Mahindra XUV 7XO AX7 T Variant Detailed: Does This One-below Top Variant Compromise?

The Mahindra XUV 7XO is a 7-seater SUV that is priced from Rs 13.66 lakh to Rs 24.92 lakh (ex-showroom). It is the facelifted version of the XUV 700, and is available in 6 variants: AX, AX3, AX5, AX7, AX7 Tech, and AX7 Luxury. 

If you want the most affordable variant, then you can check out what the base AX variant offers. However, if your budget is above Rs 20 lakh and you want a rich exterior and interior experience with the option of captain seats (6-seater) and an optional all-wheel drivetrain, then you should check out the AX7 T variant. It is the entry-level variant for both of those needs. Here’s what it looks like:

Mahindra XUV 7XO AX7 T: Exterior

The AX7 T variant of the XUV 7XO looks exactly like the top-spec variant in terms of most of its styling. There’s only one visual difference between the two variants. 

Front

The nose of the XUV 7XO doesn’t get the usual modern connected light treatment, but it builds on the already-handsome looks of the XUV700. With the addition of the LED fog lights (with cornering function) in this variant, the lighting setup of the XUV 7XO finally gets completed. It adds on to the LED projector headlights with the split C-shaped LED DRLs, and gives the SUV a style that feels up to date.

It doesn’t look as rugged from the front as some other SUVs in the segment, but the flare on the bonnet and the prominent grille with its angled chrome slats add some muscle and contrast to the design, respectively. 

Side

The profile is the only place where the AX7 T loses out to the AX7 L. The one-below top variant gets 18-inch alloy wheels (same design as the AX7 variant), which are a size smaller than the ones in the AX7 L. Check out how the AX7 variant looks like here.

Despite the small size, the design itself looks chic, and matches the clean profile of the XUV 7XO. The piano black cladding has been kept minimal. You also get roof rails and the flush door handles now get a motor for powered operation.

Rear

Styling at the rear is actually pretty similar to the lower variants because the LED tail lights, a simple bumper design and the XUV 7XO badge on the tailgate are constant throughout the variant lineup. But this variant adds one feature that might not be very noticeable to most, but it does feel a bit more sophisticated, which is sequential animation in the taillights. 

Mahindra XUV 7XO AX7 T: Colour Options

All the colour options in the Mahindra XUV 7XO’s palette are available in the AX7 T variant. There are seven monotone colour options: Everest White, Galaxy Grey, Desert Myst, Nebula Blue, Stealth Black, Midnight Black and Ruby Velvet. You can check them out in detail here. 

The Everest White, Galaxy Grey, Desert Myst and Midnight Black shades can also be had in a dual tone Stealth Black roof. 

Mahindra XUV 7XO AX7 T: Interior

The cabin of the Mahindra XUV 7XO already feels like a lounge from its entry-level variants, but that lounge now feels slightly richer and more comfortable in this variant. The multi-tone treatment of the cabin now extends to the steering too, which gets a combination of black and tan colour.

But the beige and tan dual-tone treatment on the seats have an even bigger impact on the feel inside the cabin.

In terms of the comfort aspect, this variant offers chauffeur-driven buyers the option of captain seats (6-seater version). The 7-seater bench configuration is also available. Rest of the improvements are in the feature package, let’s take a look:

Mahindra XUV 7XO AX7 T: Features

Mahindra offered good value in the lower variants of the XUV 7XO and you can find all the details about the variant-wise feature split here. But if you wanted a premium experience with feel-good features, then this variant’s additions like ventilated front seats, frameless auto IRVM, 16-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, headlamp booster, wireless phone charger and passive keyless entry fit the bill. 

You already get features like 540-degree camera, BYOD (device mount), digital video recording, auto-dipping ORVM with memory function, panoramic sunroof, and welcome and retract driver seat from the AX7 variant. And yes, the entertainment kit is strong with a triple-screen setup that includes the 12.3-inch digital driver’s display, a 12.3-inch infotainment with wireless Android Auto and Apple Carplay and 12.3-passenger display. 

This variant only misses out on a few creature comforts that really elevate the experience for the second row passengers. To find out what the top-spec AX7 L variant of the XUV 7XO gets, tap this link. The AX5 also happens to be a worthwhile variant to consider in the XUV 7XO's lineup. Know more in detail here.

Mahindra XUV 7XO AX7 T: Safety

The XUV 7XO AX7 T offers an improved safety kit over other variants with features like 7 airbags (knee airbag), electronic parking brake, and Level-2 autonomous driving assistance features (ADAS) like adaptive cruise control (AT only), traffic sign recognition and driver drowsiness detection.

You get features like 6 airbags, electronic stability program, hill hold control and ISOFIX mounts as standard, while important equipment like rear wiper and washer, and rear demister is available from the AX3 variant. Read more about the one-above base AX3 variant here.

Mahindra XUV 7XO AX7 T: Powertrains

The XUV 7XO AX7 T variant gets both the petrol and diesel engine options, but there’s not an option of a manual transmission with the petrol engine. This is also the entry-level variant of the optional all-wheel drivetrain. Here are the specifications:

MT- Manual Transmission, AT- Automatic Transmission

The all-wheel drivetrain is only available in the 7-seater version with the diesel automatic powertrain. You can take a look at seating variant-wise powertrain options in this story.

Mahindra XUV 7XO AX7 T: Price and Rivals

Prices for the top-spec AX7 T variant of the Mahindra XUV 7XO start from Rs 20.99 lakh (ex-showroom) for the 7-seater diesel manual and go up to Rs 23.44 lakh (ex-showroom) for the 7-seater diesel automatic all-wheel drive.

In terms of rivals, the Mahindra XUV 7XO goes up against the Tata Safari, MG Hector Plus and Hyundai Alcazar. 

Mahindra XUV 7XO AX7 T: Should You Buy It?

The XUV 7XO’s AX7 T variant isn’t for everyone. People looking for value should check out the lower variants which offer a balance of functional and feel-good features at a lower price. But here are reasons why you should consider the AX7 T variant:

1. It adds a bunch of creature comforts and autonomous safety equipment to the XUV 7XO’s package. If you want feel-good features that you’ll actually use in your daily life, and don’t want to stretch to the top-variant, then this is a good option.

2. If you want the capabilities of an all-wheel drive SUV, but don’t have the budget for the top-spec AX7 L variant which costs more than Rs 1 lakh extra.

3. People who want to be chauffeur driven can also consider it, as this is the entry-level variant of the captain seat configuration.