Mahindra XUV 700: The morning mist hangs heavy over the winding roads of Lonavala as I guide the Mahindra XUV 700 through another sweeping bend.
Four days into my weeklong evaluation across Maharashtra’s diverse topography, this flagship SUV continues to reveal new facets of its character—sometimes impressive, occasionally frustrating, but never mundane.
In a market increasingly crowded with me-too offerings, the XUV 700 stands as a bold statement of intent from an automaker determined to shed its utilitarian image and challenge established players on both features and value.
Mahindra XUV 700 First Impressions: Presence That Commands Attention
Parked at a viewpoint overlooking the verdant Western Ghats, the XUV 700 cuts an imposing figure that commands attention without resorting to the excessive chrome or overstyled elements that plague many contemporary SUVs.
Mahindra’s design team has created something distinctive yet cohesive—a vehicle that communicates capability and modernity in equal measure.
“We approached the XUV 700’s design with the intention of creating something uniquely Indian yet globally relevant,” explains Pratap Bose, Chief Design Officer at Mahindra, during a conversation at the vehicle’s launch event last year.
“The goal wasn’t to follow European or Asian design trends but to establish our own design language that reflects both our heritage and our future direction.”
This philosophy manifests in the vehicle’s front fascia, which features Mahindra’s new “twin peaks” logo centered within a bold grille pattern. Flanking this are sleek LED headlamps with distinctive C-shaped daytime running lights that give the XUV 700 an unmistakable signature, especially at night.
The headlamps themselves incorporate segment-first intelligent high beam assist that automatically adjusts illumination patterns to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers.
The side profile reveals well-balanced proportions that manage to mask the vehicle’s substantial dimensions. At 4,695mm in length, 1,890mm in width, and 1,755mm in height, the XUV 700 occupies significant road space, yet clever design elements like the floating roof effect and rising character line prevent it from appearing overly bulky. The flush-fitting door handles—which deploy outward when approached with the key fob—add a premium touch rarely seen at this price point.
At the rear, LED taillights with sequential turn indicators complement arrow-shaped brake lamps, creating visual interest without appearing overwrought.
The tailgate opens to reveal a practical luggage compartment, though the high loading lip requires more effort when handling heavier items—a minor but noticeable compromise.
Available in five solid and two dual-tone color options, the XUV 700 offers reasonable personalization. My test unit wears the Midnight Black paint—a sophisticated choice that highlights the vehicle’s lines while concealing the inevitable dust accumulation during extended journeys.
Inside Story: Technology Meets Practicality
Step inside the XUV 700, and you’re immediately struck by the panoramic view created by what Mahindra calls the “Command Seating Position.
The elevated perch provides excellent visibility in all directions, inspiring confidence when navigating both congested urban environments and narrow rural roads.
The sensation of spaciousness is enhanced by the large glass area, including the optional panoramic sunroof that bathes the cabin in natural light.
Dominating the dashboard is the “AdrenoX” infotainment system, featuring twin 10.25-inch screens—one serving as the instrument cluster, the other handling entertainment and vehicle functions.
The interface proves reasonably intuitive, with crisp graphics and acceptable response times, though occasional lag becomes noticeable when switching rapidly between functions.
The integrated Amazon Alexa functionality adds voice control capabilities beyond the basic commands found in most competitors, allowing for natural language queries that mostly work as advertised.
Material quality impresses in visually prominent areas, with soft-touch surfaces on the dashboard and door uppers complemented by convincing leatherette on higher trim levels. Lower down, harder plastics reveal the vehicle’s price positioning, but they’re generally well-textured and appear durable.
The leather-wrapped steering wheel (in higher variants) provides a premium touch point, though the glossy piano black trim elsewhere will likely show scratches and dust over time—a common issue across manufacturers that emphasize contemporary aesthetics over practical durability.
Front seat comfort deserves particular praise. The driver’s seat in higher variants offers 6-way electrical adjustment with memory function, while both front seats feature excellent bolstering that balances support during enthusiastic driving with comfort during longer journeys. The optional ventilated front seats proved invaluable during my drive through Maharashtra’s more humid coastal regions.
Second-row accommodation impresses with generous legroom and reasonable headroom despite the intrusion of the panoramic sunroof. The bench slides fore and aft, allowing passengers to prioritize either personal space or third-row legroom as needed.
The nearly flat floor enhances the sense of spaciousness, making the middle seat more usable than in many competitors with prominent transmission tunnels.
The third row, while not exactly generous, proves more habitable than many seven-seater SUVs in this segment. Adults of average height can manage shorter journeys without excessive discomfort, while children will find the space entirely adequate. Thoughtfully positioned air vents and USB charging ports ensure that even third-row occupants remain comfortable and connected.
Storage solutions abound throughout the cabin, from the reasonably sized glovebox to the deep door pockets capable of accommodating 1-liter bottles.
The center console incorporates a cleverly designed multi-level storage system, with wireless charging for compatible devices in higher trims. Particularly welcome is the cooled storage compartment, which maintains beverages at pleasant temperatures during extended summer drives.
Heartbeat: Powertrains and Performance
Under the hood, the XUV 700 offers two distinct powertrains, each with its own character and target audience. The 2.0-liter mStallion turbocharged petrol engine produces an impressive 200 PS at 5,000 rpm and 380 Nm of torque between 1,750-3,000 rpm.
This unit delivers genuinely spirited performance, with Mahindra claiming a 0-100 km/h time of approximately 9.8 seconds—respectable figures for a vehicle of this size and weight.
The 2.2-liter mHawk diesel engine comes in two states of tune. Lower variants produce 155 PS and 360 Nm, while higher trims benefit from 185 PS and either 420 Nm (manual) or 450 Nm (automatic)—figures that place it among the most powerful diesel SUVs in its class.
The diesel’s substantial torque provides effortless progress regardless of load, making it the more sensible choice for those who frequently travel with multiple passengers or luggage.
Transmission options include a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed torque converter automatic sourced from Aisin. The manual offers precise if somewhat long throws, with a clutch that’s reasonably light given the torque being managed.
The automatic, while not the quickest-shifting unit in its class, delivers smooth transitions between ratios and responds adequately to throttle inputs.
Paddle shifters would have been a welcome addition for enthusiastic driving, though their absence is hardly a dealbreaker for the typical usage pattern.
During my testing across varied roads from Mumbai’s congested streets to the flowing hillsides around Lonavala, the diesel automatic proved impressively versatile.
In urban environments, the abundance of low-end torque makes light work of stop-and-go traffic, while highway cruising reveals a relaxed character with the engine turning at just 1,800 rpm at 100 km/h. Push harder, and the diesel responds with a surge of mid-range punch that makes overtaking maneuvers both safe and satisfying.
Fuel efficiency from the diesel unit proved reasonable given the vehicle’s size and performance, returning approximately 14-15 km/l in mixed driving conditions.
The petrol naturally consumes more, averaging around 10-11 km/l during similar usage—acceptable figures given the performance on offer but something to consider for those covering higher annual mileages.
On the Move: Dynamics and Refinement
The XUV 700’s road manners represent perhaps its most significant advancement over its predecessor. The monocoque construction provides a level of structural rigidity that translates to more confident handling and reduced NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness) levels compared to traditional body-on-frame SUVs.
The suspension—frequency-selective dampers up front and a multi-link setup at the rear—delivers a well-judged balance between comfort and control.
Primary ride over larger undulations remains composed, while secondary ride—the filtering of high-frequency vibrations from road texture—shows reasonable refinement for a vehicle in this segment. Only particularly sharp-edged imperfections like expansion joints or poorly repaired potholes transmit harshness into the cabin.
Steering feel, often a weakness in electronically assisted systems, deserves particular praise. The weighting strikes a nice balance—light enough for easy maneuverability in tight spaces yet gaining appropriate heft as speeds increase. While feedback remains limited compared to hydraulic systems of yesteryear, the precision allows for confident placement on narrower roads.
Wind and road noise are well controlled by segment standards, though not entirely banished. At highway speeds, there’s some wind rush around the A-pillars and side mirrors, while tire roar varies with surface quality.
The overall refinement approaches premium European offerings without quite matching their benchmark isolation—a reasonable compromise given the price positioning.
The braking system—discs at all four corners—delivers good stopping power with progressive pedal feel, though repeated hard applications on mountain descents can lead to some fade.
The electronic stability control intervenes smoothly when needed, maintaining vehicle composure without abrupt corrections that might unsettle less experienced drivers.
Safety: Raising the Bar
Safety equipment represents one of the XUV 700’s most compelling selling points. The Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) package includes adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, lane keeping assist, and traffic sign recognition—features typically associated with vehicles costing significantly more.
These systems generally work as advertised, though with the occasional false positive that plagues most camera-based implementations. The lane keeping assist, for instance, sometimes struggles with India’s inconsistently marked roads, while the traffic sign recognition occasionally misreads partially obscured signage. These minor quirks aside, the systems add a genuine layer of safety that could prove invaluable in preventing or mitigating accidents.
Passive safety features include up to seven airbags, electronic stability control, and a surprisingly rigid body structure that helped the XUV 700 achieve a 5-star Global NCAP rating—a significant achievement for an Indian-developed vehicle.
The 360-degree camera system proves invaluable when maneuvering this substantial SUV in tight spaces, though resolution could be improved for better clarity, particularly in low-light conditions.
Ownership Considerations: The Long-Term View
With prices ranging from approximately ₹13.45 lakh for the base MX petrol variant to ₹24.95 lakh for the fully-loaded AX7 Luxury Pack diesel automatic (ex-showroom), the XUV 700 spans a wide spectrum that allows it to compete with everything from premium hatchbacks to entry-level luxury SUVs.
Running costs remain reasonable given the performance and features on offer. Service intervals are specified at every 10,000 kilometers or one year, whichever comes first.
Mahindra’s “With You Hamesha” program offers transparent maintenance packages that provide cost predictability, an important consideration for value-conscious buyers calculating total ownership expenses.
Warranty coverage stands at 3 years or 100,000 kilometers, extendable to 5 years or 150,000 kilometers at additional cost. The powertrain components receive extended coverage of 5 years or 150,000 kilometers as standard—a vote of confidence in their long-term durability.
Mahindra’s service network, while not as extensive as market leader Maruti Suzuki, has expanded significantly in recent years, with facilities now available in most major cities and many smaller towns.
The company has invested substantially in technician training specific to the XUV 700’s more advanced systems, addressing potential concerns about maintenance complexity.
Mahindra XUV 700 Conclusion: Ambition Realized, Mostly
As I return the XUV 700 after my extended evaluation, I find myself genuinely impressed by what Mahindra has accomplished. The vehicle isn’t perfect—occasional electronics glitches, some inconsistent material quality in less visible areas, and the high loading lip for the luggage compartment represent areas for potential improvement in future updates.
Yet these minor critiques fade when considering the overall package and its positioning. The XUV 700 delivers a combination of design, technology, performance, and safety that would have seemed unimaginable from an Indian manufacturer just a few years ago.
It represents not just a competitive product but a statement of intent from Mahindra—proof that the company can develop vehicles that compete on features and engineering rather than merely price.
For buyers seeking a genuinely capable family SUV with modern technology and safety features, the XUV 700 presents a compelling proposition that demands serious consideration alongside established players.
In successfully balancing aspiration with accessibility, Mahindra hasn’t just created a worthy flagship—they’ve redefined expectations for what an Indian SUV can be. And that might be its most significant achievement of all.