Mahindra XUV500

Little wonder then that the Mahindra XUV500 has become one of the most popular SUVs in the country, being a winning combination of design, performance and great value.
The XUV500 appears to strike a sweet spot if you're like me and you prefer a vehicle that has good comfort in the urban environment and rugged dependability. In this XUV500 review, I will walk you through the bold design, impressive features, and practical performance of this SUV.

Why the XUV500 Caught My Eye
The Mahindra XUV500 was bold, muscular and one of the first things that drew me to it. One of those SUVs, which just feels ready to tackle anything, whether that’s city streets or the highways. Also, priced from ?12.31 lakh and above, it’s reasonably slathered within a budget for an SUV.

Exterior Design: Bold and Commanding
Bold front fascia is what the XUV500 is all about first. The huge grille, enclosed by neat headlights, offers a fierce look, and the SUV looks awfully impressive on the road. No matter how you’re traveling through the city or on the highway, the sporty silhouette and curved roofline make the vehicle look modern but rugged at the same time.

Looked from the side —– pronounced wheel arches, smooth lines, it is clear that this is a vehicle for adventure. Rear design is equally appealing with slim tail lamps that hug the sides and a neat bumper addition which makes the sporty appeal perfect.

Size-wise, the XUV500’s 4,585 mm length and a ground clearance of 200 mm add heft to its presence, you won’t miss. This SUV feels ready for anything whether you’re parking in a crowded urban area or navigating some rough terrain.

Interior: Spacious, but Quirky
The cabin inside is wide and with capacity to seat up to 7 people, but, as is the norm with many three-row SUVs, the third row isn’t adequate for adults to sit for longer distances. I’m comfortable because the seats are comfortable, and they give good lumbar support too so I can drive for long.

The dashboard layout is a bit on the busy side however. I needed to get used to all the buttons and the somewhat messy multifunction display. With that out of the way, once you do, the driving position is good, with a high view of the road.

The touchscreen is an infotainment system that supports Android Auto, and I did find that navigating can occasionally be a little laggy. The sound quality is quite average, and I personally did feel like it could have been better for the kind of price you’re paying for higher variants.

Performance: Strong and Smooth
That’s the one area where the Mahindra XUV500 truly shines. What impressed me most was the diesel variant, which provides a 2.2L mHawk turbo engine which develops 153 bhp and 360 Nm torque. No matter whether you’re driving in the city or go open road the engine feels responsive and powerful.

Here’s a quick look at the engine options:

• Diesel: 153 bhp, 360 Nm, 6-speed Auto
• Petrol: 140 bhp, 320 Nm, 6-speed Manual

The transmission is smooth and responsive, with a slight delay in gear shifting occasionally. Meanwhile, the manual transmission offers you more control, but it tends to be really heavy in stop-and-go traffic. Hill Hold Control is a nice feature to have when driving uphill.

If ride quality is concerned the XUV500 handles well enough, but on bad roads, it does feel a little bumpy. Overall the suspension does a good job, but perhaps on somewhat uneven surfaces, jolts will be felt.

Fuel Efficiency: Balanced but Varies
The XUV500 comes with both fuel options — diesel and petrol — with the diesel variant usually offering better overall fuel efficiency, although real-world mileage can differ. Based on user reviews and my own experience:

• Diesel: Around 15-18 km/l
• Petrol: Around 12-15 km/l

In city driving, you’ll be closer to the bottom end of these ranges, whereas on a highway the XUV500's efficiency starts shining.

Safety: Reliable and Secure
If I have to get a family SUV safety is a big deal and the XUV500 certainly delivers on that count. Standard is dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, and rear parking sensors. If you’re after additional safety features, you’ll find Hill Hold Control, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), or Traction Control on the higher variants.

In crash tests too, the XUV500 has done well and earned solid ratings for its solid construction.

Technology: Functional but Could Improve
Since I am a bit of a tech enthusiast, I was excited to see how the XUV500’s infotainment and tech features stand against the rest. The touchscreen interface is decent enough, as I said before, but the navigation is especially laggy. The good thing is Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are supported, so integrating your smartphone is a breeze.

It also has a bit of telemetrics to it in the form of vehicle tracking and remote diagnostics should you require them.

Ownership Experience: Mixed Feedback
Owners like to talk about the spacious interior and solid performance of the XUV500, and there is a wealth of customer reviews to back that up. But ride quality and service experience are mixed, and some owners have complained that maintenance costs start to add up, particularly if you have to have major service work done.

Competitors: Stacking Up Against the Competition
The Mahindra XUV500 competes in its segment against Tata Safari, Hyundai Creta and MG Hector. Here’s a brief comparison with its rivals:

Final Thoughts: Is the XUV500 Right for You?
After living with the Mahindra XUV500 for some time, I reckon it’s a good buy for the regular commuter who also needs an SUV that can go on long road trips. It’s not perfect—ride quality can be a bit stiff and the tech features could use a polish—but, overall, it hits a lot of checkmarks in a good way. For those of you looking for a spacious, rugged SUV at a good money value, the XUV500 is your list of choice.