Mahindra XUV 700 : The face of Indian automotive has changed in the recent past with local manufacturers grabbing premium segment by storm from what were alien high spending vehicles just a few years ago,
Among those pioneers is the Mahindra XUV 700showing what a true luxury, class-leading vehicle should offer at its segment.
Ever since its release, this flagship SUV has disrupted the market by providing an irresistible mix of top-tier technology, outstanding features and awe-inspiring looks at a price that democratize luxury to Indian Consumer.
Ever Motor Industry analysts have stated that XUV 700 marks a significant accomplishment for Indian automotive engineering — with home grown cars capable of competing with international products in terms of refinement, feature content and more.
Design Philosophy: Command presence with understated splendour
The XUV 700 is an avowedly classy face in the vast sea of road presence, since it combines enough sophistication in its design to let one understand that this is officially upscale.
Front: A dominant new face at the Land Rover Deuxie with a unique staggered diamond grill and bold personality box that cuts an image of both aggressiveness and class.
In addition to creating a dynamic visual presence with the advanced LED headlamps clusters consisting of C-shaped daytime running lights, it perfectly blend form and style on a new level of illumination capabilities.
Seen from the side, the XUV 700 is beautifully proportioned with a taut character line giving it dynamic presence as even if it is parked.
Interior Craftsmanship — Quality Exclusivity at its finest
Enter the XUV 700 and immediate mental picture transformation is vastness with craft, material quality and almost tactile attentiveness inside the cabin
The dashboard architecture follows a continuous horizontal one, through the layered elements to generate three-dimensional sophistication in piano black band running across the dashboard.
The cabin is wrapped in premium soft-touch materials, with the leatherette surfaces to correspond feel real Alcantara and classy aluminum detailing while some switchgear has been damped to provide satisfying tactile feedback.
One of the best seats, with perfectly styled contrast stitching on perforated leatherette upholstery for comfort during a long trip and a superb ergonomic profiling.
Tech Suite — Rad innovation with smart execution
Perhaps the most radical departure from segment norms for XUV 700 variant comes in form of technological capabilities; users in India should expect more from premium vehicles and this firm is setting expectations high with the Indian premiere of a car not too long ago.
At the heart of the user experience is the Mercedes-designed twin 10.25-inch screen set-up, merging the digital instrument cluster and touchscreen infotainment into one pristine piece of glass.
Over 60 connected features powered by AdrenoX connected car platform : remote engine start, geo-fencing, cabin pre-conditioning and OTA updates to keep latest the vehicle technology seamlessly.
With advanced natural language processing, it supports voice command functionality which understands conversational prompts in multiple Indian languages and accents — acknowledging regional richness of the market.
Endowed with an enhanced 12-speaker Sony 3D sound system (triple amplifier and sub ) tailored to the intent of auditory experience for XUV 700 in its acoustic environment as such.
Powertrain Performance reaching Premium badge potential
Powertrain performance worth the XUV 700 under hood follows, meeting performance specifications bestowed to it in its premium positioning but varies from what luxury SUV buyers like.
The 2.0-liter turbo petrol ranges topping engine outputs a healthy 200 hp and a massive 380 Nm, which inspired me to 0-100km/h in as little time as nearly 9 seconds — impressive figures for its class and size.
The 2.2l turbodiesel has several tuning levels for those who take long-distance touring and load in their Alpidera, with top version of 185 hp and a lot of torque (450 Nm) for easy highway gliding.
Luxury Amenities to Segmented Expectations
Apart from headline-tech features, the XUV 700 stocks a respectable collection of luxo-addons that actually make it feel like you are driving anything other than a boring wagon.
From the luxury menu of options in the driver seat that is 6-way power adjustment with memory function for 2+ owners preferences so one can not take out and re-learn for every user.
With the multi-zone climate control there is, I suppose it could be argued, front (“For your convenience” — large print) and back passenger every rear controls to boot so second row gets a little comfort without wanting the front occupants.
During hot Indian summers, ventilated seats with an adjustable cooling level set as a welcome respite from the heat and make once uncomfortable journey to an easily bearable one.
Insert electronic parking brake with auto-hold so the convenience of stop-start traffic and better centre console design due to less hefty mechanical handbrake.
Beyond the vehicle: The Ownership Experience
Mahindra has understood that a premium product is not bound to be physical vehicle but includes the complete ownership journey — XUV 700 offers several features that improve the experience on offer.
Each XUV 700 customer has a dedicated relationship manager, who guides him through buying process to ownership.
The broader mandatory warranty, which is 5 years or 100,000 km of coverage shows the confidence in its build quality and durability for long term.
Roadside assistance is free for the life of the warranty so owners that go on long distance drives to the middle of nowhere have nothing to worry.
XUV 700 Conclusion
The Mahindra XUV 700 is a transitional vehicle in the history of Indian automotive revolution: it prove that domestic brands can make products on par with luxury, tech and design.
Through making features and polish typically only available in the far higher price ranges, it has reset consumer expectations and competitors were forced to raise their use cases.
The fortunes of the car are an example how a market is getting more practical, it is very difficult nowadays for buyers to purchase a car just based on the badge but the various features and driving experience.
Mahindra, with its XUV 700 is a flagship product and as well tech enhancer that steps up perception of our entire brand portfolio.
