Mahindra XUV 3XO First Drive Review – The Premium Quotient!

Almost halfway into 2024, Mahindra is giving XUV300 a major update in the form of a facelift. Changes are so profound, that this facelift almost feels like a whole new generation. Also adding to that effect is a new name. This is not XUV3 “O” “O” anymore. Ladies and gentlemen, say hello to the new Mahindra XUV 3X “O”.

At the media drive event, we sampled top-spec AX7L with TGDi 1.2L 130 PS powertrain mated to an all-new Aisin-sourced torque converter gearbox. Mahindra calls XUV 3XO “The New Disruptor” and is set to take on its prior rivals like Tata Nexon, Maruti Suzuki Brezza, Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet, Nissan Magnite and Renault Kiger. Even though XUV 3XO is a major upgrade over the XUV300, we felt the car is almost there to perfection. Here’s why.

For starters, Mahindra has got the pricing right. They range between Rs. 7.49 lakh for base variant going all the way to Rs. 15.49 lakh for the most expensive variant. Trim hierarchy takes a similar approach to Mahindra XUV700’s. We now have MX1 at the base level, MX2, MX2 Pro, MX3, MX3 Pro, MX5, AX5, AX5L, AX7 and AX7L. Powertrain options include the same 1.2L Turbo Petrol and 1.5L Turbo Diesel mated to both manual and automatic gearbox options.

If you’re not living under a rock, you must have seen an XUV300 around you by now. XUV 3XO gets an all-new fascia. This is a lot wilder and a lot meaner than what XUV300 aspired to look. We have reservations about car’s grill with vertical slats, but everything else falls into place nicely. Mahindra has taken design inspiration for the fascia from its upcoming BE and XUV.e range of vehicles. There is no split headlight design with XUV 3XO and lighting elements are vertically laid out in a massive housing. This is a breath of fresh air as most OEMs are offering split headlights with sleek horizontal DRLs.

Twin Peaks logo sits proudly in the centre. We like interesting patterns on the grill and bumper. XUV 3XO’s DRLs take a C-shaped theme and extend to almost half of the fascia vertically. Illumination is taken care of by LEDs, backed by projectors for low beam and reflectors for high beam. There are no fog lights. Hence the question of cornering lights just flew out of the