LDV D90 vs Mahindra XUV500
What's the difference?

LDV D90

$14,800 - $26,880

2020 price

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Mahindra XUV500

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2018 price

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Land Rover Discovery Sport

Mercedes-Benz EQ-Class

Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Mercedes-Benz G63

Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLS

Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class

Mini Countryman

Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

Mitsubishi Outlander

Mitsubishi Pajero

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

Summary

2020 LDV D90

2018 Mahindra XUV500

By Tom White

By Andrew Chesterton

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Diesel Twin Turbo 4, 2.0L

Diesel Turbo 4, 2.2L

Fuel Type

Diesel

Fuel Efficiency

9.1L/100km (combined)

6.7L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Makes more sense as a diesel
People-mover practicality
Affordable

Cheap way into seven seats
Petrol/auto combination a winner
Hugely spacious third row

Dislikes

Terrible software
Cheap interior
A bit unwieldy to drive

Underwhelming safety
Steering that requires plenty of guesswork
Cheap-feeling interior

2020 LDV D90 Summary

It’s pretty hard to miss the LDV D90.

Mainly because it is gigantic; it's one of the biggest SUVs you can buy. In fact, I’d say what’s drawn you to this review is maybe you’ve seen one of these behemoths trucking past, and you’re wondering what the LDV badge is all about and how this relatively unknown SUV stands up against popular rivals and other notable newcomers.

To get one confusing thing out of the way, LDV once stood for Leyland DAF Vans, a now-defunct British company which has been brought back to life by none other than China’s SAIC Motor – yes, the same one which also resurrected MG.

So, is this MG big brother worth looking into? We took the recently released diesel version of the D90 on test for a week to seek some answers…

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2018 Mahindra XUV500 Summary

Just in case attacking Australia's crowded SUV market with a virtually unheard of Indian brand wasn't a high enough hurdle to leap over, Mahindra had made its task even harder - think a Bollywood version of Mission Impossible - by launching its XUV500 SUV here with a diesel engine (which nobody wanted) and a manual gearbox (which few could even remember how to use).

Fortunately, it fixed one of those issues late in 2016, finally adding an automatic transmission to the line-up. And now, at long last, it's fixed the other.

This, then, is the petrol-powered XUV500 SUV. And, on paper at least, it's the most sense-making Mahindra to date.

For one, it's a ferociously cheap way into a new seven-seat SUV. For another, it's pretty well equipped, even from the base level. There's a long warranty, an equally long roadside assistance offering, and there's capped-price servicing, too.

So, should the mainstream SUV players be looking over their shoulders?

Spoiler alert: no.

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Deep dive comparison

2020 LDV D90 2018 Mahindra XUV500

Verdict

Looking for a cheap, powerful diesel SUV with huge cabin space and a humane third row for adults? The D90 is a really sound offering, especially considering the price of entry for this top-spec diesel which should resonate with Aussies a bit better than the petrol version.

It has plenty of issues that could be ironed out, but they’re all so small and not sale-breaking it’s almost annoying how much better the D90 could be with just a little work. Rivals should be looking over their shoulder for what comes next.

Verdict

This petrol-powered and well-priced XUV500 W6 might mark Mahindra's most convincing effort at cracking Australia's congested SUV market, but we're still not completely convinced.

That said, it's certainly cheap, the ownership credentials stack up and it's a very comfortable way to transport seven people.

LDV D90 vs Mahindra XUV500 What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

LDV D90 vs Mahindra XUV500
What's the difference?