Mahindra XUV 300: Amidst the ratrace in the sub-4 metre SUV space, the XUV300 has managed to make a place for itself with its rugged engineering, a long list of upmarket features and solid safety credentials.
Being one of Mahindra’s leading contenders within the compact SUV space, the XUV300 is an embodiment of the brand’s promise to provide cars that are high on performance, comfort, and value.
Mahindra XUV 300: Design and Exterior
The XUV300 comes with aggressive design cues and has a dominating road presence. Its shoulder lines are bold, the hood is muscular and it’s closer to an SUV in shape than some rivals, such as the Hyundai Venue.
The front gets a big grille with projector headlamps (LED daytime runnings on the top-end model) and a shapely bumper with foglamps.
On the sides, the XUV300 gets flared wheel arches, a sloping roofline and blacked-out pillars, lending a coupe-like stance.
The top-spec variant receives dual-tone diamond-cut alloy wheels, the lower down trims are equipped with 16-inch steel wheels. But some detractors point out that the proportions of the car look a bit out of kilter because of alterations made to its original design.
The XUV300 comes in a choice of six colours, including Red Rage, Aquamarine, Dark Grey, DSat Silver, Napoli Black, and Pearl White.
Performance and Powertrain
The XUV300 presents a broad array of powerplants. The first engine is a 1.2-litre turbo charge petrol motor that produces 108.62 bhp and 200 Nm torque.
The second is also a powerful 1.5-litre diesel engine pumping out 115 bhp of power and 300 Nm of torque. Also on offer is a more specked-up TGDi 1.2-litre turbo-petrol unit that can produce 128 bhp and a maximum torque of 230 Nm.
These are offered with 6-speed manual as well as automatic transmission. The petrol manual returns a mileage of 18.24 kmpl, whereas the diesel manual offers a mileage of 20.1 kmpl.
The petrol automatic has a claimed fuel efficiency of around 16.5 kmpl and the diesel automatic gives a claimed fuel efficiency of 20 kmpl.
Its diesel version in particular is a revelation in efficiency, responsiveness and smoothness. Over a 250-km rural trip, test units have achieved fuel use as low as 6.5-litre/100 km, without making any conscious effort to drive economically.
Interior and Features
The XUV300’s interior is comes equipped premium and comfortable. The dual-tone (black and beige) interior looks upto date and stylish.
There are seats that are covered with high grade leather upholstery and also the front seats are well contoured and offer superior comfort and support even in long drives.
The dashboard is multi-layered, and there’s a good amount of visual appeal, although some versions now show their age compared to more recently refurbished rivals.
The centre console gets a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity to help you stay connected while on the go.
When it comes to comfort accessories, the XUV300 also come with automatic climate control and leather-wrapped steering wheel.
Some other features are:
Electric sunroof
Automatic climate control, dual-zone
Cruise control
Engine start/stop button
Bluetooth connectivity
Premium audio system
The W8 versions also get in-built navigation on the 7-inch touchscreen as well as a Bluesense app that interfaces with your Smartwatch or phone to track driving patterns and score you on your eco metrics.
Safety
The XUV300 is one of the safest cars to drive. The vehicle boasts of a 5-star crash test certification and it is offered with up to 6-airbags, ABS with EBD, reverse parking camera with sensors, all four disc brakes, speed alert system, ESP and hill hold assist.
These best in class safety features in turn add to it’s premium feel, and drivers and passengers alike will feel safe and secure in the knowledge that they will be protected.
Space and Practicality
A 5 seater SUV, the XUV300 weighs 3995 mm in length, 1821 mm in width, 1627 mm in height, and comes with a wheelbase of 2600 mm. It has 180 mm of ground clearance which is good enough for all road situations.
The XUV300 has lots of space and a lovely ride, but a relatively small boot compared to some rivals. That said, this isn’t necessarily a deal-breaker, and especially at the Kona’s attractive price points, so it’s worth a look if you’ll be the only one driving.
Competition and Positioning
The XUV300 competitors are Tata Nexon, Maruti Brezza, Hyundai Creta, Hyundai Venue, KIA Sonet, Maruti Grand Vitara, Maruti Fronx, Hyundai Exter, Maruti Suzuki Baleno, and Skoda Kylaq.
Mahindra has priced the XUV300 at a premium over competition including Ford EcoSport, Tata Nexon and Vitara Brezza citing it offers best-in-class safety and convenience.
Evolution to XUV 3XO
NB: It’s pretty bad form to write a review about a model car and not mention it was replaced this year with the XUV 3X0!
The XUV 3OO gets substantial updates, such as a new look, projector headlamps, 17-inch alloys, K&N air filter, 360-degree camera, and a fully digital instrument cluster with customisation for different screens.
The outgoing XUV300 and the 3XO, however, gets an updated interior with a new dashboard, improved upholstery and better quality materials that lend a more contemporary look.
Mahindra XUV 300:
For those looking for a feature rich vehicle in the sub-4 meter SUV space, which offers a peppy engine, the Mahindra XUV300 is a strong contender.
It might not win out versus its competition in every category, but its well-rounded mix of performance, features and value earns it a look.
The excellent safety reputation of the vehicle, driving comfort and powerful (read very powerful) engine options (namely the diesel) are aspects that still lure customers to the X5’s showroom.
For anyone seeking a subcompact SUV that does not gloss over the basics and has some upmarket bits as well, the XUV300 makes a convincing statement.
At a time when the market now has an XUV 3XO-derivative, the XUV300’s legacy as a game-changer that packed premium features and class-leading safety across the compact SUV category in India remains tossing behind.