Mahindra’s foray into the EV market has been anything but subtle. The newly launched XEV 9E electric SUV has taken the internet by storm—and now, it’s grabbing headlines for outperforming the mighty Toyota Fortuner Legender in a head-to-head drag race. What started as a family trip turned into an impromptu battle of diesel vs electric, and the results? Nothing short of stunning.
This wasn’t some staged marketing stunt. It was a real-world race shared on YouTube by Babu Bhaiya, a vlogger and owner of the XEV 9E, who documented the entire journey from a charging hiccup near Agra to a blazing showdown on the expressway toward Delhi.
Mahindra XEV 9E vs Fortuner Legender – The Race Setup
The scene unfolds like this: after running out of charge, the XEV 9E is towed to a Mahindra service center in Agra. The vlogger gets the EV recharged and continues the journey toward Delhi—roughly 200 km away—alongside a Toyota Fortuner Legender, driven by a friend.
While cruising on the Yamuna Expressway at a steady 80–90 kmph to conserve range, the group decides to settle a friendly bet: a three-round rolling drag race between the XEV 9E (EV) and Fortuner Legender (Diesel). Both SUVs are put into their respective high-performance driving modes—Race Mode for the Mahindra, Sport Mode for the Toyota. ACs off, lanes open, adrenaline pumping.
Round 1 & 2: XEV 9E Takes Off Like a Rocket
In both the first and second rounds, the Mahindra XEV 9E blitzes off the line, pulling away from the Fortuner with ease. Thanks to its instant torque delivery and single-speed transmission, there’s zero lag—and by the time the diesel SUV gains momentum, the XEV is already multiple car lengths ahead.
The rolling start format, chosen to avoid blocking traffic, showcases how electric motors thrive even when already in motion. The Fortuner, though powerful in its own right, simply can’t match the XEV 9E’s raw electric thrust.
Round 3: Giving Fortuner a Head Start—Still Loses
For the final round, the vlogger decides to give the Fortuner a few seconds’ advantage. The Toyota surges ahead and even cuts into the XEV’s lane, momentarily appearing to clinch a win. But within seconds, the XEV 9E roars back, clocking speeds close to 160 kmph, and overtakes the Fortuner with jaw-dropping ease.
That’s the power of electric—linear acceleration with no transmission losses, no turbo lag, and pure, uninterrupted torque delivery.
Power Figures: EV vs Diesel
Here’s how the numbers stack up:
Mahindra XEV 9E
- Battery Pack: 79 kWh
- Power: 282 Bhp
- Torque: 380 Nm (instant)
- Top Speed: 160+ kmph (real-world tested)
- Drivetrain: Single-speed transmission, likely AWD
Toyota Fortuner Legender
- Engine: 2.8L turbo diesel
- Power: 204 PS
- Torque: 500 Nm
- Top Speed: Around 190 kmph
- Transmission: 6-speed automatic with Sport Mode
Despite the Fortuner having higher torque on paper, the lag from turbo spooling and gear shifts puts it at a disadvantage compared to the electric drivetrain’s seamless acceleration.
Mahindra: From Diesel Workhorses to EV Performance Champions
Mahindra & Mahindra, founded in 1945, has come a long way from building rugged SUVs like the Bolero and Scorpio to producing cutting-edge electric vehicles.
- Company Age: 79 years (as of 2024)
- Founder: J.C. Mahindra, K.C. Mahindra, and Malik Ghulam Muhammad
- CEO (2025): Dr. Anish Shah
- Headquarters: Mumbai, India
- Family Ties: Still influenced by the Mahindra family, notably Anand Mahindra (Chairman)
- Net Worth: Mahindra Group’s valuation exceeds $20 billion USD, with a growing share in the EV space via subsidiaries like Mahindra Electric and BEVs under the Born Electric lineup
The XEV 9E and BE.6, unveiled under the Born Electric initiative, are positioned to not just compete with global EVs, but outperform traditional ICE rivals in real-world driving.
Toyota Fortuner: Still a Legend, But Showing Its Age?
While the Fortuner continues to dominate in sales and street presence, it’s clear that diesel SUVs may struggle to keep up with the new-age EVs in terms of acceleration and efficiency. The Legender is no slouch, but when put against a modern EV like the XEV 9E, it reveals how legacy powertrains lag behind in instantaneous performance.
That said, Toyota remains a dominant force globally and in India:
- Toyota Age: 87 years (est. 1937)
- Chairman: Akio Toyoda (grandson of founder Kiichiro Toyoda)
- Net Worth: Over $250 billion USD
- Indian Lineup: Fortuner, Hilux, Innova, Camry Hybrid, LC300, and upcoming EVs
Final Verdict: Mahindra XEV 9E Is the Future, Today
The drag race isn’t just a win for Mahindra—it’s a wake-up call for the industry. The XEV 9E combines instant torque, high-speed stability, and real-world usability, all wrapped in a sleek electric package that’s designed and engineered in India.
With the rise of EV infrastructure and battery range improvements, it’s only a matter of time before performance SUVs like the Fortuner either evolve or get left behind.