when Mr. Sid (@siddhiman) decided to buy his first electric SUV, he approached it like any serious buyer should — with spreadsheets, multiple test drives, and zero brand loyalty. After weeks of research and real-world evaluation, he zeroed in on the XEV 9E Cineluxe edition. Here’s exactly why, in his own words and logic.
The XEV 9E Regular Was Almost the Pick… But Not Quite
The base XEV 9E Regular with white interiors looked clean on paper and was tempting on price. However, two practical issues killed it for Sid:
- At the time of booking, the custom mode update (a highly anticipated software feature many buyers were waiting for) was not yet rolled out.
- The price gap between Regular and Cineluxe after discount was only ₹50,000.
Sid did the math further: if he bought the Regular and added full Matte PPF (paint protection film) to give it that premium, scratch-resistant, matte-black look, the final out-of-pocket cost would actually be ₹25,000 more than the Cineluxe edition straight from the showroom. “Why spend extra money and time on aftermarket work when the Cineluxe already gives you the upgraded interiors, better feature set, and factory finish at a net lower cost?” — Mr. SidThe Cineluxe simply offered better value and zero compromise on day-one ownership experience.
XEV 9S — Closest Rival, But the Suspension Was a Deal-BreakerThe XEV 9S was the strongest competitor on paper — similar size, pricing, and features. Sid drove it extensively on both broken city roads and smooth highways.What he liked:
- Excellent on bad roads (the soft suspension soaked up potholes beautifully).
What he disliked — and ultimately rejected it for:
- On good roads and highways, the excessively soft suspension made the car feel floaty and unsettled.
- The constant up-and-down motion was tiring. You feel every ripple and undulation directly in the seat.
- Long drives became exhausting instead of relaxing.
- The design also felt too close to the XUV 7XO, which took away the “fresh EV” appeal he was looking for.
“It’s brilliant when the road is bad, but terrible when the road is good. Over time, that bouncy ride wears you out.” — Mr. SidFor someone who does a mix of city and highway running, the 9S’s suspension tuning was simply not suitable for long-term comfort.
BE6 — Space Issues for a 6-FooterThe BE6 looked promising on spec sheets, but the moment Sid sat inside, reality hit:
- Too cramped for a 6-footer (headroom and knee room felt tight).
- Noticeably less boot space compared to the XEV 9E.
Why the XEV 9E Cineluxe WonAfter driving all three back-to-back and running the numbers, the XEV 9E Cineluxe ticked every box for Sid:
- Perfect size and space for a tall driver and family use.
- Balanced ride quality that works on both bad and good roads.
- Premium interiors and features from day one (no waiting for updates).
- Better long-term value than modifying the Regular variant.
- No major compromises that would annoy him after 6–12 months of ownership.
He took delivery of his XEV 9E Cineluxe and has been enjoying drama-free electric motoring since.Final Takeaway from Mr. Sid (@siddhiman):
“Don’t just look at the headline price or brochure specs. Sit in the car, drive it on the roads you actually use, calculate the real ownership cost (including accessories), and think about how the car will feel after 10,000 km. That’s how the Cineluxe became the clear winner for me.”If you’re in the market for a mid-size electric SUV and want an honest, no-nonsense owner perspective,
@siddhiman’s choice is proof that sometimes the slightly higher variant actually ends up being the smarter (and cheaper) decision in the long run.
