Mahindra had one simple goal – pack big car level kit into a compact SUV and then make it easy to live with. In the XUV 3XO AX7L you get a refreshing design, sharp 17-inch diamond cut alloy wheels and a full suite of LED lighting.
Sequential indicators flow front and rear, for a modern touch. The roofline is capped with rails and Mahindra’s panoramic glass roof. Climbing inside the XUV 3XO does not immediately wow you in the same way the outside does.
The design is restrained, leaning on the big dual screens to do the heavy lifting. Black leatherette seats are paired with a similarly attired dashboard, with the door trims to match. A premium Harman Kardon sound system, with a subwoofer and amp features.
A 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster with a full HD display and access to the blind spot monitoring cameras when indicating kicks off the tech offering. A matching infotainment system supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There’s cord-free charging too.
A standard dual zone climate control system offers manual controls while the lower part of the centre console sports a mix of dated style choices and modern touches. The touchscreen is home to navigation and some uniquely named drive modes.
This includes Eco, Zip (Normal) and Zoom (which is obvious). Each makes a noticeable difference in the way the 3XO accelerates, changes gears, and the heaviness of the steering. Two adults can sit comfortably in row two, with a decent amount of leg room.
A smaller passenger could take the centre seat without being completely squeezed too. Thanks to a slightly raised rear bench, there’s decent outward visibility, with air vents keeping the cabin cool on warmer days. A cooled glove box is an added bonus.
The aforementioned panoramic glass roof makes the cabin feel open and airy. The boot is surprisingly large at 364-litres with the seats up, despite the short overhang of the body over the back wheels.
It’s enough to carry groceries, a couple of suitcases or picnic gear. If you need more room, the second row features a split-fold seat for bulkier bags. While the floor is not completely flat, the space itself is usable and well-shaped.
We did manage to trip the rear seat sensor with a heavy back on the folded seatback, but suspect that issue was unique to our test vehicle. Once you hit the road in the 3XO, it settles into an easy rhythm.
The drive is steady, predictable and compliant. Short trips are easy and fun thanks to the Mahindra’s zippy 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that produces 82kW of power and 200Nm of torque. Fuel economy is a claimed 6.5-litres/100km.
Paired to a six-speed auto, it features adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring and a 360 surround-view camera. There’s also forward collision warning, AEB with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane departure warning, lane keep assist and traffic sign recognition.
Priced at $26,990 drive away, it comes with 7-year or 150,000km warranty and 6-years or 85,000km capped price servicing. It’s simple and affordable nature is both a strength and a weakness, with just six airbags on hand to provide passenger protection.
As a complete package, the XUV 3XO AX7L is a value offering for those more focused on thrift than polish. Sacrifices are part of that, but Mahindra softens the compromise by packing in a generous list of features not usually seen at this end of the market.
Build quality does take a little bit of a hit as a result, but the Indian car maker has positioned itself well against rivals like the Kia Stonic, Chery Tiggo 4, Hyundai Venue and Toyota Yaris Cross.
Most of these rivals sit at a similar price point, but do not offer the level of features on the table here. That makes the XUV 3XO a good choice for those constrained by budget. You can find out more on the Mahindra Automotive Australia website.
Alternatively, talk to your local dealership. To get a low rate finance quote, talk to Australia’s best reviewed car finance broker; Credit One. To see a great range of vehicles for sale, check out OnlyCars.com.au.
Our test vehicle was provided by Mahindra Automotive Australia for independent review purposes. Exhaust Notes Australia has not been paid to review this vehicle.
