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Mahindra XUV 3XO Review - A Matter Of Xs and Os
SUV specialist Mahindra is in the middle of reinventing itself as it looks to make the switch to EV power. However, before that switch is turned on, the firm still has a few arrows in its quiver that need a bit of a refresh.
One of Mahindra's utility vehicles that was most in need of a refresh was the XUV 3OO. However, just a simple refresh wasn't something that the Mumbai-based firm was keen on and they reinvented their sub-4-metre SUV, rebranding the result as the Mahindra XUV 3XO.
So is the new Mahindra XUV 3XO an actual reinvention of Mahindra's compact SUV or is it just a refresh with a new nameplate? We got behind the wheel of the Mahindra XUV 3XO to find the answers...
Mahindra XUV 3XO Review: External Design - Front End Blooper
The Mahindra XUV 3XO's exterior design is where it stands out when compared to its predecessor - the XUV 3OO. And while the design is striking, it really isn't everyone's cup of tea.
The front end of the Mahindra XUV 3XO is what is dividing opinions and does leave us wondering if that was the reason it was kept away from all the pre-launch promotional material.
What Mahindra tried to do was take its flagship XUV 7OO's front end, put it in a copier and shrink it down to size. And while that may have looked cool on a sheet of paper, the result is so far away from being the prettiest face we've ever seen on any car in the world.
To be fair, the effort was there but the combination of the LED headlights and DRLs and the XUV 7OO's grille just don't gell well in the confined width of the XUV 3XO's front end. add in that gaping intake on the lower half of the bumper and you've got a face that looks either permanently surprised or constipated or maybe somewhere in between.
Thankfully the sides haven't been messed with and still look like they wouldn't offend anyone if they clapped eyes on the XUV 3XO from either side. What would catch their eyes, though, would be the new 17-inch alloy wheels, which may just be our favourite bit about this SUV's exterior.
The rear section of the XUV 3XO may just be its saving grace as it looks properly futuristic when viewed from this side. The blacked-out roof and spoiler gel well with the rear windscreen and the lightbar connecting the "Infinity" LED taillights to give the XUV 3XO's booty a rather futuristic vibe.
Mahindra XUV 3XO Review: Interiors & Features - A Good Step Forward
Once you manage to get inside the XUV 3XO's cabin, you'll find yourself forgetting all about the SUV's shocking exterior. The dark sections of the dashboard and door cards provide excellent contrast to the extremely serene vibes of the rest of the interior, which is finished in white.
The dashboard design and layout seem to have been directly lifted off the electric XUV 4OO and adapted for this dino-burning SUV and the final job has been quite nicely done. The dash continues to be dominated by the dual 10.25-inch displays for the infotainment and instrumentation.
The touchscreen unit for the infotainment system supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and comes connected to a 7-speaker Harman Kardon audio system that plays out your tunes rather nicely. The screen also plays host to Mahindra's Adrenox connected car setup that allows you to connect with command, and control your XUV 3XO.
Other highlights of the Mahindra XUV 3XO's interior include the largest-in-class sunroof (940mm * 870mm), first-in-segment features like the dual-zone climate control system with remote functionality and electronic parking brake. Other items on the feature list include a wireless phone charger, multiple Type A and Type C (up to 65W) USB charging ports, ambient lighting, a 360-degree surround camera, and leatherette upholstery for the seats.
In terms of safety, the Mahindra XUV 3XO gets an array of features including six airbags, four-wheel disc brakes, ABS with EBD, electronic stability control, ISOFIX child seat anchorage points and a Level 2 ADAS setup.
Mahindra XUV 3XO Review: Powertrain Options - More Of The Same With Added Auto
The Mahindra XUV 3XO carries over its predecessor's engine options. So you get the same three engines as before 1.2-litre MPFi petrol, 1.2-litre TGDi petrol, and the 1.5-litre mHawk diesel as the unchanged options on offer.
The base, 1.2-litre turbo petrol MPFi engine, pushes out 109bhp and 200Nm and is paired with either a six-speed manual (18.89km/l) or the new six-speed torque converter automatic (17.96km/l).
The 1.2-litre turbo petrol TGDi engine sends 129bhp and 230Nm to the front wheels and gets the same gearbox partners as the other petrol powerplant. In manual guise, it delivers a mileage of 20.10km/l while the automatic offers up to 18.20km/l.
The sole diesel engine is the 1.5-litre mHawk unit that delivers 115bhp and 300Nm to the front wheels with the help of 6-speed manual and AMT transmission options. In manual guise, the diesel delivers a claimed 20.60km/l while the AMT version offers a fuel economy of 21.20km/l.
Mahindra XUV 3XO Review: Driving Impressions - Zooming Fun
We were handed the keys to the top-spec AX7 L AT variant of the Mahindra XUV 3XO which came fitted with the 1.2-litre TGDi turbo-petrol engine with 128bhp and 230Nm on tap and the 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox.
The 3XO offers three driving modes - Zip, Zap and Zoom. Switching between the driving modes changes the response from the throttle pedal as well as the stiffness of the steering wheel.
Zoom is the most potent version with a crisp response from the throttle and a properly stiff steering wheel setup which weighs up quite nicely while still being light enough to switch between lanes in the city with ease.
The response from the TGDi turbo-petrol engine is quite a fun unit to drive and propels the 3XO from 0-60km/h in just 4.5 seconds and helps the SUV reach triple-digit speeds on the highway in double quick time.
At higher speeds, the new Mahindra XUV 3XO feels quite stable and coming to a halt from higher speeds is much easier (compared to the XUV 3OO) to do now thanks to the disc brakes fitted to all four wheels.
The suspension setup of the XUV 3XO is properly damped absorbing bumps and ruts with ease. However, it isn't so soft that when you take a hard turn in the 3XO, the compact SUV holds its line without too much issue.
Mahindra XUV 3XO Review: Final Thoughts & Verdict - A Case Of Xs And Os
Mahindra may claim that the 3XO is a brand-new vehicle for the Indian market, but the new SUV is more like the XUV 300 with a new face and rear end. However, once you get over that fact and the god-ugly front end, the Mahindra XUV 3XO sure feels like a good option in the extremely competitive sub-4-metre compact SUV market, though you do have to get the top-spec variants to enjoy it to its fullest.
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