Mahindra XUV300 TurboSport Review

Introduction

The Mahindra XUV300 has been on road for a considerable time. The new turbo sport version has improved performance and red and black accents for a sportier appearance and feel. The target audience for this new edition is urban drive enthusiasts looking for a rally-like driving experience. The BS6, 1197cc, 1.2 turbo petrol engine that powers this Mahindra SUV has three inline cylinders with four valves per cylinder and is mounted on a dual overhead camshaft.

The maximum power from the engine is 129 bhp at 5000 rpm, and the maximum torque is 230 Nm at 1500 rpm. Front-wheel drive and a six-speed manual gearbox are other features of the XUV300. Its suspension system consists of a twist-beam rear suspension with coil spring, front, and rear disc brakes, and a MacPherson strut front suspension with an anti-roll bar. In terms of mileage, the vehicle gets 18.2 kilometers per liter, according to ARAI.

This car's dual-tone appearance has a black grille and bumper with red accents, entirely black outside mirrors with integrated turn signals, black roof rails, and 17-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels. In addition, it sports black front and rear skid plates, wheel covers, sill, wheel arc cladding, a roof-mounted power antenna, and adjustable halogen headlights. Interior features of the XUV300 include:

• A monochrome multimedia system.
• An illuminated instrument cluster.
• A tachometer.
• An electronic multi-trip meter.
• A digital clock.
• A glove compartment.

The dashboard is a dual-tone black-beige color with piano black and a satin silver finish. A leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel with three settings (comfort, standard, and sport), leatherette seats, chrome-finished pedals, silver interior door handles, an eight-way manually adjustable driver seat, and a six-way manually adjustable front passenger seat is also included in the interior decor.

The car has several safety systems, including a corner braking control, an electronic stability program, an antilock braking system, and an electronic brake force distribution system. These elements balance the vehicle during rapid braking and turning while driving high speed. Six airbags, front parking sensors, ISOFIX child seat mounts, child safety locks, rear seat belts, an anti-glare rearview mirror, a seat belt reminder, and a backup camera with adaptive guidance are all included in the XUV300's safety features.

Additionally, this car has a Global NCAP rating of five stars for adult occupant safety and four stars for child occupant safety. This SUV has a leg up on its list of safety features thanks to the NCAP rating. The five variations of this Mahindra SUV are designated W6, W8, W8 Dual Tone, W8 (O), and W8 (O) Dual Tone. Most previously covered characteristics are specific to the top model and only marginally vary in the lower variants.

The available colors are Red Rage, Aquamarine, Dark Grey, Dsat Silver, Napoli Black, and pearl white. Price-wise, the XUV300 is comparable to rival models like the Tata Nexon and the Hyundai Venue. The pricing range of the rivals is more comprehensive than that of the SUV made by Mahindra because of the competitors' extensive choice of variants.

Review

The new Mahindra XUV300, which sports the new SUV emblem, is designed for enthusiasts. One vehicle that combines a potent engine with optimized characteristics is the XUV300 TurboSport. The mStallion 130 lacks significant design cues despite a new turbocharger and high-pressure direct injection. This turbo-petrol engine, known as the mStallion 130, is related to the 2.0-liter turbo-petrol used in the XUV700, Scorpio, and Thar.

The 1,197cc, three-cylinder XUV300 TurboSport is identical to the 110hp, 1.2-litre turbo-petrol variant now on the market. Despite having the name TurboSport, it's crucial to remember that the basic petrol mFalcon engine also has to turbocharge. The TurboSport's mStallion engine is a direct injection unit with variable valve timing, distinguishing it from other engines. As a result, power and torque have increased to 131 horsepower and 230 Nm, or 21 hp and 30 Nm higher than the standard petrol XUV300.

The over-boost feature, which gives an additional 20Nm of torque when more power is needed, is an exciting addition. The system bases this requirement on certain driving circumstances, such as when the throttle is opened more than 70% of the time, the gear is between second and sixth, and the engine spins between 1,750 and 3,500 times per minute. If you tick every one of these boxes, the outcome will satisfy you. The power delivery is linear at the bottom, but there is a powerful surge as the needle reaches the mid-range, and the car accelerates quickly.

Thus, overtaking is simple; after you've done it, it's preferable to upshift because power starts to decline around 4,000 rpm. Faster than any small SUV currently on the market, the TurboSport records a 0-100kph speed in 10.8 seconds. It's safe to suppose that tuning specialists won't have any trouble getting it to run in under 10 seconds. Another outstanding feature is the three-cylinder engine's smoothness, which remains smooth even when you drive the car hard thanks to the dual-mass flywheel (also available on the regular XUV300).

Another benefit for those who enjoy driving is that the TurboSport only offers a 6-speed manual transmission. Despite the well-spaced ratios and well-defined gates, the throws and clutch travel are lengthy. There is a lengthy travel period after the clutch biting point since it occurs early. Mahindra claims that the XUV300 TurboSport now has more power and torque while achieving improved fuel efficiency.

It has an iCAT stated efficiency of 18.2 kph (1.2 kpl more than the average automobile), but we must subject it to our test to determine its efficiency. The general dynamics have mostly stayed the same, aside from the engine. It is light and airy yet uncommunicative because the steering ratio, feel, and feedback are all the same. Many steering modes are available, and although they affect the weight, the steering effort varies from turn to turn.

The XUV300's ride has always been one of its best features, valid with the TurboSport. Although it makes the car comfortable on rough roads, a stiffer setup would have significantly enhanced the "sport" component of TurboSport. With all-wheel disc brakes and a powerful, comforting bite, stopping power is also good. Red signifies sporty; thus, Mahindra's designers adorned the exteriors of their vehicles with red highlights, red T-GDi badges, and red W8 (version) badges.

The new "Blazing Bronze" color on our test vehicle, red accents, and the XUV300's peculiar proportions will elicit strong reactions. Aside from them, it has the new Mahindra Twin Peaks emblem, 17-inch alloy wheels, and an available dual-tone roof, just like the basic XUV300. The cabin receives an all-black motif and pedals with a more aggressive appearance, but the interior design stays the same. The dashboard, in particular, needs to be updated, and Mahindra should have taken advantage of this chance to update the interior, which badly needs an upgrade.

Although it has amenities like dual-zone air control and a sunroof, the interior lacks modernity. The dashboard feels a generation old. The excellent safety and the spacious interior are always appreciated, however. The Global NCAP has given the XUV300 a 5-star crash test rating and added critical safety features, including six airbags, ABS with EBD, and ESC. The top-spec variation adds equipment like a sunroof, leatherette upholstery, dual-zone temperature control, all-wheel disc brakes, and auto headlights and wipers.

However, the feature list is otherwise equal to the regular version. There are no options for ventilated front seats, wireless charging, full-LED headlights, a 360-degree camera, wireless smartphone connectivity, or better speakers. The T-GDi is available in three variations, each of which costs between 36,000 and 49,000 more than the standard petrol manual: Rs 10.35 lakh for the W6, Rs 11.65 lakh for the W8, and Rs 12.75 lakh for the W8 (O) model. It is still the priciest sub-4 m small SUV available.

The XUV300 was already one of the costliest vehicles in its class, and now that the TurboSport has been released, it has surpassed all others in price. It needs several contemporary amenities that one would anticipate in a vehicle of its caliber, has outdated interiors, and has a tiny trunk. The XUV300's strengths include its sturdy construction, which earned a 5-star Global NCAP crash test rating, its roomy interior, and its assured driving style. The XUV300 is now even more thrilling to drive thanks to the manual gearbox and new, more powerful engine.

Mahindra deserves praise for making an effort to satisfy automobile lovers, especially at a time when driving has become less enjoyable. Mahindra could have significantly improved the XUV300's interiors and feature list with this generation, making it much simpler to recommend. Reliability is one of the most important aspects of long-term ownership. The XUV300 TurboSport has proven to be a dependable travel companion over several months and thousands of km.

The vehicle's sturdy construction inspires confidence and has a strong driving feel. However, a few owners have mentioned slight inside rattles, which may be inconvenient, especially on bumpy roads. Any vehicle needs routine maintenance to be in good working order, and the XUV300 TurboSport is no exception. Fortunately, Mahindra has a wide-ranging service network nationwide, making locating accredited service facilities relatively simple.

The XUV300 TurboSport has service intervals that are adequately spaced out, and its regular maintenance expenses are comparable to those of other cars in its class. The availability of replacement parts is typically acceptable. However, some owners have complained about delays in receiving specific components. Most owners have been pleased with the service and maintenance aspects of owning the XUV300 TurboSport, even if the service experience may vary based on the region and particular service center.

Although the XUV300 TurboSport's manufacturer promises a decent fuel economy rating, actual driving conditions frequently provide different results. The car's average fuel economy throughout our long-term ownership test was around 12-13 km/liter in city driving and 16-17 km/liter on the highway. These values are still competitive for a small SUV with a turbocharged petrol engine, even though they are slightly lower than advertised. It's important to remember that traffic and driving habits significantly impact fuel economy.

While cautious driving on wide roads might produce higher fuel economy, aggressive driving in congested areas can result in worse mileage. The interior convenience and comfort of the XUV300 TurboSport are key selling elements. Long trips are possible because the roomy cabin gives front and back passengers plenty of headroom and legroom. Even after several hours of driving, the chairs are still pleasant, preventing driver and passenger tiredness. Additionally, the boot offers 257 liters of storage space and can be made larger by folding the back seats.

Thanks to this adaptability, the owners' ability to transport more significant things increases the vehicle's usefulness. The XUV300 TurboSport provides a pleasurable driving experience even after lengthy ownership. The manual gearbox provides seamless gear changes, and the engine's performance remains brisk. It's an exciting car to drive because of the turbocharger's visible boost, especially during motorway overtakes.

Although the XUV300 TurboSport's manufacturer promises a decent fuel economy rating, actual driving conditions frequently provide different results. The car's average fuel economy throughout our long-term ownership test was around 12-13 km/liter in city driving and 16-17 km/liter on the highway. These values are still competitive for a small SUV with a turbocharged petrol engine, even though they are slightly lower than advertised.

It's important to remember that factors like traffic and driving habits significantly impact fuel economy. While cautious driving on wide roads might produce higher fuel economy, aggressive driving in congested areas can result in worse mileage. The interior convenience and comfort of the XUV300 TurboSport are key selling elements. Long trips are possible because the roomy cabin gives front and back passengers plenty of headroom and legroom.

Even after several hours of driving, the chairs are still pleasant, preventing driver and passenger tiredness. Additionally, the boot offers sufficient amount of storage space and can be made larger by folding the back seats. This adaptability enhances the vehicle's usefulness by enabling owners to transport heavier objects when necessary. Long-term owners report that they continue to like driving the XUV300 TurboSport.

The manual transmission continues to provide seamless gear shifts while maintaining the engine's brisk performance. It's an exciting car to drive because of the turbocharger's visible boost, especially during motorway overtakes. Still, one of its substantial aspects is handling. Driving the XUV300 TurboSport is secure and engaging since it feels sturdy and planted in turns.

Good steering input enables drivers to maintain their focus on the road. Even though the XUV300 TurboSport's infotainment system supports smartphone connectivity and includes necessary functionality, some owners have noted sporadic bugs and reaction latency. The touchscreen's sensitivity might also be increased because it occasionally needs many tries to detect inputs correctly.

Despite these minor flaws, the infotainment system is nonetheless valuable and practical, but it must include some competitors' more sophisticated solutions. The XUV300 TurboSport's safety features never cease to wow. Along with other safety features, the car has twin front airbags, ABS with EBD, electronic stability control, and hill-start assistance. These features comfort passengers in knowing that safety is the vehicle's priority.

Reverse parking sensors and cameras have proven helpful tools that make parking in confined places easier to handle and lower the danger of mishaps. Regarding ownership expenses, the XUV300 TurboSport performs admirably compared to its rivals. In terms of its original purchase price and affordable maintenance expenses, it provides good value for money. Mahindra also offers enticing warranty options, which improves the ownership experience even further.

Conclusion

The Mahindra XUV300 TurboSport is a mixed bag in the highly competitive compact SUV market. It stands out from the competition because of its striking and dynamic look, roomy cabin, and reasonable performance. Because of the vehicle's high safety features and sturdy construction, purchasers concerned about safety will find it appealing.

The XUV300 TurboSport has flaws, though. For tech-savvy customers looking for a smooth digital experience, the infotainment system's sporadic bugs and sluggish touchscreen may be bothersome.

There have been some complaints of internal rattling, which may point to a weak spot in the construction. Although the car has competitive fuel efficiency, actual driving conditions cause it to fall just short of the quoted numbers. For those looking for a compact SUV choice that is more fuel-efficient, this could be a worry. Furthermore, the XUV300 TurboSport competes against recognized brands with solid consumer bases.

Given that several strong rivals are on the market, it has to have distinct selling factors that appeal to potential customers. Despite its flaws, the Mahindra XUV300 TurboSport is still desirable for buyers looking for a stylish, secure, and comfortable compact SUV with respectable performance. Its long-term dependability and excellent service experience are additional advantages that increase its popularity. Ultimately, the buyer's requirements will determine whether the XUV300 TurboSport fits a person's tastes and goals.

Prospective owners are urged to take the car for a comprehensive test drive and think about their driving style, technology needs, and the availability of nearby services. Overall, the small SUV market is well-served by the Mahindra XUV300 TurboSport. It is a strong candidate for people looking for a vibrant and valuable ride because its advantages exceed its drawbacks.

Mahindra may further bolster the XUV300 TurboSport's standing in this cutthroat market by making ongoing upgrades and addressing the mentioned issues.