Latest Update: Full price list of the Mahindra XUV700 has been revealed officially. Click here for details.
On the eve of India's 75th Independence Day, Mahindra unveiled its much-anticipated SUV, the XUV700, at an extremely attractive starting price that has left everyone stunned. It was clear that Mahindra desires to target the customers of both the 5-and 7-seater segments with this new product. And for this, Mahindra has further strengthened its position by offering several segment-leading features. But is it really superior to other products in the segment, and has the journey from 500 to 700 really made the XUV more premium than before? Here are the pros and cons of the XUV700 to help you decide whether you should wait for it or not: –
2021 Mahindra XUV700 – Things We Like (Pros)
1. Impressive Design
Based on a completely new monocoque platform, the XUV700 looks quite impressive and retains the essence of the XUV500 in its styling. Its overall design is much cleaner and sophisticated than its predecessor thanks to the flush door handles and refined character lines. It now gets a chrome-plated 6-slats grille with blacked-out finishing, flanked by LED headlamps that retain the signature “C” shaped LED DRLs. Completing this setup are the dynamic indicators placed between the two linings of the daytime running lamps.
From the sides, the arch over the rear wheel will remind you of the XUV500. But the most appealing element is the flush sitting door handles that pops out when you press them. However, they are electrically operated in the top-spec X7 trim with the option pack. Adding to the more ingenious design are the 18-inch dual-tone diamond-cut alloys, and arrow-shaped LED taillamps that look extremely elegant, especially in the dark.
All in all, the XUV700 doesn’t look as aggressive and bulgy as the XUV500, thanks to its well-balanced proportions with greater length (+110mm) and wheelbase (+50mm). However, its height is 30mm less than the XUV500. While these changes are not easily noticeable, the overall product does look more prime and has a majestic road presence.
2. Plush Cabin
The wow factor of the new XUV700 is undoubtedly is its cabin design that will give you a luxury feel. Dominated by a twin-screen setup, its dashboard will remind you of the latest-gen Mercedes cars. Although it uses hard plastic across the cabin, the soft-touch leather and silver highlights on the dashboard give it a nice feel. Additionally, the faux wooden trims on the door pads, piano-black finishing on the door handles & switches, and the white leatherette upholstery do justice with the cabin.
3. Features Galore
The features list of Mahindra XUV700 is quite lengthy. It gets an all-LED lighting system, dynamic LED indicators, segment's largest panoramic sunroof (sky roof), power-adjustable driver seat with lumbar support & memory function, two-zone climate control, fully digital instrument cluster, keyless entry with push-button start/stop function, one-touch tumble seat in the second row with recline function, rear AC vents with blower controller in the 3rd row, power/charging sockets in all three rows, cooled front center armrest, a rear central armrest with cup holders, LED illumination inside the cabin, extendable sunshades, optional wireless charging pad, automatic headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, smart air purifier, tilt-&-telescopic adjustment for steering, and four driving modes with the diesel model, etc.
On the other hand, the infotainment duties are carried out by a 10.25-inch screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, paired with an optional 12-speaker Sony premium sound system which sounds absolutely fantastic. It also comes with 60+ connected car technology, along with in-built navigation and many other apps like Zomato and JustDial. Also on offer is the Amazon-powered Alexa AI assistant, which works seamlessly and can be used to control various vehicle functions like opening & closing sunroof, music streaming, climate control, weather updates, and much more via voice commands.
Safety equipment on offer comprises seven airbags (including driver-side knee airbag), ABS with EBD, disc wiping, dynamic stability control, electronic parking brakes with auto-hold (optional) front & rear parking sensors, 360-degree camera (optional) and a host of radar-based Level-2 ADAS active safety techs like adaptive cruise control, driver drowsiness detection system, lane-keep assist, Forward Collision Warning (FCW), smart pilot assist, autonomous emergency braking, high beam assist and traffic sign recognition. Users can also customize the sensitivity of the ADAS tech and even can turn them off completely or can use them just for alerts.
Also, it is worth mentioning that its high-resolution 360-degree camera works really well and even comes with a 3D mode that not only shows you the surroundings but also shows what's underneath the car. Moreover, it could also be used as a dashcam to record your driving views. In fact, it automatically starts recording when you brake hard or the emergency brake assist is activated.
4. Peppy Performance
You can have the XUV700 with both petrol and diesel engines. Its petrol engine is a 2.2-liter mStallion turbocharged unit that delivers a segment-leading power output of 200PS/380Nm, while the 2.2-liter turbo-diesel engine from the mHawk series develops up to 185PS and 450Nm (420Nm with MT, and 155PS/360Nm in MX trim). Both these mills are offered with either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission. Besides, the XUV700 diesel is also available with the segment-first all-wheel-drivetrain (AWD) option.
As far as the performance of the diesel engine is concerned, it has enormous torque to offer. So, whether you are passing through the city traffics or overhauling the highways, you won't have to worry at all. It gets four driving modes: Zip, Zap, Zoom, and Custom, which can be simplified as Eco, Urban, Sport, and Individual modes. That said, the Zip mode is for the efficient drive with light steering and linear power delivery, whereas in the Zap mode, the power slightly increases & the steering gets some weight. The Zoom mode, on the other hand, makes the throttle inputs super responsive that wheels start spinning at the corners. Lastly, the custom mode allows you to set engine, steering, air conditioning, brakes (ABS), and transmission settings to your liking.
Its petrol engine is a highly refined unit and delivers the power very smoothly, making your drive effortless in both city and highway conditions. However, it doesn't get any driving modes like diesel. And since it is pulling a large SUV, so don't expect it to be frugal at all.
5. Comfortable Ride Quality
One thing that we really love about the XUV700 is its ride quality. It offers great comfort to its occupants and feels stable and under control on both corners & long stretches of roads. The steering feedback is good but cannot be called fun. Also, there is some body roll in corners, but they are well controlled.
6. Multiple Variants Options
As we mentioned earlier, Mahindra has introduced the XUV700 in both 5 and 7 seating options, which will target a wider section of customers. Also, its attractive pricing and multiple powertrain options could work in Mahindra's favor.
2021 Mahindra XUV700 – Things Should Have Been Better (Cons)
1. Surprisingly lacking some features
The feature list of the Mahindra XUV700 is quite impressive, especially the safety quotient. However, Mahindra has surprisingly skipped some comfort features like front ventilated seats, height adjustment function for the front passenger seat, auto-dimming IRVM, ambient lighting, request sensors, blower controls for the 2nd row, adjustable headrest for the middle passenger, paddle shifters and a sliding function for the 2nd-row seats.
2. Material Quality
There is no doubt that XUV700's cabin looks quite stylish, but due to some quality issues in the cabin, it actually lacks the premium-ness you would have expected from it. In fact, the Tata Safari and MG Hector Plus look more premium than the XUV.
3. Lack of Headroom
The XUV700's wheelbase has grown by 50mm for improved leg and knee room. The seats are well-cushioned and supportive. The backrest of the rear seats can also be reclined for added comfort on longer journeys. Also, the bench seat in the 2nd row is wide enough to accommodate three passengers, but taller passengers could feel the lack of under-thigh support and headroom. Plus, if you're over 6-feet, your head could hit the roof on sharp bumps.
It might seem like nitpicking, but another grouse is the lack of the sliding function for the rear seats, which are also available in segment-below cars like Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos.
The third-row seats, on the other hand, are well-suited for kids only.
4. Cramped Boot Space
Mahindra hasn’t disclosed the cargo capacity of the XUV700. But it is so cramped that it can only entertain small bags. Extra load of luggage on board is not possible without folding the third-row seats.
5. Good But Not The Best
The XUV700 is definitely a capable performer and a more mature product than the XUV500 in the way it drives. But it still lacks that fun-to-drive element that the Volkswagen Taigun and Skoda Kushaq offer in the class.
Verdict
After spending a day with the XUV700, we can definitely say that Mahindra has left no stone unturned to change its brand image with this new SUV. It offers a balance that fulfills some very specific needs. Overall, it comes across as a very sensible family-friendly SUV that offers powerful engines and unimaginable segment-first safety features. Yes, some things could have been better, but its aggressive pricing gives it an excuse to skip those questions.
