Sparkling XUV700 Brings Value to Seven-seat SUV Sector

MAHINDRA has topped its SUV range in Australia with its top-spec XUV700, a seven-seat rival to the Mitsubishi Outlander and Nissan X-Trail but with a budget entry price of $36,990.

The XUV700 is the second new-generation Mahindra SUV, and in the showroom, it sits alongside the more off-road competent Scorpio.

The Indian car-maker also has the Pikup ute which is tailored more to the commercial — and particularly agricultural — sector.

Mahindra, the world’s biggest tractor manufacturer by volume and a company increasingly expanding its model line into SUVs, is using Australia as one of its key launchpads for its vehicles to go into other markets.

The XUV700, which replaces the slow-selling XUV500, is an all-new model on a fresh monocoque platform. It arrives in Australia as a front-wheel drive turbo-petrol variant with automatic transmission, with Mahindra indicating that a diesel all-wheel drive version is likely to follow at a later date.

As such, the XUV700 is a very different animal to the Scorpio, which although also a seven-seater, is built on a separate ladder frame, with a turbo-diesel engine and a 4WD system with a low-range transfer case. Scorpio’s off-road capability aligns it more to the Toyota Prado, for example, than the XUV700’s alignment with the front-drive RAV4.

Luring buyers is the success of the XUV700 in its Indian domestic market (where it was launched two years ago and has sold more than 100,000 units) is Mahindra’s solid seven-year or 150,000km warranty for Australian buyers. It also has a roadside assistance program for the same period as the warranty.

Mahindra, which now has 50 national dealers but wants 60 by the end of the year, has launched the new SUV in two grades — AX7 and AX7 L with prices at $36,990 and $39,990 (including all on-road costs) respectively. The prices are introductory and fixed until August 30.

The SUV comes with cabin features including two 10.25-inch screens (one central, the other for the driver); six-speaker audio; Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; large 1.3m long panoramic ‘Skyroof’; air vents for the three seat rows; synthetic leather upholstery; leather steering wheel; and electric driver’s seat.

The more expensive L version adds Sony 12-speaker audio; wireless charging for mobile phones; telescopic steering wheel adjustment; driver’s knee airbag; electric park brake; surround-view camera; and blind-spot viewer.

Outside, the XUV700 gets 18-inch alloy wheels and LED headlights and indicators.

Safety equipment is comprehensive, with automatic emergency braking, radar-based adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assistance, speed-sign recognition and LED headlights with automatic high-beam. 

Navigation is not part of the package with owners using obliged to use their mobile phone system.

All XUV700s get a responsive 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine that is developed by Mahindra. This engine has 149kW/380Nm which is well above rival SUVs in the same price bracket.

It is mated to an Aisin six-speed torque convertor, unlike the dual-clutch or continuously variable transmission systems of its rivals.

Mahindra claims 8.3 litres/100km. The engine is tuned to run on standard 91RON unleaded petrol.

The XUV700 is now in stock at your local Mahindra dealer.

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