Matsapha – Mahindra has unveiled the facelifted XUV 700 under a new name, XUV 7X0, five years after the original model replaced the XUV 500, with the updated SUV making its debut in India while its availability in Southern Africa remains unconfirmed.
The model was introduced this week in India as a refreshed version of the XUV 700, featuring revised exterior styling, a comprehensively updated interior and enhanced technology, while retaining the existing engine options. Mahindra has yet to announce whether the XUV 7X0 will be introduced to South Africa or neighbouring markets such as Eswatini.
Externally, the XUV 7X0 follows a design direction similar to the XUV 3X0, which succeeded the XUV 300. Updates include C shaped headlights with a black outer surround, a new grille, a redesigned front bumper and newly styled alloy wheels measuring up to 19 inches. Changes at the rear are more restrained, limited to a subtly revised bumper and clear light lenses connected by a full width gloss black logo bar.
Inside the cabin, Mahindra has introduced more extensive revisions. All versions receive a new dashboard design, a slimmer two spoke steering wheel, a redesigned centre console and touch sensitive climate controls. Central to the interior is a coast to coast digital layout consisting of three 12.3 inch screens spanning the dashboard across all derivatives.
Specification upgrades include a wider selection of interior materials, Zip Zap and Zoom drive modes, a 16 speaker Harman Kardon sound system with Dolby Atmos technology, electric heated and ventilated front seats, ventilated rear seats, auto tilting side mirrors, ambient lighting, rear window blinds, dual wireless smartphone chargers and a panoramic sunroof.
Safety and driver assistance systems include at least six airbags, a 540 degree surround view camera, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, driver attention alert and lane departure warning.
The XUV 7X0 is offered in six trim levels, AX, AX3, AX5, AX7, AX7 T and AX7 L, with six or seven seat configurations available only on the AX7 T and AX7 L. Engine options remain unchanged, consisting of the 2.0 litre turbocharged mStallion petrol and the 2.2 litre mHawk turbodiesel. Both engines are paired with either a six speed manual or six speed automatic gearbox. Output figures remain at 149 kilowatts and 380 newton metres for the petrol, while the diesel produces 136 kilowatts and 420 newton metres with the manual, increasing to 450 newton metres with the automatic. All wheel drive is available only on the seven seat diesel AX7 T and AX7 L models.
In India, pricing starts at 1 366 000 rupees for the manual petrol AX and rises to 2 656 000 rupees for the all wheel drive AX7 L. This translates to approximately R248 000 to R482 000 when directly converted, excluding taxes. Despite this, Mahindra has not yet confirmed whether the XUV 7X0 will be introduced to South Africa, though expectations remain that an announcement could be made later this year.
The current XUV 700, which entered the South African market in 2022 as a petrol only front wheel drive alternative to the diesel focused Scorpio N, is priced from R495 199.
Independent News contacted Mahindra Eswatini at its Matsapha head office, showroom and parts department to establish the local position. The company confirmed that the XUV 7X0 is not yet available in the Kingdom. Mahindra Eswatini further confirmed that the XUV 700 is currently priced from E495 199, while the Bolero Maxi Truck Plus is available from E238 753. The dealership noted that prices are subject to change at any time.
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