Mahindra XUV700 one of India’s best-selling SUV, combining premium features with a powerful engine and tech-loaded cabin. The owner has driven the SUV for over 3 months and covered more than 3600 km; he shares his experience, focusing on the SUV overall performance, comfort, technology, and areas that need improvement. Here’s a detailed review of what the XUV700 has to offer.

Cabin Experience and Space Management

The owner says the XUV700’s cabin feels premium and well-appointed, especially with its dual-screen layout and soft-touch finishes. According to him, the second-row comfort is excellent, offering good legroom and adjustable backrest recline. He mentions that while the third row can accommodate adults for short distances, it’s more suitable for kids or occasional use. He also highlights that the boot space with all three rows up is extremely limited—only small bags or laptop bags fit—but folding the third row offers decent luggage capacity for weekend trips. The owner appreciates the impressive cabin insulation, which keeps outside noise minimal and enhances overall comfort.

Features and Technology Usage

The owner finds the tech-loaded cabin to be one of the SUV’s biggest strengths. He specifically mentions the dual-zone climate control, 360-degree camera with blind view monitor, and the seamless performance of wireless Android Auto. However, he points out that ventilated seats feel weak and navigating the touchscreen to access them is inconvenient. He appreciates the responsiveness of the AdrenoX system but mentions occasional bugs. The built-in Alexa assistant, in his experience, works well only in areas with good Vodafone network coverage. He’s glad Mahindra retained physical controls for the AC, saying it’s far more intuitive while driving.

Driving Performance and Engine Refinement

The owner is highly impressed with the performance of the 2.0L turbo petrol engine. He says the SUV offers punchy power delivery, no turbo lag, and quick acceleration even with a full load of passengers. He feels the 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox shifts smoothly and responds well to throttle inputs. What stands out most to him is the engine’s refinement—he notes that it remains silent and vibration-free even during hard acceleration. He also praises the high-speed stability, saying the SUV feels confident and planted on highways, flyovers, and open stretches of road.

Ride Comfort, Handling & Practicality

The owner feels the XUV700 strikes a good balance between ride comfort and handling. He mentions the suspension does a good job in most scenarios but can feel slightly firm over sharp potholes. On highways, he observed that the suspension doesn’t absorb sudden undulations quickly, occasionally causing a thud. Despite this, he finds the ride comfortable for long distances and says the SUV remains stable with minimal body roll. The owner also highlights the light steering at low speeds and its weighty feel at higher speeds, which gives him confidence during highway runs and tight urban turns.

Fuel Efficiency Insights

In terms of mileage, the owner reports city figures ranging from 7.5 – 9 kmpl depending on traffic. On highway drives with cruise control, the mileage improves to about 11.5 – 13.2 kmpl. With his regular usage pattern—around 70% city and 30% outer part of city – he gets an average of 10 – 10.5 kmpl. He acknowledges that while the petrol XUV700 isn’t the most fuel-efficient SUV, the performance and refinement it offers make the trade-off worthwhile. For buyers with heavy running, he recommends looking at the diesel version instead.

Positive

• Premium cabin with soft-touch materials and dual-screen layout.
• Excellent second-row comfort with ample legroom and adjustable backrest.
• Tech-loaded cabin with features like dual-zone climate control, 360-degree camera, and wireless Android Auto.
• Responsive and smooth 2.0 L turbo petrol engine with punchy performance.
• 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox that shifts seamlessly.
• Impressive high-speed stability and good highway handling.
• Comfortable ride, with light steering at low speeds and a confident feel at higher speeds.
• Good city-to-highway mileage (10-10.5 kmpl average).
• Strong road presence and premium design.

Negative

• Third-row seats are best suited for kids or occasional use due to limited space.
• Limited boot space with all three rows up.
• Ventilated seats are weak in performance and inconvenient to operate.
• Occasional bugs in the AdrenoX infotainment system.
• Built-in Alexa works best only with a good network connection (Vodafone).
• Suspension feels slightly firm over sharp potholes and undulations.

Verdict

The owner feels the Mahindra XUV700 AX7L Petrol AT offers a premium driving experience with impressive performance, technology, and comfort. Despite a few drawbacks like weak ventilated seats and limited third-row space, the overall package provides strong value. It’s an excellent choice for those seeking a feature-rich, powerful, and comfortable 7-seater SUV with good highway performance, though it may not be the best for those needing maximum practicality in the third row or a softer suspension setup.

Source: Geekyranjit