this car for touring and with 5 adults. I even think 200 km, 300 km trips should be just fine. People taller than 6 feet should stick to the front seats. If I compare the rear seats of the BE 6 with my Ciaz, the Ciaz just about has similar under-thigh support – maybe 2 cm more than the BE, that’s it. But the Ciaz has much wider seats, which are more comfortable for 3 persons at the back.
In comparison, the XEV’s rear seat was an extravaganza. For my height, it was more than enough, and very wide as well. Rear seat comfort and space are the single biggest advantage the XEV has over the BE. Even 3 adults will be very, very comfortable.
Mahindra BE6 vs XEV 9E: Colour Preferences
The BE was available only in firestorm orange. And TBH, it was just amazing. I thought that this color might be too flashy, but in sunlight, it actually looks lighter and suits the car very well. For a car like the BE, this is definitely a signature color. It even goes well with the dark interior. I also managed to get a glimpse of the Desert Myst while I was driving back home, and it also appeared to suit the car. If I were to make a conservative choice, the Desert Myst would be the one I’ll pick. But I am sure Firestorm Orange will sell a lot as well!
Coming to the XEV, it was available in Everest White and Tango Red. To my eyes, the white looked very good. The dual-tone finish also looked much better in white and black.
Mahindra BE6 vs XEV 9E: My Choice
I went with an open mind to look at both cars and see which one I would like. In my opinion, the BE 6 is the more striking and attractive proposition. I think for a city car or a second car, the BE 6 makes the best sense. I would buy the XEV only if I were to use it for long-distance touring or frequently seat 3 persons at the rear. So, my current mindset is to retain my 6-year-old Ciaz and just get the BE 6 for my daily commute and as a city car.
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