Mahindra XUV 700

Mahindra XUV 700 Expert Verdict

Is XUV 700 a good car? Our Expert's Take!

Mahindra XUV700 is a premium SUV that is a successor to the XUV500. Loaded with segment-first features like the ADAS, the XUV700 is one comfortable mile-munching machine. It is also being offered in powerful diesel & petrol options while its starting price undercuts a segment below rivals as well.

Tejen Dhankhar

91 Expert

9/10

Expert rating

Mahindra XUV 700 Detailed Review

• XUV 700 Performance 10 /10

  A new 2.0 L petrol motor developing 197hp and 380Nm of torque between 1,750 to 3,000rpm are included in the power options. The Mahindra XUV 700 also offers two diesel engine options to choose from including one with 153hp of power and the higher-spec unit offering 184hp. Both manual, as well as automatic gearboxes, are available with the diesel and the petrol units. The petrol version offers the highest power in the segment.

   

  Mahindra has always been known for making torquey and powerful engines & the XUV700 is no different case. Mahindra provides the XUV700 with both the options of a petrol and diesel engine. The Diesel engine is 2198 cc while the Petrol engine is 1999 cc. It is available with Manual & Automatic transmission. Depending upon the variant and fuel type of the XUV700 the mileage is calculated accordingly. 

   

  There is enough torque even lower down the revs to help this it easily picks up the pace. Even high-speed cruising is a lot better than what one would experience in XUV500.

   

  

  Summary

  The Mahindra XUV 700 delivers great performance and is a smooth and refined premium SUV.

• XUV 700 Exterior 9 /10

  As expected, the overall silhouette of the Mahindra XUV700 is the same as the XUV500 but thankfully, the sophisticated exterior of the XUV700 presents an extremely aerodynamic design for an SUV. Mahindra has introduced several styling changes in this model to ensure that the new offering has a differentiated look.  Upfront, it features a new and more upright grille, a new C-shaped headlight with unique DRLs, new tail-lights, restyled bonnet with diamond-cut alloy wheels, updated bumpers, and tailgate. It even has a brand new logo with ‘Twin Peaks’.

   

  Another highlight here is the pop-up door handles, which sit with the doors and give them a clean look and are very handy to use as well. The lower versions require you to push the handle to make them pop while the base variant needs a little clumsy click to unlock, push to pop, and then open. The bigger dimensions of the XUV700 make it look massive according to the mid-size SUV segment. The overall design language is futuristic and looks butch when the XUV700 rolls on the road. 

  

   

  Source - Mahindra XUV 700

  Summary

  When viewed in profile, the XUV700 might look a lot like the XUV500 but with all these features and specifications it has created its unique identity with a fresh visual appeal and is promised as a new package.

• XUV 700 Interior 9.5 /10

  As a lot of times the internet connectivity gets interrupted due to drives through highly populated areas, remote places, and high terrains, XUV700 allows you to give offline commands by switching to a USB or to Bluetooth. An interesting thing here is the presence of two shelves in the central consoles for two phones, one of which is a wireless charger as well. This actually is quite a thoughtful move by Mahindra in today’s smartphone era.

   

  Mahindra XUV700 is the first car to come installed with an Alexa voice assistant. Even while at home one can receive alerts and updates and access vital vehicle information like fuel capacity, tyre pressure, and locking doors. It also supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The overall interior quality is very well put. The strong material quality helps make the occupants feel comfortable as well as provide a premium car feel. 

  

   

  It has Electric Driver Seat arrangements that let you get in and out pretty comfortably. The ergonomics are spot on with all the controls being easily accessible from the driver’s seat. There are multiple layers and colours used in the cabin and looks very modern. It has a flat-bottom steering wheel with buttons and dials for HVAC controls. Even though the buttons have a glossy finish, they might feel plasticky. It offers a full digital speedometer cluster, that suffers no distortion when touched and gives a premium look with the varieties of colours in dials. The touchscreen infotainment has a fantastic touchscreen response and is pretty easy to use. It has multiple in-built apps, with a smart air filter, different drive modes, rear 360 camera and temperature controls.

   

  It has multiple storage layouts in the cabin and ample headroom on the driver seat as well. The led lamps are well illuminated and there is also a sunglass holder. In terms of storage XUV700 is quite versatile. It provides a 3D audio system with 13 channel amplifiers powering one subwoofer and 12 speakers, including four on the roof.

   

  It has a massive sized panoramic sunroof which extends all the way to the second row with an opening that can be enjoyed by the front seat occupants as well. As the doors open wide, there’s enough space for ingress and egress. It provides a lot of legroom and has comfortable seating positions in the middle-row, easily accommodating three grown-ups. Another highlight is the flat floor in the second row that allows you to be comfortable enough to position your feet.

   

   

  The third-row seat has a 50-50 split with adjustable headrest and adjustable seatback angle. There are AC vents, speakers, cup-holders and even a charging point present in the third row as well.

   

   

  Summary

  The entire interior has been designed for the comfort of the passengers and the driver. The interior is quite classy yet very practical.

• XUV 700 Ride & Handling 9.5 /10

  Mahindra makes some of the authentic SUVs on the market. All-wheel drive AWD hardware is available and can travel uneven terrains, providing a considerable amount of traction. Although it is monocoque, it is quite capable of handling bumpy terrains. Having Hill-hold control and Hill-descent control, it becomes quite easy to plan out vacations on the hills, the engine having enough torque and being diesel automatic provides no hurdle while climbing a steep inclination. The ride of the XUV700 mimics to the ride quality of the higher segment premium luxury cars. Despite being an SUV, the XUV700 feels like an elegant sedan with loads of space and a comfortable silent ride. 

   

  The tyres screech a lot while applying brakes and the engine feels quite vocal with a lot of sound coming out. The first gear gives off 40kmph, the second gives approximately 70kmph and the third reaches up to 105kmph and the acceleration is brisk enough. Reaching speeds of 150kmph and beyond is effortless, translating into a great highway machine. In the diesel version, the sound is expectedly louder and more intrusive but at par with most segment players.

   

  

   

  Summary

  The vehicle offers great features in terms of handling. It, however, does not offer much drive engagement.

• XUV 700 Safety 10 /10

  Mahindra XUV700 has recently become the first-in-segment car to attain a 5-star GNCAP crash test rating. It even surpassed the Moose test that many premium SUVs could not. The Mahindra XUV700 has maintained particulars about its safety. The safety equipment on offer includes seven airbags, anti-lock brakes (ABS) along with a rear camera that provides a 360 view, driver drowsiness detection, auto high beam assist, and booster headlights that can increase illumination over 80kph. Just like the other SUVs of Mahindra, XUV700 is equipped with ESP. The long list of safety features and strong build ensures peace of mind for the XUV700 safety. 

   

  

  Summary

  The Mahindra XUV700 is yet to be crash tested by Global NCAP but the more modern architecture, along with a longer list of passive and active safety features, should make the new offering a lot safer than its age-old namesake.