2019 Mahindra XUV500 Review: Premium Cabin And Excellent Performance

Mahindra XUV500 Overview: Top models

The Mahindra XUV500 is available in 13 variants in total.

The XUV500 has made it until today since its public debut in September 2011. With this facelift, the Mahindra XUV500 has received a more premium exterior design, a more upmarket cabin and a more powerful diesel engine. This can be viewed as one of many huge strategic steps of M & M to gain back the custom from potential clients since the outgoing model of this car did suffer the loss of ground in the past.

This review is going to cover everything you need to know about the SUV before deciding to purchase one or not. Up to this point, we are sure to say we are happy that the engine performance of facelifted Mahindra XUV500 is excellent, coming with luxurious experience on the inside, seven seats – good news for big families. What we don’t like is the lack of sophistication of the car when compared to the others like the Hyundai Creta.

The Mahindra XUV500 now gets a more premium appearance, a more luxurious cabin and a more impressive performance.

1. Mahindra XUV500 360 View: Exterior Review

Front View

The most major exterior design alterations have been done to the front of the Mahindra XUV500. The grille now comes with fang-like vertical ducts instead of multiple pint-sized chrome elements with a view to making the front look more premium. Chrome is used on a widespread scale at the top and bottom of the grille. The bending projector headlamps are integrated with LED DRLs to create a halo effect because they are connected with the chrome strip on the grille's top end.

The front of the facelifted XUV500 now looks more premium.

Side View

The side profile does not get many considerable changes except the new 18-inch two-tone machine cut alloy wheels which are surrounded by the bulging fenders (on the high variants), giving the SUV a sportier and more upmarket appearance. The chrome strip at the bottom of the doors is also easy to recognize.

The Mahindra XUV500 now has a sportier and more upmarket side profile.

Rear View

In the rear, the Mahindra XUV500 comes with wing-shaped wraparound taillamps instead of the long vertical ones on the previous version. The roof spoiler has been extended and the chrome strip positioned above the number plate has been redesigned. Overall, the aggressive design of the SUV has remained intact.

The rear of the XUV500 has also come with some design tweaks.

Mahindra XUV500 Dimensions: Length, Width, Height & More

Mahindra XUV500 has the dimensions which are representative of a full-size SUV. Refer to the table below for a summary of the dimensions for the XUV500.

Mahindra XUV500 Design: Interior Review

Seating Capacity

Being a full-size SUV, the Mahindra XUV500 can accommodate up to seven people. The SUV offers the occupants generous space. Despite the black interior with the contrasting silver trim, the large glass area and tan upholstery make the cabin feel amber enough. The front kneeroom of the XUV500 is 610 - 850 mm, similar to that of the Maruti Baleno. However, supertall occupants may find their knees a little bit restricted.

The front seat row of the Mahindra XUV500 is somewhat restricted for supertall passengers.

The occupants in the second seat row can also enjoy the amber space. With the shoulder room of 1,460 mm, this seat row can accommodate up to three occupants. Nevertheless, the central armrest in the rear juts out the backrest, making the middle occupants a little bit uncomfortable.

The second seat row of the Mahindra XUV500 can accommodate three people.

The rear seat row is most suitable for kids and just sufficient for two adults. Nevertheless, with kneeroom of just 530 - 635 mm, adults may find cramped. 

The rear seat row is most suitable for children.

Safety and security features

The Mahindra XUV500 achieved five stars for the passenger safety in the Australian NCAP crash tests and the India-spec version can also do the same. Safety features equipped on the XUV500 include six airbags, ABS with EBD, ESP with rollover mitigation system, hill start assist and hill mode descent control.

Comfort features

Alongside the refreshed exterior, the XUV500’s content has also received its own head-to-toe refinement. The seat cover comes in a tan colour and gets new upholstery with quilted cross-stitching (unfortunately only appears at the top variants). The centre console; meanwhile, has itself coated in a new piano black finish, trimmed with faux-aluminium, and together with all-black dashboard getting the velvety leather treatment on top, contributing to the model’s compelling appeal. 

Overall speaking, the XUV500’s interior design hasn’t got much of a change compared to the previous model, and that also goes for many convenient features equipped with it. Many features have been carried over from the prefacelifted version. These include an eight-way electrically adjustable driver seat, the instrument cluster, the electric sunroof, etc. The XUV500 is also a highly capable SUV with generous storage space with large door bins and ones on the central infotainment screen.

The7-inch infotainment system provides the driver with various apps, including Mahindra’s Telematics. But what seems to attract the most attention when it comes to equipment is the new SmartWatch, which can now be paired with the infotainment system. This device offers you all the data/intel you need to know about your car through an app, which is no sweat if you are familiar with a smartphone nowadays. Other built-in tools and gadgets like the steering wheel; however, have no difference from that of the outgoing car, and the same can be said of the maintained sunroof as well. 

The Mahindra XUV500 is equipped with a wide range of top-notch features.

3. Mahindra XUV500 2018 Engine

The Mahindra XUV300 is powered by a 2.2-litre oil burner which can generate 155 PS against 360 Nm and is mated to either a 6-speed MT/AT. 

The facelifted XUV500 receives its power from a mHawl Diesel Engine.

Ride and handling quality

The XUV line-up has been underpinned by a monocoque platform; therefore, it does not produce as much body rolls when cornering as most body-on-frame SUVs like the Safary and the Scorpio. It can also operate at a speed of 70 kmph at ease. While the steering is fairly accurate, the SUV cannot offer an excellent experience. The journey implemented on the bigger 18-inch alloy wheels seems to be sporty. However, the XUV's typical tendency to feel bouncy at the back end has yet to be resolved.

The XUV500 also offers decent stopping power, thanks to the all-wheel disc brakes helping the almost 2-ton SUV slow down from 100 - 0 kmph in 44.66 metres. Nevertheless, it takes some effort and time to get accustomed to the braking behaviour.

The transmission offers a 6-speed manual and Aisin sourced automatic, but at the same time is quite a bit of a minus for its heaviness in operation, which means the driver may encounter difficulty engaging it. But that doesn’t affect the engine’s performance so you can breathe a sigh of relief for not having to deal with more problems. The test drive proves to be comfortable and flawless on the tarmac and concrete roads, but at the same time can’t tell much of the vehicle’s running stability on other terrains, esp. difficult ones.

To watch how the Mahindra XUV500 performs in real conditions, watch this video.

Mahindra XUV500 Fuel Mileage: Is it fuel-efficient?

Fuel mileage is one of the most determining factors to a buyer's decision to buy a car since a fuel-efficient car will help its owner to save a great amount of money in the long run. Refer to the table below for detailed mileage figures of the Mahindra XUV500.

Having a fuel tank capacity of 70 litres, the Mahindra XUV500 can deliver a fuel mileage of 15.1 kmpl. The SUV can reach a top speed of 180 kmph and accelerate from a standstill to 100 kmph in 11.15 seconds.

The Mahindra XUV500 has a quite decent fuel mileage.

Mahindra XUV500: Is it affordable?

The Mahindra XUV500 is priced in the range from INR 12.37 lakh to INR 19.78 lakh (exshow-room, Delhi). Check the table below for a detailed price list of the Mahindra XUV500.

With such an agressive price range which lives up to people's expectations, the Mahindra XUV500 is such a good deal. Equipped with a wide range of top-notch features and a powerful engine, this competitive price range will give the SUV a clear benefit a clear advantage over its rivals in the Indian auto market. To buy a used Mahindra XUV500 at an even lower price, please pay a visit to IndianAuto.

Mahindra XUV500 Colours: How many options?

The Mahindra XUV500 is available with seven different colours: Mystic Copper, Lake Side Brown, Crimson Red Moondust Silver, Pearl White, Opulent Purple and Volcano Black.

Verdict: Is Mahindra XUV500 worth buying?

Equipped with a wide range of top-notch features, achieving a five-star rating for the passenger safety in the Australian NCAP crash tests and coming with powerful diesel engines, the Mahindra XUV500 totally lives up to the buyers' expectations. Its attraction is further enhanced by a competitive price range.

If you are interested in other Mahindra new cars, visit IndianAuto.