Going way back to 2011, I was fortunate to have been invited to attend the launch of the new Mahindra XUV 500 W8, the model which spearheaded the brand’s push into the highly competitive SUV segment with a thoroughly modern, powerful, spacious and well-equipped vehicle. At the media briefing, we were told that the Mahindra XUV500 was likened to an African cheetah in terms of both appearance and its performance and was seen as having a body styling line “inspired by a pouncing cheetah” as well as the “physics defying agility of a cheetah. Fast forward to October 2018, and the New Mahindra XUV500 arrived in South Africa with a fresh new design and a host of new comfort features.

Mahindra has also added two new models to the range in the form of the XUV500 W6 Automatic with a lower entry point for buyers looking for an automatic SUV, while the new XUV500 W10 range-topper, which is the model we feature in today’s roads impressions, comes with a new level of luxury and specifications. “The Stylish New XUV500 flagship represents the best of Mahindra’s SUV expertise. It is both capable and comfortable, feature rich and affordable and is styled to attract attention.

The 2019 New XUV500 W10 can be identified by its completely redesigned front and rear styling. Viewed from the front, the New XUV500 W10 features a brand-new grille, which reinterprets the marque’s well-known 7-slot design with sharp-cut chrome highlights and a larger chrome surround. The chrome grille surrounds morph into new light-strip daytime running lights at the top of the redesigned headlamps, before flowing vertically down to new fog lamps. The fog lamps, in turn, form part of a redesigned lower bumper, which has been squared off around a lower air intake and now has a silver lower bash plate. View from the sides, Mahindra’s designers have added additional chrome detailing at the lower edges of the doors and redesigned the D-pillar applique. The most dramatic part of Mahindra’s New XUV500 W10 redesign is visible at the rear, where a new tailgate, new combination taillights and a larger roof-mounted rear spoiler present a completely new visual signature.

The new angular taillights are split horizontally into two units on each side and replace the previous vertical units. The new lights allowed designers to reimage the rear tail gate, which now features a wider and more prominent number plate enclosure with chrome detailing and integrated reverse camera on the W10, and new rear reflectors, which follow the diagonal lines created by the taillights. Completing the new rear design, is a new rear bumper with blacked-out bottom scuff section and dual tail pipes.

The New XUV500 W10 is equipped with an Arkamys infotainment system, with a full climate control system. This infotainment system also includes a full turn-by-turn satellite navigation system with voice prompts as standard. The system also offers USB connectivity, with picture and video viewing functionality, Bluetooth hands-free cellphone connectivity and an iPod and AUX connection. Mahindra’s designers further added new chrome detailing, which includes illuminated chrome scuff plates, vertical chrome inserts on the center console and, detailing on the air vents and steering wheel. Also new is the sunroof and a push-button Start/Stop system in the Automatic W10.

The XUV500 is a seven-seater with three rows of seats; two in the front seats, three on the middle bench seat, and two on the third row. Both the front and 2nd row seats have ample leg, head and shoulder room. With five seats, the luggage capacity is enormous, but with the two rear seats in place, luggage space is minimal. Luxury and convenience items include; electric windows and side mirrors, a tilt-adjustable steering wheel with electric power assistance, remote boot lid opening, follow-me-home and lead-me-to-vehicle headlamp functionality and foldable second and third row seats.

The New XUV500 W10 press vehicle was fitted with sporty 10-spoke alloy wheels shod with 235/65R17 Bridgestone Dueller H/T tyres, and all credit to Mahindra, the spare is also a full-size alloy. All models are fitted with a multi-functional steering wheel which is rake and reach adjustable, cruise control, rain-sensing wipers and automatic headlights. It also has puddle lamps, cornering lights, fully automatic temperature control, and a 7” full colour infotainment system with voice commands plus the W10 adds an electric sunroof. The top-spec W10 adds the electrically adjustable driver’s seat, while the W8 and W10 has mobile charging points in the front two rows and reading lamps for all three rows of seats, ice-blue lounge lighting, tyre pressure and temperature sensors on all tyres, foldable side mirrors and a reverse camera with dynamic assist.

In terms of safety, the Mahindra XUV500 W10 is fitted with front, seat and curtain airbags for a total of six airbags, ABS brakes with electronic brake-force distribution on all four-disc brakes, additional side-impact beams and crumple zones for crash protection, Hill Hold Assist, Hill Descent Control and Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) with rollover mitigation. In terms of performance, the Stylish New XUV500 is powered by Mahindra’s reliable mHawk 4-cylinder 2.2 turbodiesel engine with its fifth-generation turbocharger, which develops 103 KW at 3 750 RPM and 330 NM of torque at 1 600 RPM, with power transferred to the front wheels through a 6-speed automatic gearbox. Also, the driver, by sliding the gearlever to the left, can select 6-speed manual mode and gears can be changed either up or down by using a small rocker switch on the side of the gearlever.

In acceleration tests, from standstill with the autobox in “D” position to do its own changing, just floor the accelerator, and with a short chirp from the front wheels, Mahindra XUV500 takes of covering the 0 to 100 km dash in 10.9 seconds after two gear-changes and has a top speed is around 165 km/h.

Once you’ve settled in the cab and adjusted the electric driver’s seat and the steering column being adjustable for both reach and rake. To start the W10, leave the key in your pocket, press the stop/start button on the console and the engine starts right away. At idle and parking speeds, diesel engine clatter is quite noisy, but once underway with the windows closed it does quieten down quite considerably.

The XUV500 is not at all sluggish, even before the turbo kicks in, and for overtaking maneuvers, just flatten the accelerator, the auto gearbox will change down a gear or two to find the best overtaking speed and to get by safely. The diesel is an excellent powerplant and good enough even to impress the sporty driver. On the freeway, at a steady 120 km/h, the long 6th gear allows for relaxed driving with the motor spinning at a low 2 100 RPM. For around town driving, the XUV500’s EPS steering is suitably adaptive to the driver’s requirement. In city traffic, the steering is adequately light for quick turns and maneuvers, and adds enough weight during highway drives, while the reverse camera and small turning radius make for easy parking. It’s easy to get used to driving the Mahindra XUV500 and when you do, it becomes a very comfortable and enjoyable vehicle to drive. As for noise levels, a little wind noise does manage to penetrate the cab at speed and there’s also some tyre noise on rough tar.

The ride is very good for a SUV in addition, Mahindra has revised the suspension – which it designed in partnership with Lotus – to offer greater comfort and improved handling. The suspension upgrade and additional noise damping on the 2018 model has led to a dramatic drop in the noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) inside the cabin. In the handling department, the XUV500 is surprisingly well composed, and with the latest electronic driver aids, the XUV500 holds its line through tight corners, and body roll is well contained. There is a bit of tyre squeal from the all-terrain tyres in fast cornering. As for stopping power, stomping hard on the brake pedal at 100 km/h brought the heavy Mahindra XUV500 to a complete stop in just 3.2 seconds which is very good for an SUV.

Mahindra claims a fuel consumption of 7.4 litres/100 km for the combined cycle, but over the week I had the XUV500 the trip computer gave me a reading of 10.4 litres. With its massive 70 litre fuel tank, the Mahindra can comfortably top 1 000 km between refuels.

To conclude, this new Mahindra XUV500 W10 is the best Mahindra vehicle I’ve ever driven. If you look at the price tag, the technologies, the features offered, and the level of performance, it’s excellent value for money. To find another make similarly equipped you’d better be prepared to pay a far higher price. The recommended retail selling price for the Mahindra XUV 500 W10 with the 6-speed automatic is R419 999 which includes a 5-year / 150 000 km warranty and 5 year / 100 000 km service plan. All XUV500 owners will also receive Roadside Assistance for the full five years of the vehicle’s warranty and service plan.

Prices for the remaining four models are listed below:
 Mahindra XUV500 W4 6-spd manual:       R299 999
Mahindra XUV500 W6 6-spd automatic:   R359 999
Mahindra XUV500 W8 6-spd manual:       R374 999
Mahindra XUV500 W8 6-spd automatic:   R403 999