Mahindra 3X0

Do not let the new name confuse you, because this is still the same XUV300 underneath. But with such heavy updates to its styling, features and tech, Mahindra thought it warrants a new name and called it the 3XO.

- Vivek Venugopal

They have done it before with the Bolero and Nuvosport, which before they went under the scalpel, were called the TUV 300 and Quanto. But unlike those two, the updates in the XUV 3XO go beyond the usual. We drove one, in the outskirts near the old Mahindra plant, in Nashik.

The front end receives a comprehensive styling revision with sharp edges and straight lines making way for a modern, curvier design. The C-shaped DRLs are quite large and flank either side of the headlamps which now house a new projector unit that extends down towards the bottom. The grille is a closed one in a glossy piano black finish with chrome trims to give it the Mahindra look. The bonnet has new contours to give it a bit more muscle, there are new 17-inch alloy wheels and the Citrine yellow colour does stand out. Does it look good? In my eyes and those of the social media, it doesn't. Last year, Tata did a similar styling update with their XUV 300 competitor, the Nexon, and that made an old car look modern. This one looks like a failed attempt. It just screams for attention. At least, the rear is slightly better executed with a new bumper and now full-width led strip replacing the old, separated tail lamps.