Indian buyers want two things from their compact SUVs: peace of mind and value. Mahindra read that memo and went all in. The Mahindra XUV 3XO, launched in April 2024 as a full-blown update to the XUV300, is built to be the most tech-forward and safety-loaded option you can buy around the Rs 8–16 lakh mark. It’s still under four meters, but the kit list reads like something from a segment above—Level 2 ADAS, 6 airbags standard, 360-degree cameras, and a panoramic sunroof that steals attention in the showroom.
Mahindra hasn’t treated this as a mild nip and tuck. It reworks the XUV300’s solid X100 platform, revises the suspension tuning, updates the cabin, and throws in a long roster of variants aimed at very different buyers. The result is a city-friendly crossover that wants to do highway duty without breaking a sweat, while staying sharply priced. And yes, it’s already on sale beyond India—South Africa got it in mid-2024, and Australia followed in July 2025.
Safety, tech, and dynamics: where the 3XO leans in
Safety is the headline. The 3XO comes with Level 2 ADAS in higher trims, bringing radar-based autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring into the subcompact mainstream. The 360-degree surround view system takes the edge off tight urban parking, and hill-hold plus hill-descent control help when you head out of town. All variants get 6 airbags, 3-point seatbelts everywhere, ISOFIX with top tether for child seats, and a new-gen ESC that steps in quickly but cleanly. It’s the kind of spec sheet you used to see on larger crossovers not long ago.
What about safety ratings? The XUV300, the 3XO’s predecessor, set the tone with a strong Global NCAP record for adult protection under the older protocol. The 3XO hasn’t published an updated Bharat NCAP or Global NCAP score as of now, but the equipment list and Mahindra’s recent focus on crash performance suggest the company is aiming high. Buyers shopping primarily for family safety will appreciate the focus on active and passive safeguards rather than just a number.
Under the bonnet, there are two engines and two transmission choices. The headline act is a 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol that makes a strong 128.7 bhp at 5,000 rpm and 230 Nm between 1,500–3,750 rpm. That torque spread matters in day-to-day traffic—it pulls cleanly from low revs and shrugs off short gaps in traffic. The diesel, a 1.5-litre unit, is tuned for around 115 hp at 3,750 rpm and a chunky 300 Nm between 1,500–2,500 rpm. Highway commuters and long-distance drivers will like the diesel’s relaxed cruising and easy overtakes.
Both engines can be had with a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic sourced from Aisin. The automatic isn’t a cost-cutting AMT; it’s a torque converter, and it shows in the way it takes off, shifts, and creeps in traffic. For buyers fed up with jerky low-speed behavior in budget automatics, this is a big plus. Mahindra also says the front-wheel-drive setup is tuned to suppress torque steer—and it feels like that on paper, backed by a stated 0–60 km/h time of 4.6 seconds for the turbo-petrol, which is brisk for the class.
The chassis hardware sticks to a proven package: a McPherson strut setup up front with an anti-roll bar, and a torsion beam at the rear with coil springs. The direction is clear—soak up bad roads, keep it tidy in corners, don’t punish the family. The turning radius of 5.3 metres is city-friendly, and the 201 mm ground clearance is generous for speed breakers, monsoon puddles, and broken village stretches. Drivers switching up from hatchbacks will feel the additional confidence without battling a bulky footprint.
Fuel economy, as always, depends on engine, gearbox, and how you drive. The ARAI figures span roughly 17.96–20.6 km/l across variants. Mahindra quotes about 5.3 L/100 km for the manual petrol and 5.5 L/100 km for the auto in ideal test conditions. Real-world numbers will sit lower, but the tall gearing and the diesel’s torque mean long-haul efficiency should be a strong suit.
Dimensions matter when you pack a family and their bags. The 3XO measures 3,990 mm long, 1,821 mm wide, and 1,647 mm tall (with roof rails). A 2,600 mm wheelbase helps legroom in the back, and the boot holds 364 litres—enough for a regular airport run or a weekend road trip without Tetris-level planning. The 42-litre fuel tank is par for the class, balancing range and weight.
Inside, the update is obvious. Soft-touch trim on the dash and door pads lifts the cabin beyond the budget feel you sometimes get in this segment. The panoramic sunroof is the showstopper—Mahindra claims it’s the largest in the class—and it adds a sense of space even on overcast days. Dual 10.25-inch screens handle infotainment and the driver’s cluster. Wireless charging, dual-zone climate control, and a clean control layout tell you Mahindra paid attention to the basics. You don’t need to dig through submenus to adjust fan speed or toggle key safety features.
Not everyone wants the same spec, and Mahindra’s variant spread reflects that. The MX Series (MX1 to MX3 Pro) keeps costs accessible while covering essentials. The AX Series (AX5, AX5 Luxury, AX7, AX7 Luxury) dials up comfort and tech; the AX7 Luxury is the one with the full ADAS suite and that sunroof many shoppers ask for first. Then there’s the REVX Series—REVX M, REVX M(O), and REVX A—geared toward buyers chasing the sportier feel with the turbo-petrol and a punchier feature mix.
For quick reference, here’s how it stacks up at a glance:
- Engines: 1.2L turbo-petrol (128.7 bhp/230 Nm); 1.5L diesel (~115 hp/300 Nm)
- Gearboxes: 6-speed manual; 6-speed Aisin torque-converter automatic
- Safety: 6 airbags standard, ESC, ISOFIX with top tether, 360-degree camera, ADAS (higher trims)
- Dimensions: 3,990 mm L; 1,821 mm W; 1,647 mm H; 2,600 mm wheelbase
- Ground clearance: 201 mm; Turning radius: 5.3 m; Boot: 364 L; Fuel tank: 42 L
- ARAI efficiency: roughly 17.96–20.6 km/l across variants
Pricing, rivals, and where it fits in India and abroad
This segment is loaded with strong options, so price and equipment decide winners. The XUV 3XO starts around Rs 7.99 lakh and goes up to about Rs 15.80 lakh (ex-showroom) for the top trims. That spread puts it right in the path of the Tata Nexon, Maruti Suzuki Brezza, Hyundai Venue, and Kia Sonet. All four rivals are solid picks for different reasons, but Mahindra’s advantage is how aggressively it bundles big-ticket items—ADAS, 360-degree cameras, dual-zone climate, and that massive sunroof—without pushing you into an entirely different price class.
Stack it up. The Tata Nexon is a benchmark for safety and cabin design, with a wide spread of variants and a strong after-sales network. It also offers a long features list and now packs its own safety tech and connected features. The Brezza leans on bulletproof reliability, efficiency, and a friendly ownership experience; it’s a favorite in Tier-2 and Tier-3 towns for good reason. Hyundai’s Venue thrives on ease of use and good ergonomics, while the Kia Sonet raises the bar on interiors and now offers ADAS in top trims. Against this field, the 3XO’s pitch is simple: more power from the turbo-petrol, richer safety tech on paper, and a cabin that feels a notch more premium for the price.
The variant game matters as much as the sticker price. If you spend most of your time in city traffic and want simple, fuss-free ownership, the petrol automatic makes sense—and the Aisin unit is a quiet differentiator. If your week involves a lot of highway miles, the diesel remains the easy pick for range and relaxed cruising. For buyers who want a smart middle ground, the AX5 or AX5 Luxury often strikes the sweet spot: you get the bigger features without strolling all the way to the top end. If ADAS is non-negotiable, the AX7 Luxury is the one to shortlist.
How about ride comfort and bad roads? That’s where ground clearance and tuning come into play. The 201 mm stance and the suspension’s bias toward absorption help in the real world—rain-worn stretches, high speed breakers, or gravel shoulders aren’t deal-breakers. It’s not an off-roader, but it handles the everyday chaos Indian roads throw at it.
Mahindra has also planned this model for export from the start. The X100 platform is right-hand-drive friendly, which eases homologation for markets like South Africa and Australia. South Africa got the 3XO in mid-2024, banking on demand for compact, tough-feeling crossovers with modern safety. Australia followed in July 2025, with the AX5L and AX7L petrol trims leading the charge. In both markets, the focus is the same: bring in tech and safety levels that undercut European and Japanese rivals on price while meeting local regulations.
What about running costs and reliability? The torque-converter automatic is a robust old-school choice for Indian conditions. It tends to age well if maintained on schedule, and it’s less sensitive to stop-go heat than some dual-clutch units. Diesel owners should keep an eye on DPF management in heavy city use—most modern diesels need an occasional longer run to keep emissions hardware happy. For petrol users, the turbo brings strong low-end torque without making the car feel peaky; stick to good fuel and regular oil change intervals to keep it performing right.
On features, the cabin tech does the heavy lifting. The dual 10.25-inch screens modernize the driving experience without flooding you with gimmicks. Wireless charging keeps the console tidy, and the climate control is set-it-and-forget-it. The 360-degree camera, paired with front and rear parking sensors, makes tight parking feel less like a chore even for first-time SUV buyers. The visibility from the driver’s seat is solid, and the sunroof plays up the sense of space, which families instantly notice.
A few practical notes for buyers: the boot’s 364-litre volume is usable, but do check the loading lip height if you often carry heavy luggage. The rear seat base is supportive and the floor is fairly flat for a subcompact, making it friendlier for the fifth passenger than some rivals. The rear AC airflow depends on the overall climate system—dual-zone up front helps the cabin as a whole, but if you carry full loads often, a quick test drive with the family onboard is worth your time.
As for demand, early months brought strong bookings and waiting periods in several cities. Mahindra has been scaling production for its high-demand SUVs over the last few years, but supply can still lag when a model hits a nerve. If you’re shopping on a tight delivery timeline, check multiple dealers, and be flexible on color and variant to speed things up.
A word on the numbers that matter to enthusiasts. The turbo-petrol’s 230 Nm comes in early and stays broad, which is why the 0–60 km/h figure looks impressive. That mid-range pull is what makes quick overtakes easy without a noisy downshift. The diesel’s 300 Nm at low revs is the long-distance friend—it keeps revs down and the cabin calm at highway speeds. Pair either with the 6-speed auto and you get smooth step-off and predictable kickdown; stick with the manual if you want more control on hilly routes or just enjoy rowing your own gears.
If you’re cross-shopping the class, here’s a simple breakdown to help:
- You want maximum safety tech per rupee: shortlist the AX7 Luxury.
- You drive mostly in the city and want smooth shifts: pick the petrol automatic.
- You do long highway runs and care about range: go diesel, manual or auto based on preference.
- You’re on a tighter budget but still want a solid feature set: MX3 Pro or AX5 hits the mark.
The bigger picture is clear: this is Mahindra’s bid to own the conversation around safety and technology in India’s most competitive SUV slice. The equipment levels, the punchy turbo-petrol, the comfortable ride tuning, and the price ladder are set up to make you feel you’re buying into a segment above. That’s what pulls buyers away from rivals even when the segment is overflowing with good choices.
And about that “five-star safety” buzz you keep hearing around this car: it’s less about a new published crash test rating right now and more about the feature stack and the brand’s recent record on crashworthiness. The XUV300’s adult protection score raised the bar for Indian-made SUVs under the previous protocol, and the 3XO leans into that reputation while packing in modern ADAS. If and when an updated test score lands, it will add numbers to what the spec sheet already suggests.
As the model spreads across India and finds its footing in export markets, the key will be simple: keep deliveries flowing, maintain quality, and hold the price line while rivals respond. For buyers, it’s a good problem to have—more choice, more tech, and more safety at prices that used to mean compromise. The 3XO is built to cash in on that shift.