The XUV500 is a well proportioned vehicle which looks athletic and sharp from plenty of angles and in plenty of places. Mahindra & Mahindra insists that the new SUV’s design has taken inspiration from cheetah, known to be the fastest animal on land. The jaw-like front grille, the paw-styled handles, the pouncing cheetah body line and the haunches inspired by those of a cheetah are some of the most prominent cues taken from the body of the magnificent beast. The XUV500’s taut, angular lines, small overhangs, a swooping roofline, flared wheel arches and well judged proportions really make it an interesting work in automotive design. It has the zing to turn heads, especially when looked upon head on. There are, however elements which still make evident Mahindra’s newness to the world of evolved automotive design. The XUV500, although a good effort overall lacks the panache and refinement that you’d expect from a product rolling out of a seasoned European design house. The design bit is overdone in places, more evidently so around the front grille, below the headlamps and at the rear.