The addition of the XUV 3X0 to Mahindra’s SUV lineup has certainly set the cat amongst the pigeons in the compact SUV segment. The XUV 3XO is a comprehensive facelift that effectively replaces the older XUV300, with a lot more features to disrupt the competition. While the design and styling may not appeal to all tastes, what will catch a buyer’s fancy is the number of trim levels that cater to different budgets. From the entry-level model MX1 trim with a starting price of Rs 7.49 lakh, to the fully-loaded variant AX7L priced at Rs 15.49 lakh, there's an XUV 3XO for everyone! Let's dive right into it and check out all the new features and upgrades Mahindra has come up with.
Verdict
The Mahindra XUV 3XO has truly shaken up the market with the pricing for all its variants. If you are someone who is looking to upgrade from a hatchback and want the cutting edge tech and a comfortable driving experience with competitive pricing this might be just the car for you. It does have a few rough edges here and there, and the styling is polarising too. However, this car will definitely grow on you with the features which the competition does not have.
We tested the 1.2-litre TGDi petrol engine producing 129hp of power and 230Nm of torque with the 6-speed automatic gearbox around the roads of Nashik. Also available is a 1.5-litre diesel engine that produces 115hp of power and 300Nm, and it can be had with an AMT or a manual gearbox.
First up I drove the car on the highway to test out just how powerful and strong the engine’s punch is. And staying true to its brand value, Mahindra has surely given us the best in class performance. The throttle response is impressive and at higher speeds, this engine does not run out of breadth, thanks to its wide spread of torque. Driving in stop and go traffic however, you can sense some lag. This is only accentuated by the automatic gearbox which feels confused at times and jerky in choc-a-bloc traffic. However, the XUV 3XO does get three drive modes on the petrol automatic – Zip, Zap and Zoom. I personally loved Zoom because of the racer inside me, and you will truly enjoy it as well because it keeps the revs high and acceleration is more responsive. Put your foot down and 0-60kmph comes up in 4.5 seconds. Talking about the brakes, the 3XO comes with all-wheel disc brakes. While the bite is good, a more progressive pedal feel would have been appreciated. Another gripe is that the accelerator and brake pedals are not placed correctly in the footwell.
Another first-in-segment feature the brand has added to this car is the Level 2 ADAS, which is the same system as the XUV 700. Personally, I would switch off the ADAS as it becomes tricky to drive with it on Indian roads. But if you prefer it, you get adaptive cruise control, lane keep assistance, forward collision warning and a lot more. The car also comes with 6 airbags which are standard on all variants.
In terms of the suspension, you get McPherson struts up front and a twist beam with coil springs at the rear. The ride of the XUV 3XO is stiff, and part of that could also be down to the 17-inch wheels. Larger bumps and potholes can be felt inside the cabin with a thud. However the benefit of this is that at higher speeds, on corners and on highways, the car feels more stable and planted. The steering is light to use but could do with more feedback and feel, and I would have liked it to be more precise.
When it comes to the interiors, the dashboard design is identical to that of the XUV 300 (and the XUV 400 EV). I really liked the light ivory-coloured upholstery but it might be difficult to maintain in the long run. The seats are firm, and they aren’t ventilated, sadly. You also get piano black plastics surrounding the infotainment screen. The soft-touch leatherette on the dashboard and the door trims does give off a sophisticated vibe too. In terms of space, I was surprised to have an ample amount of legroom and headroom both in the front as well as in the back seat. Not only that, but the hip room in the 2nd row comes at 1308mm, making it very easy for 3 passengers to sit at the back.
One of the most hyped features about the 3XO was the first-in-segment panoramic sunroof, but note that you get the skyroof only in the AX series, while you get a ‘regular’ sunroof in the MX series. It surely is a great addition to this car's feature list, making it appealing to customers who want features from a higher segment but want a compact car.
You also get twin 10.25-inch screens in the AX series for the infotainment as well as the digital cluster. The infotainment gets Mahindra’s AdrenoX Connect, borrowed from the larger XUV 700, which gives you access to many in-car apps, along with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and built-in Amazon Alexa. The touch response is decent but the display can feel laggy at times. You also get a 360-degree camera which is easily accessible. The buttons below the screen are of good quality. The instrument cluster also features the blind view monitor, which will be very helpful for the Indian market. The 3XO also gets dual-zone climate control. You will also find a 65W Type-C charging port and a USB Type-A port for connectivity. There is also a wireless charger for your phone right under the charging points. You also get a phone holder and a Type-C charging point at the back as well.
The car comes with a Harman Kardon sound system, which has premium audio with an amplifier and subwoofer, 2 tweeters and 4 full-range speakers. It has 6 modes of audio settings as below: Studio, Sonic Expanse and Ambience ( Stage, Party, Retreat, Wide Sonic). The overall experience in the cabin with the sound system is really impressive, and I truly enjoyed my drive. In terms of storage, you get a decent number of cubby holes around the car, on the door, under the centre armrest and an illuminated cooled glove box. Talking about the boot space, it has now increased from the outgoing XUV300 and is now at 295 litres up to the backrest, and if you see up to the roof, it is 364 litres. And if you need more room for your luggage, the XUV 3XO gets a 60:40 split rear seat.
At first glance, you will see that the XUV 3XO has a thoroughly revised front-end when compared to the older XUV300. What stands out are the C-shaped LED DRLs that flank the bi-halogen projector headlamps. These take inspiration from the larger XUV700’s light signature. The bumper is reprofiled too and the piano black grille with chrome slats does give the XUV300 a classy yet aggressive look. While the front of the 3XO is visually busy with multiple elements, the silhouette is identical to that of its predecessor, with a new design for the 17-inch alloy wheels on the top trims being the main differentiator in terms of styling. Lesser trims get 16-inch steel wheels. The black side cladding also gives the XUV a rough and rugged look. Moving to the rear end of the car, you get connected LED tail lamps which accentuate the width of the XUV and make it look more funky. You also get an array of colour options with the XUV 3XO, including this loud Citrine yellow with a dual-tone black roof that we had on test.
Engine: 1.2-litre turbo petrol
Transmission: 6-speed AT
Power: 129 hp
Torque: 230Nm
Dimensions: 3990x1821x1647
Weight: NA
Fuel Tank capacity: 42 litres
Ground Clearance: NA
Tyre: 215/55 R17
Price: Expected 7.49-15.49 lakh (ex-showroom)
