Mahindra XUV300 is a breath of fresh air

Mahindra XUV300 is a breath of fresh air

Mahindra launched its XUV300 compact SUV in 2019 and it would be safe to say it satisfied Mahindra’s hopes for the car in the local market.

Rajesh Gupta, CEO of Mahindra South Africa, was very upbeat about the XUV300’s prospects at its launch in May 2019.

“The XUV300 was launched in India in February 2019 and has already generated over 26 000 bookings in this hotly contested market – which is roughly equal to the total size of the compact SUV market in South Africa. “The success of XUV300 can be attributed to its combination of style, dynamic driving performance and a high specification level. If the local interest in this new model is anything to go by, it will soon become one of Mahindra South Africa’s top-selling models as well.

“South Africans love the combination of a high-driving position, bold styling and functionality that SUVs offer and the XUV300 offers this in a bold and dynamic package with a list of features and specifications that are not offered as standard on many vehicles in this segment,” Gupta said at the time.

And today, five years later, it is still difficult to argue with that.

We got the opportunity to drive the W4 SE version, the entry level model. Although, the term “entry level” is a little misleading. The W4 SE has power steering, electric windows, speed control, and a very fancy seven-inch infotainment centre that includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The only features missing are a sunroof, leather seats, and a reverse-view camera – although it does have park-distance control.

The XUV300 has what Mahindra calls a squat stance, with its 2,6-metre wheelbase in a body that is just short of four metres. Mahindra says this stance is further enhanced by wide and bold wheel arches and width of 1,821m. this sounds small, but it offers ample interior space for the driver and passengers, with enough head and shoulder room for adult occupants. Mahindra says it can seat three adult passengers in the second row, but it would not be very comfortable.

The XUV300 is available in two engine choices – although the diesel is reserved for higher-specification versions. The first is a three-cylinder 1,2-litre turbo-charged petrol engine, that delivers 81kW at 5 000 r/min and 200 Nm between 2 000 r/min and 3 500 r/min.

The W6, W6 SE and W8 variants are also available with a four-cylinder 1,5-litre turbodiesel engine that delivers 85,8 kW at 3 750 r/min and 300 Nm in a flat band between 1 500 r/min and 2 500 r/min. All versions of the XUV300 are equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox that drives the front wheels.

At the time of the launch, Gupta said that both the engines had been subjected to extensive stress-testing at the Gerotek proving grounds before being launched on the market.

The thick-rimmed steering wheel has a pleasant feel to it but has none of the fancy controls on it – a luxury that we have almost gotten used to. The instrumentation is clear and easy to read at a glance.

The XUV300 also has a new Smart Steering system. Controlled with a button below the infotainment system, the Smart Steering system allows the driver to change the steering feel between Comfort mode, which allows you to negotiate urban traffic with ease, a Normal everyday mode and Sport, with the latter offering a weightier and more responsive steering feel for a more thrilling drive experience. I must admit that I missed this completely, but I did see that it was in its Sport setting and did not feel heavy at all. The feedback is positive and there is no hesitation in placing the car on the road.

The luggage compartment can be extended both vertically, with the option of three height settings for the luggage floor and horizontally by folding the rear seats forward in a 60:40 configuration.

The Mahindra XUV300 W4 SE is like a breath of fresh air. It is unpretentious, offers excellent value for money, and delivers everything it promises. It is a delightful car and we enjoyed it immensely.

As tested, the XUV300 W4 SE costs R287 999. This includes a five-year / 150 000 km warranty and five-year / 90 000 km service plan and 24/7 standard Roadside Assistance.

Test vehicle supplied by Mahindra Nelspruit. Contact them on 013 755 5024 or via email.