Mahindra XUV700 AX5 goes dune bashing: How did it perform?

Mahindra launched their all new SUV XUV700 in the market last year. The SUV became popular among buyers in a short span of time. The XUV700 currently has a waiting period as long as 19 months depending on the variant you choose. Mahindra XUV700 competes with SUVs like Tata Safari, MG Hector Plus and Hyundai Alcazar in the segment. It is the only SUV in the segment that comes with an AWD feature as an option in the top-end trim. Here we have a video where a brand new Mahindra XUV700 AX5 variant is driven on sand dunes.

The video has been uploaded by Lokesh Swami on in YouTube channel. In this video, vlogger and his friends who own the new Mahindra Thar were driving to a sand dune where he usually visits. On their way to the spot, one of his friend who recently bought the new Mahindra XUV700 AX5 variant joined. The group soon reached the sand dune and then the Mahindra Thar SUVs started climbing up the dune and having fun.

Also read: Buying a pre-owned Mahindra Thar is better than buying a new one: 5 reasons

The XUV700 owner had initially said that he won’t be driving the XUV700 on the sand dunes as it is a front wheel drive SUV. This was a sensible decision as he did not wanted his new SUV get damaged. After reaching the spot, owner somehow changed his mind and drove up to the top of the dunes. The approach road or track had sand but, it was not too loose which would get the front wheel drive SUV stuck.

After the Mahindra Thars had started driving on the sand dunes. One of the experienced driver in the group who was also leading the Thar group got into the XUV700 and drove it on the sand. Initially it felt like the SUV was going to get stuck but, surprisingly it performed pretty well. The front wheels on the XUV700 had lost traction and were spinning freely in the sand. The driver stopped the SUV took it in reverse and climbed a small section filled with sand while carrying momentum.

There was a steep incline on one side of the dune from where Mahindra Thar were going down. The driver took XUV700 till that point and stopped at the end moment. He did not drive the SUV down the slope as the chances were high that the XUV700 might get stuck in sand in the middle. After driving it around in sand for some time, vlogger’s friend finally took the XUV700 back to road.

For a 2WD drive SUV, XUV700 performed quite well but, should you do it? We would say no. One of the main reason is the weight. XUV700 AX5 does not come with AWD even as an option. It is a heavy SUV and if it gets stuck in sand at any point, getting it out will be task. The front wheels would keep on digging themselves deep in sand as there is no power being sent to the rear wheels. In comparison to Mahindra Thar, XUV700 has a long wheelbase and the chances of hitting the bottom while cresting a dune are very high. The wheels offered with XUV700 are suitable for Highways and not for off-roading or dune bashing.

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