Mahindra XUV 300: A New Entrant In The Crowded Compact SUV Segment
Mahindra is the name acronym for SUVs and they are the specialist in the segment. But somehow, they could not make inroads in the compact SUV segment like their other SUVs like Scorpio, Thar or XUV 500. Though the companys subcompact car XUV 300 was a well-rounded SUV, it didn’t take off due to some reasons. But the company did not give up and has completely refreshed its XUV 300 including the name and from now it will be called XUV 3XO’. The designers have gone all out to give the 3XO a completely new look, redone the interiors, some first-in-class features and some class-best specifications to give a tough fight to its competitors.
Known for its bold design, and powerful engine options, this time Mahindra added a host of features and made XUV 3XO a complete package and stand out in a competitive segment. Lets delve into various aspects of the vehicle, including design, performance, interior, safety features, and overall value for money.
Design and Aesthetics
The Mahindra XUV 3XO boasts a striking design that combines robust SUV elements with modern styling cues. The face of the car is distinctively large and new vertically oriented headlights are outlined by C-shaped DRLs like in XUV700 making the front facia unique.
The grille looks fresh with chrome accents blacked-out gloss panel and the new Mahindra logo. The headlamp unit comes in two sections, the top being a concealed projector and the lower down unit with an open projector fog lamp. The aggressively designed bumper with integrated fog lamps adds to its bold look.
The side profile is enhanced by pronounced wheel arches, and stylish alloy wheels with a new 17-inch diamond cut alloy, which is the largest in the segment. There’s also chunkier side cladding with cuts at the wheel arches. The rear is equally appealing with new sets of LED tail lamps, a sharply cut tailgate and a more purposeful-looking rear bumper giving it a strong look. The XUV 3XO’s design is not just about aesthetics; it also focuses on functionality. The compact dimensions make it ideal for city driving, while the generous 201mm ground clearance ensures it can handle rough terrains. Overall, the Mahindra XUV 3XO’s design is a perfect blend of style and practicality, making it a head-turner on the road.
Interior and Features
The interior gets a significant change especially loaded with more features than before and also feels quite premium when compared to other SUVs in the segment. The leatherette upholsterys quality feels upmarket, the soft-touch upper dashboard looks and feels premium, and theres good space inside with supportive seats as well. A new and bigger 10-inch touchscreen system is easier to use and comes with a lot of connectivity options. The dual 10.25-inch screens for the infotainment display and the digital instrument cluster are from the XUV4OO and use MapMyIndias maps rather than Google Maps. The touchscreen is smooth and comes with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, eSim-based connected car tech that brings in functions like remote ignition and cooling, remote vehicle updates and a whole lot more. On fully loaded AX7 L versions, the screen is also the display for a 360-degree camera.
When it comes to audio systems, the Harman Kardon sound system packages two tweeters, four-speaker and a subwoofer. Dual-zone auto climate control continues to be a highlight in the new Mahindra XUV 3XO. The front row gets a wireless charger along with a 65-watt fast C-type charging point, which can also be used to charge laptops. The biggest highlight is the new panoramic sunroof, which according to Mahindra is the biggest in the segment. If I need to complain then I would say the ivory interior which will be prone to dirt and the absence of a dead pedal for the driver to rest their left foot.
Safety
The rear seats are comfortable and are commendable with a generous amount of legroom, adequate headroom, and manageable shoulder room for even three occupants. All three rear passengers get three-point seat belts and dedicated headrests, fold-down centre armrest, a 12V charger and a USB Type C charger. The flat floor, bigger sunroof, and rear AC vents make the area feel more spacious and airier. The backrest is nicely reclined for comfort and gets a 60-40 split, which will be useful for expanding the new 364-litre space thats made deeper this time around. The 3XO scores well on space for small items. There’s a bottle holder on each of the doors, a pair of cupholders front and rear, a deep cooled glovebox as well as storage under the front centre armrest.
On the safety front, it gets six airbags, ESC, all three-point seat belts with reminders, rear parking sensors, all-disc brakes, traction control with brake assist, and ISOFIX mounts even in the base variant. Higher up the line-up, theres hill hold and descent control, TPMS, and front sensors. The L variants, namely the AX7 Luxury and AX5 Luxury get Level 2 ADAS, a 360-degree camera, and an electronic parking brake with auto hold in addition to all the other features.
Engine and Performance
Like the XUV 300, the XUV 3XO comes with three engine options: a 117hp and 300Nm, 1.5-litre four-cylinder diesel; a 111hp and 200Nm 1.2-litre, three-cylinder turbocharged unit; and the range-topping 131hp and 230Nm, 1.2-litre, three-cylinder, direct injection turbo-petrol unit. A six-speed manual is available across the variants (both petrol and diesel). In terms of automatic, diesel continues to come with a 6-speed AMT, and both petrol engines get the new 6-speed torque converter automatic.
The performance of the XUV 3XO is commendable in both urban and highway conditions. The cabin is quiet even with the diesel engine where it comes to life without much noise, the vibes are negligible, and the motor feels refined at all times. However, when you rev up in a lower gear, it becomes audible. Nevertheless, hardly any vibrations were felt inside the cabin.
The 1.5-litre diesel engine promises a maximum fuel efficiency of more than 21 kmpl. The diesel engine, offers robust performance with excellent torque delivery, making it ideal for long-distance driving and overtaking on highways. Turbo lag is well contained at low speeds, and theres a very nice spread of power that helps get the XUV 3XO to cruising speeds without much effort. The 6-speed gearbox also helps make the 3XO a relaxed cruiser, and although the gearshifts on the manual are decent. The petrol engine, on the other hand, is peppy and responsive, making it suitable for city commutes.
The mStallion T-GDi turbo-petrol engine is well refined and unlike other three-cylinder engines the noise levels are kept so well in check that at higher speeds youll almost always underestimate engine rpm. The new 6-speed torque converter automatic also gels very well with this engine delivering smooth and timely shifts. You can take manual control via the gear lever where paddle-shifters are missed. With McPherson struts at the front and twist beam suspension at the rear, the suspension setup ensures a comfortable ride by absorbing road imperfections effectively.
Conclusion
The Mahindra XUV 3XO is competitively priced, offering a range of variants to suit different budgets. The XUV 3XO starts at Rs 7.49 lakh (ex-showroom), which is quite attractive, considering the host of features and the level of safety it provides. The fuel efficiency is decent, with the petrol variant delivering around 17 kmpl and the diesel variant offering approximately 21 kmpl, which is economical for daily commutes and long drives.
The combination of stylish design, strong performance, feature-rich interior, and top-notch safety makes the XUV 3XO a compelling choice in the subcompact SUV segment. The Mahindra XUV 3XO is a well-rounded vehicle that excels in various aspects. Its bold design, powerful engines, comfortable and feature-rich interior, and extensive safety features make it a strong contender in its class. Whether for city driving, highway cruising, or tackling rough terrains, the XUV 3XO delivers a satisfying performance. For buyers looking for a subcompact SUV that offers great value for money, the Mahindra XUV 3XO is certainly worth considering.
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