Mahindra XUV700 vs Mahindra XUV500: What's Different?

It's not often that we pit two models from the same stable against each other. But we have been looking forward to this comparison as the Mahindra XUV700 is picking up right where the XUV500  leaves. Yes, the new Mahindra XUV700 is the official replacement for the outgoing XUV500. The Mahindra XUV500 was the first monocoque three-row SUV in India and was meant to be a very contemporary offering for urban buyers in all ways, be it its design, features, on-road dynamics or even ease of driving and the SUV aged well. Now the new Mahindra XUV700 will be looking to do the same in this age. It is loaded to the gills with advanced features, it's premium on the inside, and at the same time, looks modern and big and has a humongous footprint. Let's get to the differences.

Also Read: Mahindra XUV700 Launched In India

Exterior and Platform

The Mahindra XUV700 is bigger in every dimension than the XUV500.

The Mahindra XUV700 is built on the new W601 monocoque platform and is larger than the outgoing XUV500. In terms of dimensions, the new SUV measures 4695 mm in length, 1890 mm in width, and 1755 mm in height. So, compared to the XUV500 it's 110 mm longer but 30 mm shorter, while the width remains unchanged. The XUV700's wheelbase is also 50 mm longer at 2750 mm. Up front it gets a new grille, featuring vertical chrome slats and Mahindra's new logo, flanked by new LED headlights and twin C-shaped LED daytime running lights (DRLs). The SUV also comes with new sportier alloy wheels, flush-fitting door handles and flared haunches. It also gets new wraparound LED tailights, sculpted tailgate and beefier bumper with silver cladding.

The Mahindra XUV500 was the first monocoque SUV in the carmaker's stable.

The Mahindra XUV500 too is underpinned by a monocoque chassis, but has a comparatively smaller footprint. It measures at 4585 mm in length, 1890 mm in width and 1785 mm in height, while has a wheelbase of 2700 mm. The new monocoque platform is an evolution over the XUV500's chassis and while the width remains unchanged, the XUV700 has grown quite a bit in length, height and wheelbase. It too gets 17-inch alloy wheels in lower variants while the range-topping W10 (O) gets dual-tone 18-inch alloy wheels. The XUV500 debuted with Mahindra's Cheetah-inspired design language, and some of those visual elements are still retained. Like the black tear duct design for the foglamps, massive grille, large projector headlights, paw-like door handles, sporty dual-tone alloys and large taillights.

Interior & Features

The cabin of the new Mahindra XUV700 is quite premium with generous use of soft-touch materials and is loaded to the gills with creature comforts.

On the inside, it gets a very well-laid-out and premium cabin with larger comfortable seats, premium upholstery, and a host of smart features. It features Alexa support and a fully connected car technology called Adrenox, which comes with voice command to access various in-car functions. The premium feature list also includes a Sony-powered 12-speaker 3D surround sound system, six-way power adjustable seats with memory and welcome function and panoramic sunroof which are only limited to the top-end variants. Then, the range-topping trims also get three pre-set drive modes - Zip, Zap, and Zoom, along with a Custom setting. The XUV700 is offered in both 5- and 7-seater options. The base MX Series models of the XUV700 come with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, 7-inch instrument cluster, android auto, steering mounted switches, and auto-dimming IRVM. The AX series models come with HD dual-display units with two 10.25-inch screens for infotainment and instrumentation, ventilated seats, Amazon Alexa Built-In, Wireless Android Auto and Apple Car Play, wireless charging and AdrenoX Connect with 60+ Connected features. Features like the Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) technology will be limited to the range-topping AX7 variants only.

The SUV gets a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with USB, AUX-IN, and Bluetooth connectivity, along with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Mahindra EcoSense App.

The Mahindra XUV500's cabin is largely treated in black, with silver accents, and several glossy black bits. The SUV also comes with large seats upholstered in tan faux leather. It gets a power-adjustable driver seat, electric sunroof, auto-climate control, steering wheel with audio, telephony, cruise controls. In terms of features, the SUV gets a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with USB, AUX-IN, and Bluetooth connectivity, along with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Mahindra EcoSense App. The design of the centre console looks dated now, and the SUV continues with the analogue twin-pod instrument cluster.

Engine

Mahindra is offering the new XUV700 with both the petrol and diesel engine options.

Mahindra is offering the new XUV700 with both petrol and diesel engine options. The Mahindra XUV700 petrol version gets a 2.0-litre mStallion turbocharged petrol engine that is tuned to make 197 bhp at 5,000 rpm and develops peak torque of 380 Nm at 1750 to 3000 rpm. The engine comes mated to either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic torque converter gearbox. The diesel variants get the tried and tested 2.2-litre, four-cylinder mHawk oil burner that is offered in three states of tune. For base variants it is tuned to churn out 153 bhp at 3750 rpm and 360 Nm at 1500 to 2800 rpm, while being paired to a six-speed manual gearbox as standard. There's a more powerful option as well which makes 182 bhp at 3500 rpm and this version is offered with the option of both - a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic torque converter. While the former offers a peak torque of 420 Nm at 1600 to 2800 rpm, the automatic with the optional All-Wheel Drive (AWD) transfer case develops 450 Nm at 1750 to 2800 rpm.

The optional All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) variant has been discontinued.

The XUV500 is powered by the same 2.2-litre mHawk diesel engine tuned to make 153 bhp and 360 Nm of peak torque, and it's in the same tune to what is being offered in the MX variant of the XUV700. Transmission options include a six-speed manual gearbox and a six-speed automatic transmission. But the optional All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) variant has been discontinued.

Safety

The Mahindra XUV700 gets ADAS features only in the range-topping variants.

The Mahindra XUV700 is also high on safety with features like front, side and curtain airbags, 360-degree camera, ISOFIX seat mounts, hill hold/descent function and electronic parking brake and Dynamic Stability Program (DSP) among others. As mentioned, the ADAS features are limited only to the range-topping AX7 variant. The Mahindra XUV500 too gets six airbags, antilock braking system (ABS) with electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD), electronic stability program (ESP), Traction Control (TC), hill start assist (HSA), hill descent control (HDC) and ISOFIX child seat mounts among others.

Prices

Now Mahindra did astound us with the starting price of the XUV700. At Rs. 11.99 lakh it undercuts the XUV500 by a good Rs. 2.17 lakh at the base variant. Prices for the top-end trims are yet to be announced and we hope they will be priced as competitively.