We like
Quiet and roomy cabin; spacious boot; mid-range engine torque; competitive pricing and aftersales support; well sorted ride/handling balance; sensible ADAS calibration

Room for improvement
Climate control quirks; plasticky interior; poor headlight performance; lacks some safety equipment; fuel consumption misses the mark; poorly placed tailgate release

Overview

 

INDIAN car manufacturer Mahindra has launched its keenly anticipated XUV 3XO compact SUV into the Australian market this week offering competitive pricing against segment rivals from China, South Korea and Japan.

 

Priced from $23,490 driveaway in entry-grade AX5L format and from $26,490 driveaway for the flagship AX7L until August 31 – and $500 more from September 1 – the Mahindra XUV 3XO vies against segment rivals including the Hyundai Venue (from $24,750 plus on-road costs), remaining Mitsubishi ASX stock (from $26,740 + ORC), GWM Haval Jolion and MG ZS (both from $26,990 d/a) and Chery Tiggo 4 (from $23,990 d/a).

 

Equipment highlights for the Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5L include dual 10.25-inch instrumentation and infotainment screens, cloth upholstery, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, six-speaker sound, 16-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry and ignition, dusk-sensing headlights, a sunroof, self-dimming rear-view mirror, wireless phone charging pad, rear parking sensors, and a 360-degree camera system.

 

The top-spec XUV 3XO AX7L adds 17-inch alloy wheels, a seven-speaker harman/kardon audio bundle, cooled glovebox, panoramic Skyroof, soft-touch leatherette upholstery, LED front fog lights, front parking sensors, and a 65-watt USB-C fast charger.

 

In addition to a body constructed of 45 per cent ultra-high-strength steel, the XUV 3XO offers standard safety features including six airbags, adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go, autonomous emergency braking, high beam assistance, lane departure warning and lane keeping assistance, traffic sign recognition, tyre pressure monitoring, and both ISOFIX and top-tether child-seat anchorages.

 

Based upon the previous-generation SsangYong (KGM) Tivoli – and the Indian market XUV 300 – the Mahindra XUV 3XO is said to be 80 per cent all-new and features its own sheetmetal and powertrain.

 

The latter is a turbocharged 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol producing 82kW at 5000rpm and 200Nm between 1500-3500rpm. Drive is to the front wheels via an Aisin six-speed torque converter automatic transmission.

 

Operating on 95 RON premium unleaded, the combination is said to deliver a combined-cycle fuel consumption figure of 6.5 litres per 100km with CO2 emissions of 137 grams per kilometre. Fuel tank capacity is listed at 42 litres.

 

The Mahindra XUV 3XO rides on a Macpherson strut front / torsion beam rear suspension arrangement offering ground clearance of 201mm. Braking is via four-wheel discs. No towing capacity is provided.

 

With over 70 dealerships nationally, the Mahindra XUV 3XO is backed by a seven-year/150,000km warranty with included roadside assistance and a six-year/85,000km capped-price servicing program the importer says equates to just two cents per kilometre over the seven-year period.

 

The initial service interval is set at 12 months or 10,000km (whichever comes first) and costs $279. Subsequent schedule servicing intervals are 12 months or 15,000km (whichever comes first) with total pricing over the six-year period totalling $1994 – or 17 per cent less than the average cost of vehicle servicing in the segment.

 

Driving Impressions

 

There is a lot to like about the Mahindra XUV 3XO, particularly if you value sensible packaging, logical ADAS calibration, and a ride/handling balance that doesn’t leave your fillings on the side of the road.

 

Lately, we’ve found too many compact SUVs crash and bang over Australia’s poorly maintained roads, particularly in country areas where surface discrepancies are often matched by changing corner radii and undulating topography. Driving a car that takes such conditions in its stride is rare – driving one that’s enjoyable at the same time, even rarer.

 

In fact, we can’t remember the last time we referred to a car in this segment being ‘enjoyable’ to drive… which says a lot about the direction in which vehicle design is headed. Many manufacturers are so obsessed with ticking boxes and moving upmarket that they forget that some of us enjoy our time at the ‘wheel.

 

We tested the XUV 3XO is abysmal conditions on launch. Heavy rain left not only large amounts of standing water on the road, but in some instances, water flowing from one side to the other.

 

Through it all, the XUV 3XO never lost its grip, cornering accurately and providing excellent levels of body control, all the while delivering terrific bump absorption.

 

The ADAS technologies also showed their worth here, intervening as necessary and with few signs or nervousness or error.

 

The cabin is appreciably quiet, offering decent accommodation levels in four of the five seating positions. The seating is comfortable, and offers decent support, though we found the ergonomics a little hard to warm to.

 

That said, outward visibility is excellent, the high-end camera technology almost feeling like an afterthought in a model with such a commanding view.

 

Taking a closer look at the cabin, we were disappointed to find the dashboard and switchgear is less polished that the rest of the vehicle.

 

The décor feels dated here, the infotainment screen lacking the clarity of some models at this price point, the blind spot camera image likewise rather dull. Perhaps it’s here that corners are cut in delivering such strong equipment levels for the asking price…

 

But like the ride and handling combination, there feels to be no corners cut in offering good performance. While the XUV 3XO won’t win any prizes at the traffic light Olympics, it’s healthy mid-range torque provides ample pace for city and country driving alike, the unit cooperating well with the six-speed auto to deliver respectable results.

 

It’s a characterful engine, too; and while not as raucous or as some three-cylinder units that come to mind, has a charming warble under throttle that seems to suit the vehicle’s assertive stance. A shame then fuel economy is a ho-hum 6.5 litres per 100km.

 

While some of the journalists on launched spoke of irregularities in steering response, the vehicle we sampled felt well assisted and reasonably direct. In terms of outright feedback, it might want for more, but as a city-sized SUV we feel the steering is right on the money, particularly when it comes time to park.

 

Importantly, the XUV 3XO does lack a couple of safety items we have come to expect as standard. There’s no centre airbag, for example, and the absence of blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert may see it lose a few ANCAP stars.

 

Understand, though, the vehicle has performed very well in crash testing conducted elsewhere, scoring a five-star result against Bharat NCAP criteria, with 29.36 from a possible 32 points in the Adult Occupant safety category and 43.00 from a possible 49 points in the Child Occupant safety category.

 

Having recently driven the Chery Tiggo 4, it’s tough to decide which vehicle we like more… Sure, the Chinese newcomer offers a better level of fit and finish and ticks more equipment boxes than its same-priced Indian counterpart, but it’s also a rather nervous vehicle when forced to rely on its ADAS instincts.

 

It’s also clear the Mahindra is quieter and more enjoyable to drive, which in our books still means a great deal – as we’re sure it does for other buyers, too.

 

While this isn’t a direct comparison, of course, it’s a point that raises a significant question on what matters most when it comes time to buy.

 

Given the identical price and oh-so-close equipment lists, the strong-selling Chery might just be ready to face some strong competition in the form of the Mahindra XUV 3XO… let’s see if Australian buyers feel the same way.