Built on the group’s global X100 platform, the XUV300 (pronounced XUV three double O) carries its larger sibling’s cheetah-inspired design language into a new generation of vehicles. At the same time, it introduces a new range of engines and a nearly unmatched level of specification to the local compact SUV segment.
“At Mahindra, our driving purpose is ‘Rise’, which we interpret as the way we challenge conventional thinking and innovatively use all our resources to drive positive change in the lives of our stakeholders and communities across the world.
“The XUV300 is the latest product of that philosophy and combines fresh thinking and our best engineering and design talent. We are very excited to see how our new compact SUV will not only wow customers in our second home – South Africa – but will allow them to Rise!” says Arvind Mathew – Chief of International Operations Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.
South Africa is the first international market outside of India to launch the XUV300, which lands here with both petrol and diesel drivetrains and the choice of a W6 or W8 trim level.
“The XUV300 was launched in India in February 2019 and has already generated over 26 000 bookings in this hotly contested market, which is roughly equal to the total size of the compact SUV market in South Africa.
“The success of XUV300 can be attributed to its combination of style, dynamic driving performance and a high specification level. If the local interest in this new model is anything to go by, it will soon become one of Mahindra South Africa’s top-selling models as well,” says Rajesh Gupta, CEO of Mahindra South Africa, adding that the compact SUV market in South Africa represents more than 25 000 units sales every year.
“South Africans love the combination of a high-driving position, bold styling and functionality that SUVs offer and the XUV300 offers this in a bold and dynamic package with a list of features and specifications that are not offered as standard on many vehicles in this segment.” says Mr Gupta.
The XUV300 will attract new customers into Mahindra dealerships as the brand begins its work of becoming a household name in the South African market. With their local investment, strong dealer network and versatile product range, there is even more reason for the local market to start seeing Mahindra as a true South African contender.
“We at Mahindra had an exciting FY19 with the inauguration of our assembly plant, a number of product updates and 30% growth in a declining market. All this has helped us to emerge as the second fastest growing OEM in South Africa. We are confident that in this fiscal year, starting with the launch of the new Bold and Dynamic XUV300 and few more offerings during the year, we shall continue our growth momentum” says Mr Avinash Bapat, Chief Financial Officer of Mahindra South Africa.
With its dual LED-strip daytime running lights (DRLs), aggressive grille, wide LED taillights and diamond cut alloy wheels, the new XUV300 stands apart from other compact SUVs in the market.
Like the XUV500, the XUV300 is inspired by the aggressive dynamism of a cheetah. This is perhaps most visible in the tear-duct style DRLs on certain models, which flank the bold grille and trapezoidal lower air intake.
The cheetah styling cues are further visible in the XUV300’s squat stance, which is accentuated its 2.6-metre wheelbase in a body that is just short of 4 metres. This stance is further enhanced by wide and bold wheel arches and large wheels on the furthest corners of the vehicle.
Mahindra’s design team also added a floating roof (colour coded roof on darkened side pillars), as well as side cladding and a wide rear-quarter hip line that flows into unique LED taillights, a roof-mounted spoiler and high-mounted stop lamp.
Like all Mahindra SUVs, the new XUV300 has elements of the group’s signature design language that includes full volumes, sculpted sections and muscled surfaces. It also has the distinctive Mahindra billet grille with chrome highlights on the highest specification level.
On the W8 model, the design is accentuated by LED indicators in the heated and folding side mirrors, dual tone roof rails, 17″ wheels and silver front- and rear skid plates.
A brand-new model range deserves brand new engines and Mahindra has launched two new engines with the XUV300, offering buyers the choice of either a turbo-petrol or turbo-diesel engine.
The first is a new three-cylinder 1.2 litre turbo-petrol engine, which delivers 81 kW at 5 000 r/min and a healthy 200 Nm of torque between 2 000 r/min and 3 500 r/min.
The second engine option is a brand-new four-cylinder 1.5 litre turbo-diesel engine that delivers 85.8 kW at 3 750 r/min and 300 Nm in a flat band between 1 500 r/min and 2 500 r/min.
“Both the 1.2 litre petrol and 1.5 litre turbo-diesel engine have been subjected to extensive stress-testing at Gerotek in Gauteng and we are confident that they will not only offer exceptional durability, but also deliver the type of acceleration and high-speed cruising power that South African drivers enjoy,” says Gupta.
All versions of the XUV300 are equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox, which transfers power from the engine to the front driving wheels.
In the interior of the new XUV300, Mahindra’s designers have crafted the vehicle controls around the driver and have added a thick-rimmed steering wheel with steering controls, a large tachometer and speedometer and a 17.78cm full colour connected infotainment system on all models.
The infotainment system offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration on the W8 and has in-built turn-by-turn navigation with regional maps as standard across the range. The system also allows the driver to pre-set many of the vehicle functions, including the background display and, on the W8, the colour of the LED backlit instrument panel.
The XUV300’s infotainment system also features Mahindra’s Bluesense app. This app tracks the driver’s driving patterns and scores them on a set of environmentally friendly metrics. The driver can access this information and information on past trips from their phone’s connected Bluesense app or smart watch.
In addition to the infotainment system, all Mahindra XUV300 models are equipped with the new Smart Steering system. Controlled with a button below the infotainment system, the Smart Steering system allows the driver to change the steering feel between Comfort mode, which allows you to negotiate urban traffic with ease, a Normal everyday mode and Sport, with the latter offering a weightier and more responsive steering feel for a more thrilling drive experience.
The new XUV300 is available with two trim levels, both of which offer a level of standard equipment and safety features, including the 17.78cm infotainment system, with an auxiliary port and USB connectivity.
The W6 trim level offers the most affordable entry into the XUV300 range and features air conditioning, electric windows, power steering with Smart Steering, premium black fabric trim, electrically adjustable side mirrors and central locking.
In the W8 specification level, Mahindra has created one of the most luxurious interior packages available in the compact SUV segment.
The XUV300 W8’s list of luxuries includes a second USB charging point, an additional information screen between the colour-customisable LED-lit instrument cluster and electric windows with express up- and down function with anti-pinch technology. There is a glass tilt-and-slide sunroof, also with anti-pinch technology, cruise control and an integrated voice command system with steering-mounted controls.
Mahindra has also added additional driving aids, including its Tyretronics tyre pressure warning system, front and rear parking sensors, a reverse parking camera with parking assistance and automatic rain-sensing wipers.
Other creature comforts that come standard on the W8 specification level include dual-zone climate control with three pre-set memory settings, keyless access with a start-stop button and automatic headlights.
In the XUV300 W8, Mahindra has replaced the fabric seats with its luxurious leatherette upholstery.
“With the introduction of the W6 and W8 model ranges, we are able to cater both to the budget conscious buyer and buyers who do not want to compromise on luxury features, while offering both segments a modern infotainment system with satellite navigation,” says Gupta.
With its long wheelbase and width of 1.821 m, the XUV300 offers exceptional interior space for the driver and passengers, with ample head and shoulder room for adult occupants, including three adult passengers in the second row.
The interior space is further improved by a near-flat floor in the rear with sculpted front seatbacks for additional rear leg room. In front, the driver has the benefit of a six-way adjustable seat and a height-adjustable steering wheel.
In the rear, the luggage compartment can be extended both vertically, with the option of three height settings for the luggage floor and horizontally by folding the rear seats forward in a 60:40 configuration.
The Mahindra XUV300 offers category-best safety and security features.
The W6 specification level is equipped with ABS brakes with electronic brake-force distribution, cornering braking control and discs on all four wheels. It also has impact-sensing door locks and a high-mounted stop lamp in the rear spoiler. An emergency braking signalling system is fitted to all models, as are ISOFIX child anchors on the rear seats.
The W8 specification level adds 5 more airbags – side, curtain and a driver knee airbag to the list totalling to a class-leading 7 airbags, while also adding electronic stability (ESP) with rollover mitigation. The XUV300 W8 also adds warning lights on the front doors, hill-hold assistance, an anti-theft alarm system and seatbelt reminders on all seats.
While the XUV300 has redefined Mahindra’s SUV range, its pricing reflects its proven practice of offering great value for money.
All versions of the XUV300 will be offered with an impressive 5-year / 150 000 km warranty and a standard 5-year / 90 000 km service plan and 24/7 standard Roadside Assistance.
To enhance the value offering and to ensure complete peace of mind to our customers, XUV300 will come with optional Maintenance Plan for period of 5 years / 90 000 km.
The Mahindra XUV300 comes with attractive retail finance offers to the customer.
The instalments for the W6 Petrol variant priced at R 249 999 starts at a monthly cost of R 3 399 (incl. VAT) when financed through Mahindra Finance (in association with WesBank).
The monthly instalment is calculated for a 72-month term, with a 10% deposit (R25 000) and 28.4% balloon payment (R71 000) and the initiation fee of R1 208, but excludes the monthly admin fee of R69. The total cost of finance including monthly admin fee and balloon payment is R317 207.
The introductory retail pricing for the model range is:
XUV300 W6 1.2 Petrol: R 249 999 (Incl. VAT)
XUV300 W6 1.5 Diesel: R 274 999 (Incl. VAT)
XUV300 W8 1.2 Petrol: R 304 999 (Incl. VAT)
XUV300 W8 1.5 Diesel: R 324 999 (Incl. VAT)
Image (The new Mahindra XUV 300 launched in Cape Town).
