Mahindra XUV 3XO: The Indian compact SUV space is quite crowded, and Mahindra’s newest car – the XUV 3OO – knows how to take a stand.
Being an extensive update of the XUV300, this compact SUV is much more than a facelift –its the Mahindra’s new direction towards styling, technology and urban connect.
From a knockout punch of features that outclasses its weight class to an aggressive starting price and killer looks, the XUV 3XO looks primed for conquering both the city streets and the weekend highways.
Attractive Exterior for a Fresh Look
Shubhabrata Sarmah Mahindra has given a good make over to the exteriors of the XUV 3XO.
Now however, the SUV has a more assertive look with its stylish LRD DRLs, strong bridge bonnet, and broader grille.
The front looks sharp and bullish and follows well with the company’s new design philosophy at Mahindra.
The rear gets a new look with connected LED tail lamps that lends it a premium touch and the 17-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels give it a sportier look.
Small as it is, it’s not insubstantial, and that’s a big draw for city buyers seeking style in a small package.
Premium Cabin Experience
Inside, Mahindra makes a quantum leap forward. The cabin gets an update with a dual-tone flavour, so The biggest headline is the 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment that provides wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The all-digital instrument cluster which gives the tech-oriented feel (for better or worse), along with the segment-first panoramic sunroof, dual-zone climate control and wireless charging are all points of difference among cars in this price band.
Space is well utilised for the sub-4m SUV. The front seats are comfortable and supportive, and the back has useful knee room and enough headroom for two adults.
The exception to that is boot space, which is still a little tight and not ideal for lengthy family road trips loaded with luggage.
Punchy Performance Options
The XUV 3XO gets the choice of three powertrain options – a 1.2-litre turbo-petrol, a higher-output TGDi petrol and a 1.5-litre diesel.
Each petrol power unit provides strong mid-range performance and is surprisingly smooth.
The TGDi in particular is very punchy and appeals to anyone who enjoys an enthusiastic drive. As a type of fuel for those who drive long distances frequently, however, diesel is still an economical choice.
Mahindra provides for 6-speed manual and 6-speed AMT (for diesel) as well as for torque converter automatic (for TGDi petrol).
The suspension setup is grown up and is well sorted for the Indian roads.
Be it potholes or speed breakers — suspension deals with it with no nonsense and provides a balanced drive.
Loaded with Safety and Tech
Mahindra has equipped the XUV 3XO with safety features. It comes with Dual airbags (6) as standard, ABS with EBD, ESC, ISOFIX mounts and all-wheel disc brakes.
Higher trims also receive advanced features not commonly found in this segment, such as ADAS Level 2.
Hill-hold control and a 360-degree camera with blind-view monitor contribute to the safety factor and convenience.
Pros:
A daring, fresh design – with a quality road wholesale presence
Feature laden cabin with panoramic sunroof and large infotainment display
Varied engines for performance and fuel economy
Leading safety technology in segment such as ADAS
Priced competitively given the feature set rivals
Cons:
Boot space not ideal for larger luggage items
AMT on diesel isn’t as slick as rivals’ torque converter boxes
Rear seat good for two adults; three a bit tight
Certain plastic quality still lags behind Korean or Japanese rivals
Mahindra XUV 3XO: Final Word
The Mahindra XUV 3XO offers the best of style, performance, technology and safety in a compact size.
It has some drawbacks — boot space, some quality cutbacks — but sits at the pointy end of the packed sub-compact SUV category.
For those who are in the market for a head-turner, with all the features you’ed want from an urban SUV, the XUV 3XO is a value-packed proposition.