Mahindra XUV500 Petrol Automatic Launched At Rs 15.49 Lakh

Mahindra has a year-end present for us lot. The homegrown automaker has taken the wraps off the petrol-powered version of its flagship SUV - the XUV500. The engine is available in a single variant called 'G AT', priced at Rs 15.49 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). 

What's under the hood? 

A 2.2-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged motor that develops 140PS and 320Nm. The power figure is identical to the diesel, while the torque number is just 10Nm shy of the diesel-driven XUV500. The petrol engine is available exclusively with a 6-speed automatic. There's no manual transmission in the offing as of now.  Mahindra hasn't disclosed the ARAI-certified fuel efficiency of the petrol XUV. But, don't expect it to be frugal considering it's a big engine paired with a conventional torque converter transmission. 

What do you get for the cash? 

Quite a lot. The G AT is equivalent to the XUV's 'W9' trim. This means it is fairly loaded for its price. Goodies include a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto, auto headlamps and wipers, cruise control and a tyre pressure monitoring system. On the outside, you get projector headlamps and 17-inch wheels. Save for the different trim badging, there's no way of differentiating the petrol from its diesel sibling. 

The petrol XUV gets a host of safety features including dual airbags, anti-lock brakes, and ESP with roll-over mitigation. We think Mahindra should've made the XUV500 petrol-AT available in the top-spec trim - which would've not only given it the oh-so-desirable sunroof but more importantly, six airbags. 

The only other big SUV to have a petrol motor the bonnet is the Compass. Powered by a 1.4-litre turbo petrol, the baby Jeep makes 163PS and 250Nm. But, that does cost a fair bit more with prices starting at Rs 18.96 lakh. We smell a comparison brewing!