Mahindra has always been a brand that manufactures BIG, BRAWNY & TOUGH SUVs. Ever since the debut of the Scorpio in 2002, they have impressed the SUV crazy Indians and with the XUV500’s introduction in 2011, they had almost owned the SUV market share. However on the other hand, Ford had introduced the Ecosport, thereby creating a fresh new segment known as the Sub-4m compact SUV segment. Since then Mahindra have tried to grab a piece of the success of this category with various attempts.

First they introduced the Quanto, a Sub-4m version of the Xylo MUV which even had couple side-facing seats in the boot, claiming it to be a 7-seat compact SUV. However, the car had numerous flaws with poor dynamics and quality. Later they introduced the TUV300, a brand-new boxy SUV with the same jump seats in the boot again, based on the new Scorpio’s platform. Though it was far original and better than the Quanto, it didn’t turn out to be a huge success as it simply lacked the smoothness and sophistication seen on the Ecosport. Being a ladder-frame based SUV also meant that it was heavy in the city. Later, the company also tried updating the Quanto by renaming it as the Nuvosport, but the obvious Xylo/ Quanto roots made sure that it also failed.

          In 2011, Mahindra & Mahindra had acquired majority share of the Korean UV manufacturer, SsangYong Motor and since 2017, they were working on a new sub-4m CSUV based on the globally successful SsangYong Tivoli. They needed a product that can attract urban buyers who were considering the Ford Ecosport, the best-selling Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza and the radical & tough Tata Nexon.

          Finally in 2019, the new XUV300 was launched, claiming segment besting performance, safety and features. Mahindra wanted to carry forward the success of the XUV500 into the CSUV segment and hence the name. The cheetah-inspired design also had been carried onto this new CSUV, befitting the branding.

          The XUV300 provided the following unique features on the top spec W8(O) variant:

• Electric sunroof
• Steering wheel modes
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• 17” alloy wheels
• All-wheel disc brakes
• 7 airbags
• Leather upholstery
• 3-point seatbelt for rear middle-seat passenger
• Auto headlamps/wipers
• Auto dimming IRVM
• Cruise control
• Heated ORVMs
• Front parking sensors
• Engine Start-stop system

    All these features and characteristics make up the strengths of the XUV300 which are as follows:

POSITIVES

1. The Looks: The Mahindra XUV300 stays true to the XUV branding by providing a wide & aggressive stance with the typical “Cheetah-inspired” design elements at the front. There are new large LED DRLs with sleek headlamp units and a lot of chrome detailing on the top-spec variants. The side character lines too, remind you of the XUV500 with the kink under the C-pillar. The LED tail-lamps are stunning to look at when they are turned on with both, the front and rear bumpers receiving a faux-metal skid-plate. Though the rear bumper looks truncated from certain angles, the overall proportions are almost spot-on and give the XUV300 a purposeful look. The W8 & W8(O) variants come with smart looking 17” alloy wheels, with only the W8(O) getting a dual tone design. Lower variants get only 16” steel rims with black grille. Additionally, the W8(O) also gets a dual tone roof color option.
2. Interior quality & ergonomics: The cabin of the XUV300 provides a generic layout with a curvy dashboard and smooth materials. All variants come with a Dual tone interior theme with impressive quality materials. Even the lower W4, W6 variants get some nice quality touches, with the robust feeling window and mirror switches, front armrest, headlamp & wiper stalks and soft-feel dash plastics. However only the top-spec variants get the faux-metal & piano-black finish along with leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear knob. Almost all the Buttons and switchgear are located where you would expect them to be. The W8(O) trim gets light colored leather seats which too are of impressive quality. The Sunroof adds to the cabin’s airiness.
3. Space & Comfort: The XUV300 being based on the larger Tivoli, carries forward it’s advantages too. The front seats are accommodating while the rear seats are spacious with ample knee and headroom. Seating three people abreast is not an issue with the middle seat headrest and 3-point seatbelt available on the W8(O) variant. Tilt adjustable steering wheel with a front center armrest is available as standard from the entry level W4 variant itself whereas a height adjustable driver seat is available from the W8 variant onwards. Rear seat armrests are available only from the W8 variant onwards as well. There are enough places to store bottles and other knick-knacks too.
4. Safety & build quality: The XUV300 has been awarded with a 5-star GNCAP rating for the top-spec variants; another benefit of the Euro-NCAP tested Tivoli body structure. The XUV300 provides more safety features than any other compact SUV. Following are the standard safety features across all variants:

• Dual airbags
• ABS with EBD
• ISOFIX child seat mounts
• All-wheel disc brakes
• Corner braking control
• Collapsible steering column
• Pre-tensioner front seatbelts
• Engine Immobilizer
• Rear parking sensors

The W8 variant offers the following additional features over the standard features:

• Electronic Stability Program
• Traction Control
• Hill Hold control
• Roll Over Mitigation
• Reverse camera
• Rear wash/wipe
• Front & rear fog lamps

The W8(O) offers the best safety package:

• 7 airbags
• Front parking sensors
• Rear middle-seat 3-point seatbelt with adjustable headrest
• Rear seatbelt alarm
• Heated ORVMs

1. Ride & Handling: The XUV300 is impressive in the Ride & handling department. The Suspension at the rear being a Twist-beam setup is very pliant and absorbent at low speeds and keeps the car planted with good stability at moderate higher speeds. The Electronic Power steering system is easy to twirl at city speeds in the Comfort mode, while being reasonably confidence-inspiring at higher speeds in the heavier Sport mode. The Normal mode is a setting in between the two.
2. Powertrains: The BS6 XUV300 comes with best in segment, powerful Turbo-petrol & Turbo-diesel engines. The 3 cylinder 1.2L Turbo petrol produces a Maximum power of 110PS with a Maximum torque of 200NM and is incredibly smooth and enjoyable. The 4cylinder 1.5L diesel produces 116PS and a whopping 300NM of torque! The XUV300 has been tuned with focus on performance and the midrange acceleration is really strong & linear with a wide powerband. The 6-speed manual gearbox has long throws, but acceptably slick while customers also have the option of a 6-speed Automated Manual transmission available on the Diesel W6, W8, W8(O) variants. The AMT too is impressively smooth and adequately responsive, while also being available with a manual mode.

While the XUV300 has its strong list of positives, it also has a few weaknesses, just like any other car.

NEGATIVES:

1. Boot space: Though the XUV300 is claimed to be a compact SUV, the available boot space of just 257L is smaller than even the Renault Kwid. However, Mahindra have provided with an adjustable boot floor and 60:40 split folding rear seats as standard across all variants to make up for this. Still, this is not the best car for the airport runs.
2. Cabin design: Although overall quality is impressive, the design and layout of the dashboard itself is a couple generations older. The design is rather generic and uninteresting with no stand-out element. Moreover the console for the Dual-zone climate control looks inspired by an old Nokia phone, with slim, orange colored buttons and an Orange-lit LCD display.
3. Missing essential features: The XUV300 misses out on a few features which are expected to be standard on all cars in today’s age. Features like a driver dead-pedal (for MT variants), Telescopic steering adjustment, a color MID display, cooled glovebox rear AC vents, Rear 12V charging socket, boot parcel tray and proper seat-back pockets are missing even on the top variants. The lower variants get a roof lamp only for the rear seats while the front passengers don’t. The entry level W4 diesel variant gets an audio system as standard, while the petrol W4 variant doesn’t.
4. Lack of a proper Auto transmission: Though the Diesel AMT works fine for almost everyone and every driving condition, only a proper Dual-clutch or torque converter transmission could satisfy those who are looking for a sophisticated driving experience. The Petrol variant lacks any type of automatic option.
5. Rear seat comfort: Though the rear seat is wide enough to easily accommodate 3 passengers, the seat itself lacks under-thigh support due to a short seat squab. The suspension also has a tendency to pitch on undulations at higher speeds. As a result, the XUV300 may not be the most comfortable car to be chauffeur-driven.
6. Fuel Efficiency: Even though being a compact SUV, the XUV300 is heavier than all its rivals. The Petrol variant itself weighs around 1300kg. Moreover, both the engines are tuned with maximum power and performance in mind. So, the XUV300 doesn’t score too well in the efficiency department. The Petrol is rated at 17kmpl and the diesel at 20kmpl, which puts it behind all its rivals.
7. Service: Like any brand, Mahindra also have their fair share of good customer-friendly dealers and not-so-good ones. We expect Mahindra to really tighten up their sleeves when it comes to service.

Conclusion: Mahindra as of now is a legendary SUV brand name in India and the XUV300 is a product of great importance to them. The pricing for this CSUV is quite optimistic on Mahindra’s part, to say it best. Prices for the Petrol manual range start from Rs.8.3L for the W4 variant and goes all the way up to Rs.11.8L for the W8(O) variant. The Diesel manual range starts from Rs.8.6L for the W4 and goes upto Rs.12.14L for the W8(O) whereas the Diesel AMT range starts from Rs.9.9L for the W6 AMT and goes upto Rs.12.7L for the W8(O) AMT. (Rs.16,000 extra for optional dual tone roof on the W8(O) variant). (All prices ex-showroom)

At this price, the XUV300 may be a bit expensive than its rivals, but it is a cool-looking, spacious, extremely safe, feature loaded Compact SUV which is also great on power ; A combination that makes it a good choice for younger buyers. It also can be a good secondary car for people having bigger, expensive options in their garage. To make the XUV300 a family all-rounder CSUV, it needs an updated interior design with more focus towards the rear seats and practicality.

When it comes to service, you can see more than a few dealerships improving drastically with stricter norms, but on the whole, Mahindra needs to work harder to improve the customer experience. Find a good dealer with good customer reviews and experienced personnel and you will be happy for years. As for the XUV300, it is easily the best Mahindra till date.