The Mahindra XUV700 must be one in every of, if not the most underrated SUV in Australia.
It’s by and huge the best-equipped and best-priced seven-seater SUV within the nation. But, when you might imagine its reasonably priced value is mirrored in an absence of options or poor match and end, it’s surprisingly well-equipped and well-built whereas presenting a classy cabin that outshines a lot of its considerably dearer opponents.
Earlier than leaping in, we didn’t realise simply how reasonably priced the XUV700 was, and our first impression was that if ‘they’ll value it beneath $40,000, it’s an incredible factor’ – properly, it’s priced from $35,990, and given that you would be able to now spend extra on a Toyota Yaris, it makes the XUV700 a little bit of a cut price that many haven’t thought of or are even conscious of.
If you’re searching for the most affordable seven-seater SUV in Australia, look no additional.
From the skin the XUV700 is a comparatively generic design; it tends to mix in and look the half in site visitors and in school drop-off. You get just a few glances from those that haven’t heard of the model or have by no means seen the automobile earlier than, nevertheless it’s not the kind of SUV that’s over styled to make some extent as a few of the Chinese language manufacturers appear to be keen on doing.
The Indian model has gone for an inoffensive design that ought to have a broad and mass enchantment. Whereas it arguably lacks some polish and class in its similarity to different Mahindra fashions, it’s a handsome factor.
There are some attention-grabbing exterior options, like the electrical pop-out Tesla-esque door handles, or the Renault-like LED daytime operating lights that give it some character. However in any other case, it seems to be as you’ll count on a seven-seater SUV to look.
The XUV700 is a alternative for the outdated 500, which began at underneath $30,000 however felt two generations behind the brand new 700 providing. The brand new seven-seater measures 4695mm lengthy, 1890mm broad and 1755mm tall on a 2750mm wheelbase, making it a reasonably straightforward automobile to get out and in of tight garages and underground carparks.
In contrast to the extra off-road-capable and rural-focused Mahindra Scorpio, the XUV700 is a front-wheel drive unibody SUV that’s targetted at suburban consumers with three or extra youngsters that want a dependable, secure and have packed seven-seater. For these cross buying, the XUV700 is greatest in contrast in opposition to the likes of the Mitsubishi Outlander.
How does the Mahindra XUV700 evaluate?
View an in depth breakdown of the Mahindra XUV700 in opposition to equally sized automobiles.
Mahindra
XUV700
How a lot does the Mahindra XUV700 value?
Mahindra is taking $1000 off the value of 2023-plated variations of its seven-seat XUV700 SUV till the top of the monetary 12 months (June 30, 2024).
This implies the entry-level XUV700 AX7 is now priced from $35,990 drive-away, and the flagship XUV700 AX7L is now priced from $38,990 drive-away. Costs for 2024-plated automobiles are a further $1000.
That runout pricing sees it undercut even probably the most reasonably priced seven-seat variations of key rivals, just like the Mitsubishi Outlander LS ($39,490), Honda CR-V VTi 7 ($40,990 drive-away), Mazda CX-8 G25 Sport ($42,060) and Nissan X-Path ST AWD ($39,790).
It additionally implies that, in the interim, the XUV700 is the most affordable seven-seater in Australia. Even the Chinese language LDV D90 opens at $38,990 drive-away, not to mention the brand new Chery Tiggo 8 Professional Max ($41,990 D/A).
What’s the Mahindra XUV700 like on the within?
It’s very uncommon to discover a automobile on this value vary that provides an inside color selection that’s something however black.
With the XUV 700, Mahindra has performed the other, with the one inside color selection being a stunning off-white leatherette upholstery that extends throughout the dashboard and on to the doorways.
This offers the Mahindra’s cabin a much more upmarket really feel, which is additional enhanced by the Mercedes-like twin 10.25-inch high-resolution screens, huge panoramic sunroof and wood-like trim. So far as first impressions go, not many would leap in an XUV 700 and assume it ought to value lower than $40,000.
Whereas the shiny black materials used across the centre console will little doubt get a literal handful of fingerprints inside days of use, primarily based on our expertise of different producers utilizing the identical kind of fabric, it’s the potential scratches that you just’d must be acutely aware of.
In saying that, our check automobile had endured many thousand kilometres and nonetheless appeared unscathed.
The switchgear and the texture of the controls all really feel fairly sturdy, and so they transfer and click on with a way of sturdiness. We do love that Mahindra has opted for bodily air con controls, somewhat then being compelled to make use of a display screen.
That is most likely a great factor, as a result of the XUV 700’s infotainment system is a bit of quirky. It has some unusual bugs, akin to forcing us to take heed to the identical radio station every time the automobile was turned on as an alternative of defaulting to the earlier media used, whether or not that was Apple CarPlay or Bluetooth audio.
Talking of which, whereas the screens are tremendous clear, and the {hardware} may be very responsive, the precise software program and menu design within the infotainment is a bit of nonsensical.
For example, there may be an choice for ‘enjoyable’ – which doesn’t result in any enjoyable in any respect, displaying you some energy outputs from the engine as an alternative.
We’re undecided if a front-wheel drive, seven-seater SUV is the kind of automobile being purchased for enjoyable, however nonetheless, you may give your self that momentary sense of pleasure figuring out you pressed the enjoyable button whereas the youngsters combat within the again seat – ‘Be quiet youngsters, I pressed the enjoyable button’…
The excellent news is, in case you go for the dearer AX7L, a few of that $3000 distinction is certainly heard with the 12-speaker sound system that may be very bass heavy and nonetheless quiet clear.
We had been very impressed by the audio system however want Mahindra would supply wi-fi Apple CarPlay, given it lets you cost your cellphone wirelessly, however can’t connect with the system until it’s plugged in. That in itself presents yet one more drawback, due to using old-school USB-A ports, as an alternative of USB-C for the cellphone connection.
Each of those points are simply solved, you should purchase an wi-fi CarPlay adapter from Amazon for lower than $100 and that may enable your cellphone to attach wirelessly, whereas charging wirelessly or utilizing the powered (however not system related) USB C port. So undoubtedly not deal breakers.
The motive force’s seat is fairly snug and properly supported. It makes use of Mercedes-Benz-like controls on the driving force’s door to maneuver the seat to your required place. The passenger isn’t as fortunate, as their seat lacks top adjustment, although it sits fairly excessive sufficient that it gained’t be a problem.
Total, we discovered the entrance and second rows to be spacious and really snug for lengthy distance drives. By way of second-row facilities, there are air vents and a single USB-C port – which actually must be on the entrance!
The 5+2 seating must be considered in case you intend to place giant youngsters or adults within the third row as a result of that wont be a really nice expertise.
That’s to not say there isn’t sufficient head or leg room, as a result of there technically is, however the precise design of the seat and the house obtainable shouldn’t be nice for adults – we’d say it’s perfect for teenagers underneath 12.
For those who intend to make use of all seven seats, there isn’t a lot boot left; however with one or each third row seats down, a number of giant suitcases will simply match. Mahindra doesn’t quote a baggage capability that we may discover.
What’s underneath the bonnet?
Mahindra gives the XUV700 with a single powertrain – a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine producing 149kW at 5000rpm and 380Nm between 1750 and 3000rpm.
It’s mated with a six-speed computerized transmission sourced from Aisin. All fashions are front-wheel drive.
These outputs evaluate favourably with its largely naturally-aspirated competitors. The Outlander pumps out 135kW/244Nm, the CX-8 140kW/252Nm, and the X-Path 135kW/244Nm.
The CR-V additionally contains a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, nevertheless it’s a smaller displacement one and due to this fact the XUV700 nonetheless shades its 140kW/240Nm outputs.
Mahindra gives a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine and all-wheel drive in India, and the corporate says this drivetrain is on the playing cards for Australia.
The petrol-powered XUV700 makes use of 8.3L/100km on the mixed cycle. That’s barely greater than the Outlander (7.7L/100km), CX-8 (8.1L/100km), X-Path (7.8L/100km) and CR-V (7.3L/100km), nevertheless it has extra energy and torque than any of them.
The XUV700 runs on 91 RON common unleaded gas and has a 60L gas tank.
How does the Mahindra XUV700 drive?
Being a big SUV pushed via the front-wheels is actually one of many methods by which Mahindra has saved the value down.
Throughout our week with the XUV700 in Brisbane, we endured an excessive amount of rain which gave us some pause round how the automobile would behave.
Whereas it actually had some traction loss when pushed laborious going uphill in heavy rain, this might solely be totally solved by having all-wheel drive.
In lots of respects, you’ll be laborious pressed to know the place the ability is headed. The entrance wheels by no means exhibit torque steer or really feel overworked.
If you’re planning on going off-road (and even to the seaside), you’re greatest to have a look at the Scorpio, as a result of whereas the 700 has 196mm of floor clearance, the dearth of AWD can be your undoing.
Regardless of its measurement, it’s really a comparatively mild automobile with a kerb weight starting from 1829kg within the AX7 to 1835kg within the AX7L – with a gross car mass (GVM) of 2357kg.
The four-cylinder engine is greater than satisfactory for the burden of the automobile and even after we loaded 4 individuals and a few baggage inside, it by no means felt wanting extra energy or torque. It may deal with the freeway overtakes with relative ease, and can stand up to hurry approaching to the freeway with out an excessive amount of noise.
The journey is a bit of on the firmer aspect in case you plan on frequenting poorly surfaced roads, however you gained’t discover an excessive amount of of it within the metropolis.
The steering and general car dynamics are just like different automobiles within the class, although the six-speed transmission might even see you sitting in a better rev vary at sure speeds than the seven- and eight-speed shifters in lots of rivals, not to mention CVTs.
We drove over 300km within the XUV 700 and averaged 9.1L/100km, so a bit of increased than the claimed 8.3L/100km. With a 60L gas tank, it will offer you a sensible vary of 650km between fills.
The highest-spec mannequin we had been testing right here had the blind-spot digital camera system that we really feel must be customary in each automobile. Mainly, everytime you point out left or proper, a imaginative and prescient of what’s within the meant lane is displayed within the instrument cluster.
This helps present a security web to detect scooters or smaller automobiles sitting in your blind spot, offering way more confidence to merge in heavy site visitors.
On that very same token, the reversing digital camera high quality is fairly good and it reveals up nearly instantly when reverse is engaged.
As a complete, the XUV 700 drives, rides and maneuvers round suburban environments with confidence and ease. The powertrain and driving dynamics are on par with its Japanese opponents.
Mahindra claims the XUV 700 has a braked towing capability of 1500kg (unbraked is 750kg).
What do you get?
There are two XUV700 variants in Australia, each of that are extremely specified.
XUV700 AX7 customary tools:
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Panoramic sunroof
- Computerized LED headlights
- Computerized high-beam
- Cornering lights
- Fog lights
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Tyre stress monitoring
- Energy-folding exterior mirrors
- 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster
- Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
- 6-speaker sound system
- Leather-based-wrapped steering wheel and shifter
- Leatherette upholstery
- 6-way energy driver’s seat with reminiscence
- One-touch tumbling 60:40 second-row seats
- Twin-zone local weather management
- Keyless begin
XUV700 AX7L provides:
- 12-speaker sound system
- Digital park brake
- Telescopic steering wheel adjustment
- Illuminated vainness mirrors
- Electrical ‘good’ door handles
- Wi-fi cellphone charger
Colors
The XUV700 is accessible within the following colors:
- Everest White
- Midnight Black
- Dazzling Silver
- Pink Rage
- Electrical Blue
Is the Mahindra XUV 700 secure?
The Mahindra XUV700 hasn’t been examined by ANCAP or Euro NCAP, nevertheless it scored a five-star grownup safety score in World NCAP checks and that was by crashing an Indian-specification car, which solely has two airbags.
Australian-delivered vehicles are far increased of their security options with six airbags and loads of passive security programs.
Normal security tools contains:
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Adaptive cruise management
- Sensible Pilot Help
- Lane maintain help
- Visitors signal recognition
- Reversing digital camera
- Publish-collision braking
- Entrance, front-side and curtain airbags (6)
XUV700 AX7L positive aspects:
- Blind-spot view monitor
- Encompass-view cameras
- Knee airbag
- Adaptive cruise management with cease/go
How a lot does the Mahindra XUV700 value to run?
The Mahindra XUV700 is backed by a seven-year, 150,000km guarantee with seven years of roadside help.
Servicing is required each 12 months or 10,000km – whichever comes first.
Mahindra gives 4 years of capped-price servicing, that are capped at $357, $357, $563 and $504, respectively.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Mahindra XUV700
For the value, it’s laborious to fault the Mahindra XUV 700.
Sure it has some quirks, and there are areas for enchancment right here and there, however we’re speaking a couple of seven-seater household SUV that prices lower than $40,000 in your driveway.
In that context and with that lense, it’s a wise purchaser on this class that places the Mahindra on their shortlist.
The XUV700 is probably not for everybody, and definitely if you will frequent going to the seaside or do some off-roading, it’s greatest to have a look at the Scorpio as an alternative.
However in the end the XUV 700 serves a necessity for households searching for a feature-packed, secure and reasonably priced seven-seater SUV with an extended guarantee.
The principle purpose the XUV 700 shouldn’t be extra standard is the dearth of brand name recognition. Bear in mind Mahindra has been round since 1945 and on the finish of final 12 months, had a market capitalisation of greater than US$29.82 billion (A$46 billion), making it the 631st most beneficial firm on the earth.
The corporate even makes elements for Airbus (fortunately not the doorways for Boeing), so that is no upstart. It’s a properly established producer that’s solely getting began in Australia.
Click on the photographs for the complete gallery
MORE: Purchase a Mahindra XUV700
MORE: Every thing Mahindra XUV700
