
The Mahindra XUV500 Is A Knock Out
In boxing terms they are light-heavyweights. Big enough to pack a punch, yet still nimble and agile. They are the very desirable class of bigger SUVs dominated by the Fortuner, the Pajero and the Everest. You can do with the extra space and luxury, and the extra engine oomph. But the price – ouch! Now there is another contender to consider.
Mahindra as a brand is growing fast in South Africa, having started with no-frills, hardworking, exceptionally-well priced vehicles. But over the last few years, the brand has upped its offering across several vehicle segments, with competitive looks, styling and features.
The Mahindra XUV500 is one such car, competing in the light-heavyweight division mentioned above. It is a spacious, good-looking 7-seater SUV that offers a full-house of luxury and safety features.
As with other Mahindra models, the XUV500 is available in a wide range offering different trim levels and corresponding price points. There are five options, starting at R315k, with the top of the range W10 AT starting at a very competitive R438k. That is a few hundred thousand rand worths of competitive right there.
But at heart, any Mahindra’s foundation is proven reliability. The XUV uses the tried and tested, rugged and reliable mHawk 2.2-litre turbodiesel. This produces 103kW and 330Nm, putting this through a 6-speed manual or automatic gearbox to either two wheels or all-wheel-drive, depending on the trim. The reliability is underpinned by the 5-year/150 000km warranty and 5-year/100 000km service plan.
Luxury features cost money and different people are prepared to pay different prices for them. The lowest trim W4 is nicely appointed with projector headlamps, integrated music system, dual airbags, ABS and temperature control with dual HVAC. As you go up the range, add lots of features such as alloy wheels, 7-inch touchscreen with GPS, video playback, side and curtain airbags, leather upholstery and a rearview camera. The W10 finishes with 6-way adjustable seats, keyless entry, electric sunroof and stop/start button.
To be fair, any of the vehicles in this segment will be welcome in my garage. They are all great to drive and packed with features. It will be difficult to choose one. Except on price. With so much money in play, why not look at the full Mahindra XUV500 range. Pick the price/features combination and test drive it.