Small SUVs are all the rage. We don’t need to tell you that, you can just look around the car park at your local mall or at what’s beside you in traffic. Raised little hatchbacks are on offer from automakers across the globe. Mahindra has offered an option in the segment for a few years called the XUV300. A refreshed Mahindra XUV300 was recently introduced into the local market with added safety and increased spec levels.

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Safety first

Most buyers these days place low fuel consumption high on their list of priorities when it comes to choosing a new car. That is a major concern with the current price of fuel. However, one should place safety equally high up on that list.

In this regard the refreshed Mahindra XUV300 delivers. The model received a full five-star rating and the title as Safest Car Ever Tested by the Global New Car Assessment Programme (GNCAP) in 2020. This accolade holds true from the entry level derivative and for all versions sold locally. That’s a pretty nifty feather in the cap for the brand. The GNCAP also awarded the XUV300 with four stars for child protection.

Standard specification

To underline its safety credentials, all variants of the refreshed Mahindra XUV300 range come standard with at least two airbags, electronic stability control (ESP), ABS-brakes with emergency brakeforce distribution (EBD) and four-way disc brakes. ISOFIX seat mounts for child restraints are also standard, as are speed-sensitive door locks. The safety spec only improves as one climbs up the ladder of the range.

New for 2022

Some may not have appreciated the light hue used in the previous iteration of the XUV300. Mahindra has listened to the criticism and now all versions feature a dark interior. Another major upgrade is the new nine-inch infotainment system. The touchscreen interface is standard on all derivatives and boasts Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. Moving up the range even offers satellite navigation.

Powertrain options

Buyers can choose between turbocharged petrol and diesel-fed engines. Interestingly, both engines are only mated with manual transmissions. Mahindra representatives at the event did say that a torque converter automatic is under consideration but there is no indication of timing. 

The petrol engine is a three-cylinder unit that displaces 1,2 litres. Peak power is rated as 81 kW with 200 N.m of torque on tap between 2 000 and 3 500 r/min. The oil burner is a 1,5-litre unit that develops 86 kW with 300 N.m of twist effort from 1 500 to 2 500 r/min.

On the move

We had a brief taste of the range-leading refreshed Mahindra XUV300 ie the W8 version in turbodiesel guise. As per our original thoughts (which you can read here) we still feel the XUV has good ride quality. It soaks up road imperfections with ease and filters out all but the harshest intrusions from the cabin.

The turbodiesel engine pulls strongly from low down, as though there is enough torque to pull away in second gear. In top gear we noted that the engine is turning over 2 000 r/min for a true 100 km/h, which should bode well for one’s monthly fuel bill. The darker cabin tends to feel more premium and my rather tall driving partner confirmed an abundance of head- and legroom as hopped into the back seat during my driving stint.

Summary

This small SUV segment has really taken off over the last few years. Buyers are simply overlooking hatchbacks, once a firm SA favourite, for their high-riding siblings. This trend has led many brands to make the shift into the space, and given buyers many options to choose from. Look at the pricing (below), consider the safety rating of the XUV300 and the small engines mated with six-speed transmissions, and you start to realise that this model should really be on your shopping list if you are in the market.

Model line-up

W4 Petrol  R234 999
W4 Petrol SE R244 999
W6 Petrol R261 999
W6 Diesel R281 999
W8 Petrol R316 999
W8 Diesel R336 999  

All models come with a five-year/150 000 km warranty and a service plan.