Mahindra's XUV700 received a model year update at the beginning of 2024, which included new color options, features, and the introduction of a 6-seater configuration with captain seats for specific variants. We recently had the opportunity to test the 6-seater variant of this SUV focusing on the comfort and functionality of its 2nd row captain seats.
Comfort and Space
Our impressions reveal that the newly added captain seats are even more comfortable than the front row seats. Despite the car's height, which may pose a challenge for some passengers to enter, there is ample headroom and knee room, and the under-thigh support is commendable. The wider base of the seats allows larger individuals to sit comfortably, and the boss mode (manual adjustment) feature enables passengers to move the front passenger seat ahead for additional legroom, providing a chauffeur-driven experience.
Access to the 3rd Row
Unlike some other 6-seater offerings, direct access to the 3rd row from the 2nd row is not possible in the XUV700. To reach the last row, passengers need to tumble-fold the 2nd-row seat and then access the 3rd row from the outside, as there is not enough space between the captain seats.
Engine Options
The XUV700 is offered with both petrol and diesel engine options. It features a 2.0-liter turbo-petrol engine (200 PS/380 Nm) and a 2.2-liter diesel engine available in two states of tune (156 PS/360 Nm) and (185 PS/Up to 450 Nm). Both engines come with a choice of a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed automatic transmission, with the top-spec diesel automatic variants also offering an all-wheel-drive setup.
Features and Safety
The 2024 XUV700 boasts dual 10.25-inch screens for the infotainment system and digital driver's display, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, ventilated front seats, a wireless phone charger, a 12-speaker sound system, dual-zone climate control, a 6-way powered driver seat with memory function, and memory function for the ORVMs.
In terms of safety, it offers up to 7 airbags, ABS with EBD, electronic stability control (ESC), a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), a 360-degree camera, and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) such as adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and autonomous emergency braking.
Price and Competition
The Mahindra XUV700 is priced between Rs 13.99 lakh and Rs 26.99 lakh (ex-showroom), with the 6-seater variants priced from Rs 21.44 lakh to Rs 25.94 lakh. It competes against the Hyundai Alcazar, MG Hector Plus, and Tata Safari in the 6-seater segment, and the Tata Harrier, MG Hector, and Hyundai Creta in the 5-seater segment.