Mahindra XUV500 vs Genesis GV80
What's the difference?

Mahindra XUV500

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2018 price

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Genesis GV80

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2024 price

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Land Rover Discovery Sport

Mercedes-Benz EQ-Class

Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Mercedes-Benz G63

Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLS

Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class

Mini Countryman

Mitsubishi ASX

Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

Mitsubishi Outlander

Mitsubishi Pajero

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

Summary

2018 Mahindra XUV500

2024 Genesis GV80

By Andrew Chesterton

By Emily Agar

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Diesel Turbo 4, 2.2L

Twin Turbo V6, 3.5L

Fuel Type

Diesel

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

6.7L/100km (combined)

11.9L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

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

What feature doesn't it have?
Superb comfort in cabin
Outstanding ownership benefits

Dislikes

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

Not as dynamic/sporty as some rivals
Middle seat is squishy for adults
Very thirsty, will be painful at bowser.

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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2024 Genesis GV80 Summary

The Genesis GV80 SUV has cultivated a quiet but firm following since its debut but there's a new variant on offer - the coupe.

Offered in one highly-specified grade level for our market, the GV80 3.5T Luxury AWD Coupe proves to be a fierce competitor with luxury and handling for it's European rivals - the BMW X6, Range Rover Velar and Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe.

However, the price point is starting to creep a little closer to its rivals, which might not be to everyone's fancy.

I've been family testing the GV80 for a week to see if it gets the seal of approval from my little family of three, read on to find out how it went.

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Deep dive comparison

2018 Mahindra XUV500 2024 Genesis GV80

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.

Verdict

The Genesis GV80 Coupe is a rare breed – it comes packed to the gills with features, has great ownership benefits and can easily accommodate a large family in comfort.

The fuel economy isn’t great but it looks and acts the part of a true luxury SUV. My husband and son were impressed and enjoyed all of the features it has.

Mahindra XUV500 vs Genesis GV80 What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Mahindra XUV500 vs Genesis GV80
What's the difference?