VS
At a Glance
Power
149 kW
85 kW
Torque
380 Nm
200 Nm
Fuel
—
5.4 l/100km
Towing
1500 Kg
1200 Kg
0-100 km/h
—
10.0 s
Engine
1997 cc
999 cc
Choosing between the Mahindra XUV700 and the Volkswagen Taigo is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The Mahindra XUV700 delivers 149 kW while the Volkswagen Taigo produces 85 kW. Pricing starts at R495 199 for the XUV700 and R555 300 for the Taigo. Both vehicles have their merits. The right choice depends on your priorities: fuel economy, performance, towing ability, safety features or total cost of ownership. This comparison covers every specification available so you can make an informed decision.
Performance
Power Output
149 kW
85 kW
Torque
380 Nm
200 Nm
0-100 kph
—
10.0 s
Top Speed
—
200 Km/h
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
1997 cc
999 cc
Engine Layout
inline
inline
Cylinders
4
3
Fuel Type
petrol
petrol
Forced Induction Device
turbocharger
turbocharger
Transmission
automatic
automatic
Number of Gears
6
7
Drive Wheels
front
front
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
—
5.4 l/100km
Fuel Consumption Urban
—
6.2 l/100km
Fuel Consumption Highway
—
4.9 l/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity
60 l
40 l
CO2 Emissions
198 g/km
123 g/km
Dimensions
Length
4695 mm
4266 mm
Width
1890 mm
1757 mm
Height
1755 mm
1515 mm
Wheelbase
2750 mm
2566 mm
Ground Clearance
—
168 mm
Kerb Weight
1691 Kg
1184 Kg
Doors
5
5
Seats
5
—
Load Volume
—
440-1222 l
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
1500 Kg
1200 Kg
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
—
✓ Standard
Stability Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Traction Control
—
✓ Standard
Airbag Count
4
6
Driver Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Passenger Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Side Airbags Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Curtain Airbags
—
✓ Standard
Features & Tech
Air Conditioning
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Climate Control
—
✓ Standard
Cruise Control
—
Optional
Adaptive Cruise Control
—
Optional
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Satellite Navigation
—
Optional
Reversing Camera
—
✓ Standard
Park Distance Rear
—
✓ Standard
Park Distance Front
—
✓ Standard
Sunroof
✓ Standard
Optional
Heated Seats
—
Optional
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Tow Bar
—
Optional
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
5
3
Warranty Distance
150000 Km
120000 Km
Service Plan
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Service Plan Years
5
3
Service Plan Distance
100000
45000
Service Intervals
20000
15000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
Mahindra XUV700
3 / 4 categories
Performance
XUV700
Fuel Economy
Tied
Value
XUV700
Practicality
XUV700
Pros & Cons
Mahindra XUV700
More powerful engine (149 kW)
Lower starting price (R495 199)
Higher towing capacity (1500 Kg)
Few notable weaknesses
Volkswagen Taigo
Well-rounded specification
Less power than rival (85 kW vs 149 kW)
Higher starting price
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has more power, the XUV700 or Taigo?
The XUV700 produces 149 kW and 380 Nm of torque while the Taigo delivers 85 kW and 200 Nm of torque. The XUV700 is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the XUV700 and Taigo?
The XUV700 starts from R495 199 and the Taigo from R555 300. The XUV700 is cheaper by R60 101 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the XUV700 or Taigo?
The XUV700 has a braked towing capacity of 1500 Kg and the Taigo can tow 1200 Kg. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the XUV700 or the Taigo?
It depends on your priorities. If fuel economy matters most, check the L/100km figures above. If you need towing capacity, compare the towing ratings. For day-to-day South African driving - load shedding runs, potholed roads, school runs and highway commutes - consider ground clearance, service network coverage, and total cost of ownership including insurance and maintenance. Use the spec tables above to compare every detail before making your decision.