Mahindra XUV 300: The design of the XUV300 borrows heavily from the SsangYong Tivoli with the two brands sharing parentage through Mahindra, resulting in a product that laid the groundwork for international design sensibilities tailored to suit Indian tastes.
The front fascia is characterized by a chrome-trimmed single frame grille, which uses the usual vertical slats, which is flanked by projector headlamps with unique LED daytime running lights that form a unique signature.
Despite its sub-4-meter length owing to respective Indian tax rules, the side profile looks well balanced.
The floating head design, highlighted by contrasting color options, looks up to date, while square wheel arches too help house up to a set of 17-inch diamond-cut alloys on the top-spec models and give the SUV a planted stance.
The rear of the new Gloster carries forward the same design evolution with LED tail lamps that link via a chrome accent strip adding some visual width and a sense of refinement.
Coming in six exterior colors, including standout options such as Galaxy Grey and Red Rage, the XUV300 is forceful yet subtle enough to allow for customization.
The holistic design manages to effectively convey the feel of a European utility, without losing sight of Mahindra’s own development in body language, thus ensuring that the XUV700 will cut a distinctive profile in a segment filled with clones.
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Mahindra XUV 300: Entering cabin- A new segment standard
On the inside, the XUV300 is proof that Mahindra is willing to offer a higher quality interior and more rich feature content than you’d normally expect in the segment.
The dashboard is laid out with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system for visibility in the center, along with a monochrome information display positioned between two analog dials, which serve as the most crucial info about a car.
Material quality is above segment standards, with soft-touch materials on the dashboard and door panels, leatherette upholstery on higher variants, and attention to detail such as contrast stitching and silver accents.
A dual-tone black-beige interior theme is used liberally inside the cabin, while the leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear lever aid in tactile quality during operation.
The width of the XUV300 (1821mm) is also class-leading in its segment and translates into more shoulder room than rivals, making the car better suited for those trips where the family gets loaded into the car.
The rear bench also has ample space by segment standards, including plenty of legroom for adults, as well as thoughtful touches such as rear air conditioning vents and a foldable center armrest with cupholders.
Storage features are practical as well, with several cubbies in the cabin (including a cooled glovebox), door pockets that can fit one-liter bottles, and covered storage under the center console.
The 257 litres of boot space may not be class-leading but is enough for everyday use, and there is a reasonably wide opening for more cumbersome objects.
Powertrains: Selection and Competence
The XUV300 comes with two efficient powertrain options catering to varied customer priorities. The 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine makes 110 bhp and 200 Nm of torque, delivering peppy performance with energetic mid-range performance especially beneficial during overtaking.
The refinement and linear power delivery of this engine affords the driver a sophisticated experience in keeping with the vehicle’s premium aspirations.
The 1.5-liter diesel which best serves high performance of distance, produces 115hp, with 300 Nm of torque, and the horse power in question reaches from lower RPMs, better propellant this vehicle, in diverse conditions.
The efficiency of this powertrain—around 20 km/l in standardized testing—offers high operating economy, which should further strengthen the XUV300’s proposition for high-mileage users.
The engines were initially paired only to 6-speed manual transmissions with precise shift action and well-chosen ratios.
The later iterations also included an automated manual transmission (AMT) option giving two-pedal convenience to urban drivers without a massive increase in cost. The calibration favors smoothness over pace, in line with the car’s accommodating brief.
Ride and Handling: European Influence
Driving dynamics are evidently European, which is most probably due to the SsangYong connection.
It also features MacPherson struts up front and a twist-beam configuration out back, and it’s tuned for comfort over responsiveness, but unaffected by stability when changing direction.
What really impresses is the suspension’s ability to soak up road imperfections without an oversized wagon’s body undulations.
With a ground clearance of 180 mm, you can also tackle broken road surfaces and even moderate off-road conditions with confidence, but the vehicle emphasis remains on-road, and not serious off-road capabilities.
The track is suitably weighted with speed builds up naturally, so although it’s light enough to make traipsing around a parking lot an easy affair, there’s still enough involved to provide acceptable amounts of feedback when doing the highway cruise.
Three modes of steering (Normal, Comfort and Sport) let drivers vary effort depending on preference and driving situation—something usually reserved for more upscale segments.
Safety Credentials: Setting the Higher Bar
Coming to its segment, the XUV300’s contribution is the most pronounced with just how comprehensive the safety package this compact SUV gets.
It received a 5-star Global NCAP safety rating — an impressive feat for a vehicle of this price class — attributing to its strong structural integrity and a complete passive safety suite.
All variants get dual front airbags, ABS with EBD and corner braking control, plus rear parking sensors as standard equipment.
Top-spec models include side and curtain airbags (for a total of seven), electronic stability control, hill-start assist and a tire pressure monitoring system.
Many of these features are first-in-segment at the time of introduction, which showcases Mahindra’s commitment to going above and beyond the required regulations for occupant protection.
Mahindra XUV 300
The Mahindra is an evolution of the Indian manufacturer’s product development pincer movement, which has delivers the global-education and local-education mix.
Showing how polished, feature-rich, and safe a vehicle in this segment can be while catering to the practicality of the buyers, the Mahindra cuts an impressive figure and raises the expectation not only of the competitors playing catch-up but the buyers themselves.
Its balanced execution across fundamental attributes—styling, interior quality, performance, and safety—has positioned it as a serious contender in what is one of the most hotly contested segments in India automotive today.
All in all, this methodical approach to product development — a combination of global standards and local articulation — makes the XUV300 a testament of how far Mahindra has come as a manufacturer that can develop world-class vehicles with international appeal.
