Mahindra XUV 300: There are a lot of compact SUVs on the market to get noticed among. But the Mahindra XUV300 isn’t trying to play that game—it arrives in a manner more akin to a Mike Tyson uppercut, decked out in stylish design, chunky engines and a comprehensive list of features.
Derived out of world acclaimed SsangYong Tivoli platform, the XUV300 has been Indianized – adopting it for Indian roads and Indian interest-intuned. So, how does it actually deliver in 2025?
Let’s dissect the facts and see if the XUV300 still manages to stay relevant.
Design: Making a Statement (or Two)
One glance is all it takes to tell that the Mahindra XUV300 is not coy. The front grille with the chrome lines, the LED DRLs designed as fangs and the stance make it look extremely intimidating for a sub-4-meter SUV.
It doesn’t try to seem especially curvy or futuristicky — it looks grounded, and sporty.
Its stubby overhangs and wide track give it the look of a chunky, solid wagon. That’s accompanied by diamond cut alloy wheels, a sexy roof rail, and some sharp character lines, ensuring the XUV300 has enough flair to set it apart in a crowd.
Inside and Out: A Cabin That Feels Upscale
Slide in, and you’re met with a two-tone dash, brushed silver inserts, and what feels like a larger cabin. It’s a shorter SUV, but the XUV300 still provides best-i- class width, and that is reflected in shoulder room.
There’s also plenty of rear legroom, so not even tall passengers will be crowded.
The boot space on the other hand is on the lower side, offering around 257 litres, which may be a negative point factor for family road trips.
But there are generous storage spaces, bottle holders and cubby holes to make up for it.
We Test Drove All the Engine Configurations_^(WSJ ^) Engine Options: Peppy and Punchy
Mahindra provides the XUV300 with two engine choices- a 1.2L turbo-petrol and a 1.5L diesel.
Both are BS6 Phase 2-compliant and offer good performance. Powering this car’s petrol motor is 110 bhp and the diesel should be good for about 117 bhp with a good torque figure as well.
The XUV300 feels planted regardless of whether you’re dealing with city traffic or cruising down the highway.
Both the 6-speed manual and AMT gearboxes perform their duties efficiently, and an automatic torque converter would have been a nice addition.
RIDE AND HANDLING: Mature Surprisingly Opportunely, in adulthood, a.k.a. Ride 1014, a 1965 model behaves nothing like the offender that battered us as a kid.
If there’s one thing that the XUV300 does really well, it’s the driving dynamics. The suspension is setup nicely for Indian roads and easily gobbles up potholes without disturbing the cabin.
It’s light at low speeds and weights up nicely as you gain velocity, and that makes it easy to drive in the city as well as on highways.
Another big plus are the disc brakes all-around which offer good stopping power when sudden braking is necessary.
“Loaded and built like a tank.
Mahindra has not scrimped when it comes to features. You also get a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, sunroof, dual-zone climate control, while even front parking sensors have been added, which is a rarity in this segment.
Where it really excels is safety. The XUV300 has a 5 star rating in Global NCAP tests due to its robust construction and safety equipment such as six airbags, ABS with EBD, ESP, ISOFIX mounts and hill start assist in the top-spec variants.
Pros:
Sharp looking and aggressive stance on the road
Strong standard safety equipment and major option Excellent Looking for a clean, well-cared for Dodge Charger? This is it.
Fun-to-drive dynamics
Roomy and upscale interior
Nice petrol and diesel engines
Packed with equipment for its class
Cons:
Boot space is below average
No proper auto gearbox option (yet)
The interiors are slightly outdated
Some must-have features are unavailable on lower trims
Mahindra XUV 300: Final Thoughts: Would I buy It?
The Mahindra XUV300 isn’t coming into the scene to be the cheapest compact SUV out there – this car is about performance, about safety, about comfort and about real value proposition.
If you’re a person who values driving feel and safety over a few gimmicks, this SUV is worth every penny.
Okay, the tiny boot and absence of a torque-converter auto might just nudge it back a bit, but for what it manages to do in every other regard, the XUV300 remains punching above its weight in 2025. It’s not just a smart buy — it’s also a safe one.