Mahindra XUV 700: In a market once dominated by international brands, the Mahindra XUV 700 stands as compelling evidence of India’s automotive coming-of-age.
Launched to considerable fanfare in 2021, this midsize SUV hasn’t merely joined the segment—it has fundamentally altered the conversation around what Indian manufacturers can achieve when they combine global engineering talent with deep local knowledge.
Neither an evolution of its predecessor nor a derivative of foreign design, the XUV 700 represents Mahindra’s most comprehensive attempt to create a world-class vehicle with distinctly Indian sensibilities.
Mahindra XUV 700 A Bold Visual Statement
First impressions matter, and the XUV 700 demands attention from the moment it appears in your rearview mirror. The front fascia features what Mahindra calls the “piano black grille” with the new Twin Peaks logo centered prominently, flanked by slim LED headlamps with distinctive C-shaped daytime running lights.
These elements combine to create a face that’s assertive without resorting to the excessive aggression that characterizes some competitors.
Move around to the profile, and the XUV 700’s substantial dimensions become apparent. At 4,695mm long and 1,890mm wide, it occupies road space with confidence.
The strong shoulder line rises slightly toward the rear, creating a subtle wedge shape that prevents the tall body from appearing slab-sided. The 18-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels fill the arches properly, striking an appropriate balance between aesthetics and ride comfort.
Perhaps most impressive is how Mahindra’s designers have maintained family resemblance to the original XUV 500 while creating something thoroughly modern. “We wanted to respect the vehicle’s heritage without being constrained by it,” explained a Mahindra design executive during the launch event.
This philosophy is particularly evident in the rear treatment, where the vertical taillights echo the previous generation while incorporating LED elements in a more contemporary execution.
The overall aesthetic successfully threads the needle between traditional SUV ruggedness and modern premium sensibilities—no small achievement in a segment where designs often lean too heavily in one direction or the other.
Cabin Craftsmanship: A New Standard
If the exterior represents evolution, the interior marks a revolution in Mahindra’s approach to cabin design. Open the door, and you’re greeted by an environment that bears little resemblance to previous Mahindra products.
The dashboard is dominated by twin 10.25-inch screens—one serving as the instrument cluster and the other handling infotainment duties.
These high-resolution displays are housed under a single glass panel, creating a panoramic digital cockpit that would look at home in luxury European offerings.
Materials quality demonstrates a step-change improvement. The upper dashboard features soft-touch surfaces with convincing stitching details, while the leather upholstery in higher trims offers good tactile quality. Brushed aluminum-effect trim pieces break up the darker surfaces effectively, and ambient lighting adds atmosphere after sunset.
The designers have wisely resisted the temptation to eliminate physical controls entirely. Climate functions retain dedicated buttons and knobs, allowing adjustments without diving into touch menus—a thoughtful concession to usability over technological showboating. The multifunction steering wheel strikes a similar balance, offering comprehensive control without bewildering complexity.
Seating comfort received considerable attention during development. The front seats offer good under-thigh support and appropriate side bolstering, while power adjustment in higher trims makes finding the ideal position straightforward.
The driver’s seat includes memory function—a segment-first feature that demonstrates Mahindra’s commitment to meaningful rather than merely marketable innovations.
The XUV 700 comes in both six and seven-seat configurations, with the former offering captain’s chairs in the second row. The third row can accommodate adults for shorter journeys, though it’s best suited to children on longer trips—a common characteristic of vehicles in this class. With all seats in place, the boot offers 226 liters of storage, expanding to a substantial 733 liters with the third row folded.
Technological Tour de Force
Technology integration represents perhaps the XUV 700’s most significant departure from Mahindra’s previous offerings. The AdrenoX system powering the touchscreen infotainment system was developed in collaboration with technology partners including Sony and Amazon, resulting in a responsive interface with crisp graphics and intuitive menu structures.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, while built-in navigation with 3D maps provides guidance when smartphones aren’t connected.
The Alexa-powered voice assistant responds to natural language commands for various functions, from adjusting climate settings to providing information about the vehicle’s status.
The digital instrument cluster offers multiple display modes, allowing drivers to prioritize different information depending on their preferences. The presentation is clean and legible, avoiding the information overload that affects some fully digital systems.
Connectivity extends beyond the cabin to the Mahindra smartphone app, which enables remote monitoring and control of various vehicle functions.
Owners can check vehicle location, lock or unlock doors, and even remotely activate the climate control system—convenient on extreme temperature days.
Perhaps most impressive is the inclusion of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) in a vehicle at this price point. The XUV 700 offers adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, lane keeping assist, and traffic sign recognition—features typically associated with premium European and Japanese offerings. These systems function with reasonable refinement, if not quite matching the seamless integration of more established players.
Power and Performance: Substance Behind the Style
Mahindra offers two engine options in the XUV 700, both developed with input from their technical center in Detroit. The 2.0-liter mStallion turbocharged petrol engine produces an impressive 200 horsepower and 380 Nm of torque—figures that place it among the most powerful in its class.
The 2.2-liter mHawk diesel comes in two states of tune: 155 horsepower/360 Nm for manual variants and 185 horsepower/420 Nm for automatic versions.
Both engines can be paired with either a six-speed manual or six-speed torque converter automatic transmission. The diesel-automatic combination proves particularly well-matched, with the generous torque output complemented by reasonably responsive shifts.
The manual offers precise if slightly notchy changes, with a progressive clutch action that makes city driving less taxing than some rivals.
Performance impresses regardless of powertrain choice. The petrol variant accelerates from 0-100 km/h in approximately 9.8 seconds, while the more powerful diesel accomplishes the same feat in around 10.2 seconds. More relevant to everyday driving is the strong mid-range punch, which makes highway overtaking maneuvers reassuringly brief.
Dynamically, the XUV 700 demonstrates Mahindra’s growing chassis engineering expertise. The monocoque construction provides good torsional rigidity, allowing the suspension—MacPherson struts up front and a multi-link arrangement at the rear—to work effectively across various road conditions. The result is a composed ride that absorbs urban imperfections without floating on highway undulations.
Steering response represents another area of improvement over previous Mahindra products. The electrically assisted system offers appropriate weighting and reasonable feedback, allowing confident placement on narrower roads. Progressive calibration means it’s light enough for parking maneuvers while firming up appropriately at higher speeds.
Road holding proves secure rather than sporty—appropriate for a family-oriented SUV. Body roll exists but remains well controlled during typical driving, while grip levels from the 235/60 R18 tires provide a comfortable margin of safety in various conditions.
The all-wheel-drive system available on higher diesel variants adds confidence on loose surfaces, though it’s designed primarily for inclement weather rather than serious off-roading.
Braking performance comes from disc brakes all around, with good pedal feel and progressive response allowing for smooth deceleration in normal driving while providing the necessary stopping power for emergency situations.
Safety: A Core Priority
Mahindra has placed significant emphasis on safety with the XUV 700, moving beyond the regulatory minimum to deliver genuine occupant protection.
The body structure utilizes high-strength steel in critical areas, creating a rigid passenger cell with programmed crumple zones to absorb impact energy.
All variants come with at least six airbags, electronic stability control, ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution, and ISOFIX child seat anchors. Higher trims add the aforementioned ADAS features, which work together to potentially prevent accidents before they occur.
The effectiveness of these measures was validated when the XUV 700 secured a five-star safety rating in Global NCAP crash tests—a significant achievement for an Indian-developed vehicle and evidence of Mahindra’s commitment to global safety standards.
Ownership Experience: Beyond the Vehicle
Recognizing that the ownership experience extends beyond the vehicle itself, Mahindra has made concerted efforts to enhance after-sales support and build confidence in long-term reliability. The company offers a standard 3-year/unlimited kilometer warranty, extendable to 5 years for additional peace of mind.
Service intervals are set at 10,000 kilometers, with transparent maintenance packages available to provide cost predictability. The AdrenoX Connect system includes vehicle health monitoring that can identify potential issues before they cause breakdowns—a particularly valuable feature for those undertaking longer journeys.
Early production models did experience some software-related niggles, particularly with the infotainment system, but Mahindra has been proactive in addressing these through over-the-air updates—another first for an Indian manufacturer in this segment.
Market Impact: Raising Expectations
The XUV 700’s most profound impact may be how it has recalibrated expectations for Indian-manufactured vehicles. By demonstrating that homegrown products can offer design, technology, and safety comparable to international competitors—often at more accessible price points—Mahindra has forced both domestic and foreign brands to elevate their offerings.
Initial demand overwhelmed even Mahindra’s optimistic projections, with waiting periods stretching to months despite ramped-up production.
This market response validated the company’s substantial investment in research and development, while also establishing a template for future products in their portfolio.
Mahindra XUV 700 Conclusion: A Watershed Moment
The Mahindra XUV 700 represents more than just a successful product launch—it marks a watershed moment for the Indian automotive industry.
By combining thoughtful design, meaningful technology, capable performance, and comprehensive safety in a package with distinctly Indian sensibilities, Mahindra has created a vehicle that competes on merit rather than merely on price.
For consumers, the XUV 700 offers compelling value without the compromises that once characterized domestically manufactured vehicles. For the industry, it sets a new benchmark that will drive innovation and quality improvements across segments.
And for Mahindra, it serves as powerful evidence that their transformation from utility vehicle manufacturer to global automotive player is well underway.
In a market increasingly crowded with competent offerings, the XUV 700 stands out not just for what it is today, but for what it represents about the future of Indian automotive engineering. That future, based on current evidence, looks increasingly promising for both manufacturers and consumers alike.