Comparison: VinFast VF7 vs Mahindra XEV 9e

It was a bold step by the Indian carmaker to make a radical SUV like the Mahindra XEV 9e. Sharing nothing with Mahindra’s previous cars, the XEV 9e is built ground up to revolutionise the Indian electric car space. Despite being a mass-market electric SUV, the XEV 9e is so capable that it can easily be compared to the BMW iX1, an electric car twice as priced.

Recently, the XEV 9e has received a new challenge in the form of a Vietnamese rival, VinFast VF7. The VinFast’s flagship model for India, the VinFast VF7, is one of the first two cars the car brand has launched in the Indian market. To compete with the Mahindra XEV 9e, the VinFast VF7 offers many perks that make it a worthy alternative. To make choices easier between the two, in this comparison of the VinFast VF7 vs the Mahindra XEV 9e, we compare them on key parameters and determine which one you should buy.

VinFast VF7 vs Mahindra XEV 9e: Dimensions & Design

The Mahindra XEV 9e is 239 mm longer, 14 mm wider, and 98 mm taller than the VinFast VF7. Meanwhile, the VF7 has a 65 mm longer wheelbase than that of the XEV 9e. Overall, both are spacious enough to seat three adults in their rear seats; however, most folks will find more space in the rear seat of the XEV 9e than they will in the rear seat of the VF7. Moreover, the XEV 9e offers significantly larger boot space than the VF7.

In terms of design, both VinFast VF7 and Mahindra XEV 9e are built to attract attention, but one does it differently from the other. The VF7 has a crossover design, while the XEV 9e is a coupe SUV. The VF7 dons more muscular attire, while the XEV 9e looks sportier. At the front, the VF7 features a couple of horizontally placed LED DRLs, dipping at the nose and flanking a ‘V’ logo in the centre. On the side, the VF7 is more muscular than the XEV 9e, due to more cuts and creases that remind one of the now-discontinued Hyundai Tucson. At the rear, the VF7 has a unique set of vertically placed LED tail lamps and illuminated horizontally-integrated light bars like the front end.

On the other hand, the XEV 9e looks cleaner and, as already mentioned, ‘sportier.’  At the front, it features a long LED DRL strip that begins from the lower part of the bumper, extends all the way across the bonnet, and then dips back down on the other side. Meanwhile, the sharp LED headlamps are placed slightly lower. The bonnet is angular, and the contrasting piano black bumper gives the XEV 9e a menacing face. Over to the side, the XEV 9e looks like a much larger car than the VF7, and thanks to its coupe SUV design, it has a raised boot and sloping roofline. At the rear, the XEV 9e features clean surfaces, with an inverted C-shaped arrangement of LEDs that consists of tail lamps and a light bar that connects them.

The Mahindra XEV 9e is larger and more spacious than the VinFast VF7. In terms of design, the VF7 is designed to look like a crossover, while the XEV 9e is a coupe SUV.

VinFast VF7 vs Mahindra XEV 9e: Battery & Range

As can be seen, the base variants of the VinFast VF7 offer nearly as large a battery pack as the base variant of the Mahindra XEV 9e. Still, the XEV 9e base variants generate more power and deliver a significantly longer driving range. As for the top variants, the VF7, due to a dual-motor setup, generates much more power than the XEV 9e and feels more exciting to drive. However, the XEV 9e top variants deliver a far longer driving range in comparison.

With the Mahindra XEV 9e top variants, you will not need to worry about the driving range before taking it on longer routes outside the city. Whereas, for the VF7 top variants, you might need some forethought about how far you are willing to drive it outside the city.

The Mahindra XEV 9e top variants offer a significantly longer driving range than the VinFast VF7 top variants. Meanwhile, due to an all-wheel-drive setup, the VF7 is more exciting to drive.

VinFast VF7 vs Mahindra XEV 9e: Features & Comfort

On the inside, both VinFast VF7 and Mahindra XEV 9e look and feel equally premium. However, the VF7 is neater because it features only one large touchscreen on its softly-padded dashboard, while the XEV 9e features three connected displays. The VF7 does not even feature an instrument cluster. Instead of the instrument cluster, the VF7 features a head-up display that projects the essential instrumentation information on the windshield. The same information can be accessed on the right corner of its touchscreen infotainment, which slightly faces the driver’s seat and houses most controls. Meanwhile, there are some toggle switches under the touchscreens for a few controls, including the drive selection. Compared to the XEV 9e, the VF7 has a darker interior theme.

As mentioned, the XEV 9e features three connected displays. It is a triple 12.3-screen set-up for the driver’s display, infotainment, and the front passenger display at the dashboard – an arrangement that was previously limited to only Mercedes-Benz cars. This adds a luxury touch to the XEV 9e’s cabin. On the centre console, the XEV 9e gets piano black panels, and like the VF7, most of its controls are in the touchscreen. Meanwhile, its flat-bottom squarish steering is not as thick as the three-spoke steering of the VF7.

In terms of features, while both VF7 and XEV 9e offer most modern-day perks expected of cars of their price, such as dual-zone climate control, ventilated seats, and more, the XEV 9e is far richer than the VF7. Some of the key advantages that the XEV 9e has over the VF7 are a digital infotainment cluster, more settings for drive modes, illuminated piping on the glass roof, auto-parking, a 5-camera video recorder that works like a dashcam, and ‘Groove-Me’ mode, which enables the SUV to be turned into a disco, as the ambient lights and exterior lights illuminate in sync with the music played on the car’s 16-speaker Harman Kardon sound system with Dolby Atmos.

On the inside, both VinFast VF7 and Mahindra XEV 9e pack premium interiors; however, the XEV 9e offers many more premium features than the VF7.

VinFast VF7 vs Mahindra XEV 9e: Safety Features

Both VinFast VF7 and Mahindra XEV 9e are heavy SUVs. However, the XEV 9e has scored a full 5-star rating in the Bharat NCAP safety test, while the VF7 has not been tested by any NCAP. Meanwhile, both VF7 and XEV 9e offer a rich safety kit with plenty of safety features and Level-2 ADAS safety suites in their top variants.

VinFast VF7 vs Mahindra XEV 9e: Price comparison

The Mahindra XEV 9e is costlier than the VinFast VF7. With that being said, the Indian electric SUV deserves its price tag, given it offers more space, more features, and the reassurance of the 5-star Bharat NCAP safety rating. From a value standpoint, both are at par with each other.

VinFast VF7 vs Mahindra XEV 9e: Which one should you buy

The is no doubt that the VinFast VF7 is a worthy electric SUV to be considered as a five-seater electric car for a family. It offers ample space, a strong body, and enough premium features to make your journeys comfortable, premium, and entertaining. However, considering its driving range, you might need a foolproof plan to take it on long road trips outside the city. If you are satisfied with such a package, the VF7 can be a good option for you.

All the same, if you can stretch your budget, the XEV 9e is doubtlessly the better offering. It is more spacious, offers a longer driving range, and has many more premium features that deliver one of the advanced electric car ownership experiences.

VinFast VF7 vs Mahindra XEV 9e: FAQs