New Mahindra XUV 3XO: Let’s be honest – the old XUV300 wasn’t exactly winning beauty contests. The proportions felt a bit… off. Like someone tried squeezing a bigger SUV into a phone booth. But this new 3XO? Man, it’s like Mahindra’s designers finally got their mojo back.
The front end grabs your eyeballs with those C-shaped LED DRLs framing split headlamps that look downright angry. There’s something about that blacked-out grille with its mesh pattern that gives it a premium vibe without trying too hard. The overall effect is muscular but not overdone – kinda like that gym buddy who’s fit but doesn’t need to flex in every mirror.
The rear end shows the biggest transformation from its predecessor. That full-width LED light bar connecting the taillamps? Pure class. It’s the sort of design flourish you’d expect on something costing twice as much. The “XUV 3XO” lettering sprawled across the tailgate adds just the right amount of swagger.
New Mahindra XUV 3XO Cabin That Punches Way Above Its Price Tag
Step inside and you might wonder if you accidentally wandered into the wrong showroom. The dashboard design now echoes the XUV400 with dual 10.25-inch displays dominating your view – one for instruments, another for infotainment.
The materials feel surprisingly upmarket, with soft-touch surfaces where your hands naturally fall and leatherette seats that wouldn’t feel out of place in something German. Most impressive is how they’ve carved out decent space from a sub-4-meter footprint. Even six-footers won’t feel like sardines in the back seat.
What’s really striking is the attention to detail. The revised center console looks thoughtfully designed rather than just thrown together to check boxes. Wireless charging, clever storage solutions, and that panoramic sunroof (a segment first!) create an airy, premium vibe that’s honestly shocking at this price point.
Feature List That’ll Make Rivals Sweat
Mahindra’s gone absolutely mental with the goodies. That panoramic sunroof I mentioned? It floods the cabin with natural light and makes everything feel twice as spacious. Dual-zone climate control means no more thermostat wars between driver and passenger.
The 360-degree camera system is a lifesaver in tight spots, though the image quality could be sharper – especially at night. Ambient lighting adds a touch of nightclub glamour after dark. Wireless phone connectivity, rear AC vents, and a surprisingly thumpy sound system round out a package that puts many D-segment sedans to shame.
But perhaps the most jaw-dropping inclusion is Level 2 ADAS functionality – practically unheard of at this price point. We’re talking adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, autonomous emergency braking, and blind spot monitoring. Sure, it needs well-marked lanes to function properly, but c’mon – this is tech usually reserved for vehicles three times the price!
Safety Tech That’ll Help You Sleep At Night
Mahindra clearly isn’t messing around when it comes to crash protection. The XUV 3XO recently scored a full 5 stars in the Bharat NCAP crash tests, with impressive scores of 29.36 out of 32 for adult protection and 43 out of 49 for child protection.
Six airbags come standard across the range – none of that “pay extra to not die” nonsense some brands still pull. You also get electronic stability control, hill hold assist, and all-wheel disc brakes as standard equipment.
With a substantial 201mm ground clearance, the 3XO laughs at speed bumps and potholes that would make sedan owners wince. It’s the sort of SUV that gives you confidence on our less-than-perfect roads, especially during monsoon season.
Powertrains That Cover All Bases
Under the hood, Mahindra offers three distinct flavors to suit different tastes. The base 1.2-liter turbo-petrol makes a respectable 109bhp and 200Nm of torque – perfectly adequate for city duty and the occasional highway run.
If you’re after more grunt, the 1.2-liter GDi turbo-petrol bumps things up to 129bhp and 230Nm – making it the most powerful engine in its class. Highway overtaking becomes a breeze rather than a prayer.
Diesel fans get a 1.5-liter oil-burner generating 115bhp and a substantial 300Nm of torque – perfect for those long highway journeys where fuel economy matters. Transmission choices include a slick six-speed manual or a smooth-shifting six-speed torque converter automatic.
Pricing That Makes You Double-Check The Brochure
With prices starting at ₹7.99 Lakh for the base MX1 variant and topping out at ₹15.56 Lakh for the fully-loaded versions, Mahindra has covered every base from budget-conscious buyers to those wanting all bells and whistles.
The sweet spot in the lineup appears to be the AX5 variant, which brings most of the headline features without breaking the bank. Even the entry-level trims feel well-equipped compared to rivals, with Mahindra clearly positioning the 3XO as a value proposition despite its premium aspirations.
What’s impressive is how even at these prices, Mahindra hasn’t cut corners on build quality. Panel gaps are consistent, doors close with a reassuring thunk, and there’s none of that tinny feeling you sometimes get in this segment.
New Mahindra XUV 3XO Competition Should Be Looking Over Their Shoulders
The sub-compact SUV segment isn’t exactly lacking for options, with established players like the Maruti Brezza, Tata Nexon, and Kia Sonet all vying for a slice of this lucrative pie. Yet the XUV 3XO brings enough freshness and value to the table that competitors should be genuinely concerned.
In a market often accused of serving up half-baked products with feature lists designed to hit marketing bulletpoints rather than enhance ownership experience, the 3XO feels thoroughly thought-through. It’s as if Mahindra’s engineers actually spent time using their creation in real-world conditions before signing off on the final product.
The result is a compelling package that combines style, substance, technology and value in a way that few rivals can match. If Mahindra can keep up with production demands – current waiting periods stretch up to 3 months for some variants – they might just have a genuine game-changer on their hands.