Inverex Xio EV – Pakistan’s Budget Electric Hatchback – First Look Review

The electric vehicle (EV) segment in Pakistan is growing rapidly, and almost every month, a new EV enters the market. What’s exciting is that more budget-friendly options are being launched, especially in the electric hatchback category. This is essential for the EV revolution to take off, as success depends on mass-market accessibility.

One such product is the all-new Inverex Xio EV. Inverex, a well-established name in Pakistan’s solar energy sector for the past twenty years, has now entered the mobility market. The company is offering three variants of the Xio EV in Pakistan: EV-140, EV-220, and EV-320.

Front Look – Compact but Stylish

The Xio EV’s front design is neat and well-thought-out. It features oval-shaped LED projector headlights with DRLs that are standard across all variants. These are bi-beam units, meaning both the low and high beams come from the same source.

The bonnet has a rounded shape, somewhat inspired by Japanese hatchbacks. The front logo sits at the centre, and below that, there’s a stylish diffuser and honeycomb grille-style splitter, adding a sporty touch. The charging port is also located on the front; it opens with a press for easy access.

Under the hood, you’ll find basic EV electrical components like the PDU (Power Distribution Unit) and MCU (Motor Control Unit), managing energy flow and overall system performance.

Side Profile – Black Theme Continues

Moving to the side, you’ll notice a DC charging port, available only in the EV-220 and EV-320 variants, allowing fast charging. The base EV-140 only supports AC charging.

All three variants come with 15-inch hyper-finish alloy wheels. A bold character line runs across the doors, enhancing the visual appeal. Black accents are visible on door handles, side skirts, A-pillars, and even around the fender-mounted indicators, giving the car a sporty vibe.

The side skirts are matte black and help protect against paint damage from road debris—practical for rougher roads.

Rear Design – Clean and Bold

The design at the back remains consistent with the black theme. It features a high-mounted spoiler, gloss black shark fin antenna, and halogen tail lights that surprisingly look quite modern.

You also get rear parking sensors in the bumper. Though they’re finished in black and stand out visually, they add functional value. There’s also a matte black rear diffuser, which ties the rear profile together nicely. According to the reviewer, the rear is the best-looking angle of this car.

Trunk Space – Compact Yet Practical

Being a hatchback, boot space is limited. However, the rear seats can fold completely, giving you extended luggage room when needed. If you’re only two passengers, you can easily make use of this extra space.

The car comes with a 2.8kW standard AC charger, which takes 6 to 8 hours to charge fully. As is common with EVS, no spare tire is offered.

Battery & Variants Breakdown

Inverex is offering three variants:

EV-140

• Battery: 14.72 kWh LFP

• Range: 140 km

• Top Speed: 100 km/h

• Charging: Only AC

EV-220

• Battery: 19.12 kWh LFP

• Range: 220 km

• Top Speed: 100 km/h

• Charging: AC + DC

• Fast Charge (30–80%): ~36 minutes

EV-320

• Battery: 31.28 kWh NCM (Nickel Cobalt Magnesium)

• Range: 320 km

• Top Speed: 100 km/h

• Charging: AC + DC

• Fast Charge (30–80%): ~36 minutes

Interior – Simple and Functional

The Xio EV’s interior is all black, including the dashboard, steering wheel, seats, and door panels. It’s not flashy but looks decent and purposeful.

The highlight of the cabin is the 10.1-inch infotainment screen, which supports multimedia functions and smartphone connectivity. It’s quite responsive and user-friendly.

The instrument cluster features a mix of analogue and digital, with a central MID displaying vital info like speed, range, power consumption, and gear selection.

Cabin Practicality

• Manual climate control with three fan speed settings.

• Multiple AC vents, including circular ones on the ends and centre vents, for better airflow.

• Good storage options, including phone trays, dashboard compartments, and glove box.

• Ample headroom and legroom in front and rear.

• No central tunnel, allowing extra leg stretching space in the rear.

The fabric seats are soft and comfortable, though made with hard plastics, which is acceptable in this entry-level category.

Features Overview

• All power windows with auto-down functionality.

• Start/Stop button

• Headlight level adjustment

• Rotary gear selector with R, N, D, P modes

• Reverse camera (without dynamic guidelines)

• Two drive modes: Normal and Sport

Safety Features

• 1 airbag (driver side only)

• ISOFIX child seat anchors

• ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)

• EBD (Electronic Brake Distribution)

Safety is basic, but it aligns with the segment it’s competing in.

Rear Seat Comfort

Rear legroom is generous, but the floor height is quite close to the seat base, affecting under-thigh support. Still, two adults and a child can sit comfortably in the back. Rear features include:

• Power windows

• Speakers in all doors

• Storage compartments

Price & Booking Details

Bookings can be made at their Karachi dealership on Shahrah-e-Faisal. Some ready stock is available, and delivery time is around 1–2 months. Currently, only CBU units are being sold, but CKD production is expected next year.

Warranty

• Vehicle Warranty: 5 years or 100,000 km

• Battery Warranty: 8 years or 120,000 km

Final Verdict

The Inverex Xio EV is a promising budget EV hatchback, offering decent features, functional design, and three practical variants. With a solid warranty and local backing, it has the potential to become a favourite for daily urban commuting in Pakistan. Keep an eye out, as local assembly could bring prices down even further.