Accessible News

Top storiesNew ZealandPoliticsBusinessEntertainmentSportsWorld

First drive: Mahindra XUV700

Monday, 3 April 2023

It doesn’t matter whether it’s in a sports car or a 7-seater SUV, you don’t turn down the chance to drive on a race track ...
It doesn’t matter whether it’s in a sports car or a 7-seater SUV, you don’t turn down the chance to drive on a race track ...
‘Rage Red’ is the XUV700’s most striking hue.
‘Rage Red’ is the XUV700’s most striking hue.
Mahindra has revealed five new all-electric SUVs under the XUV and BE sub-brands.

It wasn’t that long ago that almost all of the major mid-size SUVs on the market were priced from that magical, mythical $39,990 mark. This unspoken price point has of course been decimated by Covid-19 and all of its unfortunate attachments. The only one that hasn’t moved over 40 is the Toyota RAV4 GX, but good luck getting one – it’s sold out for the rest of the year.

How daring and bold it is then for Mahindra to launch its all-new XUV700 at a mind-boggling $36,990 for the 5-seater and $40,990 for the base 7-seater. Heck, the top spec model with all the fruit is $43,990. We attended the big Mahindra’s launch event to see if it’s a worthy competitor.

Make me an instant expert: what do I need to know?

The twin 10.25-inch screens make the Mahindra feel bang up to date inside.
The twin 10.25-inch screens make the Mahindra feel bang up to date inside.

The XUV700 is the foundation of Mahindra’s new attack on the New Zealand market. Despite being an enormous, diversified, juggernaut of a company, and hailing from the largest right-hand drive market on the planet, Mahindra is still a relatively fringe carmaker in New Zealand. It hopes that its planned schedule of all-new SUVs could soon change that.

**READ MORE:

White faux-leather upholstery is standard in the AX7 and AX7L.
White faux-leather upholstery is standard in the AX7 and AX7L.

* Korean car company set for shock name change

* Volkswagen to electrify Mahindra

A peek at the sixth and seventh seats, best suited for kids and teens.
A peek at the sixth and seventh seats, best suited for kids and teens.

* Ford will cease making cars in India, take US$2 billion hit

* Indian carmaker unveils bold plans for New Zealand push

The XUV700 is capable of almost nudging 160kph on the front straight of Hampton Downs. Do not try this at home ...
The XUV700 is capable of almost nudging 160kph on the front straight of Hampton Downs. Do not try this at home ...

* Road test review: Toyota Highlander Limited ZR Hybrid

* Mahindra to be next big thing in NZ motoring

The XUV700’s styling and silhouette are less challenging on the eyes than its XUV500 predecessor.
The XUV700’s styling and silhouette are less challenging on the eyes than its XUV500 predecessor.

**

Calling the 700 (pronounced ‘seven double oh’) the ‘big Mahindra’ isn’t just casual labelling. This is a big vehicle. It’s 28mm wider and 10mm taller than its closest three-row rival, the Mitsubishi Outlander. And whilst it’s a touch shorter in length (15mm to be exact), it packs an extra 44mm between the wheels.

Just one powertrain is being offered at launch; a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol making 149kW of power and 380Nm of torque.

That’s a more than 100Nm advantage over the aforementioned RAV4 and Outlander – regardless of whether you’re comparing pure petrol or electrified models. Oddly enough, this advantage doesn’t translate to a bigger towing capacity, with the XUV700’ 1500kgs pipped by the RAV4’s 1900kg and the Outlander’s 2000kg.

It’s roomy up front and even more so in the second row, thanks most likely to that commendable wheelbase figure. Room in the third row is a little less generous, although those that pull the short straw do get their own dedicated air-conditioning vents and cup holders.

Mahindra didn’t provide specific boot space numbers, but it’s rather commodious when the third row is folded flat. Less so when it’s up.

Those shopping at the more affordable end of the car market used to have to concede that they would have to miss out on certain tech luxuries. But that’s not really the case with the Mahindra. All models get dual 10.25-inch screens, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, LED daytime running lights, a panoramic sunroof, radar cruise, and more.

Along with its two extra seats the AX7 adds an electric memory driver’s seat, push-button start, 18-inch wheels, white faux leather upholstery (a standard hue across all 7-seater models), and dual-zone climate. And the flagship AX7L adds a 445-watt Sony sound system, a 360-degree camera, electric handbrake, electric smart door handles, wireless charging, and more.

Disappointingly, the base AX5 misses out on a good helping of safety tech, much of which is standard fare in other low-cost rivals. Active features like radar cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, and traffic sign detection only come equipped on the AX7 and up. As it stands, the Mahindra only comes with a ‘Global New Car Assessment Programme’ 5-star safety rating, although the brand says the model will also be tested by Australia’s ANCAP in the future.

Where did you drive it?

So, a 7-seater SUV, eh. An ideal drive location might be a route through some urban sprawl with a bit of motorway chucked in. Perhaps with a dash of twisty stuff scattered on top? Well, no. Instead we bombed the new XUV700 around Hampton Downs Motorsport Park for a morning, at speeds exceeding 150kph.

An odd choice to be sure, but I suppose a confident one, too, underlining the company’s mood around its new toy’s capabilities. And yes, the XUV700 did impress around the Waikato racecourse.

It’s surprisingly eager on turn in, aided by its independent rear suspension and torque vectoring system, but limited somewhat by tyres that are clearly more geared towards commuting than apex hunting. Body roll is limited and well managed. And it was quick enough to hit some fairly high speeds.

Without a doubt it was impressive, although given how few of its peers I’ve ever fanged around a race track, it’s hard to quantify what we learned on the day. Indeed, calls of praise from members of Mahindra’s team about how quiet it is on coarse chip-seal roads, while nice to hear, couldn’t be verified given that the Hampton Downs racing surface is as smooth as a silk sari.

There were a few things we could discern, though. The powertrain and Aisin-sourced 6-speed auto combo works reasonably well together, and feel significantly more refined than what featured in the last Mahindra SUV launched Down Under; the XUV500. Its interior quality is also leagues ahead of its predecessor. The minimalist dash is executed well and feels soundly bolted together. The touchscreens were a little slow and fiddly, but the menus within are neatly presented (even including a G-metre and lap-time tracker, for some reason).

What’s the pick of the range?

The flagship $43,990 AX7L is surely the volume favourite thanks to its maximised practicality and added electrics and safety spec. It’s where my money would go, especially considering the base model’s safety spec shortcomings.

Why would I buy it?

The XUV700 is the right product at the right price at the right time for the cost of living crisis generation (those with 30 to 40-odd grand rattling around in their savings, at least). Decent styling, a spacious cabin, oodles of practicality, a solid warranty, and impressive pricing makes this by far the most compelling product Mahindra has offered in New Zealand thus far.

Why wouldn’t I buy it?

The lack of an electrified powertrain is one of its few glaring shortcomings, and hopefully something Mahindra is closer to rectifying by the end of the year. At the launch, the brand confirmed that there are plans for one in the future. We can only wonder where such a vehicle would slot in relative to the BYD Atto 3s and MG ZS EVs of the world.