Technology is undoubtedly the overarching theme of the 2020s. We carry it in our pockets, wear it on our wrists and in our ears, and place it on our desks. And if you’ve got a Mahindra XUV700, then you even drive around cocooned in technology. You sense this right from your very first interaction with the car, as the smart door handles fold out to welcome you, and this sets the tone for the entire XUV experience. The welcome dance continues with the powered and ventilated driver’s seat sliding back to ease your entry, before swiftly sliding back to exactly where you need it, thanks to the memory function.
In The Driver’s Seat
The two 10.25 inch screens come together to form a 'Superscreen' that spans half the width of the dashboard
Once you’re seated in the comfy, supportive seat, you’re faced with a vast expanse of black screen stretching more than half the width of the dashboard. They call it the Superscreen, and that sounds about right – a massive 10.25-inch infotainment screen flanked by another 10.25-inch instrument cluster. A quick press of the start button and it all glitters to life with snazzy animations. Truth be told, you could spend hours just going through all the menus and features, but the XUV700 shines even brighter once you turn your focus to the driving side of things. With a cutting-edge 2.2-litre mHawk turbo diesel engine under the hood, you’ve got 185hp and 450Nm waiting to be unleashed with the flex of your ankle. And once you feel the urgency with which it darts forward, it’s quite easy to get sucked into a power trip.
Toggle through the driving modes to get to Zoom, and you’d be forgiven for getting a little carried away. True forgiveness, though, will come neither from the driver nor from the almighty, but from the car itself. You see, it’s got an advanced suite of Level 2 ADAS features that are constantly keeping a watchful eye on the road ahead. And behind, for that matter. A blind-spot monitoring system is part of the package, as is Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keep Assist and Automatic Emergency Braking, among many others. All of which means you can breathe easy and whistle along to the fantastic sounding tunes being belted out by the Sony sound system that immerses you in music with its 3D Sound technology.
A Deep Connection
With wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay and a wireless charger, you'll never need a cable again.
Today in 2024, the concept of a car as a mere mode of transport is outdated. Instead, it functions as a mobile hub of connectivity and convenience, seamlessly woven into the fabric of our daily routines and enriching our everyday lives. Take the case of the XUV700, for example. With Built-In Alexa (India’s first vehicle to offer this), you can not only control various features of the car itself, but even do things like remotely turn on the lights in your house, all without ever needing to take your hands off the wheel. Conversely, you can also control the car from inside your house, courtesy of the intelligent Adrenox app. Whether it’s tracking the vehicle in real-time, starting the engine or unlocking the doors, you can do it all from the comfort of your sofa, thanks to the smart and connected features of the XUV700.
Of course, this quest for technological supremacy does not come at the neglect of the fundamentals of the car itself. As is the case with all Mahindra SUVs, there is a strong focus on safety and robustness. And it’s certified, too. A 5-star crash protection rating for adult occupants at GNCAP was further backed up by the XUV700 also winning the coveted ‘Safer Choice’ award from Global NCAP. All this is thanks to features like the best-in-class 7 airbags on offer, which go above and beyond with side and curtain airbags extending till the 3rd row too. It’s also backed up by the latest-gen Electronic Stability Program, which is constantly monitoring the vehicle’s dynamics, automatically adjusting brake pressure and engine output to ensure the car remains composed and in control under all conditions.
Driving Into The Future
An already spacious cabin feels even more airy thanks to the enormous panoramic sunroof.
In conclusion, the Mahindra XUV700 represents more than just a vehicle; it embodies the seamless convergence of automotive excellence and cutting-edge technology. As we navigate the 2020s, cars like these are not only transforming how we drive but also how we live, work, and interact with the world around us. The journey towards a safer, more efficient and more connected automotive future is well underway, with vehicles like the XUV700 leading the charge. And it’s showing no signs of slowing down either, already having racked up 2,00,000 sales. The cherry on top of it all? To celebrate the 3rd anniversary of the XUV700, Mahindra is offering its flagship SUV at celebratory prices, with the AX7 variant now starting at under Rs 20 lakh.
