How Does The Mahindra XEV 9e ADAS Perform In Real World?

Consider yourself on a busy city road with unpredictable traffic. An autorickshaw slows suddenly in front of you, a pedestrian chooses to jaywalk, and a biker suddenly cuts into your lane. Now that your vehicle can anticipate these motions and help you steer clear of possible collisions – yes the Advanced Driver Assistance System exactly does that.

The Mahindra XEV 9e is the newest electric SUV coupe available in India with five radars and a high-resolution camera in its top-spec Pack Three variant. It does the same with a single radar in the one-above-base Pack Two trim. Its ADAS support you in many driving scenarios by cooperating like an intelligent co-driver. However, does that make sense under everyday driving circumstances in India? Let's check out.

Mahindra XEV 9e ADAS Performance

Adaptive Cruise Control 

Consider driving on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway. You set the XEV 9e’s Adaptive Cruise Control to 80 kmph, and the car automatically maintains that speed. The true magic, though, is that the system slows down your car whenever a slower-moving vehicle enters your lane and speeds up again when the road is clear. However, this system might not react well in city traffic, as vehicles suddenly change lanes and two-wheelers creep into gaps, demanding manual intervention.

Lane Keep Assist

On a well-marked highway like the Delhi-Agra Yamuna Expressway, the Lane Keep Assist ensures that the XEV 9e stays centred. If you unintentionally drift out of your lane, the system gently nudges the steering to keep you in place. However, this function may continually interfere with or have trouble accurately identifying lanes in urban areas where lane discipline is frequently ignored and road markings are covered by dust and potholes.

Automatic Emergency Braking 

Imagine driving the XEV 9e through a marketplace in Kolkata, when a cyclist suddenly pulls up out of nowhere. The AEB system detects the obstacle and automatically applies brakes to prevent a collision. This feature works very well for abrupt stops, but in crowded Indian traffic, where cars frequently pass too close for comfort, it could cause false alerts.

Blind Spot Monitoring

Taking the XEV 9e on a chaotic road like Bangalore’s Outer Ring Road? Lane changes are considerably safer thanks to this feature, which warns you if a car is approaching your blind spot. This feature is quite helpful, particularly for multi-lane roads and highways.

Rear Cross-Traffic Alert

While you’re reversing out of the XEV 9e from a crowded mall parking lot, a fast-moving scooter appears from nowhere. The Rear Cross-Traffic Alert warns you about approaching vehicles and preventing potential collisions. This is especially useful in crowded parking lots with poor sight in India.

Traffic Sign Recognition 

The Traffic Sign Recognition system in XEV 9e analyses and shows speed limits and important signs on the dashboard in locations where road signs may be difficult to see or disregard. Although useful, this feature might have trouble with India's sometimes crowded signboards or badly positioned signals.

AR-based Head-Up Display 

It makes driving safer and more intuitive by projecting key information like navigation, speed, and ADAS alerts directly onto the windshield. Imagine driving on a busy highway, and suddenly, you need to take an exit. Instead of glancing at the infotainment screen, the AR HUD overlays turn-by-turn navigation on the windshield, visually guiding you to the right lane in real time. 

Mahindra XEV 9e: Price And Rivals

The Mahindra XEV 9e is priced between Rs 21.9 lakh and Rs 30.5 lakh (ex-showroom). If you want to check each of its four variants and their specific features, you can have a look here.

As of now, the XEV 9e’s alternatives include BYD Atto 3 and the upcoming Tata Safari EV.

Just like ADAS in other cars, the same in the Mahindra XEV 9e also has its limitations in Indian conditions. Features like Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Keep Assist might need adjustments for unpredictable Indian roads. The five radars and one camera do a fantastic job in well-regulated environments, but in a land of jaywalkers, rogue bikers, and traffic surprises, a human mind is still essential.

So, is the ADAS in the Mahindra XEV 9e a game-changer? Definitely! But like any smart assistant, it works best when paired with an attentive driver.