Mahindra XUV 7XO

The cabin is designed to feel like a premium luxury car. It relies on large screens and soft-touch materials to impress its buyers.

Cabin Layout and Quality

• There’s a massive coast-to-coast triple-screen setup that stretches across the dashboard.
• Mahindra uses soft-touch leatherette materials across the dashboard and door panels.
• However, the light-coloured upholstery used on the seats looks great in the showroom but requires constant cleaning to prevent dirt stains during daily use.

Seating Comfort

Front Row

• The front seats are large, highly supportive, and provide a commanding view.
• The driver gets electric seat adjustments with a memory function.
• When you open the door, the driver's seat automatically slides back.

Second Row

• Buyers can choose between a standard bench seat and individual captain seats here.
• The legroom and headroom are sufficient for tall adults.
• The seats recline nicely, and a large panoramic sunroof extends all the way to the back.

Third Row

• Access to the third row is decent, but you do have to climb slightly to get in.
• Space in the very back is tight. Adults will find their knees pointing upwards.
• The third row is best reserved for children or for short city trips.

Features That Improve Daily Use

• The three 12.3-inch screens up front
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• A premium Harman Kardon sound system
• Dual-zone automatic climate control

Mahindra has often played a very aggressive pricing game, and the XUV 7XO follows this trend. By offering different variants, it makes sure that there’s something in the car for every type of buyer.

Moving a heavy, large SUV requires a lot of fuel, especially if you opt for the high-performance petrol engine. Buyers looking to minimise running costs should strongly consider the diesel variants instead. The ARAI mileage sits somewhere between 13 and 17 kmpl, while all the powertrains run with a 60-litre fuel tank.

The XUV 7XO is engineered to protect large families with a highly comprehensive safety net, just like most of Mahindra’s other cars. It also boasts a five-star crash safety rating from Bharat NCAP.

Passive Safety and Crash Protection

• The core structure uses high-strength steel for the rigid safety cell.
• The top variants come equipped with up to seven airbags.
• It also features ISOFIX child seat anchors and three-point seatbelts for all passengers.

Active Safety and Stability Systems

• The vehicle gets an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), and Electronic Stability Program (ESP).
• The real highlight is the Level-2 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) available on the top trims.
• This suite includes adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and a highly accurate traffic sign recognition system.
• There is also a 540-degree camera on the top trims that gives a complete view, along with an under-the-car view to dodge potholes.

The XUV 7XO’s cabin wows buyers with massive screens and smart connectivity features. Once inside, it feels like you’re in a premium European luxury car.

Infotainment and Interface

• The coast-to-coast 12.3-inch screen setup
• It operates on Mahindra’s advanced AdrenoX software.
• The system is highly responsive and supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
• The digital driver’s display is highly customisable.
• It also features built-in Alexa integration.

Cabin Convenience and Practical Features

• The front seats have a much-needed ventilation function.
• A massive panoramic sunroof floods the cabin with natural light.
• The centre console includes a wireless charging pad.
• There are multiple USB Type-C fast-charging ports for rear passengers as well.
• The 16-speaker Harman Kardon sound system fitted to this car delivers incredible audio quality.

Seshan speaks about the audio setup’s qualities,

“Simply put, it’s a treat for audiophiles.”

Like most three-row SUVs, the luggage capacity changes entirely depending on how many people are travelling.

• With all seven seats occupied, the 240-litre boot space is barely enough for two small bags.
• If you fold the third row down flat, it unlocks a massive 470 litres.
• You can also fold the second row down to turn the SUV into a cavernous transport vehicle.

Mahindra has specifically engineered the suspension to balance comfortable city driving with confident high-speed highway stability.

City Driving

• The steering wheel is incredibly light at low speeds.
• The DAVINCI suspension system softens over sharp bumps and deep city potholes.
• A high-definition 360-degree camera system makes navigating narrow lanes easier.

Highway Driving

• The heavy weight and wide stance keep the speeding vehicle planted at all times.
• The steering gradually weighs up as you drive faster, giving you a secure, connected feel.
• Body roll is well-controlled for a vehicle of this height, letting you pull fast corners.

Seshan notes,

“It’s manageable, but I would’ve liked tighter control.”

There are four different trims of the XUV 7XO in India right now. 

The Essentials That You Don’t Get

• Sliding second-row seats
• Auto-dimming inside rearview mirror on some trims
• A fully usable boot when all seven seats are occupied

With such a wide range of options, you can either go for the base AX trim or the top AX7L, but you’ll have to keep in mind your exact needs first.

Best on a Tight Budget: AX5

If you want the premium feel of the triple screens and the massive panoramic sunroof without paying top-tier prices, the AX5 variant is excellent. It offers the core XUV experience and looks nearly identical to the top-spec models from the outside.

Best Value Overall: AX7

The AX7 gives you the critical Level-2 ADAS safety suite and adds extra premium touches like leatherette upholstery and side airbags, making it the most sensible choice for a family vehicle.

Best for Luxury Enthusiasts: AX7L

If you want your SUV to rival premium European cars, the AX7L is the one. Features like the incredible audio system, ventilated seats, and the highly practical 360-degree camera make the price premium completely worth it.