Mahindra XUV700: Bolly good show

What is it?

We journey into the unknown this week behind the wheel of India’s Mahindra seven-seat XUV700.

The company’s relationship with Australia has its roots in the early 1990s when it sold the 4×4 Bushranger Jeep clone here.

The Pik-Up utility followed in 2007 and was joined by the more modern XUV500 SUV in 2014, in a long, drawn out, half-hearted assault on the Australian automotive market.

In fact, we struggle to remember the last Mahindra of any description that we drove, which turned out to be a Pik-Up 16 years ago.

Right now there’s a shiny new Mahindra XUV700 sitting in the driveway. 

It’s the best looking thing so far from the Indian car maker and looks like something people might want to own, so we’re keen to make up for lost time.

What’s it cost?

Mahindra says XUV700 is designed to meet the expectations of Australian consumers, with a contemporary and sophisticated SUV experience.

It has undergone rigorous testing in various countries, reportedly including Australia – to test reliability and performance in a diverse range of conditions.

XUV700 is available in two grades and five colours: entry-level AX7 priced at $36,990 and the higher-spec AX7L at $39,990.

Both prices are driveaway and it makes the entry AX7 the cheapest seven-seater in Australia.

Our test vehicle was the more expensive AX7L.

Standard kit includes dual-zone climate control and synthetic leather trim, with off-white the only colour and a six-way power-adjust driver seat.

There’s also 18-inch alloys, keyless entry with push-button start, LED head, tail and daytime running lights, auto lights and wipers, rear parking sensors, tyre pressure monitoring and six-speaker sound.

AX7 L ups the ante with pop out door handles, an electric parking brake, cooled console box, wireless phone charging, 360-degree camera, stop-and-go functionality for the adaptive cruise and  12-speaker Sony sound.

Weirdly, it also adds reach adjustment for the steering wheel (not sure why this isn’t standard to start with).

XUV700 is covered by a 7-year/150,000km warranty, with service intervals pegged at 12 months or 10,000km.

Rivals seven-seaters include LDV D90, Honda CR-V, Mitsubishi Outlander and the Nissan X-Trail.

What’s it go like?

The new badge is unfamiliar and many people are curious about what sort of car it is?

The same mainly younger people found the styling attractive and that bodes well in terms of sales.

At 4695mm in length, with a 2750mm wheelbase, XUV700 is a little longer than a Toyota RAV4.

It is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four cylinder petrol engine that delivers 149kW of power at 5000 rpm and 380Nm of torque from 1750 to 3000 rpm.

Both versions of XUV700 are fitted with a conventional six-speed automatic transmission, with drive to the front wheels.

It’s a Japanese Aisin unit and while other manufacturers may offer more cogs these days, it hooks up quickly and the changes are smooth and timely – that’s what counts.

A 2.2-litre turbo-diesel with all-wheel drive is offered in India, but only in five-seat configuration. 

While the company suggests diesel is part of the plan, it does provide a point of difference between the XUV700 and recently released Scorpio.

XUV is front-drive, petrol-powered and has an all-in-one monocoque chassis, while the similarly-sized Scorpio is all-wheel drive, diesel-powered and sits on a separate ladder chassis.

There’s no talk of a hybrid at this stage.

Advertising shows a choice of different drive modes: Zip, Zap, Zoom and Custom, but this option was absent from our test vehicle.

At the same time, the infotainment system includes a lap timer — not sure what they had in mind?

XUV700 has a 60-litre fuel tank, takes standard 91 unleaded, with claimed fuel consumption of 8.3L/100km.

We were getting 9.3L/100km after close to 400km, but the trip computer actually expresses consumption in terms of kilometres per litre.

Suspension is independent, with Mac struts at the front and a multi-link setup at the rear, with stabiliser bars and frequency selective damping.

Wheels are 18-inch diamond-cut alloys fitted with 235/60 series Indian MRF Wanderer Ecotred rubber.

A full-size steel spare wheel is mounted under the rear.

XUV700 can tow a 1500kg braked load.

Mahindra has gone for a high impact, with a cabin that is light, bright and inviting, featuring a sweeping digital instrument panel and large panoramic sunroof in both models.

Although the steering wheel and transmission level are trimmed in real leather, the rest of the upholstery is artificial.

But it still feels pretty good, especially to the untrained touch.

But, and it could be a big BUT, there’s a choice of white, white or white.

We like it, but it will be interesting to see how it stands the test of time (and grubby little fingers).

The front seats are large and comfortable and rear legroom for second row passengers is good, but the third row seats offer little legroom and are designed primarily for children.

Tall second row headrests block rear vision, making it difficult to see who if anyone is following.

Access to the third row is via the passenger side, with a single second row seat that moves forward and tumbles all in the same motion.

The third row seats fold flat when not required.

Much has been made of the XUV700’s lightweight steering setup.

It is light, there’s no doubt about that, and reflects the wagon’s primary role as city transport, where you don’t want to end up with sore arms backing and filling.

But it certainly doesn’t feel disconnected like some cars that we’ve driven.

The engine outputs are healthy, with some decent torque down low to get going quickly.

In fact, punting the XUV700 up and down some winding sections of mountain road proved enlightening.

There’s no gear change paddles, but you can change gear easily using the centre transmission lever.

Not only is ride and handling very good, it is actually a bit of fun to drive, with its torquey turbo engine.

The wagon remains reasonably stable and controlled in corners, inevitably with some body roll and tyre squeal on the way out.

Just to make sure, we drove the same route twice. Gets a tick from us.

The ride quality is particularly impressive and has obviously benefited from local tuning, which reportedly included more than 50,000 test kilometres in Australia.

What we like?

• Cheap
• Standout styling
• Light airy cabin
• Very light steering
• Sharp performance
• Seven seats

What we don’t like?

• No satnav
• No boot light
• No digital radio
• White upholstery
• Annoying auto locking
• Engine restarts with a jolt
• Headrests block rear vision

The bottom line?

Like any car the Mahindra XUV700 isn’t perfect, but it is unexpectedly good and light years ahead of the model it replaces.

Styling is contemporary and performance from the turbocharged petrol engine is sharp and satisfying.

Well equipped, with seven seats and a 7-year warranty, Mahindra’s latest offering represents real value and will appeal to cash-strapped families.

But the question of safety really needs to be addressed before the XUV700 can take its rightful place as a genuine alternative in the crowded Australian SUV market.

 

CHECKOUT: Make way for Mahindra’s ‘perfect’ XUV700

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