The owner, Harshvardhan Kadam, shares his honest opinion after driving the Mahindra BE6 for over 1.5 months. He begins by saying that while he’s very satisfied with the car and what it offers, his experience with the dealership was nothing short of frustrating. He reveals that the sales executive didn’t even know the complete feature list of the vehicle. In fact, the vehicle remained parked for nearly a month because of delays in service and delivery. His scheduled delivery was supposed to be on a Sunday, but the dealership cancelled it on the previous Saturday night, saying, “Humse nahi ho raha, jo karna hai karo.”

From Seltos Diesel to BE6 Electric: Why the Switch Happened

Previously, Harshvardhan owned a Kia Seltos diesel automatic. But due to the growing EV trend and a need for a second car for his wife, he shifted to electric. While MG Comet was also considered, both he and his wife were more impressed by the BE6’s sporty design and driving feel. He mentions that the BE6 gives a concept-car-like vibe, similar to what one sees at auto expos. In comparison to the more family-focused XUV9, the BE6 felt more youthful and dynamic, which matched their requirements as a two-person household.

Performance & Features

Harshvardhan praises the BE6’s performance, especially the Race Mode, which delivers 100% power to the motors, offering phenomenal acceleration. There’s also a Boost Mode that gives a 10-second power surge. He appreciates features like the remote movement of the car via key fob, which is useful in tight parking spots—though he admits he’s only used it once, as a gimmick at home. The BE6 comes equipped with 12 ultrasonic sensors—6 at the front and 6 at the rear. However, he complains that service center staff are clueless when even a single sensor malfunctions.

Driving Experience Better Than a Mercedes, Says Owner

The owner calls the BE6 one of the best cars he has ever driven. He claims it offers a better driving experience than even a Mercedes at this price. He purchased the car for ₹29.10 lakh on-road, including charger and insurance. He opted for the 11kW home charger which cost him ₹75,000 extra. Unfortunately, this charger was installed only recently, 1.5 months after delivery. He had to install a three-phase meter at home for the 11kW unit, something the dealership never informed him about upfront.

Worst Delivery Experience

He recalls how Unnati Motors in Pune applied pressure to take insurance and loan from them in exchange for timely delivery. Despite booking online, he had to follow the dealership’s unfair terms. The delivery, which was supposed to happen on Gudi Padwa, a culturally significant day for him, was delayed due to mismanagement. Although he arranged the full payment himself, the dealership’s tally system took two extra days to update. As a result, registration was delayed because of government holidays. He was allowed to take the car home but not drive it on the road—a move he finds absurd for a car of this value.

Training & Service Need Serious Attention

According to Harshvardhan, Mahindra has done a commendable job with the BE6 and other futuristic models like the XUV900. However, he says that unless the service and dealership experience improve, these models risk failing. He criticises the fact that Mahindra services all cars—from Bolero to BE6—at the same service stations, with mechanics who are often unaware of the EV-specific technologies. He adds that even the key fob’s full functionality had to be learned through YouTube videos, as the sales staff provided no guidance.

Real-World Range

The owner says that in real-world driving within city limits, the car is delivering over 500 km of range. This is quite close to the claimed 550 km, although he hasn’t done a long highway run yet. With the 11kW charger, a 0–100% charge takes about 8 hours, while the portable 3.5kW charger takes over 27–30 hours. He notes that Mahindra should follow Tata’s lead in offering more accessible charging options and consider giving free charging benefits to customers.

Software Bugs & Build Quality Observations

He has faced a few software issues—sometimes the screen goes blank, and occasionally the rear camera doesn’t activate if the car is reversed during the welcome screen animation. He’s also noticed that the fan-speed buttons don’t always respond, indicating minor lag in system response. While he appreciates features like the frameless IRVM, panoramic sunroof, and piano black finish, he admits that the latter is prone to scratches and dust. He suggests PPF or hard coating is necessary to preserve the aesthetics.

Lack of Accessories & Owner Support

The owner says there are barely any accessories available for the BE6, not even basic items like floor mats or a screen guard. He had to get the screen protector custom-made. He feels massage seats should have been offered at this price point and that Mahindra should at least provide some premium accessories even if chargeable. Dashcam is also not factory-fitted; he had to install it separately. Though it records well, it requires a pen drive and manual effort.

Battery Warranty Seems Good but is Conditional

Mahindra promises a lifetime battery warranty, which initially sounds impressive. However, the owner explains that it’s based on performance thresholds. For example, the first year allows up to 10% degradation, and after that, the battery must drop below 70% after 7–15 years to be eligible for replacement. Any performance above 70% will not qualify for warranty claims, making the “lifetime warranty” more of a marketing statement than practical coverage.

Positive

• Real-world range of 420–430 km makes it highly suitable for intercity travel
• Smooth regeneration and consistent performance even at highway speeds
• Premium cabin experience with quality plastics, tight panel gaps, and noise insulation
• 79 kWh battery offers significantly more usable range compared to previous EV (Nexon EV)
• Futuristic design and strong road presence that turns heads even from luxury car owners
• 90° door opening and spacious cabin improves accessibility and comfort
• No issues with suspension comfort even after long drives and rough roads
• Frunk and modern center divider enhance practicality and visual appeal
• Futuristic feature set including HUD, digital displays, and advanced sensor suite
• Claimed price-to-feature ratio better than ₹40 lakh+ cars
• Minimal downtime despite one screen glitch, which was resolved quickly by the service team

Negative

• Glossy body panels and center console attract scratches easily; no factory protection provided
• Rear digital display currently not customizable
• Remote smart features like auto-park and forward/reverse assist not intuitive to use
• Apple CarPlay not fully functional yet
• Wall charger installation pending due to additional electricity connection requirements
• One instance of infotainment screen blackout during long trip (though resolved later)

Verdict

The owner says Mahindra BE6 is easily the best EV under ₹30 lakh right now, offering long range, excellent build quality, and luxury-like features. Despite a few minor software and accessory drawbacks, he rates the car 9.5 out of 10 and calls it a futuristic, well-rounded electric SUV with real-world practicality.

Source: Jignesh Borse