Mahindra XUV700 MX line-up to expand; new entry level petrol-AT expected

Mahindra will soon be rolling out BS6 Phase-II updates to both the petrol and diesel engines on the XUV700 SUV, which means they will be made E20 fuel and RDE compliant. We have also learnt that Mahindra is likely to reshuffle the variant line-up of the XUV700, introducing a couple of new entry level trims to widen its appeal.

1. XUV700 expected to get new entry level MX (E) trim
2. Petrol-AT powertrain likely to get more accessible with MX trim 
3. Waiting period for top-spec variants stretches to over a year

Mahindra XUV700: new entry-level trims

Mahindra is expected to introduce a new MX (E) trim to the XUV700 line-up that will be positioned between the existing MX and AX3 trims. The primary difference between the MX and AX3 trims is that the latter gets Mahindra’s AdrenoX system with the dual 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. This also results in a huge price difference between the two – the MX and AX3 have a difference of Rs 2.43 lakh for both the petrol and diesel versions.

The new MX (E) trim, therefore, is likely intended to bridge this price gap across both the petrol and diesel line-ups. However, it remains to be seen what new features Mahindra introduces on the MX (E) trim as the MX already comes equipped with an 8.0-inch touchscreen and a 7.0-inch digital inset in the instrument cluster with analogue dials. Mahindra has, previously, done something similar with the Scorpio N.

Mahindra is also expected to make the petrol-AT powertrain a little more accessible. Currently, an automatic gearbox on the XUV700 petrol can only be had from the AX3 trim. Introducing it on the MX trim will certainly lower the price point of the petrol-automatic variants.

Mahindra XUV700: powertrain details 

Mahindra will continue with the 2.0-litre petrol and 2.2-litre diesel engines, albeit updated to meet RDE and E20 fuel compliancy. The petrol motor makes 200hp, while the diesel comes in two states of tune – 155hp for the base variants and 185hp for higher variants. Both engines are paired to a 6-speed manual gearbox as standard with a 6-speed automatic available as an option. Mahindra offers the AWD system only on the top-spec diesel-auto variants.

Mahindra XUV700: current waiting period 

The XUV700 has had a long waiting period since its launch in 2021. The waiting period for the base petrol and diesel variants is around 2-3 months, while the mid-spec variants have a waiting period of up to 5 months. The higher-spec AX7 and AX7L have a waiting period of over one year. 

Mahindra XUV700: price and rivals

Prices for the XUV700 petrol currently range between Rs 13.45 lakh-23.60 lakh, while the diesel variants are priced between Rs 13.96 lakh-25.48 lakh. The XUV700 rivals the likes of the Tata Safari, Hyundai Alcazar and MG Hector Plus.