The Mahindra XUV700 has been awarded a full, 5-star safety rating by the Global NCAP (New Car Assessment Program). The SUV scored five stars for adult occupant protection and four stars for child occupant protection in the latest round of crash tests conducted by the safety watchdog.
- Scored 16.03 out of 17 points for adult occupant protection
- 41.66 out of 49 points for child occupant protection
- Model tested was equipped with dual airbags and ISOFIX mounts
Mahindra XUV700 5-star safety rating explained
The Mahindra XUV700 was subjected to the front offset deformable barrier (ODB) test at 64kph. In addition to the ODB test, the SUV was also subjected to a side impact test.
The XUV700 scored 16.03 points out of a possible 17 for adult occupant protection and 41.66 points out of 49 for child occupant protection. It was adjudged to offer good protection to the driver’s and passenger’s head, neck, chest and knees. The SUV’s body shell and footwell area have been rated as ‘stable’ and ‘capable of withstanding further loadings’.
The model tested by Global NCAP was equipped with dual airbags, ABS, front seatbelt pretensioners and ISOFIX child-seat mounts.
Mahindra XUV700: more details
The Mahindra XUV700 was launched in our market earlier this year, with its prices, after revision, ranging from Rs 11.99 lakh-22.99 lakh (ex-showroom, India). Mahindra is offering the XUV700 in two trim ranges – MX and AX.
Powering the XUV700 is a pair of four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines. The petrol unit is a 200hp/380Nm, 2.0-litre, mStallion turbocharged engine that can be had with either a 6-speed manual or automatic gearbox.
The diesel is a 2.2-litre, mHawk turbocharged unit that comes in two states of tune. The lower output unit (offered in the entry-level MX trims) produces 155hp and 360Nm and is available solely with a 6-speed manual. The higher-spec AX variants get a 185hp and 420Nm (450Nm with the automatic gearbox) version of the engine, as well as the option of an automatic gearbox and all-wheel drive.
In terms of safety kit, the top-spec XUV700 variant gets ESP, seven airbags, driver drowsiness detection, auto high-beam assist and booster headlights, as well as Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) features like Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Autonomous Emergency Brakes (AEB), Lane Keep Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), and the Smart Pilot Assist or traffic assist (AT only).
Global NCAP tests to get tougher
Currently, Global NCAP only assesses cars for (passive) crash safety. However, this is set to change in the coming years, with greater consideration being given to (active) crash avoidance.
We had reported earlier that GNCAP testing will become a lot tougher from next year. 2022 will see ESC being introduced as a requirement for achieving higher ratings, and the side impact test is also set to become standard procedure. Come 2026, GNCAP will overhaul its testing protocol, giving a single rating (instead of the current system of separate ratings for adult and child occupants) and including assessments for more active safety tech.
Rivan RS 
Viraaj Bhatnagar
Uday Singh
Suraj Viswanathan
