Review: Mahindra XUV700 MX Entry Variant

**Review: Mahindra XUV700 MX Entry Variant **

The moment Mahindra Suv entered the Market, it hugely got a surprising response. Released on the Eve of India’s 75th Independence Day, It has created a big Storm. The key reason behind the hugely admirable success of Mahindra Xuv700 is the design, engineering, features and yes, Performance as well. XUV700 also attracted a lot of attention because of its entry price. So, we came up to talk about the Mahindra XUV700 openly. Leaving behind all the hush-bush, let’s discuss its features, specifications, and a lot more.

As the XUV700 goes, the MX Series kick off its range. What began as introductory pricing has now moved up by ₹ 50,000 on the MX, so prices now read as ₹ 12.49 lakh (Petrol, manual) and ₹ 12.99 lakh (Diesel, manual) ex-showroom.

Let’s Talk about it’s Design

You have to look closely for the differences at the Mahindra XUV700. Yes, it is a base variant, so while there may be no rear defogger, rear wiper, chrome garnish on the window-line, and biggies like no daytime running lights or DRLs, you still get a fair amount of kit. You do still get the full LED taillight cluster that's a sign of the XUV700 design.The way the tailgate, muscular fenders, grille, and roofline are shaped remains consistent with higher variants. And you still get the 'smart' door handles as Mahindra is calling them. The fact that these aren't electrically deployable in the MX doesn't matter much. And that's because to open the doors you use at the handle's end, and the handle pops up mechanically. It then has a spring-loaded action when you pull at it. This opens the door, and the same stretched spring snaps the handle back into the door body - flush with the metal again.

Besides that, while you get the glossy piano-black grille with metal design elements, the headlamp cluster is not all LED. And the DRLs disappear, yet the same shaped chrome element is maintained so you don't notice the difference immediately. The same ends in the indicator now - to complete the look. No alloy wheels, but the steel rims are still 17-inches with 235/65 tyres. The wheel cover is not the most gorgeous though! But overall the MX Series of the Mahindra XUV700 doesn't look like an obviously lowered or stripped-down variant.

To not just give the semblance of an upmarket offering, but by truly giving big car size, big-car appeal, and big car design - in a great value package. The MX variant is available in 4 of the 5 colours on offer. This means silver, bright red, very dark blue, and white. But not the bright electric blue - that is saved for the AX or Adrenox series.

Engines and Performance

The XUV700 MX also gets both fuel type options, but while it is only manual at the word go, an automatic petrol MX is likely a few days down the line. The petrol gets you the modern mStallion turbo GDI engine - same as higher trim option variants. And this is great - because on most competition cars the turbo is saved for higher variants only, while the base usually gets an older naturally aspirated motor. On the diesel side, there is a change. But it is a differently tuned variant of the same new mHawk engine. It delivers 153 bhp, while the higher variants get the more powerful 182 bhp avatar.

The diesel MX is actually fun to drive. At no point do you find it underpowered, given the shape, size, segment, and weight of this vehicle? And just as well, because that means the MX diesel will still satisfy the XUV500 cult that has a certain expectation of muscle and grunt from this new vehicle. However, sound damping could be a bit better between the engine bay and cabin. NVH levels on the AX series seem better.

And if you consider the petrol side of things on the MX, which is anyway the least expensive XUV700 you can buy - well then that's where I think a lot of people have missed a beat. And that is because you're getting the same petrol engine that you will get on higher variants - and that means you get all that power, all that torque, and the latest technology - which is turbo GDI. And as I said earlier with an automatic option on the way, things will really seem very compelling on the MX after all.

Tech and Interior

The cabin of the MX retains the same layout, material, and colour palette as the AX3 and to some extent the AX5 variants. The big difference is the lack of the dual 10.25-inch screen interface (touchscreen infotainment + digital instrument cluster). Instead, you get an 8-inch touchscreen system and a 7-inch screen in the cluster. The good part is that the latter is still a full-colour display and not just a monochrome digital trip computer! And the graphics and style are like that in the bigger system. The only bummer is that its function keys are on the panel on the right of the steering wheel (where you sometimes have things like light switches in some cars), and not on the steering wheel. On the steering therefore the right side has a dead space, while the left still gives you some steering mounted controls like music, phone etc. I do feel the design of those dials in the instrument cluster could have been way sexier and more modern looking.

On the infotainment side, it's a similar graphic look; and while it won't give you some functions of the larger Adrenox system like wireless Apple CarPlay, you still get a fair bit - including wired smartphone connectivity, and being able to move widgets around on the customisable home screen. So while the screen is not huge, and 8-incher is not small either. Okay, so you don't get the leatherette upholstery from the AX7, and the screens are smaller - but there are nothing downmarket, cheap, or bare-bones about this cabin.

Safety

Dual airbags, ABS, ISOFIX child seat anchors, electric outside mirrors, rear parking sensors, speed-sensitive door locks, and a tough structure. The latter uses 45 per cent high and ultra-high-strength steel in its construction, new ring-type construction of its shell, and cutting-edge bonding and welding techniques to improve stiffness and crash capability alike.This is a roomy cabin, that's pretty well appointed, gives you some good features, and yes retains the big car feel. And the great news is that the suspension and therefore ride and handling are right up there like the higher variants too. So, on the XUV700, I reckon that Mahindra is likely to have its hands full on the MX variant too.