Last Updated on 26/08/2026 by Raj
XUV 7XO Review
Our review of 2026 Mahindra XUV 7XO and we cover about its interior, performance, safety, pros & cons, and our verdict so let’s dive in.
Mahindra XUV 7XO : Intro
The Mahindra XUV is the much-awaited update of the popular Mahindra XUV700 which still stands strong Indian SUV market and is one of the best seller, since its launch in 2021. The XUV 7XO is a entire new generation platform and features updated design language, new technology update, and some mechanical changes for a stronger performance.
The powertrains remain the same with small tune, and the suspension also got some tweaked. It received new technologies, including a world-first Davinci suspension system and India’s first coast-to-coast triple-screen setup, with integrated Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision system and also comes with Level 2 ADAS system.
Design:
Although it’s a facelift, the changes to the exterior design is not very drastic. Mahindra does not want to mess the well liked design of the XUV700. However, they’re enough changes to differentiate the XUV 7XO. The Mahindra XUV 7XO is instantly recognizable, with its bold front fascia and the signature DRLs still there but now they are bit slimmer and edgier.
Within the C shaped DRL there is the split-beam LED headlight, which sits lower and now a compact unit. The DRLs extend to the grille, which is now a more slimmer and bolder gives more wider stance. The lower bumper looks sharper with a matt silver skid plate. And four cube-shaped lighting clusters and they used for cornering and fog lamps.
They also feature the headlight booster activates during 80kph and gives better illumination. The side profile, things remain largely unchanged, and you can see the familiar silhouette. The big shoulder line with the hunch across the rear and that trademark C-pillar. It’s come with new dual-tone, diamond-cut finish 19-inch wheels provide a bigger look.
They looks well with the gloss-black trim around the wheel arches, and 235/55 section Ceat tyres give all-round grip. Disc brakes are now standard in all wheels, across all the variants. The flush door handles are still there. The LED tail-lamps are same as XEV 9S and you can see the hexagonal pattern on them.
This hexagon pattern still continues below to the bumper with a gloss-black trim. The facelift does a good job and the XUV700 needs it because it’s not received any facelift for years. Mahindra gives it a fresh look without losing the identity.
Interior:
The cabin comfort is good, and the seats are wide and gives good support with decent range of adjustment. Front seats are ventilated and power adjustable, and the driver seat comes with memory function. Upper trimes offers passenger seat with ventilation and a powered boss mode function. The steering wheel is new, which is also adjustable for reach as well as rake.
The new two-spoke steering is borrowed from the 9S EV, but it’s got physical buttons instead of the haptic ones and works fine. The second row is very comfortable, with wide captain’s chairs or bench seats. The optional captain’s chairs of Mahindra XUV 7XO are also now ventilated. The seats are offers good cushioning, with good under thigh support and adjustable head rests are also available with an armrest. Also features, with seatback reclines.
There is plenty of legroom in the middle row without the sliding function. It offers good and uncomfortable upright seating. The third row is good for kids and best reserved for short journeys or used as a luggage area. Updates to the infotainment are massive and largely down to the big screen stretching across the dash without any physical buttons.
This creates some problems; the most is that the HVAC control is now on the screen and also a two-step process that is very annoying during the drive. The massive screen is a triple 12.3-inch unit, and they are sharp and bright. The infotainment display is very responsive with easy to use UI. There’s a new thing Mahindra calls a 540-degree camera means, a 360-degree camera with a top-down view.
There loads of different apps for everything like media and shopping. Most of which also comes in the passenger display, and this triple-screen setup is now standard across the range. It also featured is a 1,400W 16-speaker Harman Kardon music system with Dolby Atmos and they sounds great and clear.
The dashboard is again form the XEV 9S, but this time with a different theme. Continues to the door give more premium feel with soft-touch materials and clear and detailed metal speaker covers. Below that you find a wireless charging pad with cooling and a 65W Type-C fast charging port and a regular USB port. A second set of wireless charger also features at the rear. And the massive panoramic sunroof is available from mid trim, with window sunblinds.
Mahindra XUV 7XO : Safety
It comes with latest Mahindra XUV 7XO Level 2 ADAS suite and the safety kit is very comprehensive. With seven airbags as standard with knee airbag, all disc brakes, TPMS, ABS, ESC, hill-hold and hill-descent control are also standard. A new thing is the three-point seatbelt for the second row.
It uses new higher resolution cameras claimed to have 3.7 better view, with radar and sensors offering 3x better computing power. And all the system worked well, easily identifying vehicles, people and traffic, and displaying them on the driver’s display screen. The lane keep assist holds it in line, and the adaptive cruise control works well on the traffic.
Engine and Performance:
Under the bonnet the unit is same and that’s no bad thing. Powertrains on the XUV700 are very good and don’t have any concerns. Mahindra has carried forward the engines on the Mahindra XUV 7XO. Power is increased slightly because of the adjustments to the tune of both engines and AWD is available on the top variants.
The 2.0-litre turbo-petrol produced 203hp and 380Nm of torque and paired with a 6-speed manual or 6-speed torque-converter automatic. Regradless of the transmission, the engine has no trouble to push this big SUV and make 0-100 under 10 seconds. It has plenty of power and very tractable unit. It can produce diesel-like low end torque but with higher rev range.
It’s a rev happy unit extended to the 5,800rpm redline. And also its very refined and smooth too, with less vibration filter into the cabin. The 6-speed automatic is the best pair for this engine. With smooth shifts and very small pauses between shifts. The 2.2-litre diesel engine makes 185hp and 450Nm and comes with manual or automatic.
The torquey nature of this motor gives the character of this big SUV, but it’s not as fast and effortless as the petrol. It’s not slow at all with a strong range of power coming in at around 1,400rpm and holds until about 4,000rpm. Refinement of the motor is impressive only makes noise when pushed hard, but in day-to-day driving, it’s a very quiet unit.
Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel comes with 3 drive modes – Zip, Zap and Zoom change the engine and throttle response. Also the automatic is good keeping the revs and channels the torque efficiently. The manual have shorter geared ratio gives fast shifts. Both of them work smooth and the tractable motor can pull in higher gears on the traffic or in the city and rarely needs downshift to overtake.
The clutch is light and handles the torque well, and the action is smooth enough too. The Zip is like the Eco mode, where the throttle input is lower down for better fuel efficiency. The Zap mode is the default with a bit more fast throttle response. The steering weighs up bit, and the Zoom is the sportiest mode of the three.
The diesel engine’s refinement is good, only audible when the engine start first time. But once it reached the optimum speed, the engine noise converted into a light hum. The glass area of the cabin is designed to reduce the temperature, controlled brightness, and also make it quieter and also manage to cut off a lot of the ambient sounds.
Ride Quality and Handling:
It uses the same setup of McPherson strut at the front and a multi-link independent suspension at the rear, and both come with stabilizer bar. Dampers are new and offer a frequency-selective damping and it called Davinci damper. This system is all new addition to the Mahindra XUV 7XO. And it give a super ride comfort and stability and it’s provided by the Monroe.
Both the dampers had FSD and have new DCx piston valve and a hydraulic rebound stopper. The piston valve comes with an additional stack of several thin metal discs of varying shapes that regulate the flow of the fluid inside the dampers. It also helps in tuning the low-speed and high-speed ride quality. For the low speeds, the damping action is low, gives softer ride. At high speeds, the damping rate is higher, which makes the ride stiffer. So i’ts act as a semi-active damper.
The new hydraulic stopper ensures that the suspension not fully bottom out. If happened it absorbs the maximum so that it is not fully transmitted into the cabin. It comes with updated electric power steering which is light and responsive, which makes maneuvering the car very easy. It weighs up with increasing speed.
The low-speed driving is much improved, and the stiffness is minimum give a soft feel. Regular bumps and potholes are absorb quite easily, and you don’t even feel them. Going over unpaved roads are also smooth. It isn’t felt in the cabin, and ride quality gets better if you gain some speed, and the suspension manages to remain steady.
On the highway Mahindra XUV 7XO body roll is well controlled, and the car feels planted and overall comfort levels are good. You can do triple-digit speeds with confidence. As before, the car is a good handler and high-speed controll is superb with ability to take sharp turns at high speed.
The dampers are doing solid work to keep the body flat and stable throughout the corners, found on our highways. It comes with all 4 disc brakes and they perform very good in any driving conditions. The braking is progressive and sharp. The car can easily stop without any issue at high speed and remain stable.
Mahindra XUV 7XO – Pricing
Mahindra is no longer offers any MX trims and every variant is now an AX and the triple-screen setup, and Davinci dampers are now standard in all trims. Considering this, prices start at Rs 13.66 lakh for the petrol with manual, at ₹14.96 lakh for diesel manual, making on of the bang for buck car on the market.
For the top-end models, prices extend up to Rs 23.64 lakh for the petrol automatic and Rs 24.11 lakh for the diesel automatic. AWD is still there on the top trims of the diesel automatic, and you have to pay Rs 21.40 lakh and Rs 24.92 lakh for that.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
Mahindra XUV 7XO Smooth and refined engines.
Very punchy and strong performance.
Quiet and comfortable cabin.
Good and mature ride quality with high speed stability, and comes with DaVinci dampers.
Packed with features like triple-screen setup and Dolby Atmos.
Array of safety tech.
Sharp pricing.
Cons:
Third row is very tight not good for adults.
Confusing controls and lack of buttons.
Steering wheel design is polarising and lack on feedback.
Power remains same.
No major design changes.
Verdict:
The Mahindra XUV 7XO continue to deliver the punchy performance and well-rounded performance. Blending the powerful engines with comfort and safety. Also balance the ride and handling better than before. Its new exterior and modern interior design including the triple-screen and superb sound system, feels above its segment.
The new Davinci suspension system and improved ADAS gives a secure and alive driving experience. Easy handling of any road and driving conditions. Considering all the factors Mahindra XUV 7XO is an attractive option for this price point. It can give substantial value that very few cars on this segment offer. It’s built on the XUV700’s strong legacy, positioning it as a highly familiar and safe option for buyers.
