When Mahindra decided to give the XUV300 a makeover, they didn’t just change the bumpers; they changed its soul. Now rebranded as the Mahindra XUV 3XO, this isn’t just a facelift—it’s a declaration of war on the sub-4-meter segment.
With an aggressive entry price of ₹7.49 Lakh (ex-showroom), the 3XO aims to disrupt the dominance of the Tata Nexon and Maruti Brezza. It brings segment-first features like a panoramic sunroof and Level 2 ADAS to a price point that was previously unthinkable. But does it actually deliver on the pothole-ridden streets of Mumbai or the open stretches of the Yamuna Expressway? Let’s find out.
Mahindra XUV 3XO in Deep Forest Green being driven on a scenic Indian mountain road.
QUICK SPECS TABLE
Feature
Details
Engine Options
1.2L Turbo Petrol (TCMPFi / TGDi) & 1.5L Diesel
Max Power
129 BHP (Petrol TGDi) / 115 BHP (Diesel)
Max Torque
230 Nm (Petrol) / 300 Nm (Diesel)
Transmission
6-Speed MT, 6-Speed AT (Torque Converter), 6-Speed AMT
Boot Space
364 Litres
Ground Clearance
201 mm
Fuel Tank
42 Litres
EXTERIOR DESIGN & ROAD PRESENCE
The XUV 3XO looks polarising, and that’s a good thing. It has moved away from the “boxy” look to a more futuristic, EV-inspired aesthetic.
The Face: The new C-shaped LED DRLs and the piano-black grille give it a wide, menacing stance. It looks much larger in your rearview mirror than it actually is.
The Silhouette: While the side profile remains similar to the old XUV300, the new 17-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels fill the arches beautifully.
The Rear: This is where the magic happens. The “Infinity” LED light bar connecting the tail lamps makes the car look ultra-premium at night.
Does it turn heads? Absolutely. Especially in the ‘Deep Forest’ or ‘Nebula Blue’ shades, it commands a level of road presence that rivals like the Venue or Sonet struggle to match.
Mahindra XUV 3XO parked on a clean asphalt road with a modern glass building in the background.
INTERIOR, COMFORT & FEATURES
Step inside, and you’ll realize Mahindra has benchmarked the XUV700. The cabin feels “segment-above.”
Dashboard & Tech
The 10.25-inch twin-screen setup (Infotainment + Digital Cluster) is slick. The dashboard uses soft-touch materials with white stitching, which is a massive upgrade over the hard plastics of the past. However, the white upholstery is a nightmare for Indian conditions—keep those microfibre cloths handy!
Space & Comfort
Rear Seat: The 2600mm wheelbase is the largest in its class. This means you can actually fit three adults in the back without them becoming best friends against their will.
Missing Features? While it gets ventilated seats and a 360-degree camera, it surprisingly misses out on a powered driver’s seat.
The “Big” Feature
The Panoramic Sunroof (Skyroof) is a game-changer. It makes the cabin feel airy and is a massive USP for the Indian “sunroof-obsessed” buyer.
Wide-angle interior shot of the Mahindra XUV 3XO dashboard.
ENGINE PERFORMANCE & DRIVING DYNAMICS
Mahindra has always been about engines, and the 3XO is no different.
City Drive: The steering is incredibly light in ‘Zip’ mode, making it a breeze to park in tight spots. The 1.2L TGDi petrol is punchy; the moment you tap the throttle, the 129 BHP kicks in, making gap-finding in traffic effortless.
Highway Drive: At 100-120 kmph, the 3XO feels planted. There is very little body roll for an SUV of this height. The 6-speed Torque Converter (AISIN) is smooth, though not as lightning-fast as a DSG.
Suspension: This is the 3XO’s superpower. The suspension absorbs potholes easily, staying composed even over those nasty expansion joints on flyovers.
SAFETY: THE UNCOMPROMISED PRIORITY
Mahindra doesn’t play around with safety. The XUV 3XO comes with:
6 Airbags as standard across all variants.
Disc Brakes on all four wheels (another segment first).
5-Star Bharat NCAP Rating: It has been officially rated 5 stars for both adult and child protection.
Level 2 ADAS: Features like Autonomous Emergency Braking and Lane Keep Assist actually work quite well on marked Indian highways.
REAL WORLD MILEAGE (The Truth)
Don’t just go by the ARAI numbers. Here is what you will actually see on your MID:
Fuel / Engine
ARAI Claimed
City (Real World)
Highway (Real World)
Petrol (TGDi) AT
18.2 kmpl
10 – 11 kmpl
15 – 16 kmpl
Petrol (TCMPFi) MT
18.8 kmpl
12 – 13 kmpl
17 – 18 kmpl
Diesel MT
20.6 kmpl
15 – 16 kmpl
21 – 22 kmpl
THE COMPETITION: 3XO vs NEXON vs BREZZA
Feature
Mahindra XUV 3XO
Tata Nexon
Maruti Brezza
Power (BHP)
129 (Best)
118
102
Safety
5-Star B-NCAP
5-Star B-NCAP
4-Star (Old Rating)
Sunroof
Panoramic
Single Pane
Single Pane
Rear Space
Excellent
Good
Decent
Winner (VFM)
XUV 3XO
Tata Nexon
Maruti Brezza
VFM Verdict: If you want features and power, the 3XO wins. If you want the peace of mind of a massive service network and resale value, the Brezza is still king.
FINAL VERDICT
Buy it if:
You want the safest car in the segment.
You love tech and want a Panoramic Sunroof on a budget.
You need a comfortable 5-seater for family trips.
Skip it if:
You need a massive boot (364L is okay, but Nexon is better).
You are terrified of keeping white interiors clean.
You want a fuel-sipper (the Turbo Petrols are thirsty).
Senior Journalist Score: 8.5/10
FAQs (People Also Ask)
What is the on-road price of Mahindra XUV 3XO?
Depending on your city, it ranges from ₹8.5 Lakh to ₹18.5 Lakh.
Is there a CNG option available?
Currently, no. Mahindra is focusing on Petrol and Diesel. If you want CNG, look at the Maruti Brezza or Tata Nexon.
What is the waiting period for the AX5 and AX7 variants?
Due to high demand for the panoramic sunroof versions, the waiting period is currently 2 to 4 months depending on the city.
Garima Thakur is the founder of Udaan eBike and an automobile/EV content writer. He shares simple, research-based insights on electric bikes, scooters, motorcycles, and cars to help Indian buyers choose the right vehicle with confidence.