Is the Mahindra XUV700 good for families?
We recently had the Mahindra XUV700 as a long-termer from mid-December to the middle of January. During this time, we had six people on board regularly; we drove to the beach daily, drove across the Karoo twice, and drove back again, so we reckon we have the answers you're looking for.
Does the XUV700 look good?
Yes, the XUV700 looks stylish enough to rival cars like the Toyota Fortuner (entry-level manual Fortuners start at R673 100 new).
The new modern, butterfly-shaped Mahindra badge looks way cooler than the old one. We all loved the light signature in the front and back as well as the Prado-esque grille. The side steps are a practical addition for shorter passengers.
December Holiday Road-Trip Review: 2023 Mahindra XUV700 2.0 AX7 L
Is the XUV700 a spacious, comfortable, and convenient car?
The XUV700 can be had in a 5- or 7-seater configuration; we had the top-spec AX7 L model, which is a 7-seater by default. The mid-range model is also a seven-seater but the entry-level model seats only five people. Both seven-seaters have electric front seats.
Space is quite impressive; even third-row passengers had enough room for their legs. It’s not a Kia Carnival, but still, taller kids won’t want for space. Access to the back is easy because the second row tumbles forward and passengers are comfy as air-conditioning vents are situated all the way to the rear. Climate control is a standard feature.
If the rearmost row of seats is not in use, boot space is cavernous. However, larger families utilising six or all seven seats would need to tow a trailer to accommodate holiday luggage.
A panoramic sunroof is a standard feature on all models.
Is the infotainment system in the XUV700 (and sound system) any good?
The sound system is a SONY and it’s quality is good but the road and wind noise impair it a little at higher speeds.
The infotainment unit is split into two screens - one in front of the driver’s eyes and one in the middle. Here, you’ll see the camera display for all sides of the car, the rear-view camera and other digital displays. It’s not the smoothest to operate and the camera footage can be a bit laggy but I thought it was good enough considering the car’s price. Bluetooth also works better than Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
How does the XUV700 perform and handle?
With 147 kW, performance is quite brisk for the segment, especially the price. A 2.0-litre turbopetrol powers the front wheels via an automatic 6-speed gearbox and that power came in very handy when we had to overtake a multitude of trucks on the N1 through the Karoo. Considering how large and heavy the XUV700 is, it performs well enough, with some body roll in the corners, but this is acceptable for a big, heavy car of this ilk.
The XUV700’s suspension is comfortable and suited to rutted dirt roads, not just smooth tarmac, making it a great, surefooted car for campers who enjoy the back roads on occasion or anyone who drives on farm or rural roads regularly. Unlike the Scorpio N, the XUV700 has a unibody construction, which makes the ride quality better and more comfortable for passengers.
It's also good for towing, thanks to a 2500 kg (braked) capacity.
Is the Mahindra XUV700 fuel-efficient?
It is very fuel-efficient if you drive with care, especially on the highway, but if your foot is heavy, you’ll quickly see consumption figures rise. Read my road-trip review above to find out more.
Is it safe?
The XUV700 gets a five-star safety rating and the top-spec model has a variety of standard driver aids that include adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, lane-keep assistance, fatigue detection, and more. This is also helpful in combating driver fatigue. But even without all of these things, the XUV700 still scored full marks for adult occupant protection and four stars for child occupant protection.
Is there a service plan included and how long is the warranty?
The XUV700 gets a 5-year/100 000km service plan and a 5-year/150 000km mechanical warranty, along with a 24-hour Roadside Assistance Plan for the same period.
How much does the Mahindra XUV700 cost nowadays?
Pricing for new models is as follows:
Mahindra XUV700 2.0T AX5: R483 199,
Mahindra XUV700 AX7: R538 1999,
Mahindra XUV700 AX7 L (tested): R573 199.
Related: Chery Tiggo 8 Pro vs Haval H6 vs Mahindra XUV700
Proton X70 vs Mahindra XUV700 vs Mazda CX-5
Is it good for families, and should you buy one?
It's great for families. Even if you're a smaller family who just needs the extra boot space, the entry-level 5-seater model, at only R483,199, is outstanding value (but remember that you won't have vinyl seats, hill-start assist or cruise control, but you'll have four airbags and an automatic gearbox, plus the mammoth screen up front; see below).
Search AutoTrader for used Mahindra XUV700s.
And when faced with other choices in this price range, I would still choose the XUV700. It may not be a Volvo XC90, but then you’re not paying 1.8 million bucks either!
Read Taye's review of the same XUV700 here: Doing an SUV right
(Thinking of getting a used Toyota Fortuner instead? Read our 2021 Review here and search AutoTrader for one here.)
ENDS
