Mahindra XUV 700: With the advent of Mahindra XUV 700, a car that has become a benchmark in the premium SUV segment, the Indian auto space has seen quite an evolution.
This marquee product from the stable of Mahindra is an exciting, high end product, which is poised to redefine some standards in it’s class from it’s posh interiors to its crisp exterior looks, which comes with loaded features, offering a tremendous value head on to the competition.
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Mahindra XUV 700 Design Philosophy: Slickly Sporty
There is a more grown up character to the XUV 700’s styling, where Mahindra has tried to achieve that balance between brute road presence and subtle elegance.
The face of the Mahindra Marazzo is dominated by a unique grille with chrome inserts and sleek LED headlamps with C-shaped LED DRLs which form a signature lighting pattern at the front.
From the side, the clean lines remain free of clutter, characterized by a deep shoulder line which runs from the front fender to the door handles to the wrap-around tail lamps.
Even the flush mount door handles extend out electrically when you approach with the key fob pulled out, giving that premium touch that was once reserved for high-end European brands.
Out back the tailgate features an integrated spoiler, while the LED taillights reflect a C-shaped motif of the headlights, allowing for visual consistency.
Sporty Details The dual exhaust tips and silver skid plate elements are sporty accents without being overbearing-a preview of what to expect behind the wheel.
Cabin Experience: This Is Luxury You Can Trust
Inside the XUV 700 Get into the XUV 700 and your preconceived notions of a domestic brand’s interior is thrown out the window. The dashboard design is a horizontal sweep of clear, open-pore surfaces with high-quality materials used throughout.
The soft-touch materials adorn real aluminum accents and offer subtle piano black accents that look and feel good while drawing attention back to the design.
At the heart of the dashboard, the signature dual 10.25-inch display set-up is blended beneath a shared glass cover and brings together the digital instrument cluster and central touchscreen unit in a wide-sweeping, highly contemporary screen incorporating the MBUX multimedia system. The user effort in terms of design is minimal: light glanceable design language is employed.
Seating comfort shows, too, that particular care has been taken, the leading seats having power adjustment, ventilation and memory functions in certain specifications.
Its second-row bench has individual recline adjustment, and the available third row contains occasional seating for smaller adults or kids—all of which adds to the crossover’s practical flexibility.
Technology Integration: More than the Bag of Tricks
The XUV 700 sets itself apart by the use of technology made available to users that are not merely for marketing but end usage. There is also a full suite of driver assistance such as adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, lane keeping assistance and driver attention monitoring – technology that was once solely the domain of premium European and Japanese product.
The AR navigation system simply applies directional indications directly on top of the camera feed of the road, slashing the cognitive effort involved in interpreting an abstract map.
The 360-degree camera makes our truck easy to drive in tight spots, and the blind spot monitoring system is a godsend when changing lanes.
It’s the voice assistant feature that also dazzles the most as it can process NLP based commands in different Indian languages. This system manages more than infotainment—the climate controls, sunroof, and ambient lighting can also be found and controlled—minimizing driver distraction by combining elements into a user-friendly interface.
Powertrain Choices: Performance vs Efficiency
Underneath the premium looking skin of the XUV 700 is two good performance oriented powertrains befitting its standing in the market. The 2.0-litre mStallion turbocharged petrol engine is capable of a hundred plus 200 BHP and 380 Nm of twisting which meant the vehicle was fast and a fun experience to move around in while also achieving a decent fuel economy.
The 2.2-litre mHawk engine delivers 185 Hp and 450 Nm of torque (with automatic transmission), for easy overtaking and cruising. The Satya’s engines are mated to a choice of two gearboxes – 6-speed manual or an improved version of the Aisin 6-speed automatic.
The optional all-wheel-drive system has surface-select modes, which adjust power delivery, traction control intervention, and throttle response for different types of terrain.
This setup gives us surefooted all-weather performance that horses are likely to expose at owner-consistent usage levels.
Safety Awards: Compliance Checked At The Gate
Safety engineering shows Mahindra’s holistic approach in mind, while the steel safety cage is built stiff using high-tensile steel in key areas to handle collision energy in the best manner possible. The 7-airbag set-up features driver’s knee protection, which is above and beyond the call of duty.
Its advanced active safety systems, such as electronic stability control and traction management, link to a central controller that can bring in the truck’s advanced driver assistance features.
The AEB system of City Scene has been tuned keeping in mind Indian traffic conditions, identifying vehicles ranging from smaller cars to erratic behavior of road users found on busy city roads.
Comforts: What makes life easier
The twin-panel panoramic sunroof bathes passengers in natural sunlight, and gives the interior an open and airy feel, adding to the spaciousness of the cabin. The multi-zone climate control maintains the ideal temperature, and the premium audio system produces higher quality sound.
Practicality gets a rubberised tray for the centre console, a wireless smartphone charger, customisable ambient lighting and hands-free power tailgate opening, all of which add value to everyday ownership.
The customizable drive settings adjust throttle, steering and transmission settings to fit different driver styles and road conditions.
Mahindra XUV 700 Conclusion
The XUV 700 is a game-changer for the Indian automotive industry – it is a valid assertion of the belief that Indian auto manufacturers can make genuinely premium products that can take on established international brands.
With world-class styling, directional technology and true blue-blood pedigree, Mahindra has made a strong statement that now challenges the traditional pecking order on the market.
And to those in the market for high-end SUV experiences without the badge or bean premium typically associated with imports, the XUV 700 looks a rational alternative, delivering competence as much as symbol.
This strategy indicates increasing confidence on the part of Indian manufacturers to challenge based on product quality, and not just low pricing – an evolution that advantages the wider automotive ecosystem, and offers consumer deeper choices at aggressive price points.
