Mahindra BE 6 & XEV 9e electric SUVs score five stars in Bharat NCAP crash test
Mahindra BE 6
The Mahindra BE 6 impressed with strong safety credentials, scoring 31.97 out of 32 points in Adult Occupant Protection (AOP). This is the second-highest AOP score recorded by BNCAP, just behind the Mahindra XEV 9e, which secured a perfect 32/32. The BE 6 also achieved an excellent 45 out of 49 points in Child Occupant Protection (COP).
Adult Occupant Protection Highlights
- Protection for the driver’s and passenger’s head, neck, and chest was rated as “good,” though the driver’s knee protection was deemed “adequate.”
- In side-impact testing with a movable deformable barrier, the BE 6 scored 16/16, providing robust protection.
- The SUV was rated “OK” in the side pole impact test.
Child Occupant Protection
The BE 6 matched the highest COP score recorded by BNCAP, tying with the XEV 9e and other models like the Skoda Kushaq and Tata Punch EV. It scored:
- 24/24 in dynamic testing,
- 12/12 in CRS (child restraint system) installation assessment,
- 9/13 in vehicle evaluation.
Testing was conducted using rearward-facing child seats secured with ISOFIX anchors, ensuring high levels of safety for both 18-month-old and 3-year-old dummies.
Safety Features
The BE 6 comes standard with six airbags, ISOFIX mounts, a rear camera, parking sensors, a tyre pressure monitoring system and a driver drowsiness detection system. Higher variants feature a 360-degree camera, Level 2 ADAS, and an additional airbag.
Mahindra XEV 9e
The Mahindra XEV 9e became the first model tested by BNCAP to achieve a perfect 32/32 points in Adult Occupant Protection. It also matched the BE 6’s 45/49 points in Child Occupant Protection.
Adult Occupant Protection Highlights
- Perfect scores were recorded in both frontal offset deformable barrier and side impact testing.
- The XEV 9e provided “good” protection across all areas, including head, chest, pelvis and legs.
- It received a “good” rating in the side pole impact test.
Child Occupant Protection
Similar to the BE 6, the XEV 9e excelled in COP testing, scoring full marks in dynamic tests and CRS installation assessments. Rearward-facing child seats were used for testing.
Safety Features
The XEV 9e offers comprehensive safety equipment, with six airbags, ISOFIX anchors and driver assistance features standard across variants. The top-spec model adds a Level 2 ADAS suite, blind-spot monitoring, a 360-degree camera and a self-parking function.
Battery Variants and Crash-Test Details
Both models were tested in their top-spec configurations with the larger 79kWh battery pack, but the 5-star ratings extend to variants equipped with smaller 59kWh battery packs. The BE 6’s lineup includes Pack One, Two and Three variants, with the 79kWh battery exclusive to the top-end Pack Three.
Similarly, the XEV 9e’s Pack One (Rs. 21.90 lakhs) and Pack Three (Rs. 30.50 lakhs) variants have been priced, with additional configurations yet to be announced.
Mahindra’s BE 6 and XEV 9e showcase the brand’s commitment to safety, achieving stellar crash-test results. These born-electric SUVs set new benchmarks in occupant protection, underscoring their appeal to safety-conscious buyers in India’s growing EV market. While both models share high scores and advanced safety features, the XEV 9e edges ahead with a perfect AOP score, reaffirming Mahindra’s position as a leader in vehicle safety innovation.
