A proper head-to-head in South Africa — we cover price, performance,
petrol economy, safety and what it'll actually cost you to own each one long term.
XUV700 starts ZAR 19,301 cheaperTaigo from ZAR 514,500 · XUV700 from ZAR 495,199
Key Specs Side by Side
The specs that matter most — highlighted where one car leads.
Spec
Taigo
XUV700
Maximum Power
85 kW
149 kW @ 5000 rpm
Maximum Torque
200 Nm
380 Nm
Engine Size
1000 cc
1997 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
16.1 km/l
13 km/l
Ground Clearance
168 mm
200 mm
Boot / Load Bay
440 l
240 l
Airbags
6
7
Kerb Weight
1220 kg
2040 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
7 seats
Warranty
3 years / 120 000 km
5 years / 150 000 km
= leads in this spec
The Bottom Line
XUV700 has a modest catalogue-index lead, while Taigo remains close.
Where They Actually Differ
Performance
XUV700
+30 pts
Efficiency
Taigo
+10 pts
Safety
XUV700
+13 pts
Practicality
XUV700
+1 pts
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
Taigo
Strengths
Better fuel efficiency
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Fewer listed safety features
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:Published Efficiency
Catalogue-index leader
XUV700
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Stronger listed safety equipment
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Lower fuel efficiency
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished Practicality
Which One's Right for You?
Taigo
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
XUV700
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
Full Specs, Side by Side
Spec
Taigo
XUV700
Model Introduced Year
Current local generation year not confirmed
Not Available
Generation
Current South African Taigo listing; generation notes should be kept tied to the local model year and confirmed derivative data.
Current local listing
Facelift History
Model-year updates can affect trim, wheels, screens, safety equipment and colours. Use the latest South African price list when checking a specific vehicle.
Not listed by current South African source page.
Facelift Launched Since
Original current-generation version
Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
SUV
SUV
Color Note
Colour availability changes by model year, production batch and dealer stock, check the current colour selector before ordering.
Cabin trim, seating material, screen layout and driver-assistance equipment vary by derivative. Compare the chosen Taigo grade before assuming a feature is included.
-
Interior Trim Colour
Black
-
Floor Mats
Standard
-
Interior Colours
Black
-
Seat Trim
Cloth
Leatherette
Spec
Taigo
XUV700
Infotainment System
SYNC
26.03-inch dual HD superscreen
Apple CarPlay
Not Available
Yes
Android Auto
Not Available
Yes
Bluetooth Connectivity
Not Available
Yes
Number of Speakers
Not Available
12-speaker Sony 3D sound system
Digital Instrument Cluster
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
USB Ports
Not Available
Not Available
Infotainment Screen Size
SYNC
26.03-inch dual HD superscreen
Infotainment Screen
SYNC
26.03-inch dual HD superscreen
Connected Services
SYNC
-
Touchscreen
SYNC
26.03-inch dual HD superscreen
Steering Wheel Audio Controls
-
Standard
Audio Controls On Steering
-
Standard
Spec
Taigo
XUV700
LED Headlamps
Not Available
Clear-view LED headlamps
Daytime Running Lamps
Not Available
Not Available
Fog Lamps
Not Available
Not Available
Roof Rails
Not Available
Not Available
Exterior Colour Options
3
See OEM source page for colour availability.
Body Type
SUV
-
Exterior Colour Options
3
-
Headlights
Not Available
Clear-view LED headlamps
Load Bed Liner
Not Available
-
Panoramic Sunroof
Not Available
Skyroof
Active Exhaust
Not Available
-
Spec
Taigo
XUV700
Approach Angle
Not Available
Not Available
Departure Angle
Not Available
Not Available
Wading Depth
Not Available
Not Available
Terrain Modes
Not Available
Not Available
Locking Differential
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD System Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Breakover Angle
Not Available
Not Available
Energy Recovery Display
Not Available
-
Front Skid Plate Guard
Not Available
-
Ground Clearance Max
168 mm
Not Applicable
Ground Clearance Min
168 mm
Not Applicable
Off Road Descent Control
Not Available
-
Off Road Traction Assist
Not Available
-
Crawl Control
Not Available
-
Rear Skid Plate Guard
Not Available
-
Skid Plates Fuel Tank
Not Available
-
Skid Plates Transfer Case
Not Available
-
Terrain Mode Mud
Not Available
-
Terrain Mode Normal
Not Available
-
Terrain Mode Rock
Not Available
-
Terrain Mode Sand
Not Available
-
Terrain Mode Snow
Not Available
-
Terrain Response System
Not Available
-
Underbody Camera
Not Available
-
Spec
Taigo
XUV700
Tyre Size
Not Available
Not Available
Front Brake Type
Not Available
Not Available
Rear Brake Type
Not Available
Not Available
Spare Wheel Type
Not Available
Not Available
Wheel Rim Size
Not Available
R18 diamond-cut alloy wheels
Fifth Wheel Prep
Not Available
-
Handbrake Type
Not Applicable
Electronic park brake
Leather Steering Wheel
Standard
-
Steering Wheel Trim
Standard
-
Parking Brake Type
-
Electronic park brake
Electric Park Brake
-
Standard
Spec
Taigo
XUV700
CO2 Emissions
123 g/km
Not Applicable
Hybrid System Type
Not Available
-
Fuel Octane Requirement
Petrol
Petrol
Particulate Filter
Not Available
-
Idle CO2 Output
123
-
CO2 Emissions G Km
123
-
Spec
Taigo
XUV700
Basic Warranty
3 years / 120 000 km
5 years / 150 000 km
Warranty
3 years / 120 000 km
5 years / 150 000 km
Spec
Taigo
XUV700
Service Plan
Not Available
5 years / 100 000 km
Spec
Taigo
XUV700
Ownership Role
South Africa market model
South Africa market model
Price Zar
581500 ZAR
627899 ZAR
Pricing Role
Active local lineup
flagship
Starting Price
581500
495199
Starting Price Zar
581500
495199
Source-backed Catalogue Index
A transparent specification index shown only when every vehicle clears the minimum comparable-data threshold.
Weighted / 100
Catalogue-index readout
XUV700 leads by 10 points
XUV700 has a modest catalogue-index lead, while Taigo remains close.
Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Catalogue-index leader
XUV700
Performance
66/100
Efficiency
53/100
Safety
94/100
Practicality
67/100
Taigo
Performance
36/100
Efficiency
63/100
Safety
81/100
Practicality
66/100
How to Read This Comparison
🏆Mahindra XUV700
leads the catalogue index with 71 pts
vs 61 pts for Taigo
In Hagalu's source-backed catalogue index, XUV700 leads. However, Taigo may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.
Other Comparisons Worth Checking
See how similar cars go head-to-head — you might find a better fit than you expected.
There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the exact South African derivatives 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.
Hagalu does not publish a guaranteed resale winner. Depreciation depends on age, mileage, condition, derivative, colour, supply and demand. Compare several current used-market listings and obtain trade-in valuations for equivalent examples before relying on a resale estimate.
Check the exact derivatives for drive type, ground clearance, tyres, approach and departure angles, wading depth and low-range gearing where officially disclosed. SUV styling or all-wheel drive alone does not prove that a vehicle is suitable for demanding off-road use.
Calculate each exact derivative using your monthly distance and a current fuel or electricity price, then add finance, insurance, scheduled service, tyres and licence costs. Hagalu does not claim a fixed monthly saving without those buyer-specific inputs.
It is worth more only when the exact price difference buys equipment, space, performance or ownership cover that matters to you. Compare like-for-like lifecycle states and derivatives; a current offer and a historical last-listed price are not directly equivalent.
In Depth — Breaking It All Down
This Taigo and XUV700 comparison uses the exact South African derivatives selected above. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.
Performance index: Taigo 36 vs XUV700 66.
Efficiency index: Taigo 63 vs XUV700 53.
Safety-equipment index: Taigo 81 vs XUV700 94.
Practicality index: Taigo 66 vs XUV700 67.
Ownership-cover index: Taigo not separately scored 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.
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