2023 Mahindra XUV700 Review

The Mahindra XUV700 launched in Australia in June 2023 and marks the Indian brand's initial foray into the Aussie medium SUV segment. This is after the launch of the larger Scorpio, and while the XUV700 is an older car - launching in India in 2021 - we think it has a couple of tricks up its sleeve that make it a very compelling offering for Australians in the market for an affordable mid-sized SUV.

How much does the 2023 Mahindra XUV700 cost?

The range kicks off with the AX7, available from $36,990 driveaway, while the AX7L (tested) comes in at $39,990.

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What do we think of the exterior looks of the 2023 Mahindra XUV700?

The Mahindra XUV700 doesn’t overdo it with styling, opting for a more boxy design that seems to be in vogue at the moment. Up front, we have some bright LED daytime running lights with sequential turning signals, and the grille is decently designed with the new Mahindra badge proudly displayed.

The side profile of the XUV700 reveals 18-inch alloys wrapped in Apollo Apterra HP tyres. While we personally weren’t familiar with the brand of rubber used, it is a reputable and established brand in India. Also present are auto-folding side mirrors with a decent surround camera system and the AX7L gets nicely designed pop-out door handles that sit flush with the body. Unfortunately, only the driver's side has the capacity to sense the key which is a slight inconvenience when accessing the vehicle from the passenger side. The floating roof design also adds to the overall aesthetic appeal of the side of the car.

Moving on to the rear, the car maintains its boxy design, which is beneficial for visibility, however, we found the middle headrest in the second row to be very large which obstructed the otherwise large rear window. The tail lights feature a cool 3D effect and we also have a reversing camera for safety.

Overall, we can definitely see some parallels between the XUV700’s design and that of the Nissan Pathfinder, combining a unique boxy design with a floating roof, with a good blend of modern features.

What’s the interior and connectivity like of the 2023 Mahindra XUV700?

The interior of the 2023 Mahindra XUV700 is surprisingly good, featuring a modern cream colour scheme, and coming equipped with two large 10.25-inch displays that are manufactured by the same company that produces the displays for Mercedes vehicles.

These screens are responsive, colour accurate, and offer easy navigation. The digital instrument cluster is bright and clear but offers limited options in the way of customisation and driver information. The infotainment is similarly clear and responsive and has wired smartphone mirroring, as well as some ‘quirky’ features such as a lap timer and torque/power dials.

In terms of seating, the front seats have ample leg and lumbar support, and they are adorned with soft perforated faux leather that adds an element of sophistication. They are also power adjustable and feature a very Mercedes-esque button layout on the door.

For storage, there is quite a large glove box, and the centre console has decent storage space for smartphones including a wireless charger, while the armrest contains an air conditioning duct providing cool storage space for larger drinks.

The Mahindra XUV700 AX7L spec also comes fitted with a Sony-branded audio system, which while not outstanding, is good enough for most people. We found the placement of the speakers right above the front occupant's heads to be a novel inclusion and actually added to the audio experience in the cabin.

Overall the materials used in the front are mostly soft, which is useful for soaking up road noise, and the soft faux leather seats combined with the large displays make for a comfortable and pleasant place to spend time.

What about the Back seats of the 2023 Mahindra XUV700?

The back seats are comfortable and spacious, with plenty of legroom and headroom. They also feature a stadium-style seating arrangement, providing a clear view up the front for passengers in the second row. The seats are the same soft material as in the front and contain a fold-down armrest as well as ample leg support and reclining ability. Storage space is decent, and there are a couple of air vents and a single USB-C port.

It also feels quite spacious in the second row due to the massive panoramic sunroof, and overall the material quality is very similar to in the front. The only strange thing to note is the large center headrest, which obscures some of the rear visibility for the driver.

What about the Third row of the 2023 Mahindra XUV700?

The Mahindra XUV700 comes with a third row as standard in Australia, and it’s surprisingly good; legroom and headroom are limited but certainly sufficient for kids, and there are even air vents and a fan speed controller in the back. The third-row seats are also easy to access and made of the same material as the rest of the interior. The third row also features a 12V socket and a couple of cupholders.

How much can it fit in the boot of the 2023 Mahindra XUV700?

Similar to the Scorpio, the Mahindra XUV700 has very little boot capacity with the third row in place, fortunately, they can fold away to create a flat cargo area with a decent amount of space.

Under the floor is a tyre repair kit - notably no full-size spare like others in the segment. The second row can also fold flat revealing a very large cargo volume.

What’s under the bonnet of the 2023 Mahindra XUV700?

The Mahindra XUV700 range comes with a 2.0-litre turbo 4-cylinder petrol engine as standard, which produces an oddly specific quoted power output of 149.2kW, and 380Nm of torque.

This is sent exclusively to the front wheels via a six-speed Aisin automatic transmission, with claimed fuel consumption of 8.3L/100km.

At this point, there is no confirmation about whether the AWD turbo diesel that is offered in other markets will make its way to Australian shores.

How does the 2023 Mahindra XUV700 drive?

Driving the Mahindra XUV700 is quite an enjoyable experience. We were impressed by the powertrain and 6-speed Aisin transmission in particular and never felt that we were left waiting for it to respond to our inputs. The ride comfort is fantastic, and it is clearly tuned for comfort and city/urban use. While testing the driving dynamics, we did feel that the tyres held back the performance a little, though it is important to note that the conditions were a little wet at the time.

The steering, while being a bit light, and the comfort-oriented damping did result in some body roll around some of the tighter corners, but we found that it performed admirably for a seven-seat mid-sized SUV. This is most likely due to the suspension setup, which is a MacPherson strut at the front and a multi-link in the rear.

A standout feature was the car’s safety systems including adaptive cruise control. They work very well and are intuitive to operate. However, we did find the auto stop-start system a little intrusive, as there seemed to be a few issues, including the brakes fighting against the acceleration from a standing stop, as well as the headlights flashing occasionally when the engine resumed. This is a minor quirk that can be fixed by simply turning off the stop-start system.

Fuel economy is not the Mahindra XUV700’s strongest suit, though it is certainly in the range of acceptable for a seven-seat SUV. According to the car's instrumentation, we were achieving a fuel efficiency of 9.9km/L, equivalent to a little over 10L/100km in the standard Australian units.

We also tested its straight-line performance to 100km/h, which it achieved from standing in 9.89 seconds, not a terrible result.

Is the 2023 Mahindra XUV700 Safe?

While the Mahindra XUV700 hasn’t received an ANCAP rating yet, it scored a 5-star rating according to Global NCAP in 2021.

Standard safety kit includes:

• Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
• Lane-keep assist
• Lane departure warning
• Smart Pilot assist
• Adaptive cruise control
• Reversing camera
• Front collision warning
• Tyre pressure monitoring
• Speed limit assist
• 6 airbags

The AX7L adds a driver-side knee airbag, Blind spot monitoring, and a 360-degree camera.

How much does the 2023 Mahindra XUV700 cost to service?

The Mahindra XUV700 is covered by a 7-year, 150,000km warranty, including roadside assistance. No capped price servicing has been confirmed as of writing this article.

Final thoughts - should you buy a 2023 Mahindra XUV700?

The Mahindra XUV700 is a welcome challenger to the Australian mid-sized SUV market and is a compelling package that offers a good mix of comfort, functionality, and some surprising and quirky inclusions.

The exterior design is unique but not overstated, the interior has been thoughtfully designed with good attention to detail and quality of materials, especially the seats which are supportive and offer plenty of adjustment. The technology up front is fantastic for the price with two awesome displays and some great safety features. The second and third rows have ample legroom and headroom, as well as good connectivity and storage options, and air vents all the way to the back of the car. The driving experience is mostly enjoyable, with a good suspension setup and a great powertrain. The fuel economy is a bit of a letdown, as was the stop-start system, but overall these detract very little from what is a great all-around package. It would be great to see it get officially recognised by ANCAP sometime in the future. Families that are in the market for a great-value seven-seat SUV should absolutely take one for a test drive.