Mahindra XUV500 Could Return As A Front-Wheel-Drive SUV - Creta Rival

At the launch of the new Mahindra XUV700 in August 2021, the homegrown UV maker had announced that the XUV500 nameplate will make a comeback in the country. It was speculated that the next-gen Mahindra XUV500 will come as a 5-seater SUV and will sit below the XUV700 in the Mahindra’s car lineup. Since then, there is no information about the launch of this product. 

Interestingly, Mahindra is working on an all-new front-wheel-drive platform, which will be compatible to accommodate products between 3.8 meters to 4.3 meters in length. The company is currently selling the XUV 3XO based on SsangYong's X100 platform. Mahindra is looking at a more cost effective and heavily localised platform to develop new compact SUVs for the fast growing Indian auto industry.

The next-gen Mahindra XUV500 could be based on this new front-wheel-drive monocoque platform. It is expected to measure around 4.3-4.4 meters in length and will be positioned against the likes of the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Honda Elevate and others in the category. 

Mahindra has no product in the compact SUV segment, which is currently dominated by the Maruti Grand Vitara and Hyundai Creta. The homegrown UV maker would aim to have a presence in this segment, as it will bring volume. The XUV700 is a larger and better equipped car and sits nicely in the seven-seater segment. This creates a good void between the XUV700 and the sub-4 metre XUV 3XO, and the new XUV500 will sit right between these two SUVs.

Mahindra currently sells Thar, Thar Roxx and Scorpio N in the price bracket of Rs 10 lakh to Rs 22 lakh. All these models are based on the ladder-frame chassis. With front-wheel-drive monocoque platform based SUVs, Mahindra would aim to target urban consumers who are looking at a more comfortable city & highway SUV. 

The new Mahindra XUV500 is likely to be offered with 1.5L turbo diesel and 1.2L direct injection turbo petrol engines. The SUV could also debut the brand's new 1.5L turbo petrol engine. Both manual and automatic gearbox options will be on offer. 

Also See - Maruti, Toyota, Honda to Launch 7-Seater SUVs to Rival Safari, XUV700