Even for a non-aggressive driver, the XUV700 delivers a gasoline effectivity determine of round 10 km/l.
BHPian Mudhalaipatti not too long ago shared this with different fans.
Pre Automobile Shopping for
Some old-timers could recollect me because the proprietor of a Pink XUV5OO from a very long time in the past. My possession expertise was short-lived as I needed to fly off to a distant land for nearly a decade. This pandemic was already shifting a few of my priorities, when a private encounter with Mr COVID and life flashing earlier than my eyes, made me notice that I ought to donate at the very least 20L to an Indian Automobile Producer.
The 7 seater choices are relatively restricted. Innova is boring and boring and overpriced. I did not even check drive it. The safari, whereas packaged neatly one way or the other did not win my coronary heart. Cannot pinpoint as to what. Maybe It did not have that wow issue because the XUV7OO did. Subsequent is the MG Hector Plus. I did not fairly just like the dealing with of this one. Additionally, the lacking options in a 7 seater was a deal-breaker. The 6-seater prime variant is a joke, particularly for the final row passengers. heheh after which the Ertiga. I can consider a nasty analogy for Ertiga being on this listing, however then the mods would ban me for a lifetime after which for 7 extra lives.
I already had a delicate nook for Mahindra (from the sooner XUV5OO romance) and the announcement of the 5OO offspring and that too on the proper time galvanized the selection. I wasn’t very impressed with the entrance design. However then I am rising older and at the very least the automotive ought to look wiser. That is what the higher half commented.
When the variants had been introduced, I used to be able to drop Mahindra from the listing altogether. I felt cheated. There is a distinction between “beginning at 12L” and “you get 4 wheels and an engine at 12L”. I do know, I do know, I am being somewhat harsh. I am nonetheless but to come back to phrases with the entire product packaging/variants.
I wished to ebook the AX7 L variant. However then the sensible souls of this discussion board warned of manufacturing priorities for Mahindra and that AX7 L apparently would not land earlier than Musk lands on Mars. So relatively grudgingly needed to quiet down for an AX7 Guide Petrol. (The true cause – Approval denied by the almighty for an additional 2L for some gimmicks)
I used to be in a rush and petrol variants had been those to roll out of the Mahindra Manufacturing unit first. After years behind an automated, I used to be itching to get again to “driving” and so guide was a no brainer. No different issues went into selecting XUV7OO AX7 Guide Petrol. A 7 seater was at all times the popular one.
Booked the car on 7-Oct with the supplier after which the circus started. I will not rant about supply schedule bulletins, as sufficient has been stated already. And would not pile on folks-in-waiting’s distress.
Automobile Shopping for
Poor gross sales guys at Mahindra dealership, who had been saved within the blind all through the method. Mahindra if you wish to direct promote your automobiles, similar to Tesla. Do it. Reasonably than this one leg in a single soup situation. I will elaborate on why I really feel strongly about this within the coming sections after I discuss concerning the niggles and points confronted.
Now the clock is ticking and between haggling with OLA drivers (belief me on this. I needed to haggle the value with OLA auto/vehicles each time. Will speak about this on a dark day) and driving a bike in monsoon rains, my persistence was carrying skinny. After a nasty rain trip, at some point and with no information of a supply schedule went forward and booked an Ertiga CNG with an Rs 11K reserving quantity.
An hour later, after I attain dwelling, the supplier calls me up and utters the magic phrases. “Your automotive has been allotted”. After just a few backwards and forwards, the supplier steered the eighth Nov supply date, whereas I wished it sooner. The car arrived on the supplier yard on 28-Oct. I went in for a PDI on 29-Oct and there was a delicate supply of the car on 1-Nov. i.e a pleasant photograph op with fireworks, cake chopping and a little bit of excessive deco. After which the Deepavali temper set in and nothing moved. The car was despatched for RTPO registration on 8-Nov and at last received to drive dwelling the wonder on the night of eighth.
Pricing and Reductions
XUV7OO and Reductions do not go properly in a single sentence. It is premium pricing galore.
Car value is Rs 17.59 lakh
Insurance coverage: First I used to be quoted an insane 1L insurance coverage, which after haggling introduced it all the way down to Rs 72,805. Insurance coverage apparently is thru Mahindra and the service supplier is Chola MS.
Any concept how good or dangerous their servicing is? Right here is the ultimate insurance coverage doc. Additionally easy methods to get a full coverage doc that particulars the inclusions and exclusions. The decision to buyer care was not very useful, as they requested me to make use of the mParivahan app and that app does not load the coverage particulars after a number of tries.
The following equipment quantity to 25K. No negotiation on this. Curiously did not like lots of the equipment that Mahindra had on their website. The positioning appeared incomplete and half baked. Hope they enhance the providing within the coming weeks and months. Btw I picked solely 7D ground mats (The evaluation of this might be out shortly), Illuminated Scuff Plates, Sunshades, Automobile Cowl and Mud Flaps. Solely the ground mats had been put in and others are in transit. After I go to repair the quantity plate, I will repair the remainder. Apparently, to repair the mudflaps, it’s important to take out the wheels. I declined the aspect steps and the again crash bar and naturally the jarring chrome bundle. I used to be closely “inspired” to go along with all of the equipment, which I enthusiastically declined. Now the pricing for the equipment as per the positioning.
XUV700 Solar Shades (Set of 4 Pcs) for All Variants – ₹1,710.00
XUV700 Sporty Black & Blue Physique Cowl for All – ₹2,300.00
XUV700 Entrance and Rear Mud Flap Equipment (Set of 4) – ₹600.00
Illuminated Scuff Plates & 7D Ground Mats- I used to be not supplied with the value for these and it is usually not obtainable on the positioning. Excluding these, the price of equipment involves 4610 and I anticipate to pay a complete of round 7000. I used to be informed that the sellers would elevate a refund request and it could take a month to get the remaining quantity from Mahindra. Let’s have a look at. Mahindra, why not enable us to decide on what we wish and pay for what we wish!
And the Closing Bill is under.
Oh did I say something concerning the day 1 niggle. That deserves a separate part. Learn on.
However first, some extra images earlier than the rains got here down.
Having pushed this for greater than every week, right here is the great, dangerous, ugly listing
The Good
Welcome Gesture: The truth that the seat strikes out of the way in which when you’re hoping in and strikes again to your pre-set place as soon as you might be seated, is totally my prime favorite. Makes ingress and exit a lot knee cap pleasant.
Startup Animation: Man, it’s important to see it to be amazed. The cool dashboard animation at startup is neat. I find it irresistible. This complete display feels so superior.
Display screen Dimming at night time: One other considerate gesture, the place the center infotainment system goes dim and nearly blacks out with simply the Mahindra emblem, is cool. Would not disturb the sleeping driver 🙂
Contact display response: The truth that there are such a lot of configurable gadgets, just like the sound of your flip indicator, sound staging and so on, There was lots of cool options already. I hope Mahindra can maintain updating this, so we get new options every so often. Did I already hear a request so as to add the Fart Horn? You foolish of us.
The hat this display wears is so considerate. Avoids many of the glare throughout daytime. There has not been a vibrant day up to now and so cannot actually touch upon these tremendous vibrant days. Nevertheless it appears to be like to carry up simply high quality.
Good Touches right here and there: Silver lining or relatively chrome lining to the roof lamps
The navigation maps open up on the primary display. This may be enlarged to a full display, which is form of cool and fewer distracting to take a look at one other display.
The cabin lamps now grow to be studying lamps. Incredible design. In my 5OO, the entire cabin will gentle up, typically blinding me, when switched off. My eyes would take just a few seconds to regulate. Not anymore. These lights are angled, so it shines gentle solely on the steering wheel for the driving force and for the passenger, simply on their lap, shielding our eyes from the brilliant gentle.
The bottle holder within the door is angled and it makes it simple to take out and put it again.
The cabin is tremendous quiet with the engine operating and on highways. So quiet that I can barely hear the horn when the music is taking part in. Good soundproofing throughout. Try the froth padding on the engine cowl. Good contact.
Additionally, the Ground Carpet is closely padded and I suppose it helps in filtering out the highway noise to an important diploma. Heck, even the windshield is licensed “acoustic” one thing. Will the rattling rains let up, for me to take some pics !!
Sound Staging – You’ll be able to select the place the sound comes from. Have no idea how typically we are going to use this every day. Nevertheless it’s good to indicate off to children. If I am driving alone, I’d select a unique setting. That is the place the AX7 L Sony audio system would excel. This setup just isn’t dangerous, however it’s nowhere close to the Sony audio system.
Between the three show choices (Regular, Minimal and Information) for the primary sprint, I just like the Information setup. It offers a pleasant suggestion to upshift or downshift the gear.
The Unhealthy
The cabin door handles: These are shiny black and inside a day of use, I see scratch marks on them. Surprise what these would seem like in the long term. A cloth materials or something that’s not shiny would have been good.
Head Relaxation: All of the headrests have simply two heights that may be adjusted to, which is annoying. There’s just one groove. Why not have a number of grooves which permit for extra peak changes of the headrest.
The Ugly
The “Tesla Door Handles”: In broad daylight when you do not have to seek for the handles this factor works simply okay. Albeit that is nonetheless one enter greater than wanted Step 1 – Find and push the deal with to come out. Step 2 – Pull the door. Nevertheless, at nighttime, it turns into annoying. Annoying to the core, simply to seek for the rattling door deal with. It drove me nuts the primary night and nonetheless is to this present day. What had been you pondering Mahindra !@#$. In a Tesla car (your inspiration), the deal with pops out if you stroll in. If Mahindra had carried out the automated door come out in all variations and never restricted it to the AX 7 L variant, it could have been cool. If Mahindra wished to separate function units throughout variants, the least they might have completed was to have illuminated door handles, when the unlock secret is pressed. I do not need to seem like a blind man or worse somebody “feeling” his personal automotive earlier than fingering it. I am that mad at his door deal with setup.
All of us have seen, how stuffy the door deal with wells grow to be after just a few years. That is probably the most scratched surfaces of the automotive. Think about how this automotive would really like scratched and ugly the door deal with space can be, with out the “properly” to cover it.
The reverse digital camera does not come up on random events. I have never been in a position to set up a sample on this brief timeframe. However this positive is annoying.
Because the boot sequence takes a great 30 seconds or so till that masses fundamental capabilities like the quantity management don’t work.
And btw the total boot sequence occurs after a spot. I.e in case you cease and begin your automotive inside a couple of minutes, the software program doesn’t appear besides from begin. It simply comes up fast. However if you begin your automotive after just a few minutes, you simply have to attend until your espresso is chilly earlier than beginning off.
First Day Niggles
My PDI was principally beauty and mechanical associated. I couldn’t check the AdrenoX linked automotive options as I used to be informed that supply needs to be ready and that may occur on the day of precise supply. Having been forewarned of software program glitches, I hardly raised an eyebrow after I couldn’t connect with the automotive after I drove dwelling the car. This was the error message I used to be getting.
The issue was the SIM within the automotive was not lively and never locking on to a cell sign.
As you’ll be able to see on this image, the picture was greyed out.
I hoped to go in after every week or so by which period the software program challenge could have been fastened.
Shock, shock. The following day morning as quickly because the solar was out the connection supervisor known as and was extraordinarily apologetic and talked about {that a} repair is out there and that if I would like I can are available in the identical day.
I had put aside time for the approaching days and weeks for these service visits anyway and so drove all the way down to the service centre, the place the two odd GB value of software program replace was utilized and I used to be ready to connect with the automotive by way of my cellphone.
I used to be informed that the Mahindra staff was in full energy on the stroke of daybreak to get this challenge sorted out, together with convention calls with the tech groups. I used to be informed that mine is the primary car ever to be really delivered and pushed dwelling in TN. Actually ?!!! Its onerous to consider contemplating the variety of deliveries up to now. Anyway should recognize the earnestness with which the Mahindra staff was concerned in resolving this challenge.
Nevertheless, would this story finish right here? Probably not. First, the earlier software program model loaded in below 5 seconds. Whereas this new one took a candy 30 seconds. I perceive that this model may not have gone via the rigours of software program testing and efficiency testing. Nevertheless, I can reside with it in the interim. However 30 second load time is clearly unacceptable.
Replace: The very subsequent day, I used to be informed {that a} repair is prepared and this time, the service mechanic and the RM would come to my place to repair the difficulty. Discuss being proactive eh. Good. Apparently, it was a cache clearing challenge. Not that that fastened the lengthy boot time, I used to be knowledgeable that the system takes that a lot time to attach and activate all sensors and stuff. That is BS. Hope that future upgrades will tackle this challenge.
The second challenge was with maps. Apparently, there was a brand new maps replace as properly and that resulted within the GPS module not locking in on the map, which rendered the maps actually unusable. Took just a few extra hours to repair it by way of software program replace. This isn’t OTA replace but. The service centres use the USB stick mode for all these.
By this time, a Mahindra worker had pushed down from Coimbatore to talk to me concerning the general expertise and this niggle specifically. Mahindra is certainly treating this car particular. I gave him my suggestions on plenty of gadgets and hope there are resolutions to those points.
And now some below the hood pics.
Software program Niggles
The ADRENOX app is somewhat bizarre. Typically it exhibits that the headlamps are on, whereas there are usually not.
I paired my cellphone as soon as, nevertheless, there are two telephones listed on the display. Deleting one, really deletes each and also you sendup with nothing
Although my cellphone is paired and the cellphone phonebook obtain is full, I do not get to see the decision historical past, phonebook or some other helpful info. I am given to grasp that Mahindra is but to get certification for Android Auto or Apple Automobile play and till then a few of these is probably not working. Actually Mahindra !!
Double-tapping the button that has a kind of copy/paste image brings up the choices menu for the driving force aspect most important show. Nevertheless, on multiple event double-tapping, single tapping, triple tapping, Chin tapping did not work. All it introduced out was the almighty’s comment ‘The chimp is pondering eh ?’.
Some Issues to Preserve in Thoughts
Even if you lock the car, having the important thing close by will maintain the boot door unlocked. It’s going to get mechanically locked if you/key strikes out roughly 6 ft from the automotive. Additionally with out urgent the unlock button, with simply the keys in hand, the boot door opens up.
While you manually shut the OVRMs, it does not shut flush like 5OO. Superb likelihood a 2 wheelers nicks it.
Lengthy urgent the unlock button on the important thing fob, will open the sunroof, driver aspect window and blow recent air into the cabin for just a few seconds. Good function if you wish to let off some warmth from the automotive when it had been standing within the solar for some time.
Remotely switching on the car or switching on local weather management is disabled within the AX7 variant and is out there solely in AX7 L *sigh*
I personally discover the position of the door unlocks buttons not so intuitive. That is on the very backside of the panel and I discover it somewhat difficult to seek out it and unlock it. With the XUV mechanically unlocking when switched off, there are situations the place I am in impartial when I’ve to dump a physique shortly, I am unable to afford to fumble you see.
There is a good hole between the “baggage space” and the seats (when they’re in folded place). In case you are planning to stuff baggage on this place, ensure nothing slips via the cracks. It could be a bit difficult to retrieve them.
In contrast to the 5OO, this isn’t a flatbed. There is a small bump within the center. Barely noticeable, however it’s there for the second-row passengers. The worth to be paid for decreasing the peak eh!
XUV7OO is about 10 cm longer than the XUV5OO. And so if you’re hoping to reuse your 5OO cowl, it would seem like your 7OO has no trouser manners.
To get to the final row, it’s important to fold one seat within the second row. Nevertheless this folding mechanism works, solely and provided that you push the lever, fold the seat and tilt it over, multi functional easy movement. In the event you take a millisecond pause between folding the seat and tilting it, you will be unable to tilt the seat.
In case you have enabled StopnGo, when your engine is off in a visitors gentle, the AC, Leisure system et works, however not the sky roof. Nevertheless asking Alexa properly to open and shut will make it work, for these pressing excessive selfies.
Searching is enabled via the infotainment system. The inbuilt information app is learn out by Alexa. Cool function. I am informed that there is a every day restrict of 2GB and the sim is from Vodafone. After the two GB or so restrict is reached, a number of the linked automotive options could not work as anticipated. Attempt to not watch motion pictures. Talking of flicks, in case you load up a USB with motion pictures you’ll be able to watch motion pictures. I am informed that there could also be extra apps added sooner or later. Would like to see Apple Automobile Play on the earliest.
Good to have software program options
By default, the Adrenox App exhibits a silver color AX7 L. It might be good to have the precise color, in my case, the crimson colored automotive displayed together with the pic of the particular variant. Additionally another info like color, cylinders are empty. Can be good to have all of the related info stuffed out.
The distant automotive function permits solely the driving force aspect home windows to open and shut. The availability to open all doorways can be good.
ALARM BELLS – PRIVACY CONCERNS
I knew the automotive has lots of linked automotive options, however the sheer quantity of information this factor is gathering and maybe storing on the cloud is spectacular and on the identical time scary. I’ve been looking out all manuals, T&C and there isn’t any point out of how safe this information is, i.e is that this encrypted, can anybody at Mahindra take a look at this information. How are they utilizing this info?
We’ve got already seen how AADHAAR is being missed by govt and personal events. Does Mahindra share this wealth of information with anybody? If sure, who and below what situations. How is my private information protected?
Whereas I perceive that our privateness is already compromised with using smartphones, that is taking it to a different stage. Simply take a look at the quantity of information that is collected.
Driving Dynamics
And now the meaty bit. I’ve pushed this car for over 400 km in combined metropolis and freeway situations. Over filth roads (i.e state highways) and cratered roads (i.e nationwide highways). And listed here are my observations.
FE – I would not name myself an aggressive driver, not a sedate driver both and the FE is roughly round 10Km/L. I used to be suggested towards filling the tank full for the preliminary few days. I anticipate the FE to enhance to double digits, someplace round 15 km/L or at the very least that is my want. And I used to be informed this was a direct gasoline injection setup which ought to ideally give higher FE. Let’s have a look at.
Acceleration – Boy oh boy. The two Lt Turbo Charged Engine delivers an superior adrenaline rush. The enjoyment you get in abandoning the visitors and by no means seeing them once more is hehe one of many mortal pleasures. Nevertheless, you would need to tame your habits in metropolis driving.
Braking – Acceleration and Braking needs to be a great couple. If one is out of stability, you threat your life. Mahindra has completed a tremendous job a.ok.a selecting simply the suitable chew for such a strong car. However, however, however…watch out. As I discussed earlier, you aren’t getting to truly see the car accelerating and so the phrases caught to OVRMs ought to actually be caught to the windshields. “Objects in entrance of you, are nearer than they seem”. Or at the very least for me, I onerous braked on plenty of situations earlier than discovering a high quality stability. In these braking conditions, the car stopped/slowed down as per expectations, besides that the again row passengers had been flung in entrance. I am positive most of you’ll not drive like me/maniac, however be conscious of the ability of acceleration and the chew of the brakes. I counsel the second-row passengers put on a seat belt as properly, simply to keep away from them being in your lap if you brake.
Suspension – The impartial multi-link frequency selective dampers arrange within the rear is attention-grabbing. Right here is why. On highways or different well-paved roads, you’re feeling like you might be really flying. The suspension is so easy. The almighty, one multiple occasion indicated that she appears like she’s cruising.
Now the opposite excessive, in deep potholed roads, filth roads, can’t-be-called-a-road, the suspension handles it brilliantly. Positive you do really feel the potholes, however it’s a lot rather more subdued than in the same car. That is one higher than the XUV7OO really.
Now comes the quirk. Have you ever come throughout roads, the place there are a number of layers of fine tar and after some rains or related occasion, there is a pothole on the highest tarmac? This isn’t actually a bottomless pit, however the backside of this pit is one other asphalt and the dept of this crater is various CMs. I do not need to threat my life to take a pic of those potholes. Hope you get the image *Pun Meant*. Chances are you’ll encounter these on Nationwide Highways. These pits are the nemesis of the XUV7OO suspension setup. Whereas the suspension handles actual craters with ease, these pseudocraters confuse the residing hell of the suspension, I feel. You assume XUV will deal with it and go over it and you are feeling like a hammer dropped in your head. There’s this nasty thud, makes you surprise if the wheel hit the wheel properly. I get a sense that the suspension just isn’t actually tuned for these outliers. Anyway, what do you do to enthuse conditions? Establish the true craters and drive over them, establish these pseudocraters and keep away from them like plagues or err actual craters.
Dealing with – That is by far the very best I’ve seen. Sufficient stated.
In abstract, taking the entire above into consideration, I’d contemplate XUV7OO to be extra of a freeway rider than a metropolis rider.
What I assumed are options that I might compromise in AX7, are actually proving to be troubling.
- Absence of telescoping steering wheel adjustment.
- Automated Door Handles *Duh*
- Sprint Digital camera and steady recording – This one is attention-grabbing and I am getting combined indicators. I am informed that the digital camera on the windshield is used not simply to learn highway indicators and to alert on pace limits, it really data footage. Very like a dashcam. And that the ECU helps as much as 32GB of reminiscence card, value 10 hours of driving movies and its loop recording. Nevertheless, plenty of questions are excellent – Will the recorded movies be seen within the Gallery App. Will customers are in a position to delete them as wanted, do we have to go to the service centre to insert this reminiscence card, is the reminiscence card an choice to buy from Mahindra and may or not it’s put in from the market and much extra. There has not been any clear reply from Mahindra. Hoping to get these cleared out within the coming weeks and months.
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