The festive season is an exciting and frenetic time of year. It is a time for family commuting and ultimately a time where you need to try and make every cent count, the question that you might be asking is "what is the appropriate vehicle for the job?"
This was certainly a question which I asked myself, and the reason that I was very excited to spend over 2,500 km's and 6-weeks driving the all-new Mahindra XUV 500. A vehicle which packs 7-seats, a tech-filled safe cabin and does all of this from a price which starts at just R299,999 (XUV500 W4 6-spd manual).
What's New?
Taking an already solid base, Mahindra has worked hard on improving the overall package. The result is an XUV 500 which now feels more solid than ever, both in terms of overall build and cabin grade materials. Another massive leap forward comes in the way of vastly improved NVH ( noise, vibration and harshness) levels, which add to luxurious and well refined overall drive.
Day time running lights and bold curves add the latest-generation bold colour palette which includes colours such as the gorgeous copper/bronze metallic as seen on my long-term test vehicle.
Powering the XUV 500 is Mahindra's tried and tested 2.2-litre mHawk turbodiesel engine, which delivers a solid 103 kW and 330 Nm of torque.
All the power can be mated to a manual transmission of the 6-speed automatic transmission which I experienced, with it is claimed to consume of just 7.4 L/100 km, an impressive figure, particularly for a vehicle of this size and stature.
The Mahindra XUV 500 comes packed with an impressive array of features and all starting at its unbelievable price point. The entry-level W4 6-speed manual derivative starts off the range and features two-airbags within the cabin for the driver and passenger along with the W6 variant, while the W8 and W10 variants get 6-airbags as standard and that is before mentioning the likes of electronic stability programme, hill hold and hill descent control which come as standard from the W6 spec upwards.
W6, W8 or W10 spec all-feature bold alloy wheels, and also include the likes of cruise control, rain-sensing wipers, automatically activated headlights and climate control. With W8 and W10 models being equipped with an easily navigatable 7-inch colour touchscreen multimedia system with a wide array of audio sources, Bluetooth coupled with steering-wheel-mounted controls and a precise reversing camera with trajectory lines.
Bold looks, a luxurious ride and unbeatable pricing make the Mahindra XUV 500 a vehicle which I could not have been more pleased with over my extended test period and one which I am certainly happy to recommend.
More details on the XUV 500 & SA pricing available at:
technobok.co.za/mahindra-xuv50...
Also, be sure to watch our recent review of the new Mahindra Pik-Up:
• Mahindra Pik-Up 2.2 CR...
And, the Mahindra TUV300 at:
• Mahindra TUV300 - Lege...
As well as our review of the youthful Mahindra KUV100:
• Mahindra KUV100 (2016)...
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