Mahindra XUV500 Automatic review, test drive

Should I buy one?

If you’ve been holding out for the XUV500 Automatic, you’re patience has been rewarded. The automatic gearbox works well on the big Mahindra and has not only brought in added convenience but has also generally bettered the whole driving experience. In fact, the improvement is so noteworthy, the Automatic is the one we’d recommend to anyone eyeing an XUV500, higher sticker price and potentially greater running costs notwithstanding. The prices for the XUV Automatic start at Rs 15.53 lakh for the front-wheel drive W8 model and top off at Rs 17.36 lakh for the all-wheel drive W10 model, making the Automatic about Rs 1 lakh more expensive than comparable manual versions. The Automatic’s ARAI-tested fuel economy of 13.85kpl is also down on the manual version’s 16kpl.

Spacious, loaded with features and with a design that gives it loads of presence, the XUV500 has always found buyers with ease. It goes without saying, the incoming of the automatic only adds to its appeal. Now if only Mahindra could also address the XUV’s weaknesses in refinement, ride and handling too.