Mahindra XUV500 Facelift: Variants Explained

Which variant of Mahindra’s updated flagship SUV offers the most value?

The Mahindra XUV500 is priced in the range of Rs 12.32 lakh and Rs 18.98 lakh (ex-showroom Mumbai). You can choose from six diesel variants (W3, W5, W7, W9, W11 and W11(O) and a G AT petrol automatic variant. Let's take a closer look at each variant to find out which one fits your needs and budget the best, shall we?

All prices are ex-showroom Mumbai.

Now that we know the prices, let's get cracking with what you get with each variant and whether it’s worth its price.

Mahindra XUV500 Facelift W3: Decent but not advisable

• Silver grille inserts

• Projector headlamps

• R17 steel wheels

• Chrome scuff plates

• Roof rails

• Dual airbags

• ABS with EBD

• Micro-Hybrid Technology

• 6-way adjustable driver’s seat

• Tilt steering

• Follow-me-home projector headlamps

• Power adjustable ORVM

• Black and grey interiors

• Flip key with remote

• Mobile charging points

• Power windows

• Rear demister

• Flat folding 2nd and 3rd row seats

The base W3 variant of the Mahindra XUV500 is fairly well loaded and gets all the necessities. Despite its low price, it only misses out an audio system, which can be fitted post purchase. Opt for this variant only if you are on a tight budget.

Mahindra XUV500 Facelift W5: Doesn’t do enough

Key Features

• Full wheel caps

• 6-inch touchscreen with USB and Bluetooth connectivity

• Mobile charging points

• Rear wash and wipe

This variant offers just a couple of important features like a touchscreen and rear washer but the premium over the W3 variant isn’t justifiable. If you can’t stretch your budget any further, the lower W3 variant offers better value. But if you can spend a bit more, then you might want to look at the W7 variant. Also, those looking to buy an automatic variant will have to stretch their budget a fair bit since it’s available only from the W7 variant onwards. Also Read: 2018 Mahindra XUV500 Facelift: First Drive Review

Mahindra XUV500 Facelift W7: Good blend of needs and wants

• Push button start-Stop

• Passive keyless entry

• 7-inch touchscreen with GPS, video playback, Android Auto, Ecosense, smartwatch connectivity, voice command and Bluesense app

• Steering mounted controls

• Static bending auto Headlamps with LED DRLs

• Arkamys tuned speakers

• Rain sensing wipers

• Cruise control

• Park assist

• Inbuilt compass and E-manual

• Glass embedded antenna

• Auto climate control

• Tan and black interiors

• Chrome grille inserts

• Conversation mirror

• Icy blue ambient lighting

• Emergency call function

The W7 variant strikes a perfect balance between needs and wants. It gets comfort and convenience features that enhance your in-cabin experience such as passive keyless entry, start-stop button, steering-mounted controls, climate control. While the LED DRLs, rain-sensing wipers, ambient lighting and chrome inserts on the grille serve as reminders that the XUV500 is a premium SUV. Then there’s the bigger 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system which gets a wider range of connectivity options and features. The W7 costs Rs 1.27 lakh extra than the W5, but the premium is worth spending considering the sheer number of additional features it gets. We’d have still liked to see alloy wheels, telescopic steering and power-foldable outside rearview mirrors in the W7. While these are available in the automatic variant, it commands an additional Rs 1.21 lakh over the W7 manual variant.

Mahindra XUV500 Facelift W9: All about vanity

• Electric sunroof with anti-pinch

• Voice messaging system

• Tire pressure monitoring system

• Driver one-touch down window

• 8-way driver’s seat adjust

• Telescopic steering

• Power-folding ORVMs

• 17-inch alloy wheels

• ESP with rollover mitigation

• Hill hold and hill descent control

• Front fog lamps

It gets added safety features, an electric sunroof, voice message system and tyre pressure monitoring system with 8-way driver’s seat adjust, which are all good to have but not exactly necessary. But at a price premium of Rs 1.71 lakh, the W9 is just overpriced and doesn’t offer as much value as the first two variants. Instead, you should extend your budget and look at the W11 variant.

Mahindra XUV500 Facelift W11: Loaded with bells and whistles

• Logo projection on ORVM

• Connected apps

• Brake energy regeneration

• Diamond cut 18-inch alloy wheels(O)

• AWD(O)

• Quilted leather seats

• Soft touch leather on dashboard and door trims

• Window chrome lines

• Aluminium pedals

• Side and curtain airbags

• Driver one-touch up window

• Bonnet with hydraulic assist

• Puddle lamps

• Camping lamps

The XUV500 facelift’s W11 variant gets all the bells and whistles that you’d expect from a premium SUV for Rs 1.27 lakh extra. Shell out another Rs 25,000 for the W11(O) version and you’ll get the bigger machine-cut alloy wheels. Spend another Rs 1.11 lakh and it will get you the go-anywhere ability of an AWD system. Buying the W11 variant does make sense since it gets six airbags as well but the same can’t be said for the Optional variant since it gets just differently styled alloy wheels, which may not be on the shopping list of every buyer.

Mahindra XUV500 Facelift Petrol G AT: Only petrol option

• Logo projection

• Voice messaging system

• Tyre pressure monitoring system

• ESP

• Hill hold and hill descent

• Front fog lamps

• 17-inch alloy wheels

• 8-way driver’s seat adjust

• Telescopic steering

• Power foldable ORV

• Driver express window

• 1st and 2nd row reading lamp

The Petrol G AT variant is only available with a 6-speed automatic transmission and shares its entire equipment list with the W7 variant. Mentioned above are the features that are additionally available on the G variant.

In our opinion, the XUV500 W7 offers the most value, combining a great blend of features at a competitive price. If it's the petrol XUV500 you are looking at, there's only the G AT to choose from. Interestingly, the claimed efficiency for both petrol and diesel variants is the same so it may not pinch your wallet much. So those with very less running can pick the G AT variant. Before signing off, let’s look at the XUV500’s specifications.

Recommended Reads: Mahindra XUV500: Old Vs New - Major Differences

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Read More on : XUV500 Automatic