Mahindra tacks Black

AFTER recently offering discounts of up to $3000 on 2023 plated stock, Mahindra is now going down the limited edition path to garner more sales for its mid-size, seven-seat front-wheel drive XUV700 SUV.

It has added a Black Edition at $43,990 drive away to the existing two-model range currently listed from $36,990 and $39,990, including on-road costs.

The Indian manufacturer doesn’t report to industry statistician VFACTs so its sales position isn’t clear, although more are being sighted on the road.

The handsome supplementary Black Edition model is a MY25 build at a premium of $4000 and is available now from Mahindra dealerships across the country.

Over the high spec’ AX7L on which it is based, the Black Edition gains: black duco, memory exterior mirrors, ventilated front seats with active cooling and black upholstery, black dash, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, black 18-inch alloys and a black grille.

Although proportioned towards the larger end of the medium SUV segment, the XUV700 will compete against front-wheel drive petrol-powered models including Haval’s H6 (from $33,990 drive away), Chery Tiggo 7 (from $39,990 d/a), Honda ZR-V (from $39,990 d/a) and the MG HS available from $33,990 drive away.

Toyota’s market leading RAV4 front-drive base model is from $39,760 excluding on-road costs.

The Mahindra XUV700 Black Edition runs the same underpinnings as the other two variants which is a 150kW/380Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine rotating the front axle through a Japanese-sourced Aisin six-speed automatic transmission. 

It has a strut front and multi-link rear suspension, rolls on 18-inch alloys and is fed from a 60-litre tank with a claimed combined fuel economy of 8.3 litres/100km on 91 RON regular unleaded.

The 1835kg model has a braked towing capacity of 1500 kg and is 4695 mm long, 1890mm wide and 1755mm high on a 2750mm wheelbase. Ground clearance is 196 mm.

Standard inclusions on the donor AX7L are: 18-inch alloy wheels, driver’s side electric seat adjustment, dual-zone climate control (with ventilation outlets to all three seating rows and third-row fan controller), front seat heaters, LED headlights, DRLs and tail-lights, a panoramic tilt and slide sunroof and synthetic leather upholstery. 

There’s even a chilled centre-console bin, something usually reserved for far more expensive models.

Two 10.25-inch screens provide instrumentation and infotainment details, the latter including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, Bluetooth connectivity, AM/FM (but no DAB) radio, a 12-speaker Sony-branded sound system, and a couple of gimmicky screens for G-force and a lap timer.

The model features a full complement of airbags (including full third-row curtain and a driver’s knee airbag) and the usual electronic traction and stability chassis control.

It’s also fitted as standard with a range of ADAS features like AEB; adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go functionality; blind-spot view monitor (but no traditional blind-spot monitoring); lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assistance; speed-sign recognition; and a 3D, 360-degree camera system (but no rear cross-traffic alert). Also included are auto high beam and an electric park brake with auto-hold function.

Mahindra backs the XUV700 with a seven-year/150,000km warranty and roadside assistance bundle along with capped price servicing.

The model is unrated by ANCAP at the moment.

Mahindra says its new addition, “screams exclusivity (thanks to the) unmistakable Napoli Black finish that exudes refined luxury, while cutting-edge technology effortlessly elevates the driving experience.”

Mahindra XUV 700 pricing*

AX7                                 $36,990

AX7L                               $39,990

Black Edition                   $43,990

*National drive away pricing