Saar: A total of 12 variants are on offer, covering two engine and transmission options.

Mahindra has launched a comprehensively refreshed iteration of its flagship offering – the XUV500. Prices for the Mahindra XUV500 start at Rs 12.32 lakh and go all the way up to Rs 18.98 lakh (both prices ex-showroom Mumbai). Like before, a total of 12 variants are on offer for the Mahindra XUV500 but the nomenclature has changed. The ‘W’ suffixed by even numbers has been replaced by ‘W’ suffixed by odd numbers. For instance, the entry-level and mid-range variants in the predecessor were tagged as W4 and W6. With the facelift, Mahindra has changed that to W5 and W7. Here’s the ex-showroom Mumbai price-list:

Amongst the 12 variants of the Mahindra XUV500 on offer, 11 are available with the diesel engine and only one (G) is offered with the petrol motor. The difference between the manual and automatic variants of the same grade include the transmission (obviously!) and absence of ecosense, brake energy regeneration and micro-hybrid technology in the automatic variants. Before we dive into the variant-wise break-up and see which one offers what over the other, let’s quickly acquaint ourselves with some basics.

In case you are wondering, all those specs are unchanged. What has changed is the output of the diesel engine. Here are the engine specs:

The upgraded diesel engine produces 15PS/30Nm more than before. What’s really good here is that Mahindra hasn’t done what they did with the Scorpio facelift a few months back. Unlike the Scorpio, the XUV500 gets only one diesel engine across the range. If only Mahindra did the same with the Scorpio!

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Without wasting more time, let’s quickly get cracking on variant-wise features list that the Mahindra XUV500 facelift has to offer. Of course, we can’t mention all the features in the story. Instead, we’ll just list out a few which are more likely to make or break the deal for a buyer.

W5

Even in the entry-level variant, Mahindra offers a lot of kit. Here’s the list of standout features:

• 6-inch monochrome infotainment with Bluetooth and USB
• Projector headlamps
• Micro-hybrid technology
• Tilt Power steering
• Electrically adjustable ORVMs
• 6-way adjustable driver’s seat
• Twin exhausts
• Roof rails
• Black and grey interior upholstery
• Dual airbags
• ABS with EBD
• Disc brakes on all wheels
• Power windows
• Follow-me-home headlamps
• Foldable second- and third-row seats (60:40 and 50:50 respectively)
• Rear demister, washer and wiper

At a price of Rs 12.32 lakh (ex-showroom Mumbai), that is a lot of kit for a car as big as the Mahindra XUV500. No points for guessing, the equipment list in the W5 is identical to the W4 that we got earlier. The real misses in the spec include a sunroof, LED DRLs, touchscreen infotainment, alloy wheels and, multiple reading lamps and power outlets.

W7 & W7 AT

Here’s what the W7 siblings have to offer over and above the entry-level W5 variant:

• Push-button start/stop
• Keyless entry
• 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment with Android Auto
• Static bending lights
• LED DRLs
• Arkamys sound system
• Voice command and SMS readout functionality
• Smartwatch connectivity via Mahindra Bluesense
• Automatic headlamps and wipers
• Icy-blue lounge lighting
• Emergency calling facility
• Cruise control
• Intellipark (rear parking sensors)
• Steering mounted controls

The price difference between the W7 MT and the W5 variants is around Rs 1.26 lakh. If you are after the automatic, then you will have to shell out another Rs 1.2 lakh over the Rs 1.26 lakh. That is a huge amount of money. Although, if you want the automatic transmission, the W7 AT is the least expensive of them all. But if you are okay with the manual gearbox, the additional Rs 1.26 lakh is worth it. Sure, you can get most of the additional stuff from a third-party vendor but the peace-of-mind that an OEM delivers is priceless.

G, W9 & W9 AT

Here’s what these variants offer in addition to what the W7s deliver:

• Electric sunroof (absent on G)
• Voice messaging system
• Tyre pressure monitoring system
• 8-way adjustable driver’s seat (manual)
• Telescopic steering adjust
• Electrically foldable ORVMs
• 17-inch alloy wheels
• ESP with rollover mitigation
• Hill hold and descent control
• Front foglamps
• Reverse camera with dynamic assist
• One-touch driver’s side power window operation (down only)
• Reading lamps and power outlets in the second row

Frankly, we don’t understand the reason why the sunroof isn’t on offer with the G variant. Rest everything is identical between them. Nevertheless, the W9, on paper, is the mid-range model. But it does let you wonder how well it has been specced. Worth noting is the price difference between the W7s and the W9s here – approx Rs 1.65 lakh. That’s huge but then most of the stuff that the W9 brings to the table can’t be bought and installed from a third-party vendor.

W11 & W11 AT

The W11s are the second-to-top variants. Let’s quickly see what they offer over and above the W9s:

• Logo-projection lamps on ORVMs
• Connected Apps
• Brake energy regeneration
• 8-way power adjustable driver’s seat
• Quilted leather upholstery
• Soft-touch leather on dashboard and door trims
• Sporty aluminium pedals
• Side and curtain airbags
• One-touch driver’s side power window operation (down and up)
• Hydraulic bonnet lift assist
• Puddle and camping lamps

As you might have noticed, the list of additions in the W11s over the W9s is shorter than the W9s have over the W7s. That’s why the price difference between the W9s and W11s is also less – approx Rs 1.25 lakh. If you are willing to spend as much as the W9s cost, we would urge you to opt for W11s instead. Let alone all the other features, the addition of four more airbags and brake energy regeneration are enough to justify the steeper price tag.

W11 (O), W11 (O) AT, W11 (O) AWD and W11 (O) AWD AT

Needless to say what the basic differences are between these for variants. The only other difference between the standard W11 and the W11(O) variants is the 18-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels. For those alone, Mahindra is asking for approx Rs 25,000 more. To keep this variant attractive enough, Mahindra has kept the availability of AWD specifically to the W11(O) variant.

Out of the lot, we know we’d pick the W11 over the W11(O) any day. Which one would you put your money on? Or will you ignore the Mahindra XUV500 altogether for one of its direct rivals – the Tata Hexa and the Jeep Compass? Let us know in the comments below.

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