Mahindra goes auto with XUV500

There’s more to Mahindra than cheap ‘n cheerful utes, as Ross Mackay found at the launch of the XUV500 auto SUV.

particular appeal to the cost-conscious buyer. Ticking off the basics, the engine is an eager (if just a tad unsophisticated) 2.2-litre turbo-diesel, which, though modest in its claimed output (103kw/330nm) exhibits impressive flexibility in the face of the close to two tonnes (kerb weight of the AWD version is 1,915kg) it has to lug around. The all-new six-speed automatic transmission (made by Japanese BorgWarner partner Aisin and coming complete with steering-wheel mounted change paddles) must also take some of the responsibility for getting the most out of the engine, such is its intuitive sense of what gear is needed when, and its slick, polished action. Steering feel and feedback is not particularly sharp or incisive, while suspension action, and with it ride and handling, also err on the side of solid and dependable, meaning “bang-for-your-buck” is where the ultimate appeal of the XUV500 lies. For less than $40K a buyer gets a veritable mountain of standard comfort and safety features. Standard spec includes three rows of leather seats, with the driver’s electrically adjustable and more than enough room for two adults to use the two seats in the third row (yes I tried), six airbags, satellite navigation with a seven inch touch screen complete with ‘pinch-to-zoom’ function, Bluetooth phone and audio streaming connectivity with voice recognition capability, plus a reversing camera with parallel and angle park guidelines. The glovebox is also big enough, apparently, to swallow a 15-inch laptop computer, and the centre console includes a cooler box. On a more serious note, the XUV comes complete with ESP with rollover mitigation, ABS with EBD, plus a tyre-pressure monitoring system. There’s also Hill Descent Control (HDC) and Hill Hold Control (HHC). It has an ANCAP four-star safety rating. Later this year Mahindra will add an even higher spec to its XUV500 line-up, with keyless entry and start, an electrically adjustable driver’s seat, and electric, powered sunroof. After that will come a line of petrolfuelled models and eventually other models developed in conjunction with sister company Ssangyong and (no doubt) Pininfarina.