After reading some positive post-launch reviews, I was eager to see what this compact SUV is all about. I spent a few days behind the wheel and while I do agree that this is the Indian marque’s best passenger vehicle, it is not without its faults. Here are five things I would like to point out.
1. It looks good
The styling reminds me of a few different other cars currently available on the market - everything from a Suzuki Vitara to a Kia Cerato. And that’s not a bad thing at all. The blacked-out A, B and C pillars give the impression of a floating roof, while angled headlamps, chiselled lines running up the bonnet, 17-inch diamond cut alloys and a short and stout rear end give this Mahindra a very modern and sporty look.
2. It has a strong engine
Under the bonnet is a very capable 1.5-litre turbodiesel unit with 86kW and 300 Nm. This is mated with a smooth shifting six-speed manual transmission. Together, it makes the XUV300 feel fast-ish.
Acceleration is quick and it’s easy to work your way through the gears to reach a cruising speed. Even in the higher gears, I didn’t feel this compact SUV struggle for power. There is also the option of a 1.2-litre petrol engine with 81kW and 200Nm of torque.
3. Standard features are a-plenty
Inside you will find a well-appointed cabin with leatherette seats, dual-zone climate control, three steering modes, a sunroof, a 17.78cm touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay screen share-ability, and Bluetooth, USB and AUX connectivity options. Present is also keyless entry and engine start, along with stop/start functionality.
I did end up switching the stop/start off though. I found that it made the car stall more times than what I’d like, and I didn’t like how when it starts up again, the lights go off for a second or two - it unsettled me driving on dark roads at night. In terms of safety spec, expect to feel well taken care of thanks to 7 airbags, disc brakes on all four wheels, ESP, parking sensors (including the front), fog lamps fore and aft plus Isofix anchorage points.
4. The seating position is uncomfortable
I could not find a comfortable seating position in this car, for a couple of reasons. The foot pedals are set deep in the footwell meaning a full clutch depress quite hard, meaning I needed to move the seat forward to be able to reach it, but then I found myself too close to the steering wheel. Yes, there is reach adjustment on the steering column, but it doesn’t push back quite far enough.
It was a case of choosing to be too close to the steering wheel or far from the clutch and reach it with tippy toes. I chose the latter most of the time, but some days I adjusted if it was too much and instead sat on top of the steering wheel. Those taller than me (I’m 1.52m) might find this not to be an issue at all.
5. There’s an annoying voice when you put it in reverse
When you engage reverse, there’s a loud male voice that basically asks if you need help with parking. I don’t remember his exact words, but he tells you what to do if you need help. Every. Single. Time. It is very annoying and quite startling because I always forgot that he was there. You can mute him, but then, you know, when you switch off the car, it resets and he’s back the next time you need to reverse.
Verdict
Overall, I enjoyed driving the Mahindra XUV300. My biggest annoyance was the seating position, but like I said, if you’re taller than I am (and most adults seem to be), then this won't be an issue for you.
The XUV300 retails for between R249 999 to R324 999, depending on the model you choose. All models come with a 5year/150 000km warranty, 5year/90 000km service plan and 5year/150 000km roadside assistance.
