Ambition to avail latest models from India’s SUV specialist in 2026 relies on factory’s export plans.

AN ardent home fanbase having priority for the very latest version of a Mahindra sports utility underpinning the make’s New Zealand market push means Kiwis will have to be patient.

Talk out of the factory and its national representation suggests the newly-revealed XUV 7XO (above) - a fresh edition of what’s known here as the XUV 700 - mightn’t be provisioned here for some time, with 2026 landing no guarantee.

While there’s no clarity of when that situation might change, the brand’s local agent assures the strategy won’t leave a gap in the make’s line-up here.

India’s SUV specialist can maintain supply of the current, pre-facelift model until its replacement does come. And, perhaps, for some time after that time.

Asked of the likelihood of the XUV 700 being discontinued in NZ once shipments begin for XUV 7XO, the same 2.0-litre turbo petrol car but with a new badge and some additional modernisation, a Mahindra NZ spokesman offered the following:

“We will continue to sell XUV 700 in NZ.

“XUV 7XO introduction in NZ is not planned immediately and until then we will cater the rising demand of NZ with our current XUV 700.”

The new name follows Mahindra’s revised naming strategy, first seen with the XUV 3XO small SUV, which in turn ties to the make’s effort to deliver more premium-ness to its brand cachet.

The current XUV700 has been here since 2023 and offers to budget buyers, with the five chair AX5 starting at $39,990. Two seven seaters cost more, but still site under $50k.

Mahindra has yet to make clear if that positioning will alter with the latest product, which is considered a mid-life facelift regardless that it introduces a new name plus a series of styling and technology upgrades beyond additional refinements that came to the NZ line just a year ago.

In respect to the major design and feature upgrades that might be expected to distinguish the XUV 7XO from the XUV700 for international buyers, a local Mahindra spokesman said:

“The Mahindra XUV 7XO is the new game changer SUV, crafted to inspire and engineered to excite.

“It elevates the XUV700 legacy with premium sophistication and tech-forward innovation.”

Anyone who might find the XUV 7XO a bit too rich can still achieve the XUV700, he added.

“Currently XUV 700 will continue in international markets until the time we stabilise the demand in India.

“Once that is done, we will launch XUV 7XO … in our international markets and it can take some time. Until then we continue selling XUV 700 in international markets.”

The XUV 7XO’s sharper, more modern exterior styling and adoption of a glasshouse instrument console (above) is inspired by Mahindra’s electric models, which are not yet available locally, but are also under consideration.

The local arm said just last month that it wanted to achieve the latest product, the seven seat XEV 9S (below), to debut its electric model ambition later this year.

Comment now still seems to support that, though whether the earlier ideal of a June arrival could be less certain.

“We are evaluating introduction of our Born Electric range of vehicles to NZ. While a timeline is not currently fixed but the work is on to bring these to NZ soon.

In December those close to the brand were suggesting the 9S could achieve highly competitive pricing against much small EVs, with a modest premium over the make’s current equivalent in petrol, the XUV700 that starts at $39,990 and peaks just under $50k.

The car stands out for being a single motor , rear-drive choice - many in this category have dual motors for all-wheel-drive. That format is said to be a future development.

It is offered with three lithium iron phosphate battery pack options.

It starts with an entry 59kWh with 170kW then bumps up to a 70kWh and a 79kWh, respectively with outputs of 179kW and 210kW. All three have the same 380Nm torque.

Mahindra believes the most economical version will, in optimal conditions, achieve close to 700 kilometres’ range.

Styling is bold. The car carries the make’s new electric design language with a shut-off grille, L-shaped LED driving lights vertically-stacked projector lamps; it has flush-fitted door handles and the wheel trims and roof rails are also aero-optimised.

Mahindra claims Level 2-plus automated driving assists, which suggest ability to lane change and drive under supervision without direct driver control.

The full ADAS being restricted the 70kWh and 79kWh models makes them strongest choices for NZ selection; cars without strong provision struggle with the ANCAP crash test regime.

Mahindra’s current top performer is the 3XO, a small 82kW 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol sports utility derived from the SsangYong Tivoli.