Mahindra XUV700

The Perfect Family SUV?

If you’re over 30 and reading this, you probably remember what Mahindra used to be, not what it is today. If someone said Mahindra, the only two words to follow it up were either ‘Thar’ or ‘Bolero’. No one wants to talk about the Verito. 

Cut to the 2020s, and Mahindra is associated with stylish, comfortable, and capable SUVs that are also, dare I say, luxurious at times. Sure, they’ll tackle bad roads and take you to Leh, but ‘agricultural’ is not a word you’d associate with Mahindra SUVs anymore. If the XUV 500, launched back in 2011, kicked off this revolution, the XUV 700 is the evolution of that changing philosophy. Has this evolution resulted in the perfect family SUV for you? Read on to find out. 

XUV 700 Pros and Cons

XUV 700 Exterior Design 

What makes a good looking car? Is it road presence? The way the lights and other exterior titbits integrate into the body? Or is it simpler things like picking just the right shade  to accentuate a car’s curves and bodylines? 

With the XUV 700, the maturity in design language is apparent, barring the flush door handles that this reviewer is personally, not a fan of. Even the 18 inch wheels are proportional to a car that is now longer at 4,695 mm and 1,890 mm wide, something a lot of car makers end up getting wrong. The headlamps with DRLs flow nicely into the front bumper and although the front grill looks great, it could have looked a bit more butch and prominent. The entire silhouette of the car is similar to that of the XUV 500 without the exaggerated curves the 500 was known for. Overall, the XUV 700 is a handsome looking thing that should age gracefully. 

XUV 700 Interiors 

Inside the XUV 700, it is difficult to pick one party piece that really stands out. And that’s a good thing. From the flowing infotainment and information displays—that are 10.25 inches each and nicely packed behind a lovely piece of glass—to the rest of the centre console, the interiors feel upmarket and you do get what you pay for. The toggle switches under the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning) unit are a nice touch and give an otherwise sedan-like interior that majestic SUV feel. The piano black touches, although they look nice, are a fingerprint magnet and prone to scratches. One will have to take good care of them to ensure they age well. 

One gripe is the wooden finish on the door panels—they just look cheap and out of place. Mahindra would have been well advised to stick to the leatherette treatment the dashboard gets here as well. No matter which seat you’re in, you’ll be treated to a beautiful panoramic sunroof that adds to an already roomy and airy feeling interior, just make sure to keep it shut during warm and sunny days, as the cabin will heat up fast and even the AC won’t be able to keep up.

Finally, the boot space is measly with all three rows up (assuming you opted for the three-row variant) at just 240 litres. However, things change dramatically with the third row down, and there’s enough room to pack all the luggage you could need for a long road trip. 

XUV 700 Comfort 

Is it really a family SUV if it isn’t comfortable? The XUV 700 rarely puts a foot wrong here. The front seats are well contoured and roomy, and the middle row can seat three adults comfortably with enough legroom. Mahindra, however, could and should have given the option for captain seats like some of its rivals, as the XUV 700 seems like the perfect car for it. The third row is strictly for shorter adults or children and there is very little under thigh support on offer here. There is also no option for cooled seats, not even in the front, which is a bit disappointing considering Indian driving conditions.

Performance and Handling

With a kerb weight of 2 tonnes, the XUV 700 needed a motor with enough grunt to haul this chunky SUV and its passengers on those long road trips without breaking a sweat. Whether you choose the 2.0L turbo petrol mStallion, or the 2.2L turbo diesel mHawk, power is not something you’ll be left wanting, and the petrol XUV 700 will do the 0 to 100 sprint in under 10 seconds. For context, that’s quicker than the 2023 Honda City petrol CVT, a sedan with better aerodynamics and about 900 kilograms lighter. Mahindra also chose to stick to a traditional torque converter in the automatic variants, which not only shifts smoother than most torque converters out there, but should also prove to be more reliable long term compared to dual clutch transmissions. 

Out on the highway, overtakes are a breeze and even at higher RPMs, the engine refinement means the sound isn’t too intrusive, especially with the petrol. Just be careful on sharper turns, because although this is one of the best handling SUVs in the segment, it is still an SUV and can get unsettled if pushed too hard. However, the suspension is balanced very well overall, handling bad roads well. 

Mahindra XUV700 Key Specifications

Safety Features

Not only does the XUV 700 get a Global NCAP rating of five stars, the “feature-packed” theme continues when it comes to the list of safety features as well. There is one caveat though, and that is you have to go for the middle or top end variants to get all the bells and whistles. For example, the bottom end MX variant only gets two airbags for the front passengers, while the AX5 gets four airbags. Only the top of the line AX7 comes equipped with seven airbags. Considering even the MX costs ₹14 lakhs ex-showroom and already feels quite bare boned, this is a bit disappointing. 

Technology and Infotainment

With the XUV 500, you got the feeling that the engineers first designed a beautiful SUV that was rugged and perfect for Indian driving conditions, and then proceeded to add bits of technology and creature comforts. With the 700 it feels like the cabin was designed to look and feel like something from the future, the computers were added, and then the engineers went “Oh right, need to give it four wheels and a steering don’t we?”. And that’s not a bad thing! 

For decades SUVs have lagged behind sedans when it came to tech, and the XUV 700 has changed that narrative. While the usual suspects such as ABS, EBD, TC, and ESP are present, the standout feature is Level 2 ADAS that allows you to not only rest your feet but also your hands while driving. Just don’t take any naps, please. While the computers keep you safe, the infotainment system ensures your journey is melodious with the 12-speaker Sony system. While the sound is good, it’s nothing extraordinary and you are especially left wanting more bass. 

Is the XUV 700 For You?

As far as family SUVs go, you cannot go wrong with the XUV 700. Not only is it comfortable for larger groups, it also has a mean side to it that will keep the person driving grinning all the way to their destination. While there are other, more reliable options on the market, Mahindra really seem to have gone the extra mile when it comes to quality here, and that should alleviate any concerns over maintenance and reliability. If you have the space to park it, go for it with your eyes closed.