All-new seven-seat mid-size SUV aims directly at Mitsubishi Outlander and Nissan X-TRAIL
Full Australian pricing and specs have been announced for the 2023 Mahindra XUV700, an all-new seven-seat mid-size SUV which aims squarely at three-row versions of the popular Honda CR-V, Mitsubishi Outlander and Nissan X-TRAIL.
First revealed almost two years ago in India and then confirmed for launch Down Under in September 2021, the XUV700 replaces the slow-selling XUV500 and underwent more than 50,000km of testing in Australia, which is the fourth-largest market for the SUV globally.
It arrives here just two months after the all-new Mahindra Scorpio, an all-new six-seat ladder-frame off-road 4×4 diesel wagon that’s officially classed as a large SUV, despite being shorter overall than the XUV700.
Measuring 4695mm long (exactly the same as the Outlander, 15mm longer than the X-TRAIL and about 100mm longer than the soon-to-be-replaced CR-V), as well as 1890mm wide, 1755mm high and riding on a 2750mm wheelbase, the XUV700 is 23mm longer than the Scorpio but 27mm narrower and about 100mm lower.
But the car-based (monocoque) front-wheel drive petrol-only XUV700 – the diesel-powered all-wheel drive version of which has not been confirmed for Australia – will be significantly cheaper than not only the Scorpio (from $41,990 drive-away) but its three key rivals.
Two model variants are now on sale, with the entry-level AX7 priced from $36,990 drive-away and the flagship AX7L priced from $39,990 drive-away.
Note that these are national introductory drive-away prices that run until August 31, 2023.
That makes the XUV pricier than the diesel-powered XUV500 (from $27,990 drive-away) it replaces, but much more affordable than seven-seat front-drive versions of the CR-V (from $40,900 drive-away) and Outlander (from $40,740 plus on-road costs), while the AWD-only seven-seat X-TRAIL starts at $39,790 plus ORCs.
Unlike the Scorpio, which won’t follow suit until its midlife update, the XUV700 brings a full suite of active and passive safety features from launch, although some of them are not fitted at base level and there’s no sign of a local ANCAP safety rating – just a maximum five-star score under the less stringent Global NCAP regime.
However, standard safety equipment across the range includes six airbags (dual front, front-side and full-length side curtain) and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) like autonomous emergency braking (AEB), forward collision warning, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, Smart Pilot Assist, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition and high beam assist.
Also standard in both variants is a reversing camera, tyre pressure monitoring, ISOFIX child seat anchors, post-collision braking, hill hold, hill descent control, roll stability control, electronic stability/traction control, brake assist and anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution.
But there’s no sign of rear cross traffic alert (rear AEB) or a front-centre airbag, and the base AX7 misses out on the top-shelf AX7L’s driver’s knee airbag, blind spot monitoring, stop-and-go function for the adaptive cruise, 360-degree surround-view camera and electric park brake.
Multimedia provisions are generous across the range, with both XUV700 variants fitted as standard with Mahindra’s new Adrenox infotainment system with dual 10.25-inch high-definition digital super-screens – one in the centre and one for the driver, both under a single continuous horizontal display.
The infotainment array includes wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring, Bluetooth hands-free audio and a six-speaker AM/FM stereo with Sound Staging.
But there’s no native satellite navigation or DAB+ digital radio, and the AX7L flagship adds wireless phone charging plus a premium 12-speaker 3D Sony sound system, in addition to telescopic steering wheel adjustment, electric ‘smart’ door-handles and vanity mirror illumination.
Otherwise, both XUV grades come very well specified, including a huge 1360x870mm panoramic Skyroof sunroof, synthetic leather seat trim in white, leather steering wheel and gearshift trim, six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with memory, automatic LED headlights with cornering lamps, LED daytime running lights, arrow-shaped LED tail-lights, fog lights, and rain-sensing wipers.
There’s also 18-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels with 235/60 tyres, flush-fit doorhandles, push-button starting, dual-zone climate control, rear wiper/defogger, power windows with one-touch drive function, power-folding wing mirrors and an Intelli Command Control rotary infotainment selector.
Other standard cabin amenities include climate control vents for both the second and third row, plus a three-position second-row seat with arm rest, cup holder, 60/40-split and one-touch tumble function.
Under the bonnet, Australia’s XUV700 is powered exclusively by Mahindra’s latest direct-injected mStallion 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, outputting 149.2kW of power at 5000rpm and 380Nm of torque over 1750-3000rpm via an Aisin six-speed automatic transmission as standard.
Combined fuel consumption is listed at 8.3L/100km.
Other vital statistics include a kerb weight of 1829kg (1835kg for the AX7L), a GVM of 2357kg, GCM of 3857kg, braked towing capacity of 1500kg (750kg unbraked), a turning circle of 11.5m, ground clearance of 196mm and fuel capacity of 60 litres.
Suspension is via front MacPherson struts and a multi-link independent rear-end, each with frequency-selective dampers, and braking is via ventilated front and solid rear discs.
The XUV will be available in just five exterior paint colours: Everest White, Midnight Black, Dazzling Silver, Red Rage and Electric Blue.
No capped-price servicing program has yet been announced, but the XUV700 will come with Mahindra Australia’s seven-year/150,000km factory warranty including roadside assist.
Watch out for our launch review of the 2023 Mahindra XUV700 next Tuesday, June 20.
How much does the 2023 Mahindra XUV700 cost?*
AX7 – $36,990
AX7L – $39,990
* Introductory drive-away prices until August 31
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Keyword: 2023 Mahindra XUV700: Full Australian details