The highly anticipated Mahindra XUV700 has been launched in our market with its prices, after revision, ranging from Rs 11.99 lakh-22.99 lakh (ex-showroom, India). Mahindra is offering the XUV700 in two trim ranges – MX and AX – both of which are available for booking online and via dealerships with deliveries for the petrol SUV commencing end-October and diesel from end-November. While bookings for the SUV only started on October 7, the XUV700 garnered over 50,000 bookings in just the first two days. We have compiled some of the most important points you should know about the new Mahindra SUV below.
2021 Mahindra XUV700: originally set to carry the XUV500 nameplate
Mahindra originally intended for the XUV700 to carry forward the extremely popular XUV500 nameplate, seeing as it was its natural successor. However, the carmaker felt that it improved upon the XUV500 in many areas, hence justifying a new name and higher position for the SUV. With this, Mahindra also managed to create more room below the XUV700 for another SUV in its line-up, which is in accordance with its new plan of massively expanding its SUV portfolio. Thus, as we previously reported, the XUV500 nameplate will return in 2024 – but as a Hyundai Creta rival.
2021 Mahindra XUV700: its grown larger and has evolved styling
In terms of dimensions, the XUV700 is larger than the XUV500 it replaces, both in terms of overall length (at 4,695mm, its 110mm longer) as well as its wheelbase (at 2,750mm, its 50mm longer). But its width has remained unchanged at 1,890mm and it isn’t as tall as the XUV500 (the deficit being 30mm), which all adds up to increased cabin space.
Looking at the XUV700’s design, the link to the XUV500 is quite evident, especially in its proportions, distinct shoulder line and silhouette. However, there are plenty of areas where the design has evolved and stands out compared to the XUV500 – like the new and more upright grille, new C-shaped headlights with unique LED Daytime Running Lamps, new tail-lights, new diamond-cut alloy wheels, restyled bonnet, bumpers and tailgate. Another interesting change are the pop-out door handles that sit flush with the doors and give it a clean and modern look.
2021 Mahindra XUV700: brimming with features
On the equipment front, Mahindra has gone all out, packing the XUV700 with loads of features in order to help compete in this segment. Some of the features offered on the top-spec trim include a dual 10.25-inch screen layout – one for the infotainment and one for the instrument cluster (akin to the set-up seen in some Mercedes-Benz models), Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support, dual-zone climate control, hill hold (for the automatic variant) and an air purifier. Mahindra also states that the XUV700 has the largest panoramic sunroof in the segment. There are two seating configurations available – a five-seat and a seven-seat layout.
If the level of equipment offered on the standard range is not enough, Mahindra also offers the AX7 variant with a Luxury pack that adds a number of premium features. These include the Sony 3D surround sound system with 12 speakers and a subwoofer, 360-degree camera, electrically deployable door handles (segment first), blind spot monitor, wireless phone charger and an electronic parking brake.
2021 Mahindra XUV700: it has a complicated variant break-up
While the XUV700 aims to cater to a large variety of buyers with its numerous trim configurations, the way it has been executed is overly complicated. Firstly, there is the MX series that is only available as a five-seater. While it gets the manual versions of the petrol and diesel engine, the latter is in a lower state of tune. Then we move up to the AX series, which is available in three trims – AX3, AX5 and AX7 – all of which get the AdrenoX dual-screen infotainment system and can be had with both petrol and diesel engine options. However, while the AX3 and AX5 trims come as standard with five-seat layouts, only select configurations can be upgraded to be a seven-seater. Lastly, the top-spec AX7 trim does not come with all the bells and whistles you would expect. The all-wheel drive layout is only available with the diesel-automatic, while things like the premium Sony sound system, 360-degree camera, electronically operated door handles are only offered with the luxury pack which costs over Rs 1 lakh more. Hence, finding the right variant for you might be harder than you would imagine.
2021 Mahindra XUV700: safety is a priority, and it gets ADAS
Another area where Mahindra has focused on with the XUV700 is safety. The fully loaded trim comes with ABS, ESP and seven airbags, driver drowsiness detection, auto high beam assist and booster headlights that increase illumination over 80kph.
Though the main attraction is the Advanced Driver Assistance systems (ADAS) package. This is still a fairly new feature in this segment, with the MG Astor and Gloster being the only other cars, not in the luxury segment, to offer it. The system makes use of the cameras and radar to assess the car’s surrounding. This data is then utilised by the Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Autonomous Emergency Brakes (AEB), Lane Keep Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), and the Smart Pilot Assist or traffic assist (AT only), which can manage stop-start traffic too.
2021 Mahindra XUV700: gets the most powerful engine in the segment
Under the hood, the new XUV700 is available with a choice of a petrol or diesel powertrain. The turbo-petrol produces 200hp, 380Nm, from a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder mStallion unit. This output makes it the most powerful petrol engine in the segment with the Hyundai Alcazar (159hp) being the only other petrol-powered competitor.
The diesel engine is a 2.2-litre, four-cylinder mHawk turbocharged unit that comes in two states of tune. The lower state of tune (reserved for the entry level MX version) produces 155hp and 360Nm, while the unit in the AX variants develop 185hp and 420Nm (450Nm with the automatic gearbox). In this higher state of tune, the XUV700 diesel also has the highest power output in the segment. The diesel engine also comes with four drive modes – Zip, Zap, Zoom and Custom – that are claimed to alter performance and steering response.
Both engines can be had with a 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic gearbox options, although the lower-spec diesel will only be available with a manual. There is also an all-wheel-drive model on offer.
2021 Mahindra XUV700: it is priced competitively
Mahindra has priced the XUV700 very competitively. So much so that while the XUV700’s direct competitors include the Tata Safari, Hyundai Alcazar and MG Hector Plus, prices of its lower variants overlap with the smaller midsize SUVs like the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, MG Hector, Skoda Kushaq and VW Taigun.
Mahindra has already revised prices for the XUV700, with the MX series’ price now ranging from Rs 12.49 lakh-12.99 lakh. The higher-spec AX series’ price ranges from Rs 14.49 lakh for the AX3 petrol manual and goes up to Rs 22.99 lakh for the AX7 AWD Luxury Pack diesel automatic (ex-showroom, India – Introductory prices).
While the price might seem high, the XUV700 is well-positioned as it gets more equipment than similarly priced variants on any of its direct rivals.
Also See:
2021 Mahindra XUV700 review, test drive
2021 Mahindra XUV700 video review
Mahindra XUV700: Which variant to buy?