Mahindra XUV700 is one of those SUVs that makes people do a double take every time it passes by. Big, bold and packed with tech, it has changed how people look at Mahindra. For a long time, Mahindra was about rugged workhorses. The XUV700 flips that image. It feels premium, safe and loaded with features — all under 25 lakh.
From the front, it’s hard to miss. The new Mahindra logo sits proudly on the wide grille. The LED headlamps look sharp with those unique DRLs that almost slice through the air. The flush door handles pop out when you unlock the car. Small things like this make the XUV700 feel like something you’d expect in a car way more expensive.
Spacious Cabin
Step inside and you feel the difference right away. The cabin is airy and modern. The twin 10.25-inch screens dominate the dash — one for the instrument cluster and one for the infotainment. The touch response is clean and smooth. The Sony 12-speaker 3D sound system makes your playlist come alive.
Seats are wide and supportive. Ventilated front seats are a boon in Indian summers. There’s plenty of space in the second row too. Even tall passengers won’t complain. If you pick the 7-seater version, the last row is fine for kids or shorter trips with extra people. Boot space is decent if you fold down the last row.
The panoramic sunroof is massive. Mahindra calls it ‘Skyroof’ and it does make the cabin feel even bigger. The mood lighting and premium finish on the dash, doors and seats bring that luxury vibe without burning a hole in your pocket.
Power Packed
Under the hood, Mahindra offers two strong engines. There’s a 2.0-litre turbo petrol that makes about 200 PS. Then there’s the trusted 2.2-litre diesel which comes in two tunes — up to 185 PS for the higher variants. Both engines feel strong when you press the pedal.
You get manual and automatic gearboxes. The automatic feels smooth in city traffic and doesn’t struggle when you need quick overtakes on highways. Some diesel variants also get AWD, which is rare under 25 lakh. So if you want to tackle bad roads or plan weekend trips to the hills, the XUV700 won’t blink.
Mileage depends on how you drive but many owners get about 12-14 kmpl for petrol and 15-17 kmpl for diesel. Not bad for a big SUV with this much power.
Tech & Safety
This SUV is full of tech. You get ADAS features — adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, emergency braking, traffic sign recognition. Stuff you mostly see in cars double the price. The 360-degree camera helps when parking in tight spots. There’s also blind spot monitoring that shows live feed when you use the indicators.
Safety kit includes up to 7 airbags, ABS, ESP, ISOFIX, tyre pressure monitor and more. Mahindra has made sure that families feel safe inside. The XUV700 got a strong crash rating too, which adds peace of mind.
Other small touches — wireless charger, connected car tech, voice commands, smart door handles — make the experience feel premium. Owners love showing off these tricks to friends and family.
When you see what you get for the price, it’s clear why the XUV700 shook up the SUV market. It gives buyers who want style, space, power and premium features a proper choice without going over budget. And Mahindra has shown that an Indian brand can go head-to-head with big names when it comes to tech and comfort.
So if you see a big SUV with bright DRLs and a massive sunroof cruising past you on the highway, don’t be surprised. It’s probably a Mahindra XUV700 reminding you that big, bold and advanced doesn’t always mean expensive anymore.