Mahindra XUV300: With so many compact SUVs on the market, the trick is to stand out. But that’s what Mahindra’s XUV300 does — and it doesn’t do it by yelling the most or wearing the gaudiest clothes.
It derives its appeal from an appealing combination of rugged personality, pleasing performance and sensible features that actually enhance the driving experience.
Hyundai Venue: The XUV300 is the result of Mahindra’s global aspirations, and is underpinned by the same platform as that of the SsangYong Tivoli, which, although Korean, has European roots and sedulously parsimonious packaging that hails from India. The result? A small SUV with an underlying sophistication, strength, and unexpected premiumness, but still with Mahindra’s boldness it’s famous for.
Unique and Elegantly Bold Design
The XUV300 doesn’t ape its competitors, it has its own identity. The front looks mean and moody with a large grille, razor sharp LED DRLs that slice into the bumper like sabres and a large muscular stance. It’s got flared wheel arches, crisp shoulder lines and big rear to show off a mature but sporty profile.
At sub-four metres, the XUV300 appears really well-proportioned and meaty. It’s a design that would attract both young buyers seeking flair and families seeking something more sophisticated.
When you choose Patriot you get great engine options to choose from.
There are two torquey engines under the quillas - a turbo-petrol 1.2-litre and a diesel 1.5-litred unit from Mahindra. Both engines are some of the strongest in this segment. The turbo-petrol generates 110 PS and 200 Nm, and the diesel is a stunner offering 117 PS and a meaty 300 Nm.
Weather you are edging through rush hour traffic or overtaking on the highway, the XUV300 feels sure-footed and responsive. The 6-speed manual is a sweet shifter, and the AMT (only available with the diesel) doesn’t throw the gears around too awkwardly in daily use.
The plain side of car is refinement, which is better now (specially in the petrol) that allows you enjoy a more silent and relaxed drive.
Cabin Comfort and Features
Step inside and the dual-tone interior is a nicely put together place to be. The dash design is uncluttered and the controls are easy to access. It may not be a particularly flashy design, but it’s serviceable and fuss-free.
What is really impressive is the space in the cabin. Rear seat legroom and shoulder space is good in spite of its small size, the XUV300 is. The front seats are supportive and visibility is excellent all around, good for both city commuting and longer road trips.
Space for luggage is on the small side with just 257 litres of boot space, which could be an issue for those who travel regularly or families.
Loaded with Safety and Tech
The XUV300 is not light on features. Higher-spec versions feature a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system (DiaSmart 2.5) that is Android Auto and Apple CarPlay-compatible, climate control, cruise control and three driving modes that adjust steering resistance (Comfort, Normal and Sport).
But the real trump card? Safety. The XUV300 received an impressive 5-star Global NCAP rating for adult protection – one of the safest cars in its category.
You get as many as 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, disc brakes on all four wheels, front parking sensors and more. That’s some serious dedication to safety, particularly at this price point.
Pros:
Your Choice of Engine Power is a beautiful thing, especially when you can have it all and still have an engine that’s absolutely tuned to your personal use.
Best-in-class safety with 5-star crash test rating
Oversided, roomy interior
Exceptional array of features, including steering modes
Extremely nice ride and quite stable at high speed
Big tyres and wheels with compact dimensions.
Cons:
Bootspace could be limited by rivals
AMT seems lazy at high revs while accelerating.
Lack of a complete digital instrument cluster
Some interior design appears old-fashioned
Mahindra XUV300 Final Thoughts: Good Value and Safe Bet
The Mahindra XUV300 isn’t just trying to seduce you with its looks or gimmicks. Instead, it zeroes in on what’s truly important — performance, safety, comfort, and utility.
For those with an inclination towards good engineering, high safety levels, and real-world usability, the XUV300 is a good option.
It might not be the biggest-booted, most sci-fi-dashed offering of its size, but that’s okay because Ford makes up for all that by offering a truly enjoyable driving experience wrapped in a solidly made, confidence inspiring package.
If you’re in the market for small SUV that looks good on paper and in real life, the XUV300 has to be near the top of your short list.
