THE ALL-ROUNDER COMPANION

The Mahindra XUV700 has made quite a splash since its début three years ago. We take you through why it is an ideal all-rounder companion while enjoying a refreshing getaway

- Gaurav Davare

THERE’S NO DENYING how much of an impact the Mahindra XUV700 has made in the SUV space ever since it was launched three years ago. Despite the long waiting period initially, it didn’t deter the XUV700 as it is an all-rounder companion for pretty much every scenario you throw at it. It has soldiered on so well that it has swiftly climbed up the sales charts and has managed to surpass the two-lakh sales mark in just three years. So, what is the secret that makes the Mahindra XUV700 that companion? There’s no better way to find that out during the rainy season, a perfect time for a picnic getaway from the everyday hustle and bustle of the urban jungle. So, I hopped aboard the XUV700 and managed to convince a couple of friends to come along and we were off at the earliest opportunity.

The Mahindra XUV700 we were seated in is the AX7L variant, powered by the 200-hp 2.0-litre turbocharged mStallion petrol engine, specced with a six-speed automatic transmission. One of the traits of the XUV700’s all-rounder nature was in evidence as soon as we made our way through Pune’s traffic. While it may look like a normal Pune situation, the monsoon makes the city’s traffic a much bigger hassle than it needs to be. Apart from the challenges that include water-logged roads, broken patches, and lack of road etiquette on the part of the general public, a quite a nasty thunderstorm had been forecast by the met department. Throughout all that, we felt right at home, the six-speed automatic gearbox being a boon in multiple stop-and-go situations. Also helping us navigate through those nasty patches of broken roads was the independent suspension and frequency selective dampers onboard the SUV that kept the ride comfortable for us.