Mahindra XUV500 Review

Over the course of two facelifts, the well-proportioned Mahindra XUV500 has thankfully lost many of the original’s fussy ‘cheetah-inspired’ style elements; and looks all the better for it. Mahindra has also revamped the XUV500’s cabin and there are some genuinely premium touches on the inside. On the whole, though, cabin quality remains inconsistent. Also, while the cabin is roomy, especially in the middle row, third-row space is tight for an SUV so large.
The XUV500’s reworked 2.2-litre diesel makes an impressive 155hp. The engine is smoother in its build of power and the mid-range is usefully strong. Front-wheel drive versions also put down their power better than before but there’s still torque steer under hard acceleration. The diesel is best enjoyed with the 6-speed auto transmission; the manual is cumbersome to use. New to the XUV500 is a 140hp, 2.2-litre petrol engine that comes mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox. Refinement levels are good and performance is fine for town – but the engine lacks punch. Fuel economy is also worryingly low.
Of the other things, the XUV500 feels its size in town. The ride is also a bit lumpy at low speeds but things on this front improve with speed.