Is The 2018 Mahindra XUV500 a Worthy Upgrade?

The 2018 Mahindra XUV500 comes loaded with new features and style. But is it really an upgrade over the original?

A 2011 Mahindra XUV500 W8 besides the new 2018 Mahindra XUV500 W11 AT AWD

(Photo: The Quint)

Video Editor: Puneet Bhatia
Cameraperson: Abhay Sharma

Mahindra has introduced the all-new XUV500 which started off with a cheetah-inspired design, but now it looks like a cheetah that went to New York and got some cool shades. Somehow, by trying to upgrade the Mahindra XUV500, the company has probably gone a little overboard.

Take a look at the original XUV500 that came out in 2011. It followed a theme from front to rear. Yes, it did seem radical at the time, but with the changes that it has undergone since then (there was one facelift in between), the XUV500 has moved on. It now feels like it has too much bling.

There are a few things missing as well with the new XUV500. But there are also quite a few features that have been added to it. Noticeable changes include new headlamps with LED daytime running lights, chrome embellished grille and new 18-inch alloy wheels.

One area Mahindra should have let things be is at the rear. When you look at the tail-light of the old XUV, it is a single piece design with little tribal motifs in it. The new XUV500 is a bit fussy. The portion on the boot is a fake piece and it’s non-functional. It just gives it a bit of styling, which draws mixed opinions.

The top-end XUV comes with a sunroof and quilted leather upholstery. But there are some things that have been left out, like the conversation mirror in the roof and 12 volt port in the boot.

The centre console now gets a glossy piano-black finish, but it’s a bit of a dust magnet. And because the start-stop button has been incorporated at the base of the console, Mahindra has removed the 12-volt power socket and given only one USB port there, while another USB port is on the dash.

The touchscreen audio system screen is larger and comes with Android Auto and a reverse camera, with changes to the interface.

The XUV that we are driving is the all-wheel drive top-end variant, which means you get a six-speed automatic transmission and Mahindra has bumped up the power a little bit. You get 155 PS of power and 360 Nm of torque compared to 330 Nm and 143 PS earlier. You can feel that extra torque now especially in the city and with this automatic transmission, it feels pretty smooth.

One thing the XUV has always been is value for money. It’s loaded with features. I mean there is nothing that you will miss in this car. Safety features, six airbags, ESP, traction control, hill-descent control etc.

The all-wheel drive system is available on the W11 variant only and does give the XUV some off-road credentials. However, it doesn’t seem as rugged as before. It’s now seems more at home in an urban environment or the highway, rather than the jungle.