Some might have thought that with the mandatory switch to BS6-compliant (Bharat Stage 6) cars, Mahindra would kill the ageing XUV500 and replace it with the all-new, second-gen model. Sadly, that’s not the case. We are well inside the BS6 era, and all we’ve got is a revised price list for the same SUV which, with minute tweaks over the years, has been with us since 2011. The only difference, of course, is that it now complies with the stricter emission norms. Here’s how the price list stands:

• W5 – Rs 13.2 lakh
• W7 – Rs 14.5 lakh
• W9 – Rs 16.2 lakh
• W11 (O) – Rs 17.7 lakh

Depending on the variant, you’d be paying anything between Rs 29,000 and Rs 32,000 more than before. The price hike comes courtesy of the upgraded powertrain. Other takeaways from that price list include the axing of the W3 trim level and the absence of automatic transmission. The SUV lost its sole petrol variant and the option of all-wheel-drive (AWD) last year. While the former will, in all probability, won’t make a comeback, expect Mahindra to reintroduce the two-pedal configuration at a later stage.

Powering the remaining variants is the combination of a 2.2-litre, 4-cylinder turbo-diesel engine and a 6-speed manual transmission. At 158bhp/360Nm, the power and torque figures remain unchanged. In terms of equipment, the XUV500 still comes with features like a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, tyre-pressure monitoring system, electric sunroof, automatic climate control, a rear-view camera, six airbags and cruise control.

That list of features is not bad. But compared to the MG Hector, the XUV500 looks and feels dated. And it isn’t just the China-born British behemoth the Mahindra has to worry about as at the other corner there’s the sexy Tata Harrier. Mahindra should have introduced the all-new XUV500 and not lumber along with an outdated product.