Exploring the countryside with the Mahindra XUV700

Embarking on a road trip is not just about reaching a destination; it's about the journey itself—the winding roads, breathtaking views and stops along the way that create those core memories for you and your family or friends, that will stay with you for years to come.

It’s also a fantastic excuse to get out of the office and drive a new car. So when Mahindra offered us to try their top-spec XUV700 we set out on an adventure from Melbourne to Daylesford, a journey that showcased the best of Victoria's countryside.

The Mahindra XUV700  (pronounced: XUV seven double-oh) is the second new SUV recently launched by the Indian brand in Australia, following the off-road focused Scorpio. With plans for more SUV releases, Mahindra aims to establish itself as a leading "SUV brand" in the Australian market, moving away from its current international rural and agricultural image.

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Our expedition commenced from the Wheels office in Melbourne’s south-east on a surprisingly nice Melbourne day, where we eagerly awaited the start of our journey. After all, how can you not be excited about the proposition of a road trip on a sunny day?

Hopping inside the Everest White Mahindra XUV700, we were greeted by a spacious and inviting cabin. The premium white leather upholstery and ample legroom ensured that every passenger could relax and enjoy the journey in comfort. We were in the top-spec AX7L which packs in everything the XUV700 range has to offer, and for only $39,990 drive-away its clear to see the fantastic value proposition you’re stepping into.

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At the heart of the dashboard lay an impressive 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, seamlessly integrated with a matching 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. The interface provided easy access to navigation, music, and vehicle settings, allowing us to customize our driving experience with just a few taps.

Whether it was adjusting the climate control or selecting our favorite road trip playlist via Apple Carplay, the XUV700's dashboard layout proved to be a valuable companion throughout our journey. And thankfully the air con was controlled by physical buttons and not through the screen, which we’ve struggled with in other marques before.

Similarly most of the touchpoints were quite pleasant to the touch, with the use of leather upholstery on the steering wheel and gear knob an impressive addition considering the price. The trim of the seats however, was entirely made of a soft feeling synthetic leather, but we weren’t able to really tell the difference.

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As we made our way towards Daylesford, freeway driving was made simple with safety assist features like the adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist. Music was a contentious point in the cabin as we debated if Spotify’s road trip playlist or Outback hits was the ideal choice through the 12-speaker SONY stereo system.

The memory seat function proved invaluable, ensuring seamless swaps between drivers. With just the press of a button, we returned to our preferred seating configuration, eliminating any frustrations of switching.

Our first pit stop was Lake Daylesford –about 134km away– a serene oasis nestled amidst lush greenery. The panoramic sunroof of the Mahindra XUV700 allowed us to appreciate the beauty of the surroundings. We soaked in the breathtaking views of the serene oasis, while the spacious boot accommodated all our essentials (sneakers) for an impromptu lakeside stroll. It’s stepping out of the car where I first noticed how the Mahindra logo looks somewhat like a chrome butterfly, which the brand has been using exclusively for their SUV portfolio. We finished our coffees and headed off to our main stop.

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Arriving in Daylesford, we were captivated by the town's vibrant atmosphere and bustling main shopping strip. Although I’d been here plenty of times, I never get sick of the town. We parallel parked the Mahindra XUV700 along the main street which was made easy by the the parking assist technologies. Borrowed from Hyundai, the XUV700 features a live video feed of the blind spot in the digital instrument display when indicating a turn. This paired with the 360 degree camera removed my worries about parking a seven seater in a narrow spot (although I’m a notoriously cocky parallel parker).

Eager to explore the charming boutiques, cafes and art galleries that lined the main street I broke away from the group to explore. As I strolled through the streets of Daylesford, I couldn't help but appreciate the seamless blend of old-world charm and modern amenities that the town had to offer.

We regrouped at the famous Pastry King Cafe and Bakery I grabbed a pie and a ridiculously yummy eclair for lunch. After wrapping up we embarked on a scenic drive through the picturesque countryside surrounding Daylesford, to soak in the natural beauty of the region.

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The Mahindra XUV700 handled the winding roads well, its light steering and unoffensive suspension ensured a comfortable ride for all. Along the way, the tyre pressure monitoring system provided peace of mind, as it could alert us to changes in pressure should they arise.

As a final stop we made our way to the Hepburn General Store, a cute little store offering an array of local produce and artisanal goods. As soon as we stepped inside the store I knew I’d be walking out with a new mug or two. It didn’t help knowing that there was plenty of spare space in the car to fill with gifts.

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During our drive back home the day grew quite warm and sometimes the stop-start system would shut off the engine for too long in traffic, causing the air-conditioning to struggle to maintain its coolness.

On a more positive note, the second row is impressively designed. The rear doors open wide, and the rear seats providing rear passengers with a spacious area and large windows to enjoy view of the outside world. There's ample knee and foot room, and the almost nonexistent transmission tunnel contributes to the sense of spaciousness.

As far as road trips go, the Mahindra XUV700 AXL7 was the perfect companion for this group of music-debating car journos. It provided ample features and exceeded expectations, especially considering its price, making it a compelling choice in terms of value.