Mahindra XEV 9e Gets Stuck On Off-Road Obstacle, Tata Harrier.EV QWD Clears It 'Like A Boss' [Video]

Tata Motors launched the much-awaited Harrier.EV in June. The vehicle has been priced competitively and deliveries have also begun. Tata Motors has been quite vocal about the Harrier.EV's Quad Wheel Drive (QWD) setup and off-road abilities since its official India debut. Even the official advertisement emphasised the off-road abilities of the electric SUV. Now, a video has surfaced online showing a real-life off-road drive of the Harrier.EV. It shows the vehicle tackling tough obstacles with ease. Interestingly, the XEV 9e, which is considered to be the Harrier.EV's biggest rival, is seen getting stuck mid-way.

The Harrier.EV featured in the video wears Red 'Trade Certificate' (TC) plates. It could be some dealer's demo car or, more likely, a fleet car loaned by some influencer. The latter seems more probable.

The video starts by showing a group of SUVs reaching the off-road course. We can see a Toyota Hilux, a Mahindra XEV 9e and the Harrier.EV. 3-4 off-road obstacles have been set up for these vehicles. Almost none of them are easy.

The first obstacle is a slippery climb up. The incline is decent and is covered with loose sand. The Harrier.EV tries it first. The driver, however, takes it slow and gets stuck mid-way. When he tries to accelerate again, we can see the wheels losing traction. The driver gets a hang of the terrain and goes for a second try. This time, the vehicle maintains a steady pace, and clears the obstacle in one go. The QWD system played a key role in getting it out of the obstacle.

The second obstacle combines a dip and a climb. The SUV clears it easily as well. The next course is even tougher. The climb is steeper and more slippery. The Harrier.EV approaches the obstacle carrying enough momentum and clears it safely. The four-wheel drive system ensures ample traction.

The QWD-equipped Harrier.EV houses a 75 kWh liquid-cooled battery pack in its floor. It features a dual-motor setup- induction motor at the front and a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor on the rear axle. The combined output stands at 390 bhp and 504 Nm of torque. The QWD setup has a rear-wheel bias.

Tata Motors has further given the electric Harrier six off-road modes- Normal, Snow/Grass, Mud-Ruts, Sand, Rock Crawl, and Custom. In this video, however, the driver doesn't engage these for the first two obstacles.

The SUV has a ground clearance of 205mm. It has good approach, departure and breakover angles as well. These stand at 25.3 degrees, 26.4 degrees, and 16.6 degrees, respectively. The vehicle here can be seen benefiting from these.

Mahindra XEV 9e Gets Stuck!

Later in the video, we see an XEV 9e tackling the first obstacle. It is easy compared to the others. The vehicle approaches the incline, and loses momentum and traction mid-way. It gets stuck halfway through the track.

The driver reverses the car and gives it another try. This time, it almost clears the obstacle. Just as it was to make it out of the course, the rear tyres get stuck. Unlike the Harrier.EV that comes with All Wheel Drive, the XEV gets a Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) layout. This likely got it stuck. If the front wheels had drive, the vehicle could have cleared the track.

After he got stuck, the XEV driver tried to accelerate. This made the rear wheels spin at a high rpm. These dug deep into the soil, making the platform sit on the sand underneath. Those who were around soon asked him to stop. After multiple failed attempts, the EV had to be finally recovered using the Hilux. The XEV's design offers a milder approach angle compared to the Harrier.EV. It, however, has a slightly higher ground clearance.