The Mahindra XUV700 – pronounced ‘X-U-V-seven-double-oh’ – is a crucial mannequin for the Indian big’s city push, set to launch in Australia later this month.
Although the mid-size unibody XUV700 is following the launch of the massive body-on-frame Scorpio in Australia, it’s technically older and was initially launched within the Indian market in 2021. Its native launch was delayed resulting from provide chain woes.
Dubbed because the successor to the XUV500, the XUV700 can be accessible at launch in two high-spec seven-seat variants referred to as AX7 and AX7L. Each can be powered by a turbo-petrol engine with front-wheel drive.
At this stage remaining Australian pricing and specs are but to be confirmed.
In contrast to the Scorpio, the XUV700 comes as normal with a variety of lively security options together with autonomous emergency braking (AEB), lane-keep help, and adaptive cruise management amongst others.
Forward of the Mahindra XUV700’s Australian launch on June 15, we obtained the possibility for an early drive on Indian soil on the firm’s expansive proving floor.
How will the XUV700 stack up within the fiercely aggressive Medium SUV section?
How a lot does the Mahindra XUV700 price?
Australian pricing for the Mahindra XUV700 continues to be but to be confirmed.
Within the Indian market the XUV700 is barely cheaper than the equal Scorpio, which is known as the Scorpio-N there.
This doubtlessly signifies the XUV700 could possibly be priced underneath the Scorpio in Australia, which presently begins at $41,990 drive-away till June 30, 2023.
By way of its opponents, there are a number of seven-seat medium SUVs together with the Mitsubishi Outlander, Honda CR-V, Nissan X-Path.
Key rival pricing:
- 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander LS seven-seat AWD: $43,240
- 2023 Honda CR-V VTi 7 FWD: $40,900 drive-away
- 2023 Nissan X-Path ST seven-seat AWD: $39,790
All costs are earlier than on-road prices, except specified
Different opponents which are technically Massive SUVs however are nonetheless price mentioning embody the Hyundai Santa Fe V6 FWD ($46,050), Mazda CX-8 G25 Sport ($42,060), and Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace 110TSI Life ($44,490).
What’s the Mahindra XUV700 like on the within?
Strolling as much as the Mahindra XUV700 you’ll be offered with door handles that look eerily much like the Kia EV6. They come out while you unlock the automobile and retract when it’s locked to assist create a modern aspect profile.
Once you open the door you’ll get smacked within the face with the crisp white leatherette upholstery that would be the solely selection in Australia. I doubt this may age effectively with children climbing out and in of the automobile, plus the messes that inevitably come.
It’d be nice to have the ability to have a darker upholstery choice, as placing seat covers on all three rows of seating isn’t a possible resolution.
The motive force’s seats is de facto comfy with loads of help and 6 methods of electrical adjustability. The best way you work together with these controls are mounted excessive on the door panel, like a variety of Mercedes-Benz fashions.
The seats fortunately have perforations which is effectively obtained on sweltering days, however a notable function omission that some Australians will miss are heated entrance seats. Nearly each single top-spec medium SUV on sale in Australia has this function.
By way of inside contact factors, the vast majority of them are mushy. You don’t must look far to search out more durable plastics although. There’s loads of piano black on the centre tunnel, in addition to fake wooden panelling on the doorways.
The steering wheel is a relatively chunky unit that seems to be the identical because the Scorpio. Our Indian-spec tester solely had tilt adjustment which is a bit disappointing as you possibly can’t get your seating place precisely proper.
The Mercedes-Benz-like nature of the XUV700’s inside continues with the usual twin 10.25-inch screens for the digital instrument cluster and touchscreen infotainment system.
The digital instrument cluster appears to be like flashy and excessive decision upon first look however when you begin digging into it you realise it provides related performance as a small TFT display screen between analogue dials, with solely content material within the center in a position to cycled by way of a number of totally different informative pages.
There’s a Blind-Spot View Monitor on the flagship AX7L variant, like a variety of high-spec Hyundai and Kia fashions, that reveals a stay feed from a digital camera mounted beneath the aspect mirror while you placed on the indicator.
It is a nice security function to have though the digital camera’s body fee is usually a little bit jumpy at some factors.
Transferring throughout to the touchscreen infotainment system it’s simply as excessive decision because the digital instrument cluster.
I might’ve beloved extra of a possibility to dig into how effectively the XUV700’s touchscreen capabilities however my time behind the wheel was restricted. From what I did expertise although, there have been no dropouts, glitches or awkward interactions.
There’s additionally a BMW-like rotary controller on the centre tunnel that can be utilized both altering the amount or for biking by way of content material.
Transferring to the second row, I used to be fairly stunned with how a lot area there may be. The quantity of knee and foot room is implausible for adults. Children could have much more area.
Headroom can be nice given the panoramic glass sunroof that can be normal throughout the Australian XUV700 vary.
I spent the vast majority of my time with the XUV700 within the second row as I used to be shuttled to numerous areas in India in a single. I didn’t get cramped at any level by any means.
Regardless of the second row being mounted in place, it has a recline operate which may help provides passengers within the third row kind of area. There’s additionally a deal with on the entrance passenger seat which permits rear passengers to maneuver it ahead or again.
By way of second-row facilities, there are air vents and a singular USB-C port.
Like a number of medium SUVs on sale in Australia, the XUV700 will come as normal with a 3rd row of seating. There are two seats within the third row however they’re so small I didn’t even try and try to get again there. It’s undoubtedly a kids-only area.
It’s secure to say the XUV700 has a 5+2 seating configuration relatively than a correct six- or seven seater with sufficient area for adults within the third row – as is the case with rivals.
Mahindra hasn’t quoted boot capacities for the XUV700, although identical to the Scorpio it was just about nothing with all three rows upright.
In contrast to the Scorpio although, the XUV700’s third row folds away to create a flat boot ground. There’s really a good bit of usable area when the third row of seats are folded too.
Fortunately the XUV700 comes with a full-size metal spare wheel, which is a good and important function for a lot of rural and regional consumers.
What’s underneath the bonnet?
At launch the whole Mahindra XUV700 vary can be powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine producing 149kW of energy and 380Nm of torque.
That is mated to an Aisin-sourced six-speed automated transmission with drive despatched solely to the entrance wheels.
In different markets there’s a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine, which is identical because the Scorpio, in addition to a handbook transmission and all-wheel drive.
Claimed gasoline consumption is 8.3 litres per 100km in line with ADR mixed testing. It has a 60-litre gasoline tank.
How does the Mahindra XUV700 drive?
Hopping into and switching on the Mahindra XUV700, I subconsciously anticipated to listen to a diesel clatter however shortly remembered the Australian-spec vary can be petrol-only.
There’s a turbo-diesel engine accessible within the XUV700 in different markets with all-wheel drive, however it gained’t be making the journey Down Underneath at launch. Mahindra Automotive Australia is effectively conscious of its existence although.
With the four-cylinder turbo-petrol’s outputs of 149kW of energy and 380Nm of torque, there’s sufficient energy to get you shifting with visitors.
In the event you punch it, which I used to be directed do quite a few instances throughout our hour-long check drive on the Mahindra SUV Proving Observe (MSPT), you’ll undoubtedly get someplace however it gained’t be at a neck-breaking tempo.
The XUV700’s Aisin-sourced six-speed transmission is tried and examined, with gear modifications feeling silky easy. It’s clearly tuned for consolation although and is usually a little bit lazy when requested to kick down a gear, nonetheless.
Though I didn’t get a heap of time driving the XUV700 at low speeds, I observed the automobile is surprisingly agile and nimble. That is possible due partly to the dearth of all-wheel drive which generally provides further weight.
As well as, the XUV700 has actually gentle steering which makes it straightforward to alter instructions in low-speed conditions. A draw back of this although is the steering lacks a bit little bit of suggestions.
Among the best attributes of the XUV700 is its suspension setup, which consists of McPherson strut entrance and multi-link rear suspension, with the corporate’s so-called Frequency Selective Dampers.
This suspension know-how, which can be current within the Scorpio, means the automobile can stay composed over a singular pace bump with excessive damping pressure, however also can have a cushty trip on bumpier roads with low damping pressure.
We obtained to check out how the suspension reacts over varied totally different surfaces at MSPT, with it tackling all of it with no issues in any respect. I used to be notably stunned with how effectively the XUV700 dealt with rougher bitumen sections as a result of though you can hear what was happening, you barely felt it.
I’m actually wanting ahead to testing the XUV700 out on extra acquainted soil to see the way it offers with pimply and pot-holed Australian roads.
Dialling up the pace within the XUV700 makes every thing fairly a bit louder, however when you attain a cruising pace the engine finds a cushty groove.
Throughout my time with XUV700 I obtained the chance to chop a number of flying laps on the Excessive Velocity Observe at MSPT. This 4km-long elliptical monitor options two parabolic 880m curves which have a most inclination of 43 levels.
The monitor has 4 lanes, with the outer lane having a pace restrict of 180 km/h. My final identify is Fast so you possibly can guess that I spent the vast majority of my time testing the higher restrict of this threshold given I had the chance to take action.
When travelling over 160 km/h within the XUV700, which is significantly larger than authorized freeway speeds in Australia, the automobile throws up an “overspeed” warning. There’s additionally completely heaps of wind noise too.
Though I perceive that is effectively past what the vast majority of individuals will topic their XUV700 to, it’s price noting I used to be doing all of this in 42-degree warmth and 80 per cent humidity. The automobile’s engine temperature gauge by no means tipped over the center level.
On the protection entrance, the Mahindra XUV700 is absolutely loaded. In contrast to the bigger Scorpio, the automobile comes with a variety of superior driver help techniques (ADAS) together with autonomous emergency braking (AEB), lane-keep help, Sensible Pilot Help, adaptive cruise management, visitors signal recognition, and automated high-beam.
Although I didn’t get the possibility to check lively security options out in the actual world, I observed the lane-keep help was fairly robust and largely correct. I’m actually curious to see the way it tackles pale lane markings regionally although.
What do you get?
Australian specs for the Mahindra XUV700 are nonetheless being finalised, however New Zealand-delivered examples obtain the next:
XUV700 AX7 highlights:
- 18-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels
- Computerized LED headlights
- Computerized high-beam
- LED daytime working lights
- Fog lights with cornering operate
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Panoramic sunroof
- Flush door handles
- Energy-folding aspect mirrors
- 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster
- 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Intelli Command Management dial
- 6-speaker sound system
- Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
- Twin-zone local weather management
- Push-button begin
- Leather-based-wrapped steering wheel
- Leather-based-wrapped shifter
- Passenger seat Ergo lever
- White leatherette upholstery
- 6-way energy driver’s seat with reminiscence
- 6 airbags
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- Ahead collision warning
- Lane departure warning
- Lane-keep help
- Visitors signal recognition
- Adaptive cruise management
- Rear-view digital camera
- Tyre-pressure monitoring
XUV700 AX7L provides:
- Electrical good door handles
- Sony 12-speaker sound system
- Wi-fi cellphone charger
- Electrical park brake
- Telescopic steering adjustment
- Self-importance mirror illumination
- Knee airbag
- Blind-Spot View Monitor
- Cease-and-Go operate in adaptive cruise management
- Steady video recording
Is the Mahindra XUV700 secure?
The Mahindra XUV700 hasn’t been examined by ANCAP or Euro NCAP but, however it scored a five-star score in line with the lenient International New Automotive Evaluation (GNCAP) protocols in 2021.
In contrast to the Scorpio, Australian-specification XUV700 variants come normal with an advance driver help techniques (ADAS) suite together with the likes of autonomous emergency braking (AEB), lane-keep help, and adaptive cruise management.
Normal options in New Zealand embody:
- 6 airbags
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- Ahead collision warning
- Lane departure warning
- Lane-keep help
- Sensible Pilot Help
- Adaptive cruise management
- Rear-view digital camera
- Visitors signal recognition
- Tyre strain monitoring
The flagship AX7L provides a driver’s knee airbag, Blind-Spot View Monitor, and a surround-view digital camera.
How a lot does the Mahindra XUV700 price to run?
Though Mahindra hasn’t confirmed but, it’s anticipated the XUV700 can be lined by the model’s new seven-year, 150,000km guarantee.
There’s additionally seven years of roadside help.
Mahindra Automotive Australia hasn’t detailed service pricing as but.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Mahindra XUV700
The Mahindra XUV700 is one other stunning, but barely forgettable automobile from the Indian big in its push to draw extra city consumers Down Underneath.
This seven-seat unibody medium SUV has an absolute bucket load of competitors and actually wants to face out for Australian consumers to even think about it. Getting individuals to say the automobile’s identify accurately can be solely one in all many hurdles for Mahindra Automotive Australia.
Regardless of being fairly fully-loaded there are a number of sticking factors, together with the dearth of a diesel and all-wheel drive choice at launch, in addition to being caught with white leatherette upholstery in a family-oriented SUV.
I do commend Mahindra in giving all Australian-bound XUV700 variants a normal driver help suite that features autonomous emergency braking (AEB), lane-keep help, and adaptive cruise management. It may possibly’t come to the body-on-frame Scorpio quickly sufficient.
Given we don’t know pricing but and we haven’t pushed the automobile on Australian soil, I’ll must withhold full judgement of the XUV700 till then.
What I’ll say although, is that if Mahindra Automotive Australia can get the pricing of the XUV700 excellent, then it may undoubtedly be an interesting various to established competitors.
Click on the pictures for the total gallery
MORE: Every little thing Mahindra XUV700
