The latest new SUV by Mahindra is the all new XUV 500. This car is so beautifully designed that it seems Mahindra is all set to win over the hearts of all SUV lovers. The people who are looking to buy an SUV cannot ignore the XUV 500 at any cost. With masculine and fresh lines, curvy and sharp exteriors XUV 500 is sure to make it presence felt big time on city roads as well as the highways. So let’s jump on to the Mahindra XUV 500 review to see what has Mahindra got to offer to its buyer with this latest entrant.
Engine and technical specifications
Mahindra’s name is not new in the SUV segment of cars. In the past too it has given us many powerful machines, the most popular being the Scorpio. Equipped with a 4 cylinders in-line 2179cc turbo diesel engine the XUV 500 generates 140 bhp power and a torque of 32.63 kgm at 1600-2800 rpm. With 4 speed manual gearbox, the XUV 500 has got a front-wheel drive transmission. This car weighs 1785 kgs. With a wheel base of 2700 mm the ground clearance given by it is 200mm. The front suspension of independent Mac Pherson strut, coil springs and the rear of independent multi-link coil springs steering gives maximum comfort to the travellers. With hydraulic power assist the turning radius of the steering wheel is 11.2 m. The front brakes are ventilated discs and the rear solid discs along with ABS technology ensuring safety in emergencies. The dimensions of the XUV 500 are 4585 mm length, 1890 mm width and 1785 mm height.
AMT Version of XUV 500
The automatic transmission version of this popular suv car was also launched recently in India.Mahindra has introduced 6 Speed AMT system with its 1.99 litre engine variant.With this , the suv is now available in 3 automatic variants namely w6,w8 and w10.The base price of amt variant in XUV500 starts with 14.51 lakhs(Ex Showroom , New Delhi).
Exterior design
Speaking of the design of the XUV 500, we are hardly left with any words for it. This SUV is so beautiful that you can’t take your eyes off it! The stance of the car is very masculine. The projector headlamps and the front grille steal the show away. The daytime running LEDs will be offered to the buyers as a part of the standard package. This car definitely looks very classy to most people but some seem to differ on this. It is seen that some feel Mahindra has gone overboard with the masculinity of the car as the bulky arches in the body make the wheels appear smaller. The rear tail light also seems to be a little overdone with the detailing. The long wheelbase of the car makes it appear safe and stable.
Interiors
Coming down to interiors of the XUV 500 the travellers will find it very easy and comfortable to get in and come out of the car, thanks to its wide opening door and aptly high entrance. The A.C vents are done up beautifully and same is the case with the dashboard. The only problem with the dashboard is that it is done up with three different kinds of plastic making it appear too cramped. The audio system and the centre console give a very elite feel. The colour touch screen, DVD player, radio and the GPS all are among the great advantages of this car. The front seats are so comfortable that you won’t have a reason to complain. Cushioned well enough the middle row seats also provide superior comfort. The generosity of the legroom will delight you to no bounds. The third row is a little disappointing though as here you won’t find ample knee and legroom. The luggage space is again an issue here but for the little things you carry there is great amount of storage space. The loading and unloading of luggage is a very easy task with the XUV 500, thanks to its low floor base. Light sensing headlights, cruise control, steering mounted audio controls, rain sensing wipers and the parking sensors are surprisingly present in all the variants!
Performance
The high pressure fuelling system, the S-vane BorgWarner variable geometry turbocharger make the power go up to 140 BHP from 120 BHP in no time. The drive in the Mahindra XUV 500 is definitely most effortless. It takes 12.34 seconds to zoom up to 100 kmph from 0 kmph. The gear engaging seems a little pushy and the clutch a little jerky too. The even terrain drive is very pleasant. As soon as potholes come into the scene, the XUV 500 rattles through them making you feel a little not too happy, though the improvement over Scorpio can clearly be felt. The fuel economy is pretty good here. On the city road, XUV 500 manages a good 10.2 kmpl and on the highways a great 14.3 kmpl.
Pros
- Beautiful design and styling
- Roomy interiors
- Good fuel economy
- Awesome features in low price
- Economical price
Cons
- A little low luggage space
- Third row a little cramped
- Too much of detailing in designing
Verdict
The Mahindra XUV 500 is a clear winner among other SUVs available in the market. With so many amazing features in a very affordable price, we strongly recommend you this one if you are an SUV lover!
