Flush with technology and occupant comforts, the Mahindra XUV700 AX7 L – admittedly the flagship of the three-model range – strikes the right balance between luxury travel and cost of operation, giving it a high value in terms of value for money.
In a declining economy beset with a swathe of problems from load shedding to deteriorating roads and constant fuel price increases, value is often hard to find and achieve.
Pricing and comparison
Priced at R559 999, it comes up against the likes of the Kia Sportage 1.6T-GDI LX, Opel Grandland X 1.6T and Mazda CX5 2.0 Dynamic in terms of pricing and is the only one in that list with both seven seats and seven crash bags.
Space and loading capacity
While three rows of seats compromise luggage space, the one-touch folding on the rear row produces an instant flat floor with more than enough space for a family of four and all their holiday needs – or for quick deliveries for small business operators.
Dimensions, specifications and design
New from the ground up, the XUV700 underpins an entirely new platform and enhanced high-tensile and ultra-high tensile steels that increase the toughness and torsional rigidity while reducing the overall weight of the vehicle, contributing to reduced fuel consumption.
The all-independent suspension set-up of the XUV700 caters for varied road surfaces with a multi-link suspension, a stabiliser bar and FSD (Frequency Selective Damping) technology.
Power, transmission and engine performance
Motive power comes from a 2,0-litre mStallion turbo-petrol engine, delivering 149 kW at 5 000 r/min and torque of 380 Nm available in full from 1 750 r/min, mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission that matches the power profile of the petrol engine at South African cruising speeds.
It rides on 235/60 R18 wheels and tyres, but the spare is a space saver.
It is more powerful and has more torque than its immediate price competitors and little difficulty in maintaining cruising speed even when fully laden.
Aesthetics and exterior design
Visually, the first thing that strikes you about the XUV700 is its bold, muscular styling. The front grille is large and imposing (featuring the company’s new Twin Peaks logo), giving the SUV a commanding presence on the road.
Interior, comfort and convenience
Inside, the cabin is well-appointed and spacious, with plenty of legroom and headroom for all passengers, and the seats are comfortable and supportive, making it easy to settle in for a long journey.
On the road, the XUV700 is a pleasure to drive. The suspension is tuned for comfort, soaking up bumps and potholes comfortably. The steering is responsive, making it easy to manoeuvre in tight spaces, while the brakes are also strong, providing confident stopping power.
The XUV700 also packs advanced safety features, including anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, and hill start assist. It also has several driver assistance features like lane departure warnings, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring.
Directly in front of the driver is the new Mahindra Super screen – a combination of two high-definition 26 cm digital screens for the digital cluster and infotainment systems – that includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The flagship AX7 L boasts a 12-speaker Sony system with fully immersive 3D sound. It also offers wireless-charging, fully automatic electronic door handles – embedded to be flush with the bodywork when the vehicle is locked.
The Blind View Monitor system is standard and includes four digital cameras mounted in the nose, tailgate, and side mirrors for a 310-degree bird’s-eye view of the vehicle when manoeuvring or parking.
Carshop test drive verdict
This system can record while driving, negating the need for a traditional dashcam.
Fuel consumption during the Carshop.co.za test came in at 11,7 l/100 km, including some fully laden excursions in heavy city traffic. However, this dropped to 8,6 l/100 km at a steady cruising speed on the open road, averaging 10,1 l/100 km.
Mahindra has earned its stripes regarding the fit, finish and presentation of the new generation product it is launching, and the XUV700 leads that charge.
