A petrol version of the Mahindra XUV500 has been launched in India and has been priced at Rs 15.49 lakhs (ex-showroom Delhi). It is the newest addition to the automaker’s lineup and is the first time that the XUV500 is getting a petrol engine since it was launched seven years ago.
The good
You get a lot of kit for this price range. This includes climate control, 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, six-airbags with ABS and EBD. What’s more the XUV500 is a seven-seater vehicle and is the only petrol SUV to offer seating for so many for an ex-showroom price under Rs 20 lakhs. A petrol XUV500 also means the Mahindra badge is available for those who want the car but don’t drive enough to justify the need for a diesel engine.
The bad
Mahindra has struggled with quality and the XUV500 has a long way to GO. This is especially evident, when it is compared with the other seven-seat petrol option in this part of the market, which is the Toyota Innova. What’s more, you only get it with an AT, which is good in the crowded urban areas but it might be viewed as a drawback in smaller cities where a manual gearbox is still a preferred choice.
The facts
Price: Rs 15.49 lakhs
Engine: 2.2-litre
Output and gearbox: 140bhp/320Nm, Six-speed AT
F.Y.I
There is a rally spec XUV500 called the super XUV and it is piloted by three-times Asia Pacific Rally Champion Gaurav Gill.
