Mahindra’s XUV 3XO has officially touched down in South Africa. Online editor, Alex Shahini, shares his thoughts after an exclusive pre-launch drive in the range-topping 1.2T AX7L AT.
Looking for your next new or used car? Find it here with CARmag!
Mahindra XUV 3XO 1.2T AX7L AT Fast Facts
- Price: R404 999
- Engine: 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine
- Transmission: 6-speed automatic
- Power: 82 kW @ 5 000 r/min
- Torque: 200 N.m @ 1 500 – 3 500 r/min
- Driven wheels: Front
- Fuel consumption: 6.5 L/100 km
- Emissions: 137 g/km
What are we driving and why is it significant?
In Mahindra’s eyes, South Africa has matured into a market that shares many similarities with its native India. The road conditions, impetus on value-for-money offerings and a keen interest in high levels of tech have resulted in ours bring the first market outside of India to receive the new XUV 3XO.
Sharing its SsangYong co-developed underpinnings with the XUV300 that it replaces, the 3XO (the O on the end of its name seen as a good luck charm after the success of models like the Scorpio) is another India-built product designed to fall within this market’s sub-four-metre-long segment. Despite this consession, the new car still features a 2 600 mm wheelbase for maximum use of interior space.
What’s new on the XUV 3XO?
A facelift of the XUV300, the 3XO introduces heavily revised exterior styling, including a fresh front bumper design incorporating the brand’s newest family logo and signature LED lighting that mimics the items introduced on the larger XUV700. Arguably the weakest point of the 300’s stance, the new car’s revised rear end introduces a more resolved design and fashionable LED light bar. The car is sold with a selection of 16- or 17-inch wheels, steel on the entry-level models and alloy on others.
An updated interior includes a refocus on material quality and even the entry-level MX2 model features nice-to-have specification like electric windows, air-conditioning with dedicated rear passenger vents, reverse sensors, a height-adjustable multifunction steering wheels and keyless entry. Standard throughout the range is stability control and a total of 6 airbags.
Included as you go through the spec grades is wireless mobile phone charging and pairing, online navigation, dual-zone climate control, a reverse camera, leatherette upholstery, tyre pressure monitoring and auto headlights and wipers. The flagship AX7L derivative introduces a panoramic sunroof, a Harmon Kardon audio system, front parking sensors, a ventilated glove compartment, a 65 W USB-C port and 360-degree surround camera system.
A nice touch is the inclusion of a new 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system on all but the entry-level derivatives, with this items matched with 10.25-inch digital instrumentation from mid-tier (AX5) examples upwards.
It’s interesting to note that for the time being the XUV 3XO is only available with a turbocharged 1.2-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine and choice of six-speed manual or Aisin-sourced six-speed automatic transmission. Offered in the India market is a more powerful (direct injection) example of this turbopetrol engine, as well as a 1.5-litre turbodiesel option. In our configuration, this powertrain delivers 82 kW and 200 N.m of torque to the front wheels exclusively. Mahindra claims 6.6 L/100 km for the manual and 6.5 L/100 km for the auto versions of this setup.
Related: Mahindra XUV 3XO Lands in SA – Pricing and Specification
The top two derivatives (exclusively available with an automatic transmission) offer Level 2 ADAS technology with 10 driving assistance and safety features.
What does the XUV 3XO cost?
- 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
MX badged models include a 3-year/55 000 km service plan, while AX derivatives gain a 5 year/100 000 km service plan. The warranty throughout remains fixed at 5-year/150 000 km.
What is the XUV 3XO like to drive?
The first order of business was tackling peak-hour highway traffic from the surroundings of OR Tambo International Airport. The 1.2-litre turbo triple proved a boon, propelling the lightweight package with minimal effort. Maximum torque is available from a low 1 500 r/min, a factor Mahindra claims helps this model shift from a standstill to 60 km/h in 4.6 seconds. For comparison purposes, the Opel Corsa with its 96 kW/230 N.m 1.2-litre, three-cylinder engine, tested in our October issue recorded 4.22 seconds for this same discipline.
Only testing the automatic derivative for the day, the 6-speed AISIN box proved well paired and tuned for the motor and conditions.
With limited time on the day’s schedule, the car’s Zip and Zoom driving modes were only used for short stints. As it says on the box, the default Zap mode offers the best balance between throttle and steering sensitivity and efficiency.
Navigating the suburbs is where the 3XO proved its mettle, its perky acceleration and diminutive stature conducive to manoeuvring narrow roads and parking areas. Benefiting from the fact that cars like this have their respective suspension tuning honed to cope with generally poor road surfaces in their home market, the 3XO is another India-built product that rides particularly well in South African conditions.
What are the XUV 3XO’s rivals?
The segment is cutthroat with affordability and value for money being the key to success. As a result, almost all rivals from other global automakers have outsourced manufacturing to India. While the entry-level XUV 3XO competes with the likes of the Nissan Magnite, Renault Kiger and new Hyundai Exter, this flagship model has an arguably tougher assignment going up against the likes of the Kia Sonet, Toyota Urban Cruiser, Suzuki Grand Vitara and even VW T-Cross.
Verdict
Mahindra’s well-publicised plans for global expansion include a considered repositioning of its SUV products, introducing a level of refinement and “boutique” character to its already established reputation for reliable powertrains and unbreakable underpinnings. Together with its larger XUV700 sibling, the new 3XO builds on this momentum with quirky exterior styling, an impressively refined turbopetrol drivetrain and compelling standard specification.
The sweet spot in the range appears to be the AX5 derivative, priced at R319 999 for the manual and R344 999 for the auto.
Click here and browse thousands of new and used cars here with CARmag!
