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Business News/ News / Business Of Life/  Test Drive | Mahindra’s XUV500
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Test Drive | Mahindra’s XUV500

Mahindra's new SUV offers unparalleled value for money though it lacks the depth and finesse offered by rivals

The top-level W8 variant of the XUV500Premium
The top-level W8 variant of the XUV500

OTHERS :

photoThe XUV500 (designed and developed in-house) remains Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd’s first serious attempt at developing a global product. The company has revised the XUV500, making subtle changes on some of the mechanical components and eliminating niggling issues. Along with the W6 and W8 models, it has also introduced an entry-level W4 variant at a competitive price of 10.83 lakh (ex-showroom Mumbai).

It may look like a go-anywhere vehicle but the XUV500 is primarily a soft-roader; better on tarmac than off the beaten track. It doesn’t come with a full 4x4 vehicle kit, which includes full differential locks and adjustable suspension, although the top-end variants (the W6 is priced at 11.90 lakh; the W8-FWD is 13.49 lakh and the W8-AWD costs 14.55 lakh) get features like hill descent control and hill hold control. The W8-AWD also gets a limited differential lock, providing scope for limited off-road use. The revised version is powered by the 2.2-litre mHawk diesel engine (shared with the Scorpio) but has been tuned to produce 140 bhp (instead of 120 bhp in the Scorpio) and the maximum torque is 32.63kg. It comes with a six-speed manual gearbox.

The engine isn’t very responsive at lower revolutions, but thereafter, there’s a significant surge of power that lasts all the way to 3,500 rpm. Driveability isn’t the most impressive, though overtaking is effortless once the engine comes to full power. The XUV500 sprints to 100 kmph in 12.34 seconds. Its greatest strength is the punchy engine that performs well both in the city and on the highway. The gearbox, however, plays spoilsport in the driving experience, as it takes a fair bit of effort to slot the gears home and the action feels rubbery. The clutch, despite claimed improvements by the manufacturer, is still heavy.

In terms of safety, the XUV500 gets dual airbags as standard across the range with the top variants additionally featuring ESP (electronic stability program, a system that increases safety by detecting and reducing skidding), roll-over mitigation and curtain airbags.

The W4 XUV500 gets a basic infotainment system with four speakers and CD and MP3 compatibility, and no screen (the screen is present from the W6 variant onwards). It also misses out on 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 get features like projector headlamps, LED parking lamps, dual airbags, ABS with EBD (brake systems that prevent skidding), disc brakes on all wheels, dual-tone interiors, tilt adjustable steering, a six-way adjustable driver’s seat and remote central locking.

Its pricing makes the car a direct competitor to the Renault Duster and the Nissan Terrano. While the XUV500’s interiors have more features, the car lacks the finesse offered by its rivals. The quality of most of the electronic equipment isn’t great and the cabin feels a bit tacky because of inconsistent fit and finish.

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 can be adjusted in W8 models, is a little too high even at the lowest setting. The middle row in the XUV500 has enough legroom, even with the front seat pushed back. The seats themselves are generously cushioned and the flat floor makes this SUV one of the best for seating three abreast in the middle seat. In the third row though, the leg- and knee-room are limited and headroom is tight too. With all seats in place, there’s practically no luggage space. However, the last and middle rows split and fold flat to free up space and the relatively low floor makes loading luggage easy.

The XUV500 scores well with fuel consumption figures, returning 10.2 kmpl in the city and 14.3 kmpl on the highway. This only adds to its affordable and down-to-earth appeal.

In terms of ride quality, the XUV500 isn’t class-leading but does a decent job. Low-speed ride is pretty good, but sharper bumps can rattle the SUV, which crashes through potholes. At higher speeds, the XUV500 gets ruffled by the odd stretch of broken tarmac. Overall, the XUV bobs and pitches about a bit more than we’d have liked. Mahindra has recalibrated the brakes and also worked on making them quieter but they still lack a nice and linear bite.

Although its engineering lacks the depth of rivals, Mahindra has made improvements in certain key areas and the new XUV500, at this price point, offers unparalleled value for money. This factor, combined with Indian buyers’ fondness for SUVs make the car look like a very promising purchase.

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Published: 19 Nov 2013, 07:01 PM IST
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