Mahindra XUV 500 2018-2021

Like the exterior of the vehicle, the interior of the XUV500 has a stylish look. The dashboard houses a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system that is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There is also a new smartwatch app that lets you control the HVAC system, select an audio source and also view tyre pressure and fuel information. The cabin of the SUV gets a plush soft-touch faux leather interior. The seats are well cushioned and are comfortable. Also, the driver seat is height-adjustable. The multi-spoke steering comes with audio controls for the driver’s convenience. 

The cabin is built with practicality in mind as it has lots of storage spaces. The glove box has a laptop holder that comfortably accommodates your laptop. The XUV500 also gets an anti-pinch electric sunroof that makes the cabin feel airy and refreshing. To keep the passengers cool at all times, there is a centrally located cooling box for keeping the beverages chilled. 

The XUV500 is also equipped with a fully automatic dual HVAC system. The cabin can be cooled quickly thanks to the XUV500’s powerful A/C unit. To ensure a comfortable driving position, the SUV has tilt and telescopic steering adjustment. The overall fit and finish of the current-gen XUV500 is definitely a step-up from the versions that came before it, thereby making the cabin a nice and comfortable place to be in. 

As for the seats, they provide decent comfort. The second-row seats provide decent under-thigh support and there is an ample amount of legroom. However, the third row is a whole different story. Travelling long distances in the third row can cause discomfort as there is minimal legroom and under-thigh support. The driver seat, on the other hand, is extremely comfortable. 

As mentioned earlier, It gets a 2.2-litre diesel engine that churns out 155 PS and 360 Nm of torque. The motor attains these aforementioned power figures with the use of the sixth-gen electronically controlled eVGT (electronically controlled variable geometry turbocharger) instead of the older pneumatically operated unit  The vehicle gets two transmission options: 6-speed manual and a torque converter gearbox.

In terms of performance, the XUV500 is an all-rounder. It performs extremely well on highways as well as in city driving conditions. The 360 Nm of torque the engine produces definitely comes in handy while performing tough manoeuvers on an off-road trail. The engine feels refined but is vocal at lower RPMs. As the RPMs increase, the engine becomes quieter. The automatic transmission is quick to respond when you need a sudden surge of power. It shifts to lower gears quickly and provides the grunt that is needed to overtake high-speed traffic.  

The straight-line performance of the vehicle is decent considering the fact that it is a 2-tonne machine. The vehicle is also built to withstand the stress encountered while driving off-road thanks to the monocoque chassis.

The suspension setup of the Mahindra XUV is on the stiffer side. It comes equipped with McPherson struts up front and multi-link type suspension at the rear that easily evens out the small bumps on the road when the vehicle is moving at low speeds. At higher speeds, the XUV feels planted on the road surface and hence, it presents good high-speed stability. The engine is good in terms of refinement and the NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness) levels are under control. However, at lower rpm, the clutter of the diesel engine can be heard inside the cabin.  

Surprisingly, even though the vehicle weighs over 2-tonne and is bulky in design, the body roll is minimal. The steering is light and provides decent feedback. At higher speeds, the SUV does not lower the confidence of the driver as the steering provides good feedback.

In terms of safety features, the Mahindra XUV500 comes with crumple zones which are the key points on the structure of the vehicle that absorb impact in the scenario of a collision. In addition to all this, the XUV500 has an E-call function. In case of an airbag deployment, the E-Call system calls the emergency helpline number and sends an alert to friends and family members with the current location. This is a unique safety feature that Mahindra has implemented in the XUV500.

The SUV also comes equipped with standard safety features like dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, and rear parking sensors. On the W7, W9 and W11 trims, there is an Electronic Stability Program (ESP) with Rollover Mitigation for added protection. The top, W11 variant boasts six airbags too.The Indian-spec XUV500 has not been tested by the Global NCAP but the SUV has scored a respectable 4-star crash test rating in A-NCAP. We believe that the India-spec model won’t perform too differently in a similar crash test by G-NCAP.