Mahindra XUV500 [2011-2015] User Reviews

The company that claims to be at the helm of Indian auto manufacturing isn't good enough. The car that it claims to be its premium car isn't good enough. It is a dangerous car which can kill you all of a sudden. Imagine, you are driving a 2-year-old XUV500 at 80kmph on the Yamuna Expressway and are overtaking a slow moving truck. Suddenly the steering stops working, you are headed straight for death in the truck. Well, my steering suddenly stops working at times when I drive. It's just that circumstances were different and I wasn't that fast so the incident didn't turn out to be deadly. Nonetheless, when I contacted my dealer, to claim the warranty, it dawned on me that this isn't even covered in warranty. 

This was my worst experience yet with the car, but that doesn't mean this was the only problem I've suffered with the car or the company, but it was severe enough for me to have brought this to public knowledge. Other things like rusty doors, faulty air conditioning and a pathetic infotainment system are things that I happened to have lived with. 

Fuel Economy, Muscular LookRead the review

Exterior

ith the XUV500, Mahindra has put design at the forefront to make an emphatic styling statement. There’s no doubt the Mahindra XUV500 does turn heads; it’s got a muscular stance, strong road presence and looks every bit a proper luxury SUV.

Dominating the front-end styling is a traditional Mahindra seven-slat grille flanked by a pair of projector headlamps that widen their spread at parking speeds and work as cornering lights on tighter corners. Daytime-running LEDs are part of the standard kit too. We especially like the rising window line and the blacked-out B-, C- and D-pillars which give the Mahindra XUV500 a very modern look.

However, we feel the Mahindra designers went overboard with the detailing. The faux air vents just below the headlights are too fussy and the oversized wheel arches are out of sync with the rest of the design and also make the wheels look small. This is further accentuated by the bulge in the beltline above the rear wheel arch. The rear tail-light also feels a bit overdone with fussy detailing on the lens.Underpinning the XUV500 is a monocoque chassis, a first for M&M that nicely balances stiffness and weight within a long wheelbase. The 4x4 XUV500, which weighs 1865kg and is on par with the smaller Scorpio, could have been lighter. But M&M didn’t want to compromise on chassis stiffness of the SUV, especially since the very generous 2700mm wheelbase subjects it to greater torsional loads. Weight has also been kept in check with the inclusion of elements like a plastic fuel tank and plastic fenders, and the use of high-tensile steel for over 30 percent of the body structure.

The Mahindra XUV500 is equipped with MacPherson struts up front and a luxury car-like multi-link rear suspension. It does not come with hardcore 4x4 vehicle kit like a low-range transfer case, but you do get hill-descent control and hill hold on top-end variants and a differential lock on the AWD model for limited off-road use.What is truly impressive is the manner in which Mahindra has packaged all the mechanicals to achieve a flat floor, making good use of passenger room. In terms of safety, the Indian SUV gets dual airbags as standard across the range with the top models additionally featuring ESP, rollover mitigation and curtain airbags. The new W4 SUV variant gets a more basic infotainment system with four speakers and CD and MP3 compatibility, and no monochrome display screen as seen on the W6 variant of the XUV500. It misses out on kit like rain-sensing wipers, automatic cornering headlamps, front fog lamps, telescopic steering adjustment, automatic climate control, powered wing mirrors, cruise control and steering-mounted controls. However, you still get features like projector headlamps, LED parking lamps, dual airbags, ABS with EBD, disc brakes all round, dual-tone interiors, tilt adjustable steering, six-way adjustable driver’s seat, remote central locking and a price that now makes this version a direct competitor to the Renault Duster.

Occupants will have no trouble entering any Mahindra XUV500 variant. The doors open wide and the not-so-high floor means you don’t have to trek your way up to the seats. But once inside, you’ll notice the plastics come in three different textures and the dash seems to be cramped with too many individual elements. The instrument cluster, with chrome-ringed dials and circular centres, looks great, but is not that easy to read. Other nice bits in the SUV include smart, high-quality air-con vents that work well to direct air flow, the chunky steering that’s quite nice to hold, and the air-con and audio system dials on the centre console that have a high-quality feel. However, the same can’t be said about the other buttons on the centre console, which feel like Scrabble tiles, and the fake wood finish doesn’t look very convincing. The interiors may lack the finesse offered by the competition and the fit and finish may not be the best but it is quite acceptable and something you can live with.

The front seats come with generous bolstering and adjustable lumbar support. However, the cushioning is on the firm side and the backrest feels a bit narrow near the shoulders. The steering column, which adjusts for rake and reach (in W8 trim), is still a tad too high, even at the lowest setting.Middle-row seats in the XUV500 have enough legroom for six-footers to stretch out, even with the front seat pushed back. The seats themselves are very generously cushioned and the flat floor makes this SUV one of the best for travelling three abreast. Third-row passengers don’t have it as good though; the leg- and kneeroom are severely limited and headroom is quite tight too. With all seats in place, there’s practically no luggage space. However, the last and middle rows do split and fold flat to convert the XUV into a serious load-lugger and the relatively low floor makes loading easy.

 

 

 the best

Areas of improvement   

The Mahindra XUV500, designed and developed completely in-house, is a quantum leap forward and remains M&M’s first serious attempt at developing a global product that would be as much at home in Melbourne as in Mumbai. The price Mahindra is asking for it is definitely Mumbai though. Prices start at Rs.10.99 lakh for the upcoming XUV500 W4 variant, going up to Rs. 14.64 lakh for the top-end all-wheel-drive W8 variant.everything is good but if the backside mirrors which are sealed if it would be made open it would be good and morever if the backside leg space would be increased then it would be good.

best car ever seenevery thing is alright

 

Exterior A BIT SPORTY AND CURVY. GREAT HEAD LAMPS WHICH EVEN GIVES SAME JOY WHILE RIDING IN THE NIGHT. EVEN THE RARE LIGHTS ARE AWESOME. THE LED PARKING LIGHTS AND  INDICATORS ON SIDE MIRRORS ARE REALLY GREAT.

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort) VERY GREAT FEATURES AS THAT THE HIGH CARS HAS. THE LEATHER SEATS ARE REALLY SPORTY. AND THE AUDIO SYSTEM AND NAVIGATORS ARE AWESOME. SIX AIR BAGS , IMMOBILIZER AND DUAAL A/C IVES A GREAT COMFORT TO BOTH THE DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS.INTELLI PARK , EIGHT WAY ADGUSTABLE SEATS TACHO METER 6 INCHH TOUCH DISPLAY SCREEN ADS A ROYAL FEELING.

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox THIS IS REALLY EQUIVALENT TO MANY GREAT SUV'S . THIS GIVES A BETTER MILEAGE AND JUSTIFIES THE FUEL ECONOMY THAT THE CONSUMER PREFERS. YHIS SUV IS AN EXACT ANSWER TO THE HIGH FUEL RATES.

Ride Quality & Handling THATS REALLY GREAT.AND GIVES A GREAT RDE PLEASURE. ABS, EBD PROVIDES A BETTER RIDE ON THE ROAD.

Final Words THERE IS NO OTHER BEST SUV THAN THIS AT SUCH AN ASTONISHING PRICE.

Areas of improvement NA.

IT HAS ALL THE FEATURES LIKE ABD , EBD , LEATHER SEATS, NAVIIGATIN, ALL WHEEL DRIVE ETC. WHAT NOTNO AUTO TRANSMISSION AND POWER SEATS. I WOULD BE A EVOLUTION IF IT HAD TRACTION CONTROL TOO.

 

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort)Quite beautiful and muscular exteriors with a wonderful headlamps and a led's, it gives a feel of racing car with its twin exhaust it will rock the market.

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort) Classy and elegant interiors with nice leather finish, great instrument clusters and ultimate console gives a look of a cockpit. its 3 row optional seating is wonderful and spacious, its a complete family car.

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox For engine i can't say anything till now as i just watch it on the pictures but i hope m&m did well with the engine as i am the proud scorpio owner and it was great experience with scorpio.

Ride Quality & Handling No comments but I think it could burn the roads.

Final Words I m lovin it and managing to get it as soon as possible, because I love adventure an offoading. God bless me to have the one.

Areas of improvement Just only they missed the sunroof it will give elegant looks to the xuv.

Style and perfomancenothing

Exterior  If looks could kill - look at the XUV - and then you're a dead man. No doubts A real head turner.

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort) Features are good and usable to be honest. Loads of space in the 1st and 2nd rows. 3rd row by no means is bad, however a little cramped for above average adults. Doesn't really pose a problem for short drives. If you want to fit in 7 for long drives...all you need to do is to get your seating right. The AC is good and the handling in both within city and highway is perfect.

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox The Engine is smooth and powerful. While there is a bit of turbo lag - largerly un-noticabe, you can drive it with ease in peak traffic and not feel the strain. Once the power kicks in, it's a beast man-:). The fuel economy is great - especially if you been driving a petrol guzzler. The gear shifts intially seem a little hard - expected of any new vehicle, however eases out as you clock more kilometers.

Ride Quality & Handling Pleasure to ride - I just love it. It's just me an my machine.

Final Words I recommend you get hands on this awesome vehicle and experience what this beauty got to offer. No doubt it's value for money. at least mine. Guys, everything out there is never perfect, there's one thing or the other that can be improved.

Areas of improvement A few minor things - suspensions -can be tweaked, plastics- finish. I don't want to be nit picky.

Overall Looks, Performance& Handling, Space, Mileage, FeaturesLittle bit of a Turbo Lag, Suspensions Could have been Better

Exterior Looks great, thats where we are deceived, by looking the exterior and small fittings like extra lights at door, usb connections, touch screen, all these things we buy, but the vehicle running and performance is not up to mark, I sent my new  XUV500 to service center more than my old captiva.

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort) Cheap plastic, no proper place even to place a mobile I phone.  

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox VERY POOR, NOISE WHILE SHIFTING GEARS, AND NOISE AT BREAKS. They changed breaks two times  and  gear box noise continues.

Ride Quality & Handling Noise in third gear and I think we can feel more comfort in scorpio than this vehicle. becasue I had scorpio in 2006.

Final Words Dont buy new vehicle, wait until they fix all these problems, they are experimenting on customers feed back and fixing the problems.

Areas of improvement Engine noise, break, interior plastic, rear seat no leg room, no space for any laguage.

Looks great,Gear noise, breaks, engine noise,

Exterior The beast, dashing... Just the best.

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort) Very good quality of leathers upholstry, dash board and interior lighting is like who inspires the next.

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox Performance of engine is no doubt excellent, best economy in this class, six speed is a joy to ride, automatic is awated, I WISH IT WOULD COME SOMEWHERE NEAR 200 BHP.

Ride Quality & Handling Superb.

Final Words The best suv with indian badge, proud owner from more than a year. If you are a suv lover, this is the best thing at this price tag.. no other can compete even.

A well balanced, proportionate design with load and loads of features, with all easy to access and handy to use, the dimmable ccfl in the infotainement system should be replaced with led, to give it a better view in sunny days, ccfl is not a good dimmable option.

Areas of improvement Need refinement in workmanship, Q.C standards should be very strict in m&m so that market complaints should be minimum, STRICTLY need a well mannered and well accomodated dealers network.

Excellent looks, great space and value for moneyA bit refinement in make is required

Very briefly, I really enjoy owning and driving the xuv500 - it's got a nice smooth power plant(particularly for a turbo diesel) and is really pleasant to drive. Very specious and comfortable inside, with loads of features at a very agreeable price tag.

I didn't particularly like the binary tempreture guage, which is either blue bars (OK) or red bars (overheated), nor safety feature which causes cruise control to disable if the accelerate button is held in for more than 15 seconds. The instrumentation, while nicely styled, also tends to be too faded under bright sunlight.

These, however, are minor niggles for an otherwise nicely styled vehicle that's surprisingly fun to drive. If you're expecting perfection, then be prepared to pay an additional >35% for similar features in competitor's vehicles. None of the big brands selling mid-sized SUVs (Toyota, Hyundai, Nissan, Ford) manage to come close on price for the features and specs that this vehicle offers.

The xuv500 is hands-down a winer.

Styling, space, drive train, handlingQuirky instrumentation

We drove XUV500 for about 1100 kms for 2 days between Bangalore-Murudeshwara and back last month. It was rented from carzonrent.

Exterior People booked the car just for its looks- killer looks.

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort) 30 degree angled headlamp is a great feature, which lights up when we make sharp turns. Conversation mirror is another nice utility. Everything about XUV500 has a new feel to it. Like it because of innovative thinking everywhere.

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox Responsive. But unlike Ford endeavor, doesn't beg you to be pressed. FE we got is just close to 10 kmpl.

Ride Quality & Handling Great, but I felt Ertiga had better handlling in the corner.

Final Words Well worth in terms of styling, utitlities and features. FE is a concern, so is the luggage space. Roof top carrier is must if there're 7 passengers with couple of bags each

Areas of improvement Handling could still be improved. More pictures at my blog.

Utilities, features, looksLuggage space