Skoda Octavia vs Mahindra XUV700

What's the difference?

VS
Skoda Octavia
Skoda Octavia

$39,590 - $59,990

2025 price

Mahindra XUV700
Mahindra XUV700

2026 price

Summary

2025 Skoda Octavia
2026 Mahindra XUV700
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Turbo 4, 2.0L

Turbo 4, 2.0L
Fuel Type
Premium Unleaded Petrol

-
Fuel Efficiency
7.0L/100km (combined)

8.3L/100km (combined)
Seating
5

7
Dislikes
  • Floaty ‘Comfort’ mode
  • Drinks premium unleaded
  • No 12V outlet in cabin

  • Average fuel consumption
  • Ride and handling need work
  • Some cabin quality issues
2025 Skoda Octavia Summary

Where were you in the year 2000? Cowering in a dark corner, hoping the Y2K bug wouldn’t wipe out civilisation as we knew it? Or, confidently on the front foot, shopping for a new car to transport you and your family safely into the next millennium?

If it was the latter, the most popular options back then were hatchbacks, sedans and wagons. The Ford Falcon, Holden Commodore, Mitsubishi Magna and Toyota Camry were at the height of their powers and the term ‘SUV’ was largely confined to North America, describing off-road outliers like Jeeps and Range Rovers.

Brands from Mazda to Mercedes-Benz, Peugeot, Volvo and heaps of others all offered family-friendly wagons alongside their sedan counterparts.

Fast forward a quarter of a century and we’re in a world of SUVs and utes, with the traditional ‘station wagon’ almost consigned to history. But Skoda is keeping the wagon dream alive with its mid-size Octavia sedan (liftback) and wagon.

And the subject of this review is the just-arrived, 2025 model year iteration of the flagship Octavia RS, designed to combine functional pragmatism with smile-inducing performance. Let’s check it out.

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2026 Mahindra XUV700 Summary

There are around 30 different models fighting for your attention in Australia’s medium SUV segment. More than double that if you include premium options. In other words, there’s overwhelming choice.

Some of the most popular options include Toyota’s RAV4, the Mazda CX-5, Kia Sportage and Mitsubishi Outlander, with a bunch of Chinese brands climbing up the charts.

But have you ever considered a Mahindra? The Indian carmaker has been operating in Australia for close to 20 years and the product line-up has improved considerably.

Case in point, the Mahindra XUV700. A replacement for the unloved XUV500, it’s just come in for a refresh adding new interior trim and tech features and it’s still affordable.

But is it worth taking a chance on the up-and-coming brand? Read on to find out.

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Deep dive comparison

2025 Skoda Octavia 2026 Mahindra XUV700

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