Mahindra XUV 3XO Review : Launched in April 2024, Mahindra XUV 3XO is a substantial upgrade to the XUV300. With audacious styling, upgraded features, and a coveted 5-star safety rating, it plans to take head-on strong contenders in the compact SUV space—Tata Nexon, Hyundai Venue, and Kia Sonet.
Step into the XUV 3XO, and there is a large, contemporary cabin. With such a grand wheelbase of 2,600 mm, it invokes an airy feel inside. Rear occupants get decent legroom and shoulder room, making it pleasant for family rides. Upfront, the seats offer decent comfort. However, the situation could feel crammed in the area where the driver’s left foot usually lies. In terms of luggage capability, the boot offers a mere 295-364 litres—less than that of competitors but good enough for running errands and short trips.
With Mahindra, three engine options lie beneath the hood. The base engine is a turbo-petrol with an output of 1.2-litre capacity, and a 111 PS, 200 Nm. The more potent version gets a 1.2-litre TGDi turbo petrol engine, rated at 131 PS, 230 Nm. There is, of course, a diesel engine of 1.5-litre capacity with outputs of 117 PS and 300 Nm.
Transmission options include manual, AMT (for diesel), and proper torque-converter automatic for the TGDi petrol. The petrol alloys quick spread-out acceleration across its rev range (mid-range being where its brightest) while the diesels score points on fuel economy and ease of use on long-distance driving. The mileage figures hover around the 10-17 km/l mark depending upon engines and driving styles.
Features go a long way in attracting buyers towards the XUV 3XO. Twin-screen setups (two 10.25 screens: one for infotainment and one for the instrument cluster) were also extended to mid-variants. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, dual-zone climate control, wireless charging, and a panoramic sunroof are other expecting features. The top variants offer ADAS Level 2, a 360-degree camera, and a Harman Kardon premium audio system. Safety remains one of the other plus points, with six airbags, ESC, hill assist, and a crash-tested body.
The performance is smooth and planted. On Indian roads, it rides comfortably, and the light steering makes driving through the city a breeze. There is a small degree of personalization offered through Zip, Zap, and Zoom driving modes. Some negatives are that the diesel AMT can sometimes be jerky in low-speed situations, and boot space has been sacrificed in comparison to its competitors. Other features that can be considered premium—ventilated seats and paddle shifters—are also absent on this SUV.
In conclusion, the Mahindra XUV 3XO is a stylish, feature-laden, and safe compact SUV with unbeatable value for money. It appeals to families and technology enthusiasts, especially if limited boot space is not an issue for you, and if you want an ultra-modern SUV priced under ₹15 lakh.