Volkswagen T-Roc v/s Mahindra XUV700: Which one should you buy?
Mahindra's latest flagship model, the XUV700, is quite a rage among customers in India. The car has an aggressive design, a luxurious cabin with several high-tech features, and is available with a choice of petrol as well as diesel engines. At a price-point of around Rs. 23 lakh, the range-topping XUV700 takes on the Volkswagen T-Roc. So, which one is a better buy?
- The Volkswagen T-Roc is selling like hotcakes in India. The car's second batch has been completely sold out and the company has stopped accepting bookings for this year.
- The Mahindra XUV700 is also witnessing overwhelming demand with 70,000 units booked and 700 units delivered till now.
- Evidently, these are two of the most sought after premium SUVs in India under Rs. 25 lakh.
The Mahindra XUV700 is longer, taller, and wider as compared to the Volkswagen T-Roc. It flaunts C-shaped LED headlamps with DRLs, a grille with chrome slats, and 18-inch alloy wheels. On the other hand, the T-Roc has a slightly boxy appearance with a chrome-surrounded grille, smoked headlights, and flared wheel arches. Its wheelbase is also less than the XUV700's (2,590mm v/s 2,750mm).
Both the Volkswagen T-Roc and Mahindra XUV700 have a luxurious cabin but the former has space for only five people, while the latter offers a 7-seater layout. The XUV700 also has a large center console, a dual-tone dashboard, and wood finish on the door sills for a more premium appearance. The T-Roc goes for the minimalist approach by adopting a brownish mono-tone look.
Both the SUVs offer features like auto climate control, rear AC vents, USB charging ports, and key-less entry. They both pack a touchscreen infotainment console with support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. However, the XUV500 has a larger display. The T-Roc gets six airbags for safety, while the XUV700 is available with seven airbags, ADAS, and cruise control.
Volkswagen T-Roc runs on a 1.5-liter TSI petrol engine that makes 147.94hp of power and 250Nm of peak torque. The mill is linked to a 7-speed DSG gearbox. The range-topping Mahindra XUV700 is fueled by a 2.2-liter turbo-diesel motor (182.38hp/450Nm) or a 2.0-liter turbo-petrol mill (197hp/380Nm). Both are mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox. Unlike the T-Roc, the XUV700 gets a diesel engine too.
Volkswagen T-Roc costs Rs. 21.35 lakh, while the Mahindra XUV700 AX7 with a Luxury pack, is priced at Rs. 21.29 lakh and Rs. 22.99 lakh for the petrol and diesel options, respectively (both prices, ex-showroom). Our vote goes to the XUV700 as it has sportier looks, segment-first features like smart pop-out door handles and ADAS as well as a more powerful engine.
