Distilled Essence of XUV

The all-new Mahindra XUV 3XO aims to disrupt the bustling compact SUV segment with features buyers want at price-points hitherto unmatched. We drive it from its home in Nashik to our home in Pune

- Jim Gorde

THE PLAN WAS CLEAR. The Mahindra XUV 3XO aims to be a modernised and smaller but just as uncompromising take on the larger XUV 700. As such, there are cues and there are renewed views where things matter-what one sees and what one feels.

The new Mahindra XUV 3XO is a distinct member of the "XUV" portfolio. Heck, it looks like they baked the older one till the molten ends led to smoother edges and a more fluid and flowing appearance. It looks like a smaller XUV 500 while identifying itself as the replacement for the XUV 300. And there is the same gene evidently present as the larger XUV 700; plus, some hardware and software to go along-the Bosch ESP and safety suite, for example.

The look of the new Mahindra XUV 3XO takes it forward into the future and turns heads-a big part of the job done, with some substance in the form of a long equipment list and vastly improved ride quality. With a free rein given for the drive, no destination, car-sharing or areas off-limits, we decided to head back to Pune through the hills and dales, passing through Nashik city and then some towns and countryside and many unfinished roads-along the way.

The exterior highlights are the new face with a bolder grille and new headlamps stacked within C-shaped daytime LED signatures. The side profile, too, looks similar to its predecessor's save for a little ironing along the way. The car measures a bit different, though. It's 3,990 millimetres long, 1,821 mm wide, and 1,647 mm high, with the same 2.6-metre wheelbase. Our car is the top-spec AX7L trim with a contrast roof colour and a panoramic sunroof. The wheels are now 17-inchers with 215/55 rubber-marking the XUV out as a higher-standard offering. Mahindra knew what they wanted. All four disc brakes are standard as well. Oh, and the powertrain is the TGDI, or turbocharged gasoline (petrol) direct injection, engine with an Aisin six-speed automatic, but more on that later.