The Mahindra XUV 3XO, a refreshed variant of the XUV300, made its debut in 2019 and has since received its first-generation facelift in 2024. This review delves into the top model, the AX7 L, showcasing its range of features, design, and performance.
Price and Variants: The XUV 3XO comes in both petrol and diesel versions, starting at an ex-showroom price of ₹7.49 lakh, with the top model priced at ₹15.49 lakh. The electric version, named the XUV400, also starts at ₹15.49 lakh.
Design and Assembly: The vehicle boasts the ‘Heartcore’ design philosophy and has been designed by Pratap Bose. It’s built on the KG Mobility Tivoli platform and assembled in Nashik, India. This design collaboration between Mahindra’s India design studio in Mumbai and the Mahindra Research Valley in Chennai results in a robust yet elegant SUV.
Dimensions and Exterior Features: Exterior highlights include LED fog lamps, a piano black grille, Bi-LED projector headlamps with LED DRLs, and Infinity LED tail lamps. The Mahindra XUV 3XO impresses with its compact yet robust dimensions, spanning 4 meters in length, 1.8 meters in width, and 1.6 meters in height, combined with a 5.3 meter turning radius and a ground clearance of 201 mm. It can wade through water up to 350 mm deep, showcasing its capability for mild off-roading adventures. The vehicle rolls on 17-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, with options for 16-inch alloys or steel wheels, all equipped with Goodyear Assurance Triplemax 2 radial tubeless tyres sized 215/55 R17 94V, ensuring a smooth ride with reliable traction.
Aesthetically, the XUV 3XO is available in a vibrant citrine yellow, with additional color choices including green, beige, white, grey, blue, black, and red, catering to various tastes. For those seeking a more personalized touch, dual-tone options with black or grey roofs are available. The vehicle’s structure incorporates 45% high-strength steel, enhancing its safety and durability while maintaining a balanced weight.
Performance: The Mahindra XUV 3XO is equipped with a robust transmission system featuring Aisin’s 6-speed automatic gearbox, with a manual version also available, catering to different driving preferences. This flexibility extends to the diesel variants, which will offer both 6-speed manual and automatic transmission options.
Under the hood, the XUV 3XO features a 1197 cc mStallion TGDi (Turbo Charged Intercooled Gasoline Direct Injection) petrol engine, which delivers 128 horsepower and 230 Nm of torque. This engine achieves an efficient fuel consumption of 20 kmpl with the manual transmission and 18 kmpl with the automatic, supported by a 42-liter fuel tank. An alternative petrol engine option is the 1197 cc mStallion TCMPFi (Turbo Charged Multipoint Fuel Injection) engine, producing 109 horsepower and 200 Nm of torque, with fuel efficiency of 18 kmpl for the manual and 17 kmpl for the automatic transmission.
For those preferring diesel, the SUV offers a 1497 cc Turbo Diesel engine with CRDe technology, outputting 115 horsepower and an impressive 300 Nm of torque. This engine is notably efficient, delivering 20 kmpl in the manual version and 21 kmpl in the automatic.
Additionally, the XUV 3XO’s engine technology includes a 250 bar high-pressure fuel injection system and a forced air intercooler system, which optimize performance. The vehicle also incorporates intelligent energy management, variable valve timing, an electronically controlled variable oil pump, and an integrated exhaust manifold, all designed to enhance engine efficiency and performance.
Safety and Technology: The Mahindra XUV 3XO is engineered to deliver superior ride quality and handling performance, thanks to the inclusion of MTV-CL (Multi-Tuned Valve Concentric Land) technology in its dampers. It offers three drive modes—Zip, Zap, and Zoom—that adapt the vehicle’s dynamics to different driving conditions and preferences. Additionally, the SUV features smart steering modes including Comfort, Normal, and Sport, allowing drivers to further customize their driving experience according to their comfort level or the demands of the road.
This front-wheel-drive SUV is equipped with a comprehensive Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS), which includes a suite of safety features such as auto emergency braking, traffic sign recognition, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, smart pilot assist, lane departure warning, and lane keep assist, enhancing both safety and convenience.
Moreover, the XUV 3XO is poised for a global launch, promising to bring its advanced features and robust performance to a wider audience, making it a strong contender in the competitive SUV market internationally.
The Mahindra XUV 3XO is designed with a suspension system that combines a McPherson strut with an anti-roll bar at the front and a coil spring with a twist beam suspension at the rear, ensuring a balanced and stable ride across varied terrains. The vehicle is well-equipped in terms of safety, featuring six airbags that provide comprehensive protection for all passengers. Additionally, it includes a 360-degree camera and a blind view monitor to enhance visibility and safety when maneuvering in tight spaces.
For further security and convenience, the XUV 3XO is outfitted with Passive Keyless Entry and a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System that alerts drivers to any discrepancies in tire pressure, helping to maintain optimal performance and safety. The Electronic Stability Program (ESP 9.3), ISOFIX child seat mounts, seat belt reminders, hill hold control, and hill descent control are integrated into the vehicle to assist in maintaining control and safety during various driving conditions. Furthermore, the SUV incorporates vehicle dynamics control, traction control, roll-over mitigation, brake disc wiping, electronic brake prefill, and 3-point seat belts, all of which work together to ensure a secure and controlled driving experience.
Comfort and Utility: Inside, the XUV 3XO offers leatherette upholstery, a height-adjustable driver seat, and 60/40 split-folding rear seats. The dual zone climate control AC, sunroof (termed skyroof by Mahindra), and premium audio system enhance the comfort for all passengers.
The Mahindra XUV 3XO offers a practical 364-litre boot space, ample for family trips or carrying daily essentials. It also comes equipped with a 16-inch space saver spare wheel, ensuring readiness in case of a roadside emergency. For audio enthusiasts, the SUV boasts a high-quality 7-speaker, 380-watt Harman Kardon Premium Audio system complete with an amplifier and subwoofer, delivering crisp and immersive sound throughout the cabin.
The interior aesthetics are enhanced with a leatherette finish on the doors and a soft touch leatherette finish on the dashboard, providing a premium feel. Convenience features include a one-touch up-down power window on the driver’s side for ease of use, and height-adjustable seatbelts at the front to accommodate drivers and passengers of different statures, ensuring comfort and safety. Additionally, the vehicle features an electronic trumpet horn, which provides a distinct and audible alert to ensure safety on the road.
The Mahindra XUV 3XO comes packed with modern amenities that cater to tech-savvy drivers and passengers. At the forefront is the 10.24-inch high-definition infotainment system, which supports online navigation and integrates seamlessly with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It also includes Adrenox Connect, built-in Alexa, and a host of utilities such as Ticker Tape, Justdial, India Today, weather updates, travel explorer, horoscope, valet mode, voice assistant, personalized greetings, and drive video recording, creating a connected and interactive driving experience.
The SUV also features a wireless charger embossed with the Mahindra logo, adding a touch of brand prestige while offering convenience. A powerful 65-watt USB-C port ensures that devices can be charged quickly and efficiently.
For additional comfort and convenience, the XUV 3XO includes a cooled glovebox with a light, making it easier to store and access items in a temperature-controlled environment. The rear-view mirror is auto-dimming, mitigating headlight glare from vehicles behind at night, which enhances driving safety.
The interior’s luxury elements are highlighted by a leather-wrapped steering wheel, which provides a premium feel and better grip. The driver’s informational needs are met by another 10.24-inch HD digital instrument cluster that displays navigation and critical vehicle data in a clear and accessible manner, ensuring that all necessary information is at the driver’s fingertips.
The Mahindra XUV 3XO is equipped with the advanced Adrenox Connect system, which significantly enhances the connectivity and usability of the vehicle. Through this system, owners can access over 80 features from their smartphone, transforming their interaction with the SUV. The functionalities range from basic conveniences to advanced monitoring capabilities.
Users can remotely start or stop the engine, control the climate settings, and locate their vehicle with ease. Additional features include remote operations such as door lock and unlock, turning lights on and off, and controlling the sunroof, all from a distance. Vehicle maintenance and status checks are also simplified; users can check tyre pressure, receive alerts for over-speeding, high engine temperature, insurance expiry, and even monitor the battery’s condition.
Security features are robust with the Adrenox Connect, offering geo-fence alerts, time fence alerts, and notifications for unauthorized vehicle entry. For those who wish to keep tabs on their vehicle, live tracking, trip history, and various car alerts are readily available, ensuring that the owner is fully informed about their vehicle’s status and location at all times. This suite of features through Adrenox Connect makes the Mahindra XUV 3XO not just a vehicle, but a smart mobility solution tailored for modern needs.
Warranty and Support: Mahindra offers a 3-year unlimited kilometer warranty with 3 years of roadside assistance, ensuring peace of mind for owners.
Driver Review: Let’s take the Mahindra XUV 3XO for a spin and delve into what makes it stand out. Following the success of the XUV300, Mahindra has given this vehicle a major facelift and rebranded it as the XUV 3XO, although perhaps ‘XUV 4XO’ might have been more apt given its electric version is called the XUV400. The redesign focuses on six core pillars: unique design, SUV-like command seating, safety, superior driving performance, comfortable ride, and spacious interior.
The XUV 3XO sports an athletic build with a completely revamped exterior, subtle interior updates, and a new 6-speed Aisin automatic transmission for the petrol engine. Originally launched in 2019 with a starting price of ₹8.88 lakh, the new model is now more competitively priced starting at ₹7.49 lakh. It’s available in three engine options—both manual and automatic—catering especially to first-time SUV buyers.
The front design of the XUV300 has been significantly altered; it’s a style that might not appeal to everyone initially but tends to grow on you. The vehicle features a new 1-meter long muscular bonnet that adds a powerful aesthetic, aligned with 23.7-degree forward visibility and a 23.6-degree approach angle, which matches the XUV700.
The rear design is likely to be more universally appealing, styled perfectly to give the car an upward stance. From the side, it resembles the older XUV300 but now includes additional body cladding.
Inside, the dual-tone interior and the infotainment instrument cluster borrowed from the XUV700 refresh the cabin feel, though the lower part of the dashboard is white, which might not suit everyone’s taste as it could get dirty quickly. The dashboard is finished with leatherette and stitching, giving it a premium look, though the steering remains the same—perhaps a missed opportunity to use a flat bottom steering from the XUV700.
The vehicle includes a side camera display in the instrument cluster when indicating, which is a useful feature. The interior fit and finish are impressive, and the seats now come with leatherette upholstery. The comfort and grip of the seats are excellent, comfortably accommodating three adults in the second row.
While the top model lacks electrical adjustment and ventilated seats, the sunroof has been enlarged, though it still doesn’t extend fully back. The quietness of the petrol engine has been aligned with the XUV700 standards.
The new infotainment screen, shared with the XUV400, offers an easy and clear view, and is loaded with apps for entertainment. The Harman Kardon audio system with 7 speakers provides four ambiance sound modes, bass enhancer technology, and a 9-band equalizer for a delightful audio experience.
The dual-zone AC is very effective, and the new 65-watt Type C USB port is powerful enough to charge a laptop. However, the armrest space has been slightly reduced to accommodate AC vents for the rear seats, and the driver side vanity mirror has been removed—a parcel tray would have been a helpful addition.
Designed to achieve the highest Bharat NCAP safety rating, the vehicle can withstand impacts up to 20 tons at speeds of up to 64 kmph, and protects against peak decelerations up to 38G.
Driving the XUV 3XO is smooth, with a pleasant engine sound and noticeable power delivery. While the vehicle doesn’t accelerate abruptly, the automatic transmission handles low-speed driving smoothly without noticeable gear shifts. The steering is light and easy to grip, and the braking performance is excellent, thanks to 4-wheel discs. The suspension is tight, designed to handle rough terrains comfortably without transmitting road imperfections into the cabin.
Overall, the XUV 3XO offers a high-quality interior, powerful engines, and high safety ratings, making it a compelling choice in its segment. Let us know what you think of the XUV 3XO in the comments!
