The Mahindra XUV 500 has found a strong footing in the Indian market as it was one of the vehicles that filled the void of mainline and premium vehicles.
Launched way back in 2011, this mid-size SUV was Mahindra’s bold attempt to transcend its rugged utilitarian origins to a more sophisticated, feature-laden product that resonated the changing aspirations of Indian customers.
Mahindra XUV 500: Design Evolution
Styling of the XUV 500 was a clear a deviation from Mahindra’s old school simple looks, and embraced more of a modern design, with some character lines thrown in.
A half-moon shaped styling theme with connective elements within the lamps provided a distinguishing front appearance for the vehicle (downplayed somewhat by visual design similarities with the likes of small Hyundai and Nissan models then on offer in the Korean domestic market).
The front grill was a narrow unit with the manufacturer’s badge mounted on bonnet/hood.
Daytime running lights became integrated within the headlamp units by the mid 2000s. Its strong wheel arches, powerful shoulder and the cheetah-inspired eye and claw signature lighting designs made it feel very different in a world full of me-too, mind-you utes.
During its tenure, the XUV 500 got two important facelifts, which subtly matured its looks, but the general design language was preserved in tact.
Its interior likewise transformed from an early dashboard and aircraft-inspired center console to higher-quality material and ergonomic arrangements in later revisions.
Platform and Engineering
Based on a monocoque, rather than the body-on-frame construction of Mahindra’s previous offerings, the XUV 500 had an upmarket ride and dynamics that were in line more with the crossover SUV than the utilitarian off-roader approach employed previously.
It was an architectural decision that was also clearly informed by Mahindra knowing that many urban consumers value road composure and refinement over extreme off-road capability.
The suspension was a McPherson strut arrangement in front and a multi-link rear arrangement designed to offer ride comfort and to make handling reasonably competent.
Although it didn’t meet the sophisticated standards set by certain overseas rivals, the xuv 500 boasted a level of road-going manners missing from other indigenously engineered vehicles in the category.
Powertrain Development
Technologically enhanced from an automotive perspetive, the mHawk 2.2-litre engine that the XUV 500 got continued to evolve over its production run to deliver superior peformance and efficiency as also increasingly stringent emission norms.
Early models delivered about 140 horsepower, and later ones about 155 hp, but refinement was improved by lower noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) levels.
The transmission lineup successfully goes beyond the original TM-6 6MT to also encompass the six-speed automatic transmission by AISIN, meeting the demand on the market for a two-pedal configuration in urban driving.
When 4WD was called for in more demanding conditions, a 4×4 version was still an option, with the exceptions of Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela.
Introduction of Petrol Engine variant came later and was a limited choice as the traditional Indian market prefers diesel economy in bigger cars – the petrol engine was really for markets with restrictions in diesel vehicles.
Feature Integration
If there is one area where the XUV 500 had the greatest impact on the Indian automotive scenario, is that it brought top end features into segments that were previously considered exclusive by the elite.
The first model became the first car featuring touchscreen digital audio player capable of connecting with a didgeridoo and transparent cockpit canopy, driving seat, automatic air conditioner, and leather seats, equipped airbags safety for middle high consumers and it priced low against the competitor its class.
Subsequent updates introduced options that include a sunroof, Android Auto/Apple CarPlay apps integration, keyless push-button start, and more advanced driver aids such as a rearview camera, parking sensors and vehicle stability control.
This gradual feature enrichment allowed the model to persevere and stay valuable even in the face of rapidly growing competition.
Market Impact
The XUV 500 set a new benchmark in consumer mind-space in the segment by showing that Indian vehicle manufacturers could sell vehicles that had features, design and performance that were the exclusive preserve of international brands albeit with far greater value.
This success has forced other local manufacturers to also increase their game, and international players to rethink their feature-to-price ratios offered on the Indian markets.
Legacy and Succession
The prime model of the XUV 500 was discontinued to pave way for the XUV 700 but its spirit still lives on in the approach Mahindra undertakes in product planning and how it positions its products.
The XUV 700 adds to what its predecessor stood for while not losing the value equation which made it popular – bringing in more technology, performance and refinement.
Mahindra XUV 500
The Mahindra XUV 500 is a significant journey-marker in the development of Indian automobile industry, showcasing how local manufacturers could take on segments, which were pretty much foreign territory till date.
With attractive design, class-leading feature incorporation and reasonable performance at an excellent price point, the XUV 500 redefined standards and expectations leading to a cult following and a policy philosophy at Mahindra, the effects of which are being seen in its products till date.