Mahindra’s new XUV500
For some time now Mahindra has offered quality cars at reasonable prices and this time they’ve exceeded all expectations. The all-new Mahindra XUV500 2.2 CRDe W10 Auto not only looks impressive but so is the price. At only R419 999* it’s not something you’d expect considering everything it has to offer.
Mahindra Has A New Flagship
The Indian automaker is one of the fastest-growing car companies in South Africa with an impressive line-up of quality vehicles in numerous segments. Not to mention their significant dealership footprint across the country.
Mahindra’s XUV500 is not a new addition as it was first introduced in South Africa in 2012. However, it’s had several facelifts since then and now, one of the oldest cars in the range is set to impress even the harshest of critics.
Toward the end of 2018, the new Mahindra XUV500 was launched with several upgrades making it a real competitor within its class. Fact is, the Mahindra XUV500 is fairly unique in South Africa as it is a large 7-seater SUV but with a price range of smaller crossovers and compact family cars. What more could you ask for?
What’s New on the Mahindra XUV500?
The primary focus of the new Mahindra XUV500 was improving the visual appeal, available technology, and features. Their new flagship, the Mahindra XUV500 2.2 CRDe W10 Auto costs around R65 000 less than the cheapest automatic Ford Everest. That’s an attractive saving if you take into account all the bells and whistles.
Interior Features, Safety And Technology
Who doesn’t like a car with all the latest tech toys and an attractive, practical interior? If this is what you like, then the new Mahindra XUV500 W10 will certainly be an appealing option. First off, the cabin has leather upholstery and an overall improvement on material fit and finish compared to the previous models. While it may not match the feel of the more expensive competitors, nothing about the cabin feels cheap or badly designed.
The Mahindra’s infotainment system has a comprehensive 7-inch touchscreen that doubles as a display for the reverse camera. It also has built-in voice command control and good navigation. They fitted a top-quality Arkamys sound system offering USB, Auxiliary and Bluetooth support with mobile charging points for the 1st and 2nd-row seats.
Other features include an electrically-adjustable driver’s seat, cruise control, rake and reach adjustment for the steering wheel, automatic wipers and lights, push-button start and an electric tilt/slide sunroof. You and your family can enjoy a comfortable and safe journey as the Mahindra XUV500 W10 has 6 airbags, tyre-pressure monitoring system, ABS with EBD, electronic stability control, Hill Hold, and Hill Descent.
What’s It Like To Drive?
The Mahindra XUV500 W10 might be a monocoque product and while it generally performed better on tarred roads, they’ve come a long way since. They added extra ground clearance totaling 200 mm and recently refined the rear suspension which was developed in conjunction with Lotus. It now provides greater comfort and control while adding significant sound dampening across the car.
Typical of some turbo-diesel engines, the Mahindra XUV500 W10 sounds gruff on start-up but at cruising speed it’s a different story. The drive is smooth, relaxed, comfortable and rather quiet on the inside. The 2.2-litre 4-cylinder turbodiesel CRDe engine produces 103 kW and 330 Nm of torque between 1 600 to 2 800 rpm coupled to a 6-speed automatic gearbox. While it may not feature much in a sprint, it’s more than efficient for daily driving duties and weekend getaways with the family.
There is very little to criticise the Mahindra XUV500 W10 as it is a complete package. If you’re looking for a stylish, affordable and safe SUV, then this is the car for you.
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* Pricing is accurate as of 27 September 2019
