Picture this: you’re embarking on a road trip across diverse landscapes winding hills, smooth highways, and maybe some rough backroads. You want a vehicle that looks premium, feels safe, has enough power, and keeps you comfortable for hours. That’s exactly the target zone for the Mahindra XUV700 2025.
With its updated design, advanced features and multiple engine options, it aims to combine all these elements. For anyone in the market for a mid-size SUV that can do city life and long drives equally well, the XUV700 2025 has quite the offer.
Design & Exterior: First Impressions
When you drive past in the XUV700 2025 (or see one parked), a few things catch the eye immediately.
- Bold stance & proportions: It stretches to about 4695 mm in length, 1890 mm width, and 1755 mm height, with a wheelbase of 2750 mm. That gives it both road presence and roomy cabin space.
- Premium touches: LED headlamps, LED DRLs, alloy wheels (often 18-inch in many variants), panoramic sunroof in higher trims. All contribute to a feeling of luxury.
- Variants and trim levels: MX, AX3, AX5, AX7, AX7L. They differ in how much style and tech you get. Higher trims have more exterior flair (black editions, sporty accents, etc.).
So visually and physically, the XUV700 2025 gives a strong first impression of being a premium SUV.
Engine Options & Performance
Power and drivability are crucial for both city use and long distances. The XUV700 2025 offers a few engine & drivetrain configurations, so buyers can pick what suits them best.
| Engine Type | Displacement | Power / Torque | Transmission & Drivetrain Options | Real-World Mileage* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (mStallion TGDi) | ~2.0L | ~200 PS @ ~5000 rpm, ~~380 Nm torque between ~1750-3000 rpm | 6-speed manual / 6-speed automatic; mainly front-wheel drive, in some markets AWD not typical with petrol in base trims | |
| Diesel (mHawk) | ~2.2L | Up to ~185 PS, torque up to ~450 Nm in automatic variants | 6-speed manual / automatic; AWD available in higher trims/AX7L in some offerings | |
| Fuel Tank & Dimensions | – | – | – | 60-litre fuel tank; good for long range touring especially in diesel trims |
Mileage depends heavily on driving conditions, variant, and whether manual or automatic is used. Diesel tends to deliver better mileage in mixed/hwy driving.
What that means for a driver:
- For urban stop-and-go driving, petrol variants will feel more responsive, quieter.
- For highways and long stretches, diesel versions with high torque (especially automatic ones) pull better, overtakes feel easier, and long-distance cruising is more relaxed.
- AWD in higher trims helps in wet, slushy or rougher terrain.
Advanced Safety Features
One of the XUV700 2025’s biggest strengths is its safety technology. It’s not just “how many airbags” but also what smart systems are in place to reduce risk (which all matters on long drives especially).
Key Safety Systems
- Airbags: Depending on variant, up to 7 airbags, including curtain airbags.
- ABS with EBD, ESP / Stability control: Prevent skids, help in sudden braking.
- ADAS (Level 2 in many variants) features like:
- Forward Collision Warning and Automatic Emergency Braking
- Lane Departure / Lane Keep Assist
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Traffic Sign Recognition, Driver Drowsiness Warning etc.
- Child-safety / ISOFIX tethering etc are standard in many variants.
These features help reduce fatigue and increase safety over long distances, not just reacting to emergencies but avoiding them.
Comfort & Touring Capabilities
An SUV looks pretty, but if it’s not comfortable during hours of driving, the luxury fades fast. The XUV700 2025 tries to cover that.
Interior & Comfort Highlights
- Dual 10.25-inch screens (infotainment + driver cluster) in many variants. Clear displays help reduce driver distraction.
- Dual-zone climate control. If you and a passenger want different temperatures, you can set it.
- Panoramic sunroof in higher trims. Adds airy feel, useful on long drives under open sky.
- Ventilated front seats, often in top variants. Reduces fatigue during hot weather.
- Spacious cabin: good legroom, generous boot space (≈240 litres in many trims)
Ride & Handling
- The suspension is designed to balance ride comfort with control. On highways, the XUV700 filters out imperfections well; on uneven or pot-holed roads it soaks bumps better than many sedans.
- Ground clearance around 200 mm in many variants helps clear speed breakers, rough patches.
Pricing & Variant Breakdown
Choosing the right variant depends on what you value more: cost, features, performance.
Here is a simplified variant + pricing overview (ex-showroom) from mid-2025 in India:
| Variant | Fuel Type | Transmission / Drivetrain | Seating | Approx. Price Range (India) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MX (petrol) | Petrol | Manual | 5-seater | ~ ₹14.07 lakh |
| AX3 / AX5 | Petrol / Diesel | Manual / Auto, 5-/7-seater | 5 or 7 | ~ ₹16.89-20.79 lakh (petrol), higher end for diesel & auto |
| AX7 / AX7L | Diesel (and Petrol in some) | Auto / AWD options, 7-seater | 7 | ~ ₹23-27 lakh for top trims Garware Hi-Tech Films |
(Prices vary by city, local taxes, variant features.)
Comparison with Competitors
To see how XUV700 stacks up, here’s a quick contrast with two popular rivals in India’s mid-size premium SUV space: Hyundai Alcazar and Kia Carnival (or equivalent three row SUVs).
| Feature | XUV700 2025 | Hyundai Alcazar | Kia Carnival (or similar) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seating / Capacity | Up to 7 seats, multiple seating layouts | Up to 7 | Typically 7-8 depending on model |
| Engine Power (Diesel / Petrol) | Strong torque especially in diesel (≈450 Nm) | Less torque (diesel typically lower) | Powerful options, but higher price |
| Safety & ADAS | Very competitive; 7 airbags, Level-2 ADAS, etc. | Good safety, but older tech in base variants | Often higher spec but more expensive |
| Long Distance Comfort | Panoramic roof, spacious cabin, fuel-efficient diesel, high GC | Comfortable, but less torque, smaller boot | Very comfortable, but bigger size adds cost & may reduce maneuverability in cities |
What this shows: the XUV700 2025 gives a strong mix of safety, performance, and comfort, often at a value that rivals struggle to match.
Real-World Example: Long Distance Tour from Delhi to Leh
Let’s imagine a trip from Delhi → Leh (~1,000-1,100 km one way, much of it high altitude). What makes the XUV700 2025 a good pick:
- Diesel variant with automatic: high torque helps overtakes on ghat-roads.
- Ground clearance ~200 mm helps when encountering uneven roads or debris.
- Good fuel tank (≈60 litres) means fewer fuel stops.
- Comfortable in cabin: dual-zone AC, panoramic sunroof, ventilated seats reduce fatigue.
- Safety systems like automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist increase confidence on unfamiliar mountain roads.
So for long, challenging drives, the XUV700 delivers more than just raw power it balances comfort, safety, and reliability.
FAQs
Q: Which engine is better for city driving, petrol or diesel?
A: If most of your driving is in city traffic, the petrol 2.0L might be quieter and slightly peppier in stop-and-go. But if you do highway driving often, especially with passengers or load, the diesel’s high torque gives better performance and better fuel economy on long runs.
Q: Does the XUV700 have good fuel mileage?
A: It depends on the variant and driving style. Diesel automatics tend to do better on highway stretches, often in the ballpark of 15-17 km/l under favorable conditions. Petrols are lower, particularly in city use. Real-world mileage often mixes these.
Q: Do all variants get ADAS (advanced driver assistance systems)?
A: No ADAS features are more prominent in higher trims like AX7 / AX7L. Lower trims might have basic safety features, but things like adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, forward collision warning are generally in mid-to-top level trims.
Q: Is the third row comfortable for long journeys?
A: It’s usable, especially for kids or shorter adults. But as with many midsize SUVs, it’s tighter in space, less legroom, and perhaps less ideal for full-size adults over long distances.
Q: What about maintenance and servicing costs?
A: Mahindra has a decent service network, and annual maintenance costs are reasonable for this class. For example, in some sources service intervals are 10,000 km or yearly, with costs rising based on variant (feature complexity, engine type). Warranty periods are also good for many regions, 5 years / 150,000 km or similar. Mahindra Vehicles at Group1 Motors+2CarExpert+2
Conclusion
The Mahindra XUV700 2025 isn’t just another SUV. It’s one that raises the bar in the mid-size premium segment by bringing together strong engine choices, serious safety tech, and comfort features that actually matter—especially on long drives. Whether you’re commuting in traffic, tackling highways, or planning a road trip, it offers a broad spectrum of capabilities.
If you value safety, modern tech, and touring capability without stepping into luxury SUV pricing, the XUV700 2025 is definitely a strong contender. It’s not perfect no vehicle is but it strikes a balance many buyers will find hard to ignore.
Nand Kishor is a content writer covering business, economy, and world affairs. With a background in journalism, he focuses on clear, ethical, and insightful reporting. Outside of work, he enjoys chess, cricket, and writing short stories.
