7 reasons why the Mahindra XUV 500 will be a tough competitor for premium SUVs

Updated: Mahindra XUV500 is now launched. You can research the Mahindra XUV500, or read our detailed review and road test of the XUV500. You might also be interested in finding out about the known problems and solutions for the XUV500. Or, take a look at this story about XUV500 vs Tata Safari Storme

Mahindra launched the XUV 500 (5 double oh) at a killer price range (Rs. 10.80 – 12.88 lakh) that under cuts its chief competition, the Tata Aria by a significant Rs. 1.80 lakh. The XUV 500 is thus, unmatched on the value-for-money proposition. Its features such as six airbags, chiller box, and touch screen infotainment system are found only in SUVs that cost twice as much in India. Here are seven reasons why the XUV 500 with its features and gadgetry will attract premium SUV buyers.

The XUV 500 is powered by a 2.2-litre diesel engine with a 6-speed gearbox. This diesel motor produces 140 bhp of max power and 330 Nm of max torque. The XUV 500 is as powerful as its rivals, the Tata Aria and the Skoda Yeti. ARAI-certified mileage of the XUV 500 is 15.1 kmpl, which is adequate while the boot space is limited.

Cheetah Inspired Styling

Mahindra has designed the XUV 500 with pouncing Cheetah inspired body lines, especially for the side profile. The Cheetah’s jaw-like honeycomb grille at the front and the paw-styled vertical door handles are unique.

Infotainment

The XUV500 comes with a 6-inch color LCD infotainment display with music system that can play CD, DVD, MP3, AM/FM and also has USB and AUX-in ports. The music system is connected to four speakers fitted on the doors and two tweeters on the dashboard. The GPS has a turn-by-turn voice guidance system in eight regional languages and includes touch points of interest such as restaurants, ATMs, fuel pumps and movie theatres.

Controls on steering wheel

The XUV500 steering wheel features Voice Commands, Cruise and Audio Controls. Voice commands can be used to control the infotainment system and your mobile phone (accessing phone book, making/receiving calls) if it is paired with the infotainment system via Bluetooth.

Instrument Dials

The XUV 500 features sporty twin pod instrument cluster with 21 telltale lamps in between them. The fonts on the dials are large and will help driver read the info within a quick glance.

Safety Features

The XUV 500 gets six airbags (front, side and curtain airbags) , side impact beams and crumple zones. The vehicle is also loaded with a host of safety features such as all disc brakes, ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Rollover mitigation, Hydraulic Brake Assist, Hill Descent Control and Hill Hold Control.

Convenient features

The XUV 500 gets chiller box, two compartments above internal rear view mirror (lower compartment for sunglasses, next one holds a convex conversation mirror), glove box with laptop holder, separate mobile charging points in all the three rows and foldable second &third row seats for more luggage space. The XUV 500 also gets automatic climate control with double HVAC and individual AC vents in all three rows.

Utilitarian features

The XUV 500 gets Smart Rain & Light sensors; Tyretronics (Tyre Pressure Monitoring System); intellipark (Reverse Parking Assist System), static-bending projector headlamps, LED parking lamps and power-foldable and adjustable ORVMs with integrated turn indicators and puddle lamps.