Toyota GR86 vs Mahindra XUV700

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance, fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.

Toyota GR86 in South Africa

Toyota GR86

2.4 Automatic Petrol 6-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 799,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 173 kW 🔧 250 Nm ⛽ 10.9 km/l
VS
Mahindra XUV700 in South Africa

Mahindra XUV700

AX7L BE Automatic Petrol 6-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 627,899 ex-showroom
⚡ 149 kW 🔧 380 Nm ⛽ 13 km/l
+ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Toyota GR86 vs Mahindra XUV700: the short answer

XUV700 has a modest catalogue-index lead, while GR86 remains close.

XUV700 starts ZAR 254,701 cheaper GR86 from ZAR 749,900 · XUV700 from ZAR 495,199

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification GR86 XUV700
Maximum Power GR86173 kW @ 7000 rpm XUV700149 kW @ 5000 rpm
Maximum Torque GR86250 Nm @ 3700 rpm XUV700380 Nm
Engine Size GR862387 cc XUV7001997 cc
Combined Fuel Economy GR8610.9 km/l XUV70013 km/l
Ground Clearance GR86130 mm XUV700200 mm

Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.

Independent editorial assessment

Hagalu editorial ratings

When a variant is selected, its rating out of five applies only to that exact derivative; a model-range review is not inherited. Editorial ratings are separate from the Specification Evidence Index out of 100 and are not customer ratings.

Toyota GR86

2.4 Automatic

Hagalu editorial rating Not yet rated

No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.

How Hagalu rates cars

Mahindra XUV700

AX7L BE Automatic

Hagalu editorial rating Not yet rated

No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.

How Hagalu rates cars

Not yet rated means a complete review is not published; it does not mean the vehicle scored zero. Read the rating methodology.

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

GR86

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: Published Performance
Specification evidence leader

XUV700

Strengths
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to: Published Efficiency Published Practicality

Which One's Right for You?

GR86

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment

XUV700

  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec GR86 XUV700
360 Degree Camera Not Available 360-degree camera view
Adaptive Cruise Control Not Available Not Available
Adaptive Cruise Control Not Available Not Available
Around View Monitor Not Available 360-degree camera view
Autonomous Emergency Braking Not Available Not Available
Auto Lights Standard -
Auto Wipers Standard Not Available
Blind Spot Monitoring Not Available Blind view monitoring
Blind Spot Warning Not Available Blind view monitoring
Cruise Control Standard Not Available
Driver Fatigue Alert Not Available Driver drowsiness detection
Emergency Braking Not Available -
EV Mode Not Available -
Lane Departure Warning Not Available Not Available
Lane Keep Assist Not Available Not Available
Parking Distance Sensors Rear -
Parking Sensor Rear -
Parking Sensors Rear Not Available
Pre-Collision System Not Available -
Rain Sensor Wipers Standard -
Rear View Camera Standard Reverse camera and park assist
Rear Cross Traffic Alert Not Available Not Available
Rear View Camera Standard -
Reverse Camera Standard Reverse camera and park assist
Reverse Camera Type Standard -
Reversing Camera Standard -
Surround View Camera Not Available 360-degree camera view
Traffic Sign Recognition Not Available Not Available
Rear Parking Sensors Rear Not Available
Auto Highbeam Not Available Not Available
Park Assist Not Available Not Available
Forward Collision Warning Not Available Not Available
Spec GR86 XUV700
4WD Engagement Not Applicable Not Applicable
4WD Hi Range Not Applicable Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range Not Applicable Not Applicable
4WD Selector Not Applicable Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles Standard Not Applicable
Axle Layout RWD Not Applicable
Differential Lock Not Applicable Not Applicable
Differential Type Front Not Available -
Differential Type Rear Not Available -
Drivetrain RWD Not Applicable
Drivetrain Layout Rear Wheel Drive Not Applicable
Engine Position Front Longitudinal -
Front Differential Lock Not Applicable Not Applicable
Number of Gears 4 6
Gear Shift Type 6-Speed Automatic with Paddle Shifters Not Applicable
Gearbox 6-Speed Automatic with Paddle Shifters Automatic
Gearbox Type 6-Speed Automatic with Paddle Shifters 6-speed automatic
LSD Available Torsen LSD Not Applicable
Low Range Not Applicable Not Applicable
Low Range Ratio Not Applicable Not Applicable
Paddle Shifters Standard Not Applicable
Rear Differential Lock Not Applicable Not Applicable
Transfer Case Not Applicable Not Applicable
Transfer Case Guard Not Available -
Transmission Speeds 4 6
Transmission Type Automatic 6-speed automatic
Final Drive Ratio Not Applicable Not Applicable
Clutch Type Not Applicable Not Applicable
Gear Shift Indicator Not Applicable Not Applicable

In depth: how these cars differ

This GR86 and XUV700 comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.

Performance index: GR86 67 vs XUV700 66.

Efficiency index: GR86 45 vs XUV700 53.

Safety-equipment index: GR86 96 vs XUV700 94.

Practicality index: GR86 46 vs XUV700 67.

Ownership-cover index: GR86 43 vs XUV700 not separately scored.

These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.

Specification Evidence Index

A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.

Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout

XUV700 leads by 10 points

XUV700 has a modest catalogue-index lead, while GR86 remains close.

Evidence leader 71 /100
Lead 10 points
Data 58% source coverage
71
#1 Evidence leader

XUV700

58% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 94 Check Efficiency 53
Performance 66
Efficiency 53
Safety 94
Practicality 67
Leads by 10 points
61
#2

GR86

87% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 96 Check Ownership 43
Performance 67
Efficiency 45
Safety 96
Practicality 46
Ownership 43
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance GR86 +1 Efficiency XUV700 +8 Safety GR86 +2 Practicality XUV700 +21

Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

XUV700

Performance 66/100
Efficiency 53/100
Safety 94/100
Practicality 67/100

GR86

Performance 67/100
Efficiency 45/100
Safety 96/100
Practicality 46/100
Ownership 43/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index Mahindra XUV700 leads the specification evidence index with 71 pts vs 61 pts for GR86

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, XUV700 leads. However, GR86 may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

GR86 vs XUV700 questions

There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.

Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.

Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.

A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.

Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.

Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.