Seven-seater family fun
We recently completed an extended road test of the 2025 Mahindra XUV700 and found the family seven-seater to be far from what Mahindra once was. The Indian manufacturer had become well known for making bulletproof, mechanically tough vehicles that, unfortunately, were lacking in the style and tech front.
Related: Mahindra XUV 700 AX7L Black Edition (2024) Review
That all changed circa 2019 when Mahindra revamped its exterior styling and tech features to bring its new model lineup in line with global standards. This is pretty much when Mahindra turned a corner, and consumers could plainly see that the brand focused on driver comfort and appearances, not just mechanical reliability. Skip forward a few years, and we now have cracking machines like the XUV700, which are a fantastic value proposition and can easily compete with top brands. Here are eight things we love about the XUV700.
Everything you need to know about the Mahindra XUV700
Pop-out door handles
The XUV700 has Tesla-esque pop-out door handles that, when retracted, give the body lines a sleek futuristic look.
Comfortable
The interior of the XUV700 is very welcoming. The seats are covered in soft leatherette that is very comfortable. The front seats are cooled to take the edge off on hot SA days.
Panoramic sunroof
You can let in the SA sunshine with the large panoramic glass sunroof, Mahindra dubbed the Skyroof. It brightens up the interior!
Safety rating
In Global NCAP's latest crash tests, Mahindra’s premium seven-seater SUV achieved five stars for adult occupants and four stars for child occupants.
Tech centric
Mahindra has gone the full digital route with the AX7L black Edition, which features a digital drivers' cluster and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple Car Play and Android Auto.
Enjoyable drivetrain
The XUV700 is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine producing 149kW and 380Nm. It’s mated to a silky-smooth six-speed automatic transmission.
Stylish design
The XUV700 blends in well with its surroundings; it's not garish and has an understated and premium look and feel. There is little in the way of shiny chrome trim and massive grilles to distract from its rather handsome proportions.
Spacious
This is a full seven-seater with three rows of seating. With the third row in its raised position, you get 450 litres of space, and once those seats are stowed flat, they increase to a massive 1850 litres. The spacious interior allows plenty of shoulder, leg, and headroom for all occupants.
