Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 Review : There is an impressive bouquet in the compact SUV segment in India, however, it seems like the Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 has managed to carve quite a niche for itself in the space. It has got a very appealing look wrapped around a potent engine with features that are coming to the forefront. It is rapidly gaining acceptance among new car buyers. We were able to get behind the wheels of this variant for an initial taste, and here’s how it feels on-road.
Powerful yet Smooth Engine Grunt
This variant is equipped with a 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine churning out 111 bhp at 200 Nm of torque. One will find it lively and lively underfoot, especially in city traffic. The power delivery feels very smooth and with the turbo kicking in quite early, the acceleration is quick from a standstill. Whether it’s to overtake on a highway or manouevre through city traffic, it affords a lot of engine confidence without feeling it working too hard.
Comfortable Riding Quality
One of the main talking points of the XUV 3XO was its suspension setup. It breezes up to potholes and uneven patches; thus, it really offers a good comfortable ride. Even at high speeds, the SUV feels stable and laid-back. The steering seemed quite light in city conditions and was heavy in sport mode, thus giving the driver more confidence on highways. Fairly decent handling, considering it is a compact SUV-easy to drive under different conditions.
Spacious and Practical Cabin
On the inside, the AX5 version of the model offers a cleverly made cabin, which is coated with premium dual-tone fabric-covered seats. The rear bench is spacious for legroom and will seat three adults comfortably. The front seats give a good level of support in quite narrow confines for the larger driver. The boot is a fairly average 295 litres, although the seats split 60:40 to leave room for added space. There are many options in storage spaces, such as door-bottle holders, cup holder spaces, and a decent-sized glove box.
Modern Features at an Attractive Price
As mid-equipped, AX5 comes with many features, including a 10.25-inch touchscreen, digital instrument cluster, cloudless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, sunroof, dual-zone climate control, wireless charging, and six airbags. It comes loaded with certain safety features such as ESC and hill-start assist. Safety is high, at least with a 5-star safety rating by Bharat NCAP.
At ₹ 11 lakh (ex-showroom), the Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 is well worth the price. It is fun to drive, comfortable, safe, and filled with features. If you are someone looking for a well-balanced compact SUV, one that has no compromise in either performance or features, the AX5 is one consideration.