Mahindra XUV700 VS Subaru Forester
Mahindra XUV700
Likes
- Well equipped and well priced
- Easy third-row access from the kerb side
- Dual-screen set up is a treat
Dislikes
- Cheaper-feeling cabin the further back you sit
- Driving quirks take some getting used to
- Lane Keep Assist annoying on the freeway
Subaru Forester
Likes
- Hard to beat practicality
- Easy driving experience
- Ride height and capability
Dislikes
- Uninspiring drivetrain
- Price getting steep
- Potential thirst for fuel
Summary
Mahindra XUV700
I know you’re hearing a lot about the new Chinese brands coming to Australia, but why isn’t anyone talking about India?
I mean sure, Mahindra isn’t new to the country, but you can’t deny it has undergone a pretty serious glow-up, with the brand determined to become a fully fledged player in our new-car scene.
Leading the charge is the XUV700, with this new feature-packed Black Edition taking the fight to Chinese brands like Chery.
It has sharp styling, seven seats, plenty of tech and safety and a price tag of less than $44K, drive-away.
So, does it deserve a place on your consideration list?
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| Safety rating | — |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | 2.0L |
| Fuel Type | Petrol |
| Fuel Efficiency | 8.3L/100km |
| Seating | 7 seats |
Subaru Forester
There’s a new top dog in the Subaru Forester family (without getting into the hybrids, that is), and it’s wearing an STI badge.
But don’t get too excited about it, because this isn’t a full-blown piece of engineering from Subaru Tecnica International - rather a slightly modified special edition based on a high-spec Forester.
Is it worthy of the iconic pink badge? Or more importantly, is it worthy of your money? We’re putting this kitted-out version of Subaru’s likeable family SUV to the test to find out.
Read more about
| Safety rating | |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | 2.5L |
| Fuel Type | — |
| Fuel Efficiency | 7.4L/100km |
| Seating | 5 seats |
Verdict
Mahindra XUV7007.1/10
This is credible seven-seat motoring from Mahindra. The XUV700 has a couple of engineering quirks I'd like to see ironed out, but this SUV feels as though it deserves a place among Australia's affordable SUV offerings.
Subaru Forester7.5/10
Don’t let the 7.5/10 make you think the Forester is not a good car. For the person who needs a practical, off-road-capable mid-size family SUV without too many complications, it’s extremely hard to look past this thing.
Is the STI Sport the best choice in the range? Not for most, given its higher price and relative lack of extra ability to go with it. A standard suspension tune and even a slightly less plush interior are probably a better call for most family needs, which means saving a fair bit at the purchase.
It’s also worth noting that the next generation Forester is coming soon, and with that could come a price hike. If a Forester is on the shopping list but the cost of living is starting to bite, now might be the time.
If the slightly sharper handling and red interior leather is of interest to you, the STI Sport might be worth a look, but just know the Forester’s best attributes can be had for less money in a much cheaper variant.
Design
Mahindra XUV700
This Mahindra is kind of dark and mysterious. Which is another way of saying it's literally painted black and almost nobody I asked had any idea what the hell it was.
That's the curse of a brand that’s still trying to make a mainstream name for itself, I guess, with Mahindra having a long road ahead of it before its gets to a level where its vehicles are instantly recognisable.
Anyway, the blacked-out grille treatment works, as does the very modern LED light array, and while not what you might describe as a boundary-pushing design, it's all inoffensive.
But it’s inside where things get interesting. Honestly, the way technology has exploded into cheaper offerings never ceases to amaze me. It wasn’t that long ago that, to be greeted by a big twin-screen set-up like the one in this Mahindra, you’d need to spring for a Mercedes-Benz.
Which is interesting, because if you've ever sat in a vehicle from the German giant, you'll recognise the XUV700's electric seat controller, with the seat-shaped design seemingly lifted straight from Benz.
I'd describe the cabin feel as semi-premium. The screens are lovely, the seats are comfortable, and the sunroof is massive, but some of the trim elements feel a little cheap and flimsy under the touch, and the use of those materials only increases as you move back through the seating rows.
Subaru Forester
The Forester is a pretty good-looking thing in this writer’s eyes, but its design hasn’t changed dramatically in the last few years.
The mid-size SUV looks equally at home on inner-city residential streets and in the middle of nowhere, even with the slightly ‘sported-up’ black trim of the STI version. And I do mean ‘slightly’.
Aside from the fact it looks a lot like the Forester 2.5i Sport of a few years ago (without the red bits), the STI Sport is perhaps ironically unadventurous. Even its alloy wheels don’t scream ‘sports’.
For all the SUVs with their respective brands’ performance badging (and not engineering) attached to them that bear more bark than bite, maybe it’s not such a bad thing Subaru has refrained from putting the Forester in full Tecnica uniform.
Inside, however, the black and red leather seems determined to distract from the fact that not much else has changed cabin-wise. It feels visually busier than it needs to, but still falls on the correct side of the restrained/garish line.
But there’s probably a reason the interior feels a little bit ‘classic Subie’ - if it works, it might pay to avoid making big changes.
Practicality
Mahindra XUV700
There are seven seaters, and there are real seven seaters, with the latter offering a true third row in terms of space and comfort. So where does the Mahindra fit?
At 4695mm in length, 1890mm in width and 1755mm in height, this Black Edition is a decent size for a mid-size SUV, and so you’d describe the space in the third row as big enough, but not for full-grown adults marooned back there for longer spells.
To enter, it's a lever system that makes climbing in easy, with the second row folding up and then right out of the way so you can just walk in.
Space is tight for adults, though. I'm 175cm and my head was touching the roof, though I did have enough leg and toe room, and I was impressed by the fan controls and power sources (though I was less impressed by the sea of hard and scratchy plastics back there).
Step forward a row and the space is ample for just about anyone, and there are more vents, bottle holders and charging ports, too.
Boot space swells or shrinks depending on how many people are on board, of course. Mahindra doesn't have an offical boot-space figure for the XUV700, but says you will get "in excess of 700 litres" with the second row folded flat. With all three rows in place, things are tight, and you're looking at a couple of backpack-sized bags only.
Subaru Forester
I've heard the Forester called a ‘jack of all trades, master of none’ kind of car, and I reckon that’s unfair. Aside from having Subaru’s venerable all-wheel drive at its disposal, the Forester is a supremely practical SUV - exactly what it needs to be given the reasons most people buy SUVs.
Okay, so the interface and tech is pretty old. If you’ve been in a Forester built in the last few years, there’s not a lot new to find.
There are some deliberately large buttons, the climate controls are still very classic and tactile, even the steering wheel buttons are pretty chunky.
If you’re not used to the amount of technology in new cars, Subaru has tried to make this as easy as possible to navigate.
I hate to sound like one of those ‘back in my day’ people, but in a lot of cases I’m finding myself preferring interior layouts and controls of a few years ago rather than post-2020 screens and ‘iPad’ style controls.
Newer Subarus have a rather large portrait centre screen, and even though it works fine, this one with the buttons below it is easier.
The instrument cluster being a pair of physical dials is also welcome, even if it means the digital display looks many years older than the car really is.
It’s also a spacious cabin, if not just physically then in feeling also. The huge sunroof and high-visibility glasshouse means plenty of light comes in and makes it feel roomy while also of course being easy to see out of (and therefore, manoeuvre).
Ergonomically, the Subie is sound. The seating position, aforementioned driver visibility, controls placement and space around each passenger is practical and well thought out, plus moving back into the second row doesn’t feel like a huge comfort downgrade.
Light in the second row is also good, the seats recline and the touch-point materials are like the front seats - comfy leather and a lack of scratchy plastics unless you go looking for them.
The second row can also be folded down (in a 60/40 split) from the boot with controls near the electric tailgate, which brings the boot space from 498 litres to 1060L, though Subaru says maximum space available is 1740L up to the ceiling.
Price and features
Mahindra XUV700
First up, the price. The XUV700 Black Edition arrives at $43,990, drive-away, which puts it on a collision course with the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max Elite. It also puts it in the same realm as an entry-level Nissan X-Trail.
It’s also a fair chunk more than the cheapest XUV700, the AX7, which is currently $36,990, drive away.
But Mahindra is promising kit, and lots of it. Outside, the Black Edition scores black paint, a black grille and black 18-inch alloy wheels. Inside, there are black synthetic leather seats and a generally blacked-out design theme.
On the tech front, there are dual 10.25-inch screens, one for the driver and one to handle multimedia, and there’s wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 12-speaker stereo provides the soundtrack, and there’s a wireless charge pad, too.
Dual-zone climate and LED lighting also appear on the standard features list, while the huge glass roof has an electric sun shade, which makes it very liveable in an Aussie summer.
Interestingly, it comes with front-seat cooling, but not heating, with the latter unlikely to ever be necessary in Mahindra's home market of India.
Subaru Forester
At $48,640, before on-road costs, the Forester STI Sport AWD (to use its full name) has some strong competition - there are high-spec AWD hybrid Toyota RAV4 GXLs, powerful front-drive SUVs like the Ford Escape Vignale and Hyundai Tucson N-Line hybrid, or even variants of Euros like the VW Tiguan and Renault Koleos all within $1000 of the STI Sport’s sticker price.
But those looking for the practicality the mix of Subaru’s AWD, the space inside, and perhaps even the slightly older interior can provide, there’s a decent list of features for a car coming in at just a slice under ‘fifty large’.
The STI Sport AWD is based on the top-spec (petrol) Forester 2.5i-S, so it shares plenty of standard features - read on for those - but the key additions for this variant include a suspension tune by the eponymous performance division, a combination black and ‘Bordeaux Red’ interior leather with red contrast stitching, STI badging inside and out, dark grey 18-inch alloy wheels and black exterior trim for the grille, mirrors, roof rails and light surrounds.
From the Forester 2.5i-S, the STI Sport also brings along the existing leather seats and trim, with power-adjustable fronts which are also heated, plus the other main interior features like the 8.0-inch touchscreen for multimedia with wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, an eight-speaker Harman Kardon sound system with subwoofer and amp and a large electric sunroof.
It’s lacking some more modern features like wireless phone mirroring, wireless phone charging, USB-C ports or a fully digital driver display, but the latter of those is certainly no great loss.
On the outside, the existing self-levelling LED headlights with cornering response, LED DRLs and fog lights, privacy glass, roof rails and electric tailgate all also carry over from the 2.5i-S.
There are certainly rivals with more features, but they require trade-offs in other areas that might not appeal to Subaru customers.
Under the bonnet
Mahindra XUV700
The Mahindra is powered by the almost comically named 'mStallion' engine, which is a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol producing 149KW and 380Nm and paired with a six-speed auto and front-wheel drive.
I don’t have an offical 0-100km/h time, but safe to say you won’t be turning up to a Fast and Furious illegal race meet in the Black Edition.
It's a very capable engine and transmission combination, but it loses points here due to the surging nature of the power delivery, which very frequently causes the front tyres to break traction.
Subaru Forester
The same drivetrain as is used in the 2.5i-S is found in the STI Sport AWD.
No prizes for anyone who guessed it’s a 2.5-litre flat-four engine, but some might be disappointed to know that means no turbocharging and no sporty transmission - the STI Sport still outputs 136kW and 239Nm via a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
Subaru’s ever-present ‘symmetrical’ all-wheel drive system is, of course, here in the Forester too, but the brand’s relatively recent foray into hybrid drivetrains was given a miss for this version.
Efficiency
Mahindra XUV700
Mahindra says the XUV700 sips 8.3L/100km on the combined (urnan/extra-urban) cycle, which – when paired with the 60-litre tank – should see you able to travel in excess of 700km on a single tank.
And happily, when it does come time to top up, you can reach for the cheaper 91RON petrol pump.
We covered in excess of 300km, and the Mahindra's in-car readout registered an average of 10.2L/100km.
Subaru Forester
Subaru claims a 7.4L/100km combined cycle (urban/extra-urban) fuel consumption figure for the STI Sport AWD, and while we’ve seen tests come close to that in other variants of the Forester with the same drivetrain, inner-city life can be a detriment to the Forester’s drinking habits.
On a test loop which was fairly unsympathetic to fuel efficiency, the Forester’s trip computer reported a 10.2L/100km figure, though a commute from inner-Melbourne to the CBD saw the digits nudge 13.0.
Historically, highway driving has been better for the Forester, and the STI Sport should be no different - plus its 63-litre fuel tank (able to run on 91 RON) should mean if you can approach Subaru’s claimed fuel consumption figure, you could theoretically find yourself driving more than 800km on a single tank.
Driving
Mahindra XUV700
There are two sides to the Mahindra XUV70O. The first is its comfortable, compliant, easy-breezy side, one with which, should you be gentle with the Black Edition, you'll find it's happy to be gentle back.
We covered some 300km in the Mahindra, from the city to the freeway to country roads, and the Black Edition proved a solid performer in facing everything we threw it at.
The cabin is quiet enough, blocking out the worst of the road and tyre noise, and the steering, while very light and flimsy feeling, proved responsive and confidence-inspiring enough, too.
The engine and transmission gel nicely at speed, and while the XUV700 won't be winning too many street races, the power on offer matches the vehicle nicely, and it doesn't feel underdone.
Even the safety systems are unobtrusive enough, with only the lane keep system proving annoying on the freeway, as it occasionally lightly fought back against steering inputs.
So, a six out of 10? I've marked the Mahindra down because, for mine, the power delivery and traction do not play well together, with the Black Edition only too happy to break front traction, and break it often, should you feed on too much throttle when turning from a standing start, or even in a straight line if you're pointed uphill.
Not helping the traction is the lumpy power delivery, where you get little when you first plant your foot, then a whole lot all at once.
That part of the otherwise positive drive experience made me mark it down here.
Subaru Forester
Like much of the Forester STI, the driving experience is heavily borrowed from some tried and true Subaru characteristics.
That naturally aspirated flat-four engine, though underwhelming on paper, gets the job done without much fuss. In fact, it sometimes feels peppier than it should given its outputs.
Its 'S/I' (Sport or Intelligent) drive mode selector is there to adjust acceleration style, but it doesn’t make an enormous difference.
Yes, it could do with more torque, but the engine doesn’t struggle and only starts to sound laboured at high revs during the kind of acceleration you’d need for seconds at a time.
The sound of a CVT whirring away isn’t exactly auditory bliss, nor does it make for engaging acceleration.
But it’s relatively quiet under regular load below highway speed and, as long as the road isn’t too coarse, NVH is generally good in the Forester.
Road, wind and engine noise are certainly present in certain circumstances, but they’re not intrusive until you get to higher speeds.
At those high speeds is where you might notice one of the most significant changes to the STI version of the Forester - the dampers have been retuned by STI, for what Subaru hopes is a “sharper, more responsive driving experience”.
It’s hard to seriously call the Forester sharp - it’s a mid-size family SUV with enough clearance to go light off-roading - but the STI Sport holds up well for what it is.
The Forester driving experience was already likeable and easy, and in terms of cornering and handling bumpy rural (or even just bumpy urban) roads, the suspension keeps things under control without feeling too stiff.
Its body doesn’t roll as much as you might expect when cornering, but given STI’s engineers focused their efforts on the dampers, its a good thing the Forester doesn’t either waft or thud when presented with big sharp bumps, nor does it vibrate and rattle over constant rough surfaces.
Of course, it’s also got 'X Mode' controls for different surfaces like snow, dirt and mud, making it a pretty handy companion for outdoor adventuring or camping trips in regions where the weather gets a bit unpredictable. If you’ve ever tried to get a front-wheel drive hatchback out of a muddy hillside campsite…
Essentially, the Forester is the kind of SUV that, if you wanted to, you could have a medium amount of fun with on a twisty road before taking it down a particularly rough, unsealed or muddy trail, then later hand the keys to your grandma knowing she’d be able to handle everything about the driving experience, too.
Safety
Mahindra XUV700
The Mahindra doesn’t yet carry an ANCAP safety rating, but it comes with all the stuff needed to perform strongly, on paper at least, in crash testing.
That includes seven airbags, adaptive cruise control, 'Forward Collision Warning' (with AEB), lane departure warning and lane keep assist.
Keep an eye on that reversing camera, though. For mine it’s a little laggy, which means things can sneak up on you when reversing.
The XUV700 does wear a five-star Global NCAP safety rating but hasn't been assessed by ANCAP.
Subaru Forester
The Forester holds a maximum five-star ANCAP rating from assessment in 2019, which sounds outdated but arguably the most important aspects of the ANCAP testing are the crash protection, for which the Forester scored highly - an extremely good 94 per cent for adult occupant protection and 86 per cent for child occupant protection.
Seven airbags including dual frontal, side chest, curtain airbags and a driver knee airbag keep occupants protected, while Subaru notes the engine’s low-centred nature means it’s designed to slip under rather than into the cabin cell in case of a frontal collision.
Its active safety systems have been kept up to date, with functions like lane-keep assist, driver monitoring, automatic reverse braking and the help of Subaru’s ‘EyeSight’ monitoring system are all welcome additions, particularly since they’re not as intrusive as some rivals.
The lane-keep assist, for example, only beeps (relatively calmly) and intervenes when the Forester actually approaches the lane edge, and the driver monitoring and speed warning systems don’t chime or give warnings unless something is actually going wrong.
Like the multimedia and interior layout, the active safety is one area where the most recent previous generation of common features seems to be better than those many manufacturers are now implementing.
Ownership
Mahindra XUV700
Mahindra offers a seven-year, 150,000km warranty, with seven years of roadside assistance. We like the years, but we’d like to see the kays become unlimited to match brands like Kia.
You’ll need a free service at 1500km, then your first real check up at 10,000km, then its 12 months or 15,000km after that.
Capped-price servicing means you’ll pay $1781 for the first five services, but that includes the free one, so it's more like four trips to the dealerships for an average cost of $445 per workshop visit.
Subaru Forester
Subaru’s five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty is now considered the minimum par-for-course coverage for a mainstream new car in Australia, while some rivals are offering seven-, eight- or even 10-year warranties (though the longer one are sometimes conditional).
Subaru also offers 12 months of roadside assistance, though this is also often offered in similar lengths to warranties by competitors.
Servicing intervals for the Forester are every 12,500km or 12 months, with the first of five capped price services (aside from a free one-month check-up) costing $370.91 and the most expensive (fourth) costing $888.62.
A $1387.25 three-year service contract or a $2674.64 five-year plan are on offer.