Mahindra’s flagship SUV is getting ready for its first major update since 2021, with spy shots revealing exciting interior and exterior changes.
The XUV700 has been Mahindra’s crown jewel in the SUV space, and after four successful years, it’s finally time for a comprehensive makeover. Recent spy shots have given us our clearest look yet at what’s coming, and honestly? It’s looking pretty darn impressive. The timing makes perfect sense too – with competition heating up in the premium SUV segment, Mahindra really needs to keep its bestseller fresh and relevant.
Design Updates Keep Things Familiar Yet Fresh
The exterior changes are more evolutionary than revolutionary, which is probably the smart play here. Let’s be real – when you’ve got a good thing going, why mess with it too much? The front end gets the most attention with sleeker headlamps featuring twin projector units – a significant upgrade from the current reflector-based LED setup. The grille and bumper have been redesigned too, though the heavy camouflage makes it hard to see the full picture.
What’s interesting is that earlier test mules were spotted with circular headlights borrowed from the Thar Roxx, but the latest spy shots show the production-spec rectangular units. Thank goodness for that – those circular ones would’ve looked completely out of place on the XUV700! The side profile remains largely unchanged, retaining those flush door handles that give the XUV700 its clean look. However, different test mules have been spotted with varying alloy wheel designs, suggesting different variants will get distinct styling treatments.
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Interior Gets a Major Tech Boost
Here’s where things get really exciting. The biggest talking point is undoubtedly the new triple-screen dashboard layout, borrowed straight from the XEV 9e electric SUV. We’re looking at three 12.3-inch displays – one for the instrument cluster, another for infotainment, and a third dedicated to co-passenger entertainment. It’s a massive leap in cabin technology for Mahindra’s ICE lineup, and frankly, it’s about time.
The steering wheel design has also been updated, taking cues from the XEV 9e with its cleaner two-spoke layout and backlit Mahindra logo. The dual-tone black and beige interior theme looks set to continue, which should keep existing owners happy – no need to feel like their car’s suddenly outdated.
Features and Safety Package
The XUV700 facelift will retain all the goodies from the current model while adding some new tricks. Expect to see rear ventilated seats (finally!), an additional wireless phone charger, and possibly a digital key with NFC integration. The existing feature highlights like wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, panoramic sunroof, 6-way powered driver’s seat with memory, and that excellent 12-speaker sound system will all carry forward. No complaints there.
Safety-wise, the seven airbags (with six likely standard across variants), ADAS suite, 360-degree camera, and electronic stability control will continue to be part of the package. Mahindra’s been pretty solid on the safety front, so no surprises here.
Engine Options Remain Unchanged
Don’t expect any surprises under the hood – and that’s perfectly fine. The tried-and-tested 2.0-liter turbo-petrol and 2.2-liter diesel engines will continue with the same 6-speed manual and automatic transmission options. These powertrains have proven themselves reliable, so why fix what ain’t broken? There’s some chatter about a possible plug-in hybrid system, but that’s still very much in the “we’ll believe it when we see it” territory.
Launch Timeline and Pricing
All signs point to a 2026 launch, with January being the most likely timeframe. The current XUV700 starts at ₹14.49 lakh, and with all these updates, expect the facelift to command a premium of around ₹50,000 to ₹1 lakh. That puts the starting price closer to ₹15 lakh – still reasonable considering what you’re getting.
The XUV700 facelift represents Mahindra’s commitment to keeping its flagship SUV competitive without fixing what isn’t broken. The triple-screen setup alone should be enough to get tech-savvy buyers excited, while the subtle exterior updates ensure it doesn’t look dated. Smart move, Mahindra – sometimes the best strategy is knowing when to evolve rather than revolutionize.