Mahindra XUV700

The Mahindra XUV700 embraces a highly contemporary road presence while retaining its fundamental large footprint.

Front Profile

The SUV’s front comes with a distinct face; one that puts a muscular and aggressive look with modern premium elements in the same profile. It exhibits a “cheetah-inspired” design, with its face showcasing the large signature grille from Mahindra and the C-shaped LED daytime running lights. The bumper gets a silver-finished skid plate, and there is also an arrow curtain near the fog lamps. This one’s a practical design choice, considering how it improves the SUV’s aerodynamics by directing airflow towards the wheels.

Side Profile

Moving to the side, the SUV displays 18-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels. The profile also offers flush-fitted door handles with auto pop-out functionality. Other minor visual changes are noticeable, from dual-tone detailing on the outside rearview mirrors with chrome and piano-black finishes.

Rear Profile

At the rear, we have LED taillamp signatures. While these tail lamps are not connected by a light bar, they still look clean and premium. The tailgate proudly displays bold lettering alongside the top-spec variant badge. But one thing bugged us; the vehicle still does not get a powered tailgate, even in the top trim.

The Ebony Edition

This recently launched edition is a darker, stealthier variant for buyers. It features a Stealth Black paint finish with subtle metallic flecks and exclusive black alloy wheels. The front grille is painted in black as well, but smartly contrasted by silver skid plates. There is also Exclusive Ebony badging on the driver-side door and the tailgate.

Shams Raza Naqvi observes,

“The Ebony Edition adds a bold, premium, and more cohesive dark theme to the Mahindra XUV700, especially inside the cabin, where the changes feel most significant. Yes, you do pay a slight premium, but in return, you get a distinct look and a more luxurious ambience without sacrificing features.”

The Mahindra XUV700 Interior feels completely different compared to its earlier generations. It competes strongly with much more expensive luxury vehicles.

Cabin Layout and Ambience

The standard cabin features a coffee brown and beige dual-tone theme, paired with elegant contrast stitching and piping. The dashboard is composed of soft-touch materials, complemented by aluminium-finish AC vents. Ambient lighting has also been upgraded to a dual-zone system, allowing passengers to select different colours for the front and rear cabins.
We noticed a completely black theme in the Ebony Edition, giving the interior a premium and sporty ambience. The dashboard is also black with a silver insert running across it and dark chrome accents around the AC vents and steering wheel.
Shams Raza Naqvi says this about the variant,
“Look closely at the bonnet and body panels, and you’ll notice subtle metallic flecks that add depth and a premium feel to the colour. If you’re a fan of blacked-out SUVs, this one is bound to impress.”

Seating and Practicality
Front Row

The front setup has several useful features, ranging from six-way power-adjustable seats for the driver to memory functions and also three-level, ventilated cooling in the higher variants. Regarding space, there is ample room, combined with centre console compartments.

Second Row

The rear-seat configuration from Mahindra comes in either a six or seven-seater variant (the five-seater configuration has been discontinued). There are dedicated AC vents around the rear seat that provide reliable AC cooling, and another practical feature, the Type-C charging outlet.

Third Row

The third row is best suited for children or pets on short trips, since it has less space compared to the second row.

Mahindra has always maintained a competitive edge in the mid-size SUV segment with its pricing. Read below to take a closer look at the variant-level pricing. 

Ex-Showroom Prices (India)
 

Note: Prices are subject to change and vary by state.

Here are the mileage figures for the Mahindra XUV700:

For an SUV of this size, we found the mileage figures fair for the diesel variants; for the petrol trims, the numbers are considerably lower in comparison. Do note that the real-world figures mentioned are averages for both city and highway commutes. 

The Mahindra XUV700’s safety package is easily the SUV’s biggest highlight. The car has achieved a five-star Global NCAP rating, which showcases the impeccable structural integrity and the build quality achieved by Mahindra. 

Passive Safety

• Compared to the older XUV500, the XUV700 boasts advanced high-strength and ultra-high-strength steel.
• Within this, there is also ultra-high-strength boron steel to withstand critical impact zones.
• Higher variants have seven airbags, with a few extending over the cabin during impact.

Active Safety

• The top-tier variants feature Level 2 ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems). This includes Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Prevention, and Lane Keep Assist with auto steer.
• Additional driving aids are available, such as Adaptive Cruise Control, Traffic Sign Recognition, Driver Drowsiness Detection, and High-beam Assist.
• Other standard safety equipment includes an Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), and ISOFIX child seat mounts.

Safety Verdict

To summarise, the Mahindra XUV700 offers class-leading protection. It features 45 per cent high-strength steel, up to seven airbags, and advanced collision-avoidance technology, ensuring maximum security for all passengers.

One of our car&bike reviews notes,
“This SUV is crash-ready, packed with safety technology and equipment, and sets a benchmark for Mahindra in terms of vehicle construction.”

The technology inside the Mahindra XUV700 is focused on processing power and seamless connectivity.

Infotainment and Interface

The infotainment system runs on a Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset with 6GB of RAM, and it processes 30,000 million instructions per second. We found out in our review that it also works without relying on cloud connectivity. The dashboard, meanwhile, features a dual 10.25-inch screen setup developed by Visteon.

Cabin Convenience and Practical Tech

For audiophiles, the Ebony Edition, in particular, has a premium 12-speaker Sony 3D sound system fitted inside the cabin. However, since so many of the cabin’s features are connected to the infotainment, this constant power demand generates some heat. Nothing concerning, though; the temperature is efficiently managed by a lightweight magnesium alloy housing fitted directly behind the screen.

The Mahindra XUV700 remains a highly practical vehicle for family duties. With all three rows in place, the SUV offers a standard boot capacity of 240 litres. But we noticed that it may not be enough for heavy airport luggage, and it is better for everyday groceries.
However, the third-row seats can be folded completely flat, opening up a cargo compartment large enough for transporting bulky items. Interestingly, even with the recent introduction of the heavily updated XUV7XO, the boot space remains unchanged.

The Mahindra is highly enjoyable to drive,  due to a suspension setup previously seen only on certain European sedans. Movement is lateral due to the inclusion of a specialised control plate with a rubber bush that reduces vibrations. Moreover, the suspension assembly uses aluminium instead of cast iron, making it both lighter and stiffer.
A major highlight is the inclusion of Frequency Selective Damping (FSD). This advanced second-generation setup mechanically adjusts the damping pressure based on current road conditions and driver inputs. We noticed how effective it is compared to expensive adaptive suspension systems. It makes sure the vehicle remains planted at highway speeds while comfortably absorbing low-speed bumps.

Our car&bike review adds,
“In the Indian mass market, only the Jeep Compass currently offers FSD, and that too a first-generation system. The XUV700 gets a second-generation setup, which is more advanced.”

The Mahindra XUV700’s lineup is stacked for the Indian market. Historically, the range began with the MX trim, but the latest iteration has streamlined the offerings.
According to our car&bike review,
"All variants now come with Adrenox connected-car technology, meaning there is no MX variant anymore. Connected tech is standard across the range".

What You Get

• Multiple seating configurations, including a five-seater, six-seater, and a seven-seat layout.
• Choice of potent turbocharged petrol and diesel engines.
• Standard connected car technology across the entire revised lineup.
• Advanced active safety features and Level 2 ADAS on higher trims.
• Option for an all-wheel-drive system on the top-spec diesel automatic.

What You Don't

• A barebones entry-level model, as the base MX trim has been discontinued.
• Captain seats in the second row if you choose the Ebony Edition.
• A manual transmission option for the top-spec AX7L petrol Ebony Edition.
• A fully usable third row for adults over long journeys.

Choosing the right Mahindra XUV700 ultimately depends on the type of buyer you are and whether you’re okay settling for the base variant or prefer the absolute best from this model.

Best for most buyers: AX5 Diesel Manual or Automatic

Honestly, this mid-spec trim is the most well-rounded option in the lineup. It has all the necessary premium features, such as a panoramic sunroof and LED headlights; there is no need to pay extra.

Best for city-focused use: AX3 or AX5 Petrol Automatic

If your daily routine involves navigating heavy urban traffic, the refined 2.0-litre turbo-petrol paired with the automatic transmission is the sensible choice.

Best for tech and luxury enthusiasts: AX7L or Ebony Edition

For buyers who want no compromises, both the AX7L and the Ebony Edition are the model’s flagship bearers. With ADAS, the immersive audio system, and advanced memory seats, they even rival luxury vehicles from segments above.

As Shams Raza Naqvi mentions,
“In terms of equipment, the Ebony Edition is as premium as the XUV700 gets.”