By Rebaneilwe Semakane
Mahindra has come a long way with regards to their products, giving consumers affordable yet loaded vehicles (big and small) for many years. And with the XUV700, it feels like they’ve really brung it. I first had the honour of driving it on launch back in November 2022. The car is worthy of praises and defines the term value for money.
First things first: it looks absolutely stunning. The large headlamps and its stance are really commendable. There are three variants on offer, yet we tested the top spec 2.0L AX7 L. The 7-seater we had is powered by a 2.0L 4-cylinder turbopetrol engine that produces 149Kw and 380Nm, mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. You are able to get a 5 seater option, which is lower on the spec list. The XUV700 drives well, it is comfy for a car of its size. One does not feel like they are hauling a seven-seater, making it feel agile. The noise insulation in here is phenomenal, it is very quiet, allowing you to enjoy the banging Sony sound system that was fitted into our unit. Pity it did not have CarPlay, just Android Auto but I managed with just iPod and Bluetooth connectivity. (ED’s note – this issue has since been resolved). The infotainment system is a little confusing at first but once you get the hang of it, you will be impressed. The graphics and display are in my opinion nicer than some of its rivals, say for example the Kia Sportage. It looks that good.
Consumption figures were another story, I averaged 11.2km/100km but surprisingly, it did not break my bank over the week I had it. Figures may be high but it is a mammoth of a vehicle, I did not expect much less than 9.0l/100km.
The white interior can be a pain, considering that the person who buys this will most likely have kids, and it can be prone to showing stains. Personally, I prefer darker hues in my cars, but it is by no means an eyesore and can be lived with. The Mahindra XUV700 offers incredible comfort, making daily commutes and long-distance drives a pleasurable experience.
The XUV700 has a couple minor quirks to be fair, but I think Mahindra are close to a winning formula. At a price point of R560,000, you can’t exactly expect features comparable to those found in a BMW X5, yet it is tasked with performing the exaxt same job of carrying up to seven human beings comfortably, and on gravel if necessary. The Mahindra XUV700 starts at R474,999 for the base model, with the top-spec variant priced at R559,999.