Long-term test introduction: Mahindra XUV300 Diesel W8 manual
Driver: Marius Boonzaier
Locally introduced in May 2019, South Africa was the first country (outside of India, that is) to receive the XUV “three double O” (yes, that is the correct pronunciation); a clever decision, considering our market’s ever-increasing preference towards crossovers. Slotting in between the firm’s popular city crossover – the KUV100 – and XUV500, the XUV300 was tasked with attracting more buyers into Mahindra showrooms.
In the first month, the newcomer accounted for 37% of Mahindra South Africa’s passenger-car sales, with 124 XUV300s leaving showroom floors. By December, the latest addition to Mahindra’s six-strong passenger-car line-up would contribute to nearly 30% of total sales.
Viewed alongside the recorded sales figures of comparable and already established crossovers, the number of XUV300s sold may fall on the lower end of the spectrum. However, in the context of Mahindra South Africa, the XUV300 did achieve what it was tasked to do: it made a strong first impression. When road tested in the August issue of that year, the CAR team lauded the top-spec XUV300 for its generous amount of standard specification, punchy and frugal turbodiesel engine and its exterior packaging.
Dressed in Dynamic red, a box-fresh top-of-the-range XUV300 arrived at the CAR garage for a long-term road test and, as it is aimed at a young, aspirational buyer demographic, the key fob was rather fittingly handed to the youngest member of the CAR team.
The most notable feature of the XUV300 as it entered the dimly lit car park is its vertically mounted daytime-running lights. Likened to the tear lines of a cheetah, the DRLs lend the boxy crossover a striking appearance. Replete with the bright body hue and 17-inch alloys, the XUV300 looks good and garnered a fair amount of attention on its first day in our long-term test fleet.
Opening the door (keyless entry and start are standard fitment on W8 models), I was welcomed with a jingle. The cabin is airy, thanks to the sunroof and light-coloured upholstery. It is well equipped in terms of infotainment and safety, with screen-mirroring functionality, among others, and a total of seven airbags, plus a full-size spare wheel, as standard.
Almost as soon as the Mahindra had arrived, I had a road trip planned. I’m attending a friend’s wedding in Baardskeerdersbos and am looking forward to making full use of the 1,5-litre turbodiesel’s 300 N.m of torque, cruise control and, as a road trip is not complete with good tunes, the standard-fitment Apple CarPlay.
We like:
Striking exterior design; generous spec; punchy engine
We dislike:
Lack of automatic transmission; small luggage compartment