It could have been much much better. Review on Mahindra XUV500

In terms of design, looks, quality Mahindra still has a lot of catching up to do. The XUV 500 is a big step up from the Scorpio but it doesn't belong with what is the norm internationally. The design language followed by international designers is very similar and SUVs manufactured by Toyota, Honda and others have the looks which are generic. They look similar and that is not a weakness.

But the same can't be said about the XUV. This is because the designers at Mahindra aren't in sync with what is happening  abroad. Maybe, they aren't that mature enough.

Look what they did with the Scorpio and the Xylo. No doubt, for Indians Scorpio filled a demand which was being felt for long so it was lapped up. But it is an ugly looking vehicle and the Xylo is uglier.

XUV is also not "international" enough. It can never rub shoulders with the Toyotas, Hondas, Mitsubishis. Neither it has the looks, quality or refinement.

Mahindra should outsource designing of its next generation vehicles to established design houses if it seriously wants to become a bigger player, both at home and abroad.

But there is no doubt XUV will sell in numbers because there is no other SUV available for Rs 11 lakh. So, there is no choice but to buy the XUV with warts and all. Had there been a Toyota or Ford SUV in the under-Rs 10 lakh price bracket, it would have gladdened the heart of would-be customers.

Mahindra can only take on the biggies on the price front. It still needs to learn a lot about coming out with a vehicle which is glitch free from day one. If you want a glitch-free, reliable SUV in this price range, which will give peace of mind then go for the Toyota Innova. You will not regret the decision. It is bullet proof when it comes to mechanicals and has a tough build quality and the service provided by Toyota is excellent and widespread.

The XUV 500 has a small windscreen in relation to its windows, which is a design flaw. The rear windscreen is also very small. Have a look at other SUVs and all their windows and windshields are well balanced. What mars the design at the rear is the hump on tailgate, which Mahindra tried to copy from the Honda CRV but were not able to do it properly and now it looks ugly. Then those arches below the C-pillars. They look so out of the place and break the flow of the belt-line. If you want to buy the XUV 500, buy it in a dark color as all the flaws are not highlighted as much as they are on vehicles in light shades.

Look at it from the front and the face is unnecessarily wide while take at look at the rear, it is narrow.

Just compare it with the latest Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, which was launched recently and see how well-balanced the design of this vehicle is from whatever angle you look at it.