By NAKAMPE LEKWADU
The latest Mahindra XUV700 model boasts an updated design giving it a bold look without over-the-top tweaks to allow the seven-seater to remain a family-friendly large SUV.
The 2025 model embodies the spirit of adventure, offering a perfect blend of performance, comfort and versatility.
Styling
It’s unassuming and unobtrusive, blending well into any parking lot. It’s less brash and lary than some of its Chinese segment competitors and would appear to have a larger appeal across the market. It has some standout elements like the popout door handles, which take some getting used to, and its DRL signature that doesn’t quite look like any other SUV crossover.
Outside of a few marked styling elements, everything else you might find at the mall or school drop-off zone looks like everything else. We did have a few folks stop us and ask about the car, which indicates that the general public is noticing this new styling trend that Mahindra has started with its product range.
The Drive & Performance
All models are front-wheel drive, which means that the XUV700 isn’t suited to off-road activity, but the occasional gravel drive shouldn’t be a problem.
The suspension may be somewhat firm, but it is perfectly fine for the short suburban commute. The brakes are progressive in feel and bring the XUV neatly to a stop without feeling grabby. The throttle programming is spot on, with immediate response when applying pressure to the pedal. There is no delay in pedal input and engine speed progression.
Mahindra offers the XUV700 with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine producing 149kW and 380Nm. It’s mated with a six-speed automatic transmission sourced from Aisin. The XUV700 may be big, but it is surprisingly nimble. It can do the 0-100km sprint in 9.5 seconds and shifts gears seamlessly. Mahindra puts the XUV700 fuel economy at 12.3km/L, but the bulky SUV can return the fuel economy of less than 10.5km per litre through smoother driving.
Space & Comfort
The interior of the XUV700 has three rows of seating, although the third row is only for emergency seating as it reduces the rear cargo zone to almost nothing.
The seats, door cards, and dashboard are covered in soft leatherette.
Nestled in the dashboard is a 10.25-inch infotainment screen with Android Auto and Apple Car Play but no wireless connectivity. If you want smartphone compatibility, you need to tether with a cable, which is odd considering the wireless charging bay for smartphones.
Occupants will be comfy with fully automatic climate control and can enjoy the scenery through the large windows and panoramic sunroof.
Safety
As of January 2025, the Mahindra XUV700 hasn’t been tested by ANCAP or Euro NCAP, but it scored a five-star adult protection rating in Global NCAP tests, which was achieved by crashing testing the Indian-specification vehicle, which only has two airbags.
Some of the safety features the Mahindra XU700 boasts are:
Adaptive cruise control
Smart Pilot Assist
Lane keep assist
Traffic sign recognition
Reversing camera
Post-collision braking
Front, front-side and curtain airbags
Blind-spot view monitor
Surround-view cameras
Knee airbag
Adaptive cruise control with stop/go
Pricing
Mahindra XUV700 2.0T AX5                 R495 199
Mahindra XUV700 2.0T AX7                  R551 399
Mahindra XUV700 2.0T AX7L                R599 999
Mahindra XUV700 2.0T AX7L Black Edition    R627 900
*The XUV700 is sold with a 5-year / 150 000km warranty and service plan
