India has long been associated with budget-friendly sedans and SUVs, but Mahindra’s latest offerings are set to break that mold. The cheekily named BE 6e (pronounced “be sexy”) and XEV 9e are two fully electric coupe-SUVs with modern styling and advanced technology features, set to reach Indian dealerships in 2025.

Both of these EVs, which sound like they were named during a late-night brainstorming session with Elon Musk, are strikingly similar to the concepts revealed in 2022. The BE 6e boasts a more aggressive stance, with sharp lines and ultra-slim LED headlights, while the larger XEV 9e opts for a slightly more conventional, yet still modern, approach to styling.

More: Mahindra XUV 3XO Debuts In India, Still Based On The SsangYong Tivoli

The SUVs have an identical wheelbase of 2,775 mm (109.3 inches), but occupy different segments due to a 419 mm (16.5 inches) difference in length. The XEV 9e is the largest of the two, measuring 4,790 mm (188.6 inches) long, which is 39 mm (1.5 inches) longer than a Tesla Model Y.

SPECS

Moving inside, the BE 6e has a fighter jet-inspired cockpit with dual 12.3-inch screens, joined by an augmented-reality Heads Up Display. Other cool features include the Tron-inspired ambient lighting on the center console, the seats that resemble gaming chairs, and the door straps with “pull to open” lettering. The boot has a capacity of 455 lt (16.1 cubic feet), with an extra 45 lt (1.6 cubic feet) in the frunk.

The XEV 9e, meanwhile, features a more luxurious setup with triple 12.3-inch screens, an illuminated panoramic roof, more premium materials and a 16-speaker Harman Kardon sound system with Dolby Atmos. Its elongated rear overhang allows for more interior space, including a 665-liter (23.5 cubic feet) boot and a 150-liter (5.3 cubic feet) frunk.

High-Tech Underpinnings

Both models ride on Mahindra’s new INGLO electric architecture, with a rear-wheel-drive layout. The platform has semi-active dampers, a five-link rear suspension, and brake-by-wire technology.

Power comes from a single electric motor producing 228 hp (170 kW / 231 PS) or 282 hp (210 kW / 286 PS), depending on the trim. The most potent versions accelerate from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 6.7-6.8 seconds.

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The LFP batteries have a capacity of 59 kWh or 79 kWh, likely sourced from the VW Group. The largest option offers a range of up to 533 km (331 miles) for the XEV 9e and 550 km (342 miles) for the BE 6e, measured under the WLTP protocol. Furthermore, when connected to an 175 kW fast charger, the battery can go from 20-80% in under 20 minutes.

The EVs feature Mahindra’s Artificial Intelligence Architecture, running on the sixth generation Adreno GPU and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295 chip. Safety equipment includes seven airbags, Level 2 ADAS, 360-degree cameras, blind-spot monitoring, and remote parking, something that you don’t often come across in India-bound vehicles.

Pricing and Availability

And that leads us to pricing. The Mahindra BE 6e starts from Rs 18.90 Lakh to ($22,400), while the larger XEV 9e is a bit more expensive, starting at Rs 21.90 lakh ($25,900). These are introductory ex-showroom prices, as the company will announce the detailed trim structure at a later date.

According to Autocar India, deliveries of Mahindra’s electric coupe-SUVs are expected to begin in February or March 2025. In terms of rivals, the BE 6e will battle the Tata Curvv.EV, while the XEV 9e will compete with the Tata Harrier EV and Safari EV.

Mahindra is set to further expand its EV lineup in 2025 and 2026, rolling out more offerings from the BE and XEV series.

Mahindra

A few days ago, Suzuki finally ventured into the world of electric vehicles, unveiling the eVitara. It’ll be built in India and shares a lot in common with a new Toyota bZ SUV that’s also on the horizon. However, Suzuki remains trepidatious about future EV investments due to the ever-fluctuating industry.

The Japanese carmaker had originally promised to invest $35 billion to launch five EVs by 2030, but this may no longer happen. While speaking with media members at the launch of the eVitara, company president Toshihiro Suzuki acknowledged the slowdown in EV demand and increased competition from Chinese brands.

Read: New Suzuki eVitara Is Toyota’s Next bZ In Disguise

“We are in a very difficult situation at this moment as the sales of BEVs are slowing down and on the other hand, affordable and cheap EVs from China are coming into the market, so it is a very difficult time to introduce [further] BEVs,” he told Autocar. “Looking at the current situation, the government incentives for BEVs are going out and, [coupled] with Chinese EVs that have very strong [segment] competitiveness, you have to think carefully about what type of BEV should be introduced to the market and in what time.”

Suzuki teased its five planned EVs back in early 2023. One of these included an all-electric version of the Jimny and BEV variants of the S-Cross and Ignis. While the idea of an electric Jimny sounds compelling, the brand’s president recently poured cold water on the plan, suggesting the added weight of a battery pack “would ruin the best part” of the pint-sized off-roader.

So, what EV is next for Suzuki? It will be something smaller than the eVitara, but the date it’ll launch largely depends on how well the eVitara sells and future market trends.

While many other car manufacturers continue to rush towards EVs, despite some growth pains this year, Suzuki doesn’t have the same urgency. Part of the reason for this is that 48% of its annual car sales come from India, and combustion vehicles will continue to play a big role in that market for many years to come. As a result, Suzuki is developing hybrids, e-fuels, and vehicles that run on biogas.

Update 12/16: Continuing its teaser campaign, Kia has published more revealing videos of the Kia Syros and confirmed that the global debut will take place in India on December 19.

Kia is ready to unveil a new small SUV offering, called the Syros. The model will make its global debut in India on December 19, featuring minivan-like proportions, a well-appointed equipment list, and what the company describes as an “innovative” seating arrangement.

The Syros forms a key part of Kia’s “Kia 2.0 Strategy” for India, which aims to meet the specific demands of local buyers while maintaining global appeal. Set to bridge the gap between the Sonet and the Seltos in the brand’s lineup, the Syros is poised to play a crucial role in Kia’s continued expansion in the region.

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The name “Syros” follows Kia’s established pattern of using “S”-starting names for its SUVs, such as the Sonet, Seltos, Stonic, Sportage, and Sorento. While the company hasn’t revealed the exact inspiration behind the name, Syros is a Greek island in the Aegean Sea, close to the more famous Mykonos.

From the teasers, the Syros presents a boxy silhouette reminiscent of a smaller Kia Carnival minivan, with a flat roofline and a nearly vertical tailgate. The profile features a prominent B-pillar, echoing design elements seen in models like the Hyundai Casper and Inster. Other design highlights include the LED headlights mounted on the edges of the bumper, and the L-shaped taillights flanking the rear windshield.

Gwanggu Lee, Managing Director and CEO of Kia India, noted that the new model incorporates a “progressive SUV design language that doesn’t follow the conventional SUV design anymore”. The CEO also promised it will offer “segment-first features, exceptional performance, and unparalleled comfort”, focused on the needs of Indian buyers.

As reported by Autocar India, Kia also revealed that the Syros will feature a “lounge-like” interior, with “futuristic features and an innovative seating layout”. The vehicle’s equipment list is expected to include a 10.25-inch infotainment display, powered and ventilated seats, a panoramic sunroof, a Bose audio system, up to six airbags, and a range of advanced safety features.

At launch, the Kia Syros will be offered with two non-electrified powertrains – a turbo 1.0-liter gasoline and a 1.5-liter diesel – with a fully electric version rumored to join the lineup in future. Power will be transmitted to the front axle via a six-speed manual or a an automatic (six-speed torque converter or seven-speed dual-clutch).

The market launch of the Kia Syros in India is expected in early 2025. The fact that Kia published teasers of the SUV in its worldwide channels suggests it could also eventually be offered in other markets.

Update 10/31: As noted by our readers, the upcoming BEV models will most likely be the production versions of the Suzuki eVX and Toyota Urban SUV concepts. Both electric concepts were introduced in 2023, featuring identical proportions and shared styling cues.

Suzuki and Toyota have announced plans to take their collaborative efforts up a notch, expanding their shared lineup with a new all-electric SUV. Specifically, Suzuki will be supplying Toyota with its upcoming battery-powered SUV, likely resulting in evolved versions of the Suzuki eVX and Toyota Urban SUV concepts. Production is slated to kick off in spring 2025, with a global launch to follow.

More: Suzuki Is Reportedly Working On A Fully Electric Minivan

The Suzuki eVX concept was originally unveiled in January 2023, but an updated version followed in October 2023, bringing it one step closer to production. In December 2023, Toyota introduced the Urban SUV concept, featuring identical proportions and shared styling with the Suzuki.

Unlike many rival offerings, the SUV twins have been designed exclusively as BEVs, so there’ll be no internal combustion or hybrid variants. This is a ground-up electric vehicle, developed through a joint venture involving Suzuki, Toyota, and Daihatsu.

4WD Capability and Range

It has been confirmed that Suzuki’s first battery-powered model will be available with a 4WD system, promising better off-road credentials than your typical urban-oriented electric crossover. The company also claims it will deliver “ample cruising range and a comfortable cabin”, suggesting a focus on everyday practicality as well as capability. The concept version was equipped with a 60 kWh battery pack, projected to offer a range of around 500 km (311 miles).

Measuring 4,300 mm (169.3 inches) in length, the electric SUVs slot in alongside models like the Suzuki SX4 S-Cross/Vitara and Toyota Yaris Cross. Besides riding on the same underpinnings, the models are expected to share the greenhouse and a number of body panels, albeit with different facial features.

This collaboration marks the first time Toyota and Suzuki have joined forces on a BEV. Production of the new models will begin at Suzuki’s Gujarat plant in India, with a launch targeted for spring 2025. The two companies are planning a worldwide rollout, aiming to capitalize on the “remarkable growth” of the global SUV market. Furthermore, the zero-emission offerings will help both companies get closer to their carbon-neutral goals.

Suzuki President Toshihiro Suzuki expressed gratitude for the deepened collaboration with Toyota, noting that while the two companies remain competitors, they are committed to “solving social issues” and advancing toward a carbon-neutral society through a “multi-pathway approach.”

Toyota President Koji Sato echoed this sentiment, highlighting the shared development of the BEV platform. “This will allow us to deliver various choices that contribute to a carbon-neutral society to customers worldwide,” he said. “We would like to learn from each other’s strengths, compete, and further joint efforts based on a multi-pathway approach.”

More: 2025 Suzuki eVX Rendered In Production Form Looking Like An Electric Vitara

Both Toyota and Suzuki have their roots in Enshu, which is the western part of Shizuoka Prefecture in Japan. Their partnership, which began in 2016, initially focused on the mutual supply of vehicles and the gradual push toward electrification. Since then, they’ve been swapping badges across markets from Japan to Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, as well as in Suzuki’s stronghold of India.