The typical Australian family car is evolving all the time. 2025 Mahindra XUV700 AX7L vs Nissan X-Trail ST-L comparison: Spec battle Nothing signifies the changing demands better than these two models, the 2025 Mahindra XUV700 and 2025 Nissan X-Trail – a pair of high-riding, seven-seat mid-size SUVs, a vehicle type that has essentially replaced the station wagon as the default choice for suburban runabouts. Both cost just over $40k and offer spacious, flexible cabins that feature modern tech, and are fitted with the latest in automated safety systems. But which is best? Let’s find out… How much? There’s only a handful of mid-size SUVs that offer a third-row option, which puts this pair among a select group for Australian families that need space for seven – especially if they’re on a tighter budget. The Mahindra is the most accessible of these two, with a starting price of just $39,990 drive-away for the entry-level AX7, while the flagship AX7L we’re testing here costs an additional $3000. Nissan offers a wider variety of models across its X-Trail range, with the choice of both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive variants, as well as the groundbreaking e-Power hybrid powertrain. But even the most affordable – the entry-level five-seat, front-drive ST – will cost around the same as the range-topping XUV700 on the road, with a starting price of $38,025 plus on-roads. If you’re after the seven-seat option, it is exclusively available with all-wheel drive in the two mid-level model grades, including the ST-L we’re comparing here and the N-Trek, which cost $47,565 and $52,160 plus on-roads respectively. What do you get? Standard equipment common to both vehicles includes: 18-inch alloy wheelsLED headlightsKeyless entry with push-button startSynthetic leather trimDual-zone climate control with rear air ventsPower adjustable driver’s seatHeated front seatsDigital touchscreen infotainmentDAB+ digital radioWireless Apple CarPlay, Android AutoWireless phone chargerSatellite navigation However, the Mahindra extends its value for money philosophy even further with with a few more features, such as a panoramic glass sunroof, a fully digital instrument cluster, ventilated front seats and a 12-speaker premium audio system compared to the X-Trail’s six-speaker unit. Are they safe? The Mahindra hasn’t been tested by ANCAP, and therefore does not have an independent safety rating to match the X-Trail’s five-star result from 2021, when this current generation first arrived in Australian showrooms. Standard safety features in both vehicles include: Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)Adaptive cruise controlForward collision warningLane departure warningLane keeping assistanceTraffic sign recognitionBlind spot monitoringFront and rear parking sensors Both also feature seven airbags including dual front, side and curtain airbags that cover all three rows, with the Nissan having an extra airbag between the front seat passengers while the Mahindra has a knee airbag for the driver. They each also have a reversing camera, but the Mahindra offers a wider perspective with a 360-degree view. What are they like inside? The XUV700 and X-Trail plant an almost identical footprint on the road with roughly the same dimensions. The Mahindra is a fraction longer and taller with more space between the axles, but not by much. What that translates to inside the cabin is generous space for five with decent cargo storage for everyday family duties in both vehicles. But they also have the added flexibility of a third row, which is best suited to small kids or occasional use only. The Mahindra fuses its modern tech, with twin 10.25-inch digital displays for the instrument cluster and infotainment touch screen, into a more conservative dashboard design with a dark colour palette and piano black highlights with chrome trim elements. The X-Trail, on the other hand, has more conventional tech – a larger 12.3-inch tablet-style touchscreen and analogue gauges with a 7.0-inch display between the tacho and speedo – incorporated into a modern dashboard design with a high-set, floating centre console, stubby gear lever and two-tone colour scheme. Both cars offer plenty of headroom for front seat occupants and an array of convenient storage solutions with twin cupholders and bottle holders in the door pockets. While the X-Trail has a handy hidden tray under the console that keeps the overall aesthetic a bit cleaner, the lidded bin between the front seats in the XUV700 is ventilated, which is a cool feature (literally). The glovebox is also massive. For those in the middle row, both cars boast rear vents and USB power outlets, as well as enough space for three across the rear bench with decent legroom. Access to the third row in either isn’t as easy as it is in larger, dedicated seven-seaters, and the space is best left to small children. Both have cupholders, but the Mahindra makes it more bearable with additional air vents. What’s under the bonnet? Here’s where these two cars diverge the most. First of all, the XUV700 is only available as a front-driver, while the seven-seat option in the X-Trail is exclusive to AWD variants – if that matters to you. The Mahindra produces significantly higher outputs too, thanks to its turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that delivers 150kW of power and 380Nm of torque to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission. The Nissan has a larger-capacity engine and it isn’t turbocharged: a 2.5-litre normally aspirated four-cylinder delivering 135kW and 244Nm to all four wheels through a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Both engines are optimised to run on the most affordable 91-octane standard unleaded, but the Mahindra uses slightly more with a combined average of 8.3L/100km compared to Nissan’s 7.8L/100km claim. If you’re towing a small trailer or caravan, the X-Trail has a little extra headroom in terms of its maximum braked towing capacity (2000kg versus 1500kg) and also includes specific safety features such as Trailer Sway Control. Cost of ownership Both Mahindra and Nissan provide excellent long-term ownership benefits with these cars. At face value, the XUV700 comes out on top with a seven-year factory warranty that includes roadside assistance (the first year is free and renewed each time you visit an authorised service dealer for scheduled maintenance) with longer service intervals in terms of mileage. But it limits the coverage to 150,000km and its capped price servicing scheme is more expensive and is only offered for the first four years. Nissan’s standard five-year/unlimited-km warranty is on par with most other mainstream brands, and it has more affordable service pricing. But the Japanese brand goes further by adding an extra year of warranty coverage – and roadside assistance – for every scheduled service within its dealer network, providing up to an unrivalled 10 years and 300,000km of coverage. CarExpert’s Pick It’s a tight race between these two, as both the Mahindra XUV700 and Nissan X-Trail deliver where it counts. Both have spacious and flexible cabins, and the latest in safety tech and digital conveniences, and both are affordable to run. The Nissan has a slight advantage if you’re more adventurous, with better light-duty off-road potential and a higher towing capacity thanks to its AWD configuration. But for growing Aussie families on a shrinking budget, the Mahindra offers more features for less. Click the images for the full gallery
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