Jaisalmer To Mumbai » MotorOctane

After the recent launch of the Mahindra XUV 7XO, we finally got our hands on the car, and instead of the usual cafe-to office test drive, we decided to do something far more dramatic (and far more fun). We packed five people, a boot of luggage, a playlist ready, and a route that would test every nut and bolt of this SUV. So we set off on a Jaisalmer to Mumbai road trip to test the XUV 7XO to its absolute limits. Let’s find out whether the new successor truly lives up to the legacy of the XUV 700.
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The Journey Begins!

Our journey began from the golden sands of Jaisalmer, where we drove through the demanding conditions of the busy and narrow city roads. Just as we began with our 1200km drive, we were already very impressed by how effortlessly it picked up pace on those roads. In city conditions, the car took mere 2.52 seconds to move from 30 to 50km/h effortlessly. Just one touch on the pedal and off you go!

As the kilometres kept adding up, the XUV 7XO felt like it was built for exactly this kind of journey. Along the following journey, we’ll take the car through the worst and the best of the terrains and driving conditions. So keep reading to know what happens next!

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How Was The Riding Experience?

We have to admit, but this is where Mahindra has clearly outperformed its predecessor and its rivals in the segment. The car has, hands down, the best ride quality one could imagine at this price point. Well, Mahindra has definitely put in the work to make the XUV 7XO stand out from its competitors. Two things you can notice in the XUV 7XO, and you feel them almost immediately. The first is the insulation. The cabin felt quieter, cutting off any unwanted road noise. This made our long hours behind the wheel far less tiring. The second – and perhaps the most important- is the suspension.

The DaVinci suspension introduced in the XUV 7XO is definitely a game changer. The ride feels super comfortable at low speeds and stable at high speeds, even when cruising at 120km/h. No matter who drove it, the car responded confidently.

Notably, if you’re more used to the conventional dashboard mounted physical buttons, this may be a bummer for you. Because the new XUV 7XO has AC controls on the screen, which may feel a bit tricky at first. Overall, the ride quality was superb, proving the XUV 7XO to be practical and comfortable for long trips.

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Mileage: Real Life Numbers

To test out the actual numbers of the new XUV 7XO, we decided to take it on a 100km mileage run. Before we began with it, the car was filled with 5.41 litres of diesel. The run included a mix of city roads, highways, one-lane roads, etc.

After completing our 100km mileage run, the average mileage came out to be 18.8km/l. And it is mind-boggling, considering the XUV 7XO is a 2-ton SUV producing over 185bhp with 450Nm torque. Interestingly, the real-life numbers crush the company claimed mileage of 16.57km/l (Diesel, automatic).

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What Has Changed From XUV 700?

The XUV 7XO continues the XUV 700’s legacy of providing the best-in-segment features to its customers. However, this time they have refined it in meaningful ways. The car key feels lighter and more premium in hand, a small detail that adds to everyday usability. One feature that really stood out during the whole trip was the headlight setup. The booster lights are particularly clever. It basically helps in adjusting the headlight intensity and throw as per the road conditions.

There are also some new features that you might not notice immediately. Now while reversing, the left ORVM automatically tilts downward, providing the driver a better view of the things behind. Then there’s an all-new Groove Mode, borrowed from the BE6, which is not really useful, but adds a fun touch to the driving experience. For music lovers, listening to music in this car is a literal heaven in its truest sense, all thanks to the 16-speaker Harman Kardon audio setup. With modes like Studio, 3D Immersive, and our favourite VenueScape, the sound quality feels rich and well-balanced.

In terms of driving features, you also get more accurate ADAS level 2 in this car. Since Mahindra has brought up the camera quality in the XUV 7XO, the car feels extra safe and responsive with the ADAS in play.

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Is It A Worthy Successor to the XUV 700?

After driving the Mahindra XUV 7XO from Jaisalmer to Mumbai, it’s clear that this car isn’t just a mild update. It’s a well thought evolution of the XUV 700. We have had the older XUV 700 for more than 50,000 km, and we can claim that this car ticks all the checkboxes that any ideal Indian buyer would desire. Be it comfort, power, reliability, tech-oriented features, premiumness, or practicality, the XUV 7XO has it all for you.

In the end, the XUV 7XO feels like a well-thought-out update of the XUV 700, not a replacement but a clear upgrade. Where the XUV 700 felt powerful and capable, the 7XO feels more refined, calmer, and easier to live with. It is safe to say that there’s no sense of compromise or downgrade here, only improvement! If the XUV 700 impressed you, the 7XO is going to be an all-time favourite for you.