Pratap Bose Teases Mystery Mahindra SUV, Here’s What It Could Be

• Mahindra design chief Pratap Bose has teased a new SUV for 2023. 

• It seems to be a compact-sized SUV that might be the next-generation XUV500. 

• Will likely slot below the XUV700 as a rival to the Hyundai Creta. 

• Debut expected around the second half of 2023. 

As the year draws to a close, carmakers have us excited about their upcoming launches in 2023. Pratap Bose, Chief Design Officer at Mahindra, has added to the buzz by teasing a new SUV that we haven’t seen before. We reckon it’s the next-generation XUV500 whose comeback had been announced previously. 

Mystery Mahindra could be a compact SUV 

Mahindra's mystery SUV with BE 05 for reference

In the teaser, we can only see the SUV’s silhouette, with its upright windshield and straight-edged roofline. It has flared wheel arches and a hunchback rear end that remind us of the marque’s upcoming Born Electric (BE) series electric SUVs. 

Although its size isn’t apparent, Mahindra had previously confirmed around the XUV700’s launch that the XUV500 would make a comeback in the future in a new generation avatar. The new SUV doesn’t seem as small as the XUV300, but it isn’t as big as the XUV700 as well, which once again leads us to speculate that it’s a compact SUV.

Mahindra XUV700 for representation

As the XUV700 has moved upmarket with its premium features and powerful engines, the XUV500 will fill in the gap between the subcompact XUV300 and the midsize XUV700. The compact SUV is likely to be underpinned by the XUV700’s W601 platform. 

What to expect from the SUV? 

If it’s indeed the XUV500, the SUV is likely to be a rival to compact SUVs such as the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Volkswagen Taigun, Skoda Kushaq and MG Astor. It’ll be a tad smaller than the XUV700, likely powered by 1.5-litre diesel and 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engines from the XUV300. In contrast, the larger XUV700 gets 2-litre turbo petrol and 2.2-litre diesel engine choices. 

Mahindra XUV700 interior for representation

As for features, the XUV500 should be on a par with its segment rivals with a large touchscreen, premium sound system, electric sunroof, six airbags and probably ADAS as well.  

• Mahindra XUV700 November Sales: Diesel Variants Outsell Petrol

• Top 5 Features Found On Mahindra XUV700 But Skipped In Toyota Innova Hycross

Mahindra XUV500 image used for representation

Pratap Bose’s mystery Mahindra vehicle seems to be a smartly designed SUV that should be a head-turner similar to recent products from the carmaker. It’s likely to offer a lower entry-level price than the XUV700 which the marque retails from Rs 13.44 lakh to Rs 24.94 lakh (ex-showroom).