Carshop First Drive: Mahindra XUV300 W8 1.5l Turbodiesel

I have just returned from the launch of the Mahindra XUV300, a compact SUV in the vein of a Suzuki Vitara. And I mention this rival car specifically for two reasons, firstly the Vitara is both familiar in Mzansi and secondly, in terms of styling the closest to the XUV300, especially around the rear end.

In profile you'll draw comparisons to the Hyundai Creta but it must also do battle with the Renault Duster and Ford Ecosport. I'm in a flagship W8 derivative with a 1.5l turbodiesel under the bonnet which makes 86kW and a punchy 300Nm. That's an impressive amount of torque, good as I'm pointing our red test car firmly at Franschhoek Pass.

That styling though

While obviously no rival, there are echoes of Volvo XC40 in the flank thanks in part to a stylish floating roof and that ever unique swollen hip line. There's a ton of contemporary styling cues here too such as projector lamps and vertically stacked LED daytime running lights.

The rear lamps, (reminiscent, again, of the Suzuki Vitara) are striking as are the 17-inch diamond cut alloy wheels, dual-tone roof rails and more.

Clamber aboard and it's more of the same, with a well-appointed cabin featuring leatherette seats, dual-zone climate control (with 3 memory settings), three steering modes and a sunroof.

For the technophiles and connected among us there's a 17.78cm touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay screen share-ability in addition to the usual array of Bluetooth, USB and AUX options. Also here, stop/start, push to start and keyless entry, also auto dimming headlamps, a 'tyre position' display, customizable (colour) instrument clusters plus an eco app that can talk to your smartphone and smartwatch.

Letting the side down marginally however is the wall to wall plastic that makes up most of the interior surfaces. Some soft touch materials would have gone a long way to break up the harshness but it’s hardly a deal breaker. The adjustable boot depth is a nice touch too and by now we haven’t even spoken about the safety features.

European Safety

'Class leading' or 'best in class' - these are the adornments of the safety catalogue, testimony to how far Mahindra has come with the XUV300. It features 7 airbags, disc brakes on all four wheels, ESP, parking sensors (including in front), fog lamps fore and aft plus Isofix anchors.

The sum of which is good for an apparent four-star NCAP equivalent rating. There are even tyre pressure monitors (including for the spare) heated folding mirrors (with led turn signals) and plenty nooks and crannies in the doors, and bins for all your carry-ons.

My verdict? It’s simple

This is the best passenger car Mahindra has ever made.

It took them a while but they've arrived here all the same, with a compact SUV that held up well on our 200km loop of the Cape. You can have yours in white, red or silver with one of two power plants; a 1.2l 3 cylinder petrol with 81kW and 200Nm or the one I've piloted with an inline 4cylinder 86kW and 300Nm 1.5l turbodiesel. Both come with 6 speed manual transmissions, available in either W6 (base) or W8 (our fully loaded test car) specification – as cheaply as R249,999 topping out at R324,999.

Further marks of distinction regarding W6 versus W8? The latter comes with the sunroof, leather seats vs fabric, W6 must make do with just 2 airbags, nor does is get electronic controls and that's about it. Still, both have fiercely competitive pricing for a car that now feels up to the task of taking on the might of the Pacific Rim. How will it fare? We'll have to see what the public decides.

Pricing:

All models come with a 5year/150 000km warranty, 5year/90 000km service plan and 5year/150 000km roadside assistance.