Mahindra is moving very fast to open a huge distance between the days it used to be the laughing stock
of the South African SUV market to being one of the darlings in the market The XUV 3XO is the latest
model to show the Indian automaker’s real intention to be counted among the best. The model is
essentially an improvement on the XUV 300, but the work on the design and technical aspects is so
much that Mahindra introduced as a new make altogether, instead of a facelift of an existing model.
The 3XO differs completely from the 300 as it boasts a reworked suspension, a sharper styling, and a
much more comfortable interior. The new, eye-catching crossover from the Mahindra stable is a beautiful
city slicker and bold enough to take long-distance travel and country roads.
Interior
The XUV 3XO’s cabin boasts materials and finishes that are intentionally upmarket even, to move away
from Mahindra’s mindset to build buyable SUVs. With the 3X0, the company went with the attitude that
says “style costs”. The funky dashboard has a vertical design to make space for more buttons that offer
the driver easier options instead of fiddling with on-screen menus while driving.
While the lower derivatives are fitted with a 9-inch touchscreen, which is no ways inferior to the 10.25-
inch of the upper derivatives. The top 1.2T AX5 models have further convenience features such as a
wireless charging pad for cellphones, a USB-C and a fast-charging USB-A port, climate control and rain-
sensing windscreen wipers.
Related
The backseat area has sufficient legroom even for tall guys and further coolness at the back are air vents
for each passenger. The top-spec Other comfort and convenience features in the flagship model include
a wireless charging pad for your phone, a USB-C and a fast-charging USB-A port, a digital instrument
cluster, a panoramic sunroof, climate control, automatic lights and rain-sensing windscreen wipers, and a
360-degree surround view camera, along with a host of semi-autonomous driving features that we’ll get
to later on in this article.
While the top-spec model 1.2T AX5L AT has sports leatherette seats, the other models have cloth-
covered seats.
Performance
The 1.2-litre turbocharged powerplant delivers 82 kW and 200 Nm performance figures, for all three
driving modes, namely Zip, Zap and Zoom, which stand for more familiar Eco, Comfort and Sport modes.
The Zip mode is mostly suitable for daily commute, while others are options for long distance and
lifestyle. Mahindra has built the 3XO to accelerate from 0 to 60 km/h (note, not 100km/h) in 4.6 seconds,
and that is a great takeoff for an SUV. The 3XO is also kinder on fuel, with 6-litre per 100 km
consumption depending on factors such as traffic and gradient.
Safety is key in motoring, more so in South Africa where road accident figures are too high. The XUV
3XO has enhanced safety features such as Level 2 ADAS (advanced driver assistance systems) and
360-degree cameras with blind-spot monitoring.
Pricing
1.2T MX2 MT R254 999
1.2T MX2 AT – R274 999
1.2T MX3 MT – R274 999
1.2T MX3 AT – R294 999
1.2T AX5 MT – R319 999
1.2T AX5 AT – R344 999
1.2T AX5L AT – R374 999
1.2T AX7L AT – R404 999 (tested)
* MX models are sold with a 3-year/55 000 km service plan, while AX derivatives get a 5-year/ 100 000
km service plan. A 5-year/150 000 km mechanical warranty is included in the price of all models.
