Mahindra XUV700 AX5 Diesel: A Value-Packed SUV Choice
The Mahindra XUV700 AX5 Diesel variant stands out as a top contender for those seeking a feature-rich and value-for-money SUV. This model offers a perfect blend of essential features and robust performance, making it a popular choice in its segment.
The base model of the XUV700 starts from an ex-showroom price of ₹14,49,000.
Smart Key and Engine Options
The AX5 variant comes with a convenient flip smart key, which looks like a remote central locking key but offers smart key functionality. It includes lock and unlock buttons and proudly displays the Mahindra logo on the back. Two such smart keys are provided.
For power, the XUV700 offers both diesel and petrol engine options. You can choose from manual, automatic, and even 4×4 (Four Xplore) transmission options, which are often not available in competitor models like the Tata Safari or Hyundai Alcazar.
Bold Exterior Design
The XUV700 features a striking front profile. At its center is the distinctive butterfly-shaped Mahindra logo, flanked by a glossy grill with sophisticated gray inserts. The lighting setup includes white LED headlamps with integrated DRLs and indicators. Fog lamps are also present, completing the aggressive front look.
This muscular SUV boasts an impressive 200 mm ground clearance. Other exterior highlights include a dual wiper-washer system, a panoramic sunroof, and practical roof rails.
Muscular Side Profile and Dimensions
From the side, the XUV700’s muscular design is evident. This versatile SUV is available in 5-seater, 6-seater, and 7-seater configurations. It comes with a standard warranty of 3 years or 1 lakh kilometers, which can be extended further.
The AX5 rides on 17-inch alloy wheels, with disc brakes on both front and rear wheels as a standard safety feature. The tires have a profile of 235/65 R17. Black cladding runs along the lower edges, adding to its rugged appeal. The electrically adjustable ORVMs include integrated indicators. The A-pillar is body-colored, while the B-pillar and C-pillar feature a glossy black finish. The panoramic sunroof is a prominent feature on the roof.
The fuel tank has a capacity of 60 liters. For the diesel variant, there’s a separate cap for AdBlue, which is not required in the petrol version. An ‘AdrenoX’ badge adorns the last pillar.
The XUV700 measures 4695 mm in length, 1890 mm in width, and 1755 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2750 mm. Top-selling color options include White (as shown), Black, and Midnight Black (which has a blue and black shade).
Distinctive Rear Profile and Boot Space
The rear of the XUV700 is equally impressive, featuring the Mahindra logo in the center and sleek LED tail lights with integrated indicators and reverse lights. A camera is positioned just below the logo for convenience. The roof houses a rear wiper, defogger, high mount stop lamp, and a shark fin antenna.
The AX5 variant is clearly marked with ‘XUV700’ and ‘AX5’ badges. The bumper is dual-tone and includes two reverse parking sensors and rear fog lamps. A tow hook option is also available. A wide gray skid plate, similar to the front, is visible at the rear. The spare tire is a normal steel rim.
The boot space is initially modest, but when the third-row seats are folded, it expands to over 400 liters. With all seven seats in use, the boot space is approximately 180 liters, suitable for small bags. The third row also benefits from AC vents, glass holders, a 12V charging outlet, and fan speed control. A toolkit, including a jack and spanner, is located under the boot floor, and the spare wheel can be lowered from this compartment.
Interior Comfort and Advanced Features
Entering the XUV700 reveals flush door handles and a dual-tone door trim. The door panels include power window controls, a matte black door opener, a glossy black door handle, speakers, and bottle holders. The fabric seats in the second row are a 60-40 split, foldable, and offer good legroom and headroom with decent thigh support. For even more comfort, a 6-seater option with captain seats is available.
The second row features black finish AC vents, a phone storage space, and a Type-C USB port. Six airbags are a standard safety feature, with branding visible on the pillars. The floor in the second row is mostly flat. Grab handles, a hook, and white LED roof lights add to the convenience. Two adjustable headrests are provided, with one fixed, along with an armrest featuring glass holders.
Accessing the third row is easy via a lever that tumble-folds the second-row seat. Even from the third row, there’s a good view of the dashboard, especially with the panoramic sunroof blind open. Legroom is decent for an average-height person, though thigh support is average. The third row also includes glass holders, AC vents, fan speed control, and a 12V charging outlet. It has two adjustable headrests and 50-50 foldable seats. Headroom in the third row is appropriate for a 7-seater vehicle.
Driver-Focused Cabin and Infotainment
The driver’s door trim mirrors the rear, featuring controls for all four power windows, central locking, and ORVM adjustments. The dashboard is dual-tone. The fabric seats offer height adjustment and recline. Below the steering, there are ABC pedals, a dead pedal, and a bonnet release lever. Switches for traction control, hill descent control, idle start/stop, and headlamp level adjustment are also present.
The XUV700 starts with a push-engine start/stop button. The fully digital instrument cluster offers a premium display with excellent graphics, showing speed, RPM, temperature, and fuel levels. It also displays notifications like seatbelt warnings. The steering wheel features the Mahindra logo, cruise controls, and MID controls on the right, and telephony and infotainment controls on the left. The steering is adjustable for both tilt and telescopic positions. Manual headlamp and wiper controls are on the respective stalks. The MID provides various information such as trip data, average mileage (around 11.6 kmpl observed with low fuel), range, audio, TPMS, driving information, DPF level, average score, vehicle information, navigation, and display layout.
The center console is dominated by a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system seamlessly merged with the cluster. It hosts various applications and offers connectivity through Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and a USB port. The reverse parking camera provides good quality visuals, though the screen size for full display is noted.
Below the screen are black finish AC vents and manual AC controls. Other features include a hazard light switch, home button, screen saver button, and four drive modes: Zip, Zap, Zoom, and Custom. An indicator for seatbelt and airbag status (with an on/off switch) is also present. Storage for a phone and a Type-C USB port are conveniently located.
The XUV700 AX5 comes with a six-speed manual transmission, with an automatic option also available. It features a manual handbrake, glass holders, key storage, and a wide armrest with internal storage. The glove box is spacious and includes a tablet holder. The IRVM is manually adjustable, and a sunglass holder is located on the roof, along with white LED cabin lights and an SOS emergency button. The panoramic sunroof can be easily opened and closed. The co-driver’s sun visor has a vanity mirror, while the driver’s side is plain.
Powerful Engine Options and Performance
The XUV700 AX5 Diesel variant is powered by a 2.2-liter mHawk four-cylinder diesel engine. The engine bay is well-covered and includes good insulation. A notable safety feature is that when the bonnet is opened (for example, during a technical issue on a highway), all four vehicle lights automatically turn on. This diesel engine produces 182 BHP of power and 420 Nm of torque. It offers a mileage of approximately 15-16 kmpl, which can reach up to 17 kmpl depending on driving style.
Alternatively, the XUV700 is also available with a 2.0-liter mStallion turbo petrol engine. This petrol engine delivers 197 BHP of power and 380 Nm of torque, with an estimated mileage of 10-12 kmpl.
Pricing and Advanced Safety
The Mahindra XUV700 AX5 Diesel 7-seater variant has an ex-showroom price of ₹17,94,000. Its on-road price in Lucknow is approximately ₹20,76,000, which does not include extended warranty or accessories. An example EMI calculation for financing ₹10,00,000 (after a ₹2,76,000 down payment) would be around ₹20,000 per month for five years.
Safety is a high priority in the XUV700, featuring:
- ABS with EBD
- Six Airbags
- Reverse Parking Sensors
- Reverse Parking Camera
- Speed Alert System
- Seat Belt Warning
- Engine Immobilizer
- Crash Sensor
- Traction Control
- Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
- Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
The Mahindra XUV700 AX5 Diesel stands as a strong competitor against vehicles like the Tata Safari, Hyundai Alcazar, Innova Crysta, and MG Hector Plus. Its winning combination of attractive looks, essential features, impressive build quality, and strong safety credentials makes it a top-selling SUV in its segment.
