Mahindra’s XUV 7XO is more than just a name change and a few cosmetic touches to the XUV 700. The biggest change is to its suspension, which has dramatically improved the vehicle’s ride and handling, setting a new benchmark in its segment.
Priced between Rs 13.66 lakh and Rs 24.92 lakh, ex-showroom, the 7XO comes with a choice of either a 2-litre petrol engine or a 2.2-litre diesel motor, mated to either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission, with two all-wheel-drive models in the diesel lineup.
In all, there are 27 variant combinations to choose from, starting from the entry-level AX3 up to the AX7L.
Sets new ride standards
The highlight of the XUV 7XO is its ‘DaVinci’ suspension system. It’s a valve-based damping system developed by Mahindra and Tenneco that has substantially altered this monocoque SUV’s ride and handling.
A purely hydraulic, mechanical system with frequency-dependent damping, the suspension reacts to changes in the road surface in milliseconds, preventing bumps from being felt in the cabin.
On a 270-km road trip between Jaisalmer and Jodhpur, it convinced me of its performance when I hit an unmarked speed breaker at high speed and didn’t feel a jolt inside. The ride quality is plush and encourages you to push the vehicle faster into corners, controlling body roll reasonably well.
The updated 2.2-litre diesel engine delivers 450 Nm of torque and 185 bhp of power, making it the most powerful SUV in its segment.
Evolution of a familiar face
The XUV 7XO is instantly recognisable as an evolution of the XUV 700. The headlights, grille and bumper have been redesigned for a slightly more aggressive look, in fact resembling the Scorpio N from a few angles. It gets a new alloy wheel design and piano black mirrors. The rear looks almost exactly like the XEV 9S, except for the badging.
The interiors, though, have been completely refreshed with top-spec variants sporting chestnut-brown and light beige upholstery. The big difference is the ‘coast-to-coast’ triple-screen layout, two-spoke steering and lack of physical buttons. It looks exactly like the XEV 9S dashboard. Fit and finish is good, with soft-touch materials that create a sense of luxury all around.
Too many screens, too few buttons
With the move to a software-defined vehicle (SDV) that saves on a tonne of wiring, using an Ethernet network with electronic control units instead, Mahindra has moved almost every feature into a screen. Even simple tasks, like adjusting the AC, require pulling up a menu on the centre screen to change settings.
Of course, there is a central dial controller near the gear shift that can also be used to adjust settings, but it requires taking your eyes off the road. Even buttons like the hazard lights or the drive mode switch are now on a haptic touch/press panel, which is not easy to use.
Why buy?
The biggest selling point of the XUV 7XO is its suspension. It feels robust and ready to ride across any terrain in comfort. Now with the addition of features such as a 16-speaker Dolby Atmos-enabled sound system, 7 airbags, four ventilated seats, and advanced Level 2 ADAS features, the XUV 7XO has everything you would want in a family SUV.
It’s going to be a tough choice picking between the XUV 7XO and the updated Tata Safari at similar price points, with the Mahindra XUV 7XO sporting just a tad bit more power and torque on its engines.
