Review: 2015 Mahindra XUV500
Siddharth Vinayak Patankar
1 min read
May 25, 2015, 06:46 PM
Ever since Mahindra first launched the XUV 500 in September 2011; it managed to create an almost cult-like following for the vehicle. It immediately became the darling of the aspirational middle-class who seemingly wanted an SUV with loads of creature comforts and modern features, and all that at an attractive price.
Today the picture is rather different, The consumer is just as aspirational, and just as demanding, but is more spoilt for choice, and therefore more pampered. So, despite having sold over 100,000 of them, the challenge for M&M was to really make the XUV 500 even more relevant.
The answer is the new facelifted car we see with us today. It is certainly a facelift in the cosmetic sense. But right up front let me tell you the good news - it is also an upgrade on the mechanical side. The car had certain glaring chinks in its armour, which have been addressed - for the most part anyway.
The biggest difference is how the vehicle's ride quality has changed. Despite being a monocoque construction - the chassis always seemed to convey a sense of roll and bounce usually associated with ladder-on-frame builds. The suspension setup has been changed to now cater to a sportier ride feel, along with specific focus on high-speed capability. While the ride has got sportier, it is by no means stiff, and so Indian buyers will still find it comfortable.
The vehicles' ESP (Electronic Stability Programme) system supplied by Bosch has been upgraded (by the supplier). The new ESP 9 system now offers more precise cornering and better lane-keeping capability at high speeds. The car also has brake energy regeneration that feeds power to the battery. The engine output numbers remain unchanged, though the 2.2 mHawk never had a problem, did it? So you still get 140 horses and 330 Nm of torque. Mileage, though, is up from 15 to 16 km/l.
Also Read: Mahindra XUV500 Automatic Launched in India
Now to the makeover. The original design was quite a hit with buyers, but was still criticised by many as being overstyled. That theme continues, though a black treatment on the headlamps and front grille help make the car look more upmarket and tones things down somewhat. But just as you absorb that, you are hit by a flash of chrome from the inserts that surround the fog lights. Had this been avoided the rest of the face would've been much more attractive in my view.
But very often my aversion for chrome has been slapped by the consumer's total acceptance - so I will accept that many will love this!
I do like the big muscle added to the hood on both sides, rising and blending into the flared fenders and wheel arches. Very nice - especially when you're driving - and see that muscular bulge on either side of the hood - it gives you a great sense of power.
The new headlamp is very well designed, and houses new projector bending lights. It looks sophisticated, with plenty of quality and design detail shining through. Inexplicably Mahindra has stuck to the old SUV's (and new Scorpio's) attribute of having a nice LED design feature in the cluster - but using it as a parking light instead of a DRL (daytime running light). Adding a DRL to the XUV would've given it a higher-end appeal, and a signature worth establishing.
Also Read Specifications Comparison: Mahindra XUV500 Automatic vs Hyundai Creta Automatic
Oh well - I've been promised by the guys at M&M that the next generation cars will indeed house DRLs so I will await those!
There is chrome that runs along the windowsill line that's also new. But most of these features will likely be offered ion the higher spec variants. Speaking of which, there is now an all-new W10 variant on the car. This has a sunroof and 17" alloy wheels that Mahindra says was feedback it got from buyers of this car. The existing 3 variants W4, W6 and W8 will stay on - though all carry the basic styling and all mechanical changes. All-Wheel-Drive will be optional on the W8 and W10.
The door handles are also slightly restyled, and the car also projects its name on the ground from the outside mirrors now - though you can only appreciate that after dark.
Inside the car seems much better finished. Interestingly Mahindra says the grade of plastic and materials used remains the same. Yet I got a sense of much better finish and quality - and that's simply because the dash now does away with the pronounced wood grain texture, and is now simply textured. The colour palette is also more like what you saw on the Scorpio - smarter two-tone, though not as fresh and stark as on the Scorpio.
There is now a start-stop button, and the infotainment touchscreen has grown an inch to 7". The theme is now blue (unlike the earlier red) - on the touchscreen graphics, the instrument cluster and the car's ambient lighting. Oh I'm sorry - icy blue - as M&M says! You can now add your own wallpaper to the touch screen for a personal feel! There is also a reverse camera thrown in besides the earlier parking sensors. The maps on the navigation have also been updated according to Mahindra.
Aluminium finish pedals and an electrically adjustable power seat for the driver round things off. Though again I reiterate some of the fancy add-ons are going to be restricted to the new W10.
And now the best part. Mahindra has tried very hard to keep prices for the XUV 500 largely unchanged. This makes the proposition more attractive, since most vehicles add a few thousands at least when they step out of the facelift factory. I would have liked to see Mahindra offer an automatic variant right from word go on the upgrade.
That is a miss, because there is potential there to capture a growing demand for an auto box. But Mahindra engineers I spoke to promise me that a modern and capable automatic gearbox is coming our way very soon. I expect that variant to debut around the festive season, or at most the Delhi Auto Expo in February next year.
Today the picture is rather different, The consumer is just as aspirational, and just as demanding, but is more spoilt for choice, and therefore more pampered. So, despite having sold over 100,000 of them, the challenge for M&M was to really make the XUV 500 even more relevant.
The answer is the new facelifted car we see with us today. It is certainly a facelift in the cosmetic sense. But right up front let me tell you the good news - it is also an upgrade on the mechanical side. The car had certain glaring chinks in its armour, which have been addressed - for the most part anyway.
The biggest difference is how the vehicle's ride quality has changed. Despite being a monocoque construction - the chassis always seemed to convey a sense of roll and bounce usually associated with ladder-on-frame builds. The suspension setup has been changed to now cater to a sportier ride feel, along with specific focus on high-speed capability. While the ride has got sportier, it is by no means stiff, and so Indian buyers will still find it comfortable.
The vehicles' ESP (Electronic Stability Programme) system supplied by Bosch has been upgraded (by the supplier). The new ESP 9 system now offers more precise cornering and better lane-keeping capability at high speeds. The car also has brake energy regeneration that feeds power to the battery. The engine output numbers remain unchanged, though the 2.2 mHawk never had a problem, did it? So you still get 140 horses and 330 Nm of torque. Mileage, though, is up from 15 to 16 km/l.
Also Read: Mahindra XUV500 Automatic Launched in India
Now to the makeover. The original design was quite a hit with buyers, but was still criticised by many as being overstyled. That theme continues, though a black treatment on the headlamps and front grille help make the car look more upmarket and tones things down somewhat. But just as you absorb that, you are hit by a flash of chrome from the inserts that surround the fog lights. Had this been avoided the rest of the face would've been much more attractive in my view.
But very often my aversion for chrome has been slapped by the consumer's total acceptance - so I will accept that many will love this!
I do like the big muscle added to the hood on both sides, rising and blending into the flared fenders and wheel arches. Very nice - especially when you're driving - and see that muscular bulge on either side of the hood - it gives you a great sense of power.
The new headlamp is very well designed, and houses new projector bending lights. It looks sophisticated, with plenty of quality and design detail shining through. Inexplicably Mahindra has stuck to the old SUV's (and new Scorpio's) attribute of having a nice LED design feature in the cluster - but using it as a parking light instead of a DRL (daytime running light). Adding a DRL to the XUV would've given it a higher-end appeal, and a signature worth establishing.
Also Read Specifications Comparison: Mahindra XUV500 Automatic vs Hyundai Creta Automatic
Oh well - I've been promised by the guys at M&M that the next generation cars will indeed house DRLs so I will await those!
There is chrome that runs along the windowsill line that's also new. But most of these features will likely be offered ion the higher spec variants. Speaking of which, there is now an all-new W10 variant on the car. This has a sunroof and 17" alloy wheels that Mahindra says was feedback it got from buyers of this car. The existing 3 variants W4, W6 and W8 will stay on - though all carry the basic styling and all mechanical changes. All-Wheel-Drive will be optional on the W8 and W10.
The door handles are also slightly restyled, and the car also projects its name on the ground from the outside mirrors now - though you can only appreciate that after dark.
Inside the car seems much better finished. Interestingly Mahindra says the grade of plastic and materials used remains the same. Yet I got a sense of much better finish and quality - and that's simply because the dash now does away with the pronounced wood grain texture, and is now simply textured. The colour palette is also more like what you saw on the Scorpio - smarter two-tone, though not as fresh and stark as on the Scorpio.
There is now a start-stop button, and the infotainment touchscreen has grown an inch to 7". The theme is now blue (unlike the earlier red) - on the touchscreen graphics, the instrument cluster and the car's ambient lighting. Oh I'm sorry - icy blue - as M&M says! You can now add your own wallpaper to the touch screen for a personal feel! There is also a reverse camera thrown in besides the earlier parking sensors. The maps on the navigation have also been updated according to Mahindra.
Aluminium finish pedals and an electrically adjustable power seat for the driver round things off. Though again I reiterate some of the fancy add-ons are going to be restricted to the new W10.
And now the best part. Mahindra has tried very hard to keep prices for the XUV 500 largely unchanged. This makes the proposition more attractive, since most vehicles add a few thousands at least when they step out of the facelift factory. I would have liked to see Mahindra offer an automatic variant right from word go on the upgrade.
That is a miss, because there is potential there to capture a growing demand for an auto box. But Mahindra engineers I spoke to promise me that a modern and capable automatic gearbox is coming our way very soon. I expect that variant to debut around the festive season, or at most the Delhi Auto Expo in February next year.
Related News
Latest Cars
Upcoming Cars
Latest News
Jafar Rizvi | Jan 9, 2026KTM RC 160 vs Yamaha R15: Specifications, Features, Prices ComparedKTM’s new RC 160 goes head-to-head with the Yamaha R15 in the entry-level sportbike category. Here is how the two fare on paper.1 min read
Amaan Ahmed | Jan 9, 2026Suzuki E-Access Launched At Rs 1.88 Lakh; LFP Battery Promises 95 KM RangeOriginally confirmed for a June 2025 launch, Suzuki's first electric two-wheeler for India has finally arrived almost a year after making its global debut at Auto Expo 2025.3 mins read
car&bike Team | Jan 9, 2026Kawasaki Ninja, Versys Models Offered With Discounts Of Up To Rs 2.50 LakhThe Ninja ZX-10R is offered with maximum benefits, followed by the Ninja 1100SX and Versys 1100.1 min read
Bilal Firfiray | Jan 9, 2026Toyota Urban Cruiser EV: What To ExpectToyota will be introducing an all-electric vehicle for the first time in India. It is the Toyota-badged version of the soon-to-be-launched Maruti Suzuki e-Vitara, and here’s everything we expect from it.1 min read
Jaiveer Mehra | Jan 8, 2026Auto Sales 2025: BMW Group India Sold 18,001 Cars And SUVs, Its Highest Ever Yearly FigureCarmaker delivered 17,271 units under the BMW brand and 730 units under Mini.1 min read
car&bike Team | Jan 8, 2026Suzuki Motorcycle India Achieves 10 Million Production MilestoneThe 10 millionth unit was an Access 125 scooter, which rolled out from Suzuki’s Gurugram plant.1 min read
Bilal Firfiray | Jan 9, 2026Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder: 10,000 km Long-Term ReviewAfter spending over three months and 10,000 km with the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder Hybrid, we were impressed by its real-world mileage, seamless hybrid, practical comfort, and Toyota reliability. Is it the best C-SUV then?5 mins read
Seshan Vijayraghvan | Jan 8, 20262026 Mahindra XUV 7XO Review: Big On Tech, Bigger On ComfortThe new Mahindra XUV 7XO is flashier, feature packed, and comes with more advanced tech. But are the changes just incremental or actually substantial?1 min read
Preetam Bora | Jan 10, 2026Simple One Gen 2 First Ride Review: 265 km Claimed Range!The Gen 2 model of Simple Energy’s first electric scooter gets a fair few updates, including new features, tech, more range and lighter weight. We spent a couple of hours with the Simple One Gen 2 to find out if it manages to impress.6 mins read
Amaan Ahmed | Jan 3, 2026VLF Mobster 135 300 KM Review: Fun But FlawedA 125 cc scooter with Italian design and Chinese genes is a rare combination, and while some may be tempted to dismiss it because of its origins, the VLF Mobster shows 125s can also be exciting – but not without compromises.11 mins read
Preetam Bora | Dec 30, 2025TVS Orbiter Review: Real-World Performance and Range TestedThe TVS Orbiter is a promising electric scooter promising decent range, practicality and pricing. But is there any reason to avoid it? We spent a few days getting to know it better.9 mins read