The Mahindra XUV700 burst onto India’s automotive scene with promises that seemed almost too good to be true. Fancy tech features, powerful engines, and premium interiors – all at a price point that made luxury carmakers nervous. But two years after its launch, does this homegrown hero still deserve the excitement it generated? Let’s take a real-world look at what works and what doesn’t.
After spending three weeks with the XUV700, I’ve formed opinions that might surprise both fans and critics. The relationship between price and what you actually get isn’t as straightforward as the brochures suggest.
Design That Turns Heads
The XUV700 isn’t just another box on wheels. Mahindra clearly spent time crafting something that stands out in parking lots filled with cookie-cutter SUVs.
Those distinctive C-shaped DRLs catch sunlight in interesting ways, while the flush door handles extend outward to greet you – a party trick borrowed from much pricier vehicles. From certain angles, particularly the front three-quarter view, the XUV700 genuinely looks like it should cost more than it does.
My neighbor, who drives a German luxury SUV, actually walked over to ask questions when I parked outside my flat. “How much did you pay for this?” he asked with genuine surprise after sitting inside.
The rear design feels less inspired than the front, though. Something about the taillight execution seems slightly unfinished compared to the confidence displayed up front.
Cabin Experience: Mostly Premium
Step inside and the XUV700 immediately feels different from previous Mahindra offerings. The dashboard layout with its connected dual 10.25-inch screens creates a tech-forward atmosphere that impresses first-time passengers.
The AdrenoX interface controlling everything from climate to vehicle dynamics deserves both praise and criticism. When it works, the integration feels seamless and modern.
But there’s a “but” here – and it’s not small. The system occasionally freezes or reboots without warning. During my testing period, this happened four times, including once while using navigation in heavy traffic.
Material quality follows a similar pattern of impressive at first glance but revealing compromises upon closer inspection. The soft-touch upper dashboard and door panels feel properly premium.
Lower cabin plastics, however, don’t match that initial promise. You’ll find hard plastics in areas where your hands regularly fall, and some trim pieces developed slight rattles after just a few thousand kilometers.
Space and Comfort Worth Celebrating
Where the XUV700 unquestionably delivers is passenger space. The front seats offer genuine all-day comfort with enough adjustability to fit drivers of varying heights.
The second row deserves special mention for its combination of supportive cushioning and generous legroom. Three adults can sit without immediate complaints – something increasingly rare even in vehicles a class above.
Third-row accommodation exists but works best for children or short trips. Mahindra deserves credit for making these seats usable at all in this footprint.
Climate control works effectively across all three rows, though the system’s fan can get somewhat noisy at higher settings. During a particularly hot afternoon drive, the cabin cooled impressively quickly from baking temperatures.
Technology: Ambitious But Imperfect
The technological centerpiece of the XUV700 experience is undoubtedly its AdrenoX infotainment system partnered with ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) features.
On paper, the feature list reads like something from a luxury brochure: adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, automatic emergency braking, smart door handles, panoramic sunroof, wireless charging, and a premium Sony sound system.
Real-world performance reveals both triumphs and frustrations. The 360-degree camera system provides genuinely useful visibility that makes navigating tight spaces significantly easier.
The adaptive cruise control works reliably on highways but becomes confused in heavy traffic situations. Several times it braked more aggressively than expected when vehicles merged ahead.
Surprisingly, the lane keep assist function performs better than some systems I’ve tested in vehicles costing twice as much. It gently guides rather than wrestling with the driver.
The built-in Alexa functionality proves useful for controlling features while driving, though it occasionally misunderstands commands in noisy conditions. “Alexa, increase temperature” worked reliably; more complex requests had mixed results.
Smartphone Integration: More Work Needed
Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are present but execution falls short of expectations. Connection drops occurred frequently enough to become annoying.
The wireless charging pad works as advertised but generates significant heat during extended use. My phone became uncomfortably warm after about 30 minutes – concerning for battery health.
Mahindra’s companion app allows remote functions like climate pre-conditioning and location tracking. Cool features, certainly, but response times varied wildly from immediate to several minutes.
Performance That Surprises
Under the hood, Mahindra offers two engine choices – a 2.0-liter turbocharged petrol and a 2.2-liter diesel in different states of tune.
My test vehicle came with the higher-output diesel paired with the automatic transmission. This combination delivers genuinely impressive performance that challenges preconceptions about Indian engineering capabilities.
The 185 horsepower figure doesn’t tell the complete story. It’s the torque – all 420 Nm of it – that defines the driving experience. Overtaking moves require minimal planning even when fully loaded with passengers.
Highway cruising reveals another strength: remarkable stability at speed. The XUV700 tracks straight without constant steering corrections even on somewhat uneven road surfaces.
Fuel efficiency deserves specific mention. Despite enthusiastic driving, the diesel returned consistent 14-15 km/l in mixed conditions. During a long highway stretch, it improved to nearly 18 km/l.
Ride and Handling: A Mixed Bag
Suspension tuning represents one of the more noticeable compromises. The setup clearly prioritizes comfort over sporty handling, which suits family usage perfectly fine.
Small road imperfections disappear beneath the wheels with minimal cabin intrusion. Larger potholes, however, send more noise and movement through the structure than expected.
Body roll exists during enthusiastic cornering but remains controlled enough for an SUV of this size. The steering weight adjusts with speed, adding helpful resistance as velocity increases.
Braking performance falls firmly in the “adequate” category – not exceptional but never concerning during normal driving conditions. Emergency stops from highway speeds produced predictable, controlled deceleration.
Practicality for Real Life
Beyond performance metrics and feature lists, everyday usability matters immensely for family vehicles. Here, the XUV700 scores numerous practical points.
Storage spaces abound throughout the cabin. The center console accommodates water bottles, phones, wallets, and random items that accumulate during family journeys.
Door pockets easily swallow 1-liter bottles along with miscellaneous items. Second-row passengers haven’t been forgotten, with reasonable storage options and USB charging ports.
With all seats in place, luggage space remains limited but workable for grocery runs. Fold that third row and capacity expands impressively for family getaways.
Maintenance Considerations
Ownership costs matter tremendously in this segment. Mahindra’s service network has expanded significantly, making scheduled maintenance reasonably convenient in most cities.
Speaking with current owners revealed mixed experiences with service quality – some reporting excellent care while others mentioned parts availability issues for repairs.
The warranty package deserves praise: 3 years/unlimited kilometers as standard with options to extend. This demonstrates confidence in the product that potential buyers should find reassuring.
Safety Credentials Worth Having
In an era where safety awareness continues growing, the XUV700’s five-star Global NCAP rating represents a significant achievement for Indian manufacturing.
Standard safety equipment impresses even on lower trims: multiple airbags, electronic stability control, hill hold assist, and ABS with EBD feature across the range.
Higher variants add the previously mentioned ADAS functions plus additional airbags and a tire pressure monitoring system. The comprehensive safety package represents perhaps the strongest argument for choosing the XUV700 over competitors.
During testing, the various active safety systems intervened appropriately without becoming intrusive during normal driving – a balance many manufacturers struggle to achieve.
The Competition: How It Stacks Up
The XUV700 occupies an interesting position in the market, competing against both traditional mid-size SUVs and pulling buyers from premium brands trading down.
Against direct competitors like the Tata Safari and MG Hector Plus, the Mahindra generally offers more sophisticated technology and better performance, particularly with the top-spec diesel.
Compared to premium offerings like base variants of the Jeep Compass or Volkswagen Tiguan, the XUV700 offers more features and space but can’t quite match their overall refinement and build consistency.
Value proposition remains strongest in mid-range variants where the price-to-feature ratio peaks. Base models miss too many signature features, while top variants approach premium territory without fully delivering that experience.
Verdict: Impressive Achievement With Caveats
After extensive time with the XUV700, its position becomes clear: a genuinely impressive achievement with specific shortcomings that buyers should consider before purchasing.
The technology ambitions deserve genuine praise even when execution occasionally falters. Few vehicles at this price point attempt such a comprehensive tech package.
Performance, especially from the diesel powertrain, delivers satisfaction for enthusiastic drivers while remaining practical for everyday use. The balance strikes an excellent middle ground.
Build quality inconsistencies and software stability represent the most significant concerns. While not dealbreakers, these issues prevent an unqualified recommendation.
For buyers prioritizing space, safety, and features over absolute refinement, the XUV700 makes a compelling case. Those seeking premium feel in every interaction might find the compromises more noticeable.
Ultimately, the XUV700 exemplifies Indian automotive ambition reaching new heights – not perfect, but pushing boundaries that benefit consumers through improved choices and stronger competition.
FAQs About the Mahindra XUV700
Is the Mahindra XUV700 good for long drives?
Absolutely. The comfortable seats, powerful engines, and highway stability make it excellent for extended journeys.
How is the fuel efficiency of the XUV700?
The diesel variants deliver 14-18 km/l depending on driving conditions, while petrol models return approximately 10-13 km/l.
Does XUV700 have real autonomous driving?
No. It offers driver assistance features like adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist, but requires driver attention at all times.
How many people can sit comfortably in XUV700?
Five adults can sit very comfortably. The third row accommodates two additional passengers but works best for children or short trips.
Is maintenance expensive compared to competitors?
Maintenance costs remain competitive with similar-sized SUVs, with service intervals of 10,000 kilometers.
Which variant offers the best value for money?
The AX7 diesel automatic hits the sweet spot with most desirable features while avoiding the premium pricing of the top variant.
Does the panoramic sunroof create heating issues?
The sunroof includes a powered shade that effectively blocks heat when closed, though using the glass open on summer days can warm the cabin quickly.
How does the ADAS system compare to European vehicles?
It performs surprisingly well on clearly marked roads but shows limitations in complex traffic situations or poorly marked roadways compared to premium European systems.