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The Mahindra XUV700 heralds a new era for the Mahindra brand intending to raise the bar in the ever-competitive SUV market, especially in the budget segment. While you have the more agricultural Scorpio pickup, the XUV700 seeks a more luxurious and sophisticated approach.
Related: Value-packed Mahindra XUV700 launched locally
The XUV700 is a new ground-up vehicle with its underpinnings on a new platform. New technology, safety and vehicle dynamics have been focused upon and ultimately, the foundations of what makes an SUV good. We had the XUV700 in AXL 7 trim to test recently.
Styling
The XUV700 employs a new design language, from a brand perspective with Mahindra's new twin peaks logo set the stage for vehicles of greater luxury and sophistication. It's not to say this was not the case with previous Mahindra models, but rather an upgrade. With the XUV700, the proportions look more appealing to our eyes first and foremost. The design flows better than in previous models.
In front, the headlights are a highlight as they mimic the arches of the new logo along with daytime running lights. The grille is a mix of gloss black and pinstripe chrome in line with the LED headlight features. The side view as you'd expect is much like other SUVs but is our view better proportioned compared to older Mahindras with some lovely 18-inch diamond-cut wheels fitted too. The rear is the same affair as the front in that the taillights share a resemblance to the new logo along with an angular spoiler too. Topping everything off is the standard-across-the-range Skyroof panoramic sunroof. Overall, the silhouette screams SUV as one might expect, but the key features are cleverly designed to look nice.
Related: Does the Mahindra XUV700 have a sunroof?
Space & Interior
The XUV700 is a seven-seater SUV and naturally, you expect space and luxury. The XUV700 does deliver on that expectation. The interior is spacious all around even with the rearmost seats. The third-row seats can accommodate adults to an extent if you're on the shorter side. The second-row seats even with this writer's driving position are lounge-like with the amount of legroom and positioning, meaning your passengers will be comfortable in this vehicle. In front, you have plenty of shoulder and legroom. The driver's seat receives 6-way adjustable power seats with entry and exit assist and even memory function in the case of the AX7 and AX7 L variants.
Interior materials are quite deluxe with a soft touch and plush leatherette. We would have liked an optional alternative seat and trim colour as the off-white leatherette, which looks appealing, but can show dirt easily. In terms of boot space with the third-row of seats upright, you have approximately 450 litres of capacity to play around with. In this writer's experience, needing to do a bit of gardening, the XUV700 was up to the task.
Related: Chery Tiggo 8 Pro vs Haval H6 vs Mahindra XUV700: Which one has the lowest running costs?
Comfort & Convenience
The XUV700 has some decent technology in it for convenience's sake but doesn't feel bloated. On the AX7 L variant, you get some slick electric door handles adding to that sophisticated luxury. The entry and exit assistance for the driver's seat is a welcome addition but if you're on the shorter end of the spectrum, some side steps would be nice to have, which you can option as a genuine accessory. The seats are cushy enough for longer journeys and the design of them is delightful. The various controls in the XUV700 are intuitive and well laid out. Buttons and rotary dials are present for infotainment and climate control and have reassuring quality in operation.
Unfortunately, the infotainment system in the XUV700 is a bit on the slow side. Start-up is slow and some operations like the climate control readings show intermittently on the infotainment screen upon operation which can be a bugbear. Other than that, the Sony sound system is impressive, with some good staging to add to the mix. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are present and easy to link up while a wireless charging pad is also present. Something some other SUV manufacturers should take note of is the instrument cluster, where the LED screen is legible and there are no reflections or glare.
Related: Proton X70 vs Mahindra XUV700 vs Mazda CX-5: Here's our winner
Performance
Propelling the XUV700 is a 2.0 litre turbocharged petrol 4-cylinder engine and is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. You'll be graced with 149kW of power and 380 Nm of torque. The powertrain on offer here is one of the shining stars of this vehicle. From start-off, power delivery is linear, torquey, responsive and low down in the rev range is where the XUV700 is the happiest. There was hardly a need to go wide open throttle in many situations.
In terms of handling, you get multilink suspension to handle the near two-ton kerb weight. The XUV700 handles with grace and is easy to pilot with its light steering. Ride comfort is as you'd expect, comfortable, even on the roads that could do with a new lick of tar. Part of that ride comfort can be attributed to the 235/60/R18 tyres which are quiet, even for highway usage. Overall, the performance of the XUV700 hits the mark well.
Related: Everything you need to know about the Mahindra XUV700
Fuel Economy
Claimed fuel consumption on the XUV700 is 5.8L /100km, in our testing though we got closer to 10L /100km but it was more on the urban side of usage.
Safety
The Mahindra XUV700 comes with a 5-Star Global NCAP rating for adult occupants and 4-Stars for child occupants. On the AX7 L variants, you'll find the following:
- 7 airbags (4 on the AX5 variant)
- Smart Pilot Assist
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Automatic Emergency Braking
- Lane Departure Assist
- Lane Keep Assist
- Traffic Sign Recognition
- New generation stability control
- Tyre Pressure Monitoring System
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- High Beam Assist
Price
Included in the purchase price of the XUV700, you get a 5-year /100 000km service plan, a 5-year /150 000km mechanical warranty and a Roadside Assistance plan.
| Model | Price (incl. VAT) |
| Mahindra XUV700 AX5 | from R474 999 |
| Mahindra XUV700 AX7 | from R524 999 |
| Mahindra XUV700 AX7 L | from R559 999 |
Competitors
- Mazda CX-5
- Haval H6
- Proton X70
- Hyundai Tucson
- Opel Grandland
Verdict
The Mahindra XUV700 heralds a new era for the brand. It gets the foundations of an SUV right with the right amount of space, a good powertrain and high levels of comfort. It feels intuitively designed in its foundations and feels sophisticated too while not bloating itself with technology. A more responsive infotainment system would help and a diesel powerplant would be welcome for some better fuel efficiency. That being said, the vehicle is solid.
