Mahindra’s XUV lineup has always been popular among Indian buyers who want a big, powerful SUV with strong road presence, good mileage, and modern features. With the launch of the new XUV 7XO, Mahindra has reshuffled its variant strategy and pricing, making the SUV more accessible while also adding more features at the top end.
Most people have already seen walkarounds of the top-end variants, but in this article, we are focusing on the XUV 7XO AX7 variant, which sits between the base models and the more expensive AX7 Tech and Luxury variants. This is a crucial variant because it offers a balance of price, features, and performance, which is exactly what most Indian buyers look for.
XUV 7XO Variant Line-Up Explained
Mahindra has now simplified the variant lineup of the XUV 7XO. The available variants are:
- AX (Base Variant)
- AX5
- AX7
- AX7 Tech
- AX Luxury
The AX7 variant is positioned right below the AX7 Tech, and the price difference between AX7 and AX7 Tech is around Rs 2.7 lakh. This makes buyers naturally question whether the extra features in the Tech variant are worth the additional cost, or if the AX7 already offers everything needed for daily use.
XUV 7XO AX7 Price in India (On-Road)
Talking about pricing, the XUV 7XO AX7 petrol manual variant costs approximately:
- Rs 21.28 lakh on-road (Gurugram, Haryana)
This price is for the petrol manual version, but Mahindra offers excellent flexibility:
- Petrol & Diesel engine options
- Manual & Automatic transmission choices
Price Differences:
- Manual to Automatic upgrade: Approx. Rs 1.5 lakh
- Petrol to Diesel upgrade: Approx. Rs 60,000
- Diesel base variant costs around Rs 5,000 more than petrol in some trims
The base AX variant now starts at around Rs 15.20 lakh, making the XUV 7XO one of the most value-for-money large SUVs in this price range.
Interestingly, Mahindra has reduced the price of the base variant slightly, while increasing the price of top-end variants by up to Rs 1.5 lakh, mainly due to added premium features.
Why the Base Variant Will Sell the Most
Mahindra has smartly added all essential features to the base AX variant. Because of this, buyers who want a big SUV at the lowest possible price will find the base model extremely attractive.
At Rs 15.20 lakh, getting such a large, powerful SUV with Mahindra’s solid build quality is a big deal for Indian buyers. This strategy will likely make the base variant the highest-selling trim.
Exterior Design and Lighting Changes
The overall dimensions of the XUV 7XO remain exactly the same as before. There are no mechanical or dimensional changes, which means the length, width, and height remain unchanged.
Lighting Setup:
- LED headlamps are standard
- No LED fog lamps in AX7 (only covers are provided)
- LED fog lamps are available in higher variants
- No sequential indicators in AX7 (available in AX7 Tech)
If you choose the AX7 Tech variant, you also get an advanced booster headlamp function, which increases light projection on empty roads for better night visibility.
Safety Features: What You Get and What You Miss
In the AX7 variant:
- 360-degree camera is available
- Rear camera and parking sensors are present
- No front parking sensors
- No ADAS features
Level-2 ADAS features are reserved for the AX7 Tech variant, which is a major reason behind the price difference.
Wheels, Tyres and Braking
The XUV 7XO AX7 now comes with:
- New alloy wheel design
- 18-inch wheels
- Disc brakes on both front and rear wheels
The tyres look sporty and give the SUV a strong stance. Braking performance is expected to be confident due to all-disc brakes.
Fuel Tank and Practicality
- 60-litre fuel tank for both petrol and diesel variants
- Fuel lid opens by pressing from outside
- Diesel variant uses DEF (AdBlue)
DEF consumption is reasonable, and a 10-litre refill generally lasts 12,000–13,000 km, costing much less if sourced from Indian Oil compared to branded options.
Rear Design and Boot Area
At the rear, the XUV 7XO gets:
- Updated tail-lamp design
- XUV 7XO badging
- Rear camera and parking sensors
- Rear wiper, washer, and defogger
The tailgate is not electrically operated and remains fiber-based, same as before.
Boot & Seating:
- 50:50 split second-row seats
- Adjustable recline angle
- Boot lamp provided
- Space-saver spare wheel mounted below
Interior Changes: What’s New in AX7?
The interior of the AX7 sees noticeable changes, especially in color and materials.
- New dark golden shade instead of brown
- Black and dark-tone upholstery (less prone to getting dirty)
- Improved seat cushioning for better comfort
- Leather seats included
The dashboard and door panels use a mix of soft-touch and hard plastics. While premium, some buyers may still prefer more soft-touch materials.
Steering Wheel and Driver Controls
One controversial change is the new steering wheel, which now feels thinner compared to earlier versions. While it gets:
- Leather wrap
- Cruise control buttons
- Music and phone controls
- Tilt adjustment
It does not get telescopic adjustment, which may be disappointing for some drivers.
Screens and Infotainment System
The XUV 7XO now offers three screens even from lower variants, which is a big plus.
- Digital instrument cluster
- Central touchscreen infotainment system
- Additional passenger-side touchscreen
The rear camera offers decent clarity, and the infotainment system supports Mahindra’s connected tech features.
Physical climate control knobs are missing, which may not be liked by everyone.
Charging Options and Practical Touches
- 65W Type-C fast charging port
- Standard USB port
- Illuminated glove box
- Manual IRVM (day/night)
- Sunroof (no change in operation)
- LED reading lamps
- Sunglass holder
Second and Third Row Comfort
Second Row:
- Adjustable recline
- Center armrest
- Rear charging port
- Manual boss mode (electric only in top variant)
Third Row:
- Best suited for children
- Separate AC vents
- Limited legroom, unchanged from earlier model
Engine Options and Performance
No mechanical changes have been made to the engines.
Petrol Engine:
- 2.0-litre turbo petrol
- 200 BHP power
- 380 Nm torque
Diesel Engine:
- 2.2-litre diesel
- 182 BHP power
- 420 Nm torque
The diesel engine offers excellent mileage and strong torque, making it ideal for long highway drives and heavy usage.
Final Verdict: Is XUV 7XO AX7 Worth Buying?
The Mahindra XUV 7XO AX7 is a well-balanced SUV for buyers who want:
- A big, powerful SUV
- Strong diesel mileage or powerful petrol engine
- Premium features without paying luxury-variant prices
- Mahindra’s solid build and road presence
If ADAS and some tech features are not your priority, the AX7 variant makes more sense than the AX7 Tech, saving you a significant amount of money.
Should You Buy It?
Yes, if you want maximum value for money, strong performance, and a feature-rich SUV without stretching your budget too far.
