- Introduction
Mahindra’s sub‑4 m compact SUV, originally launched in 2019, gets a comprehensive update in 2025 with the XUV300 facelift, also titled XUV 3XO in some markets. Beyond design tweaks, the new model brings a panoramic sunroof and offers up to seven airbags on its top trims, reinforcing its reputation as one of India’s safest compact SUVs.
2. Design & Exterior Upgrades
2.1 Front Fascia & Styling
The facelift introduces redesigned LED projector headlamps, sleeker DRLs, and a more pronounced front grille with chrome highlights for a bolder road presence .
Rear styling too sees updates, including connected LED tail lamps and subtle diffuser inserts, giving a sharper, more contemporary look .
2.2 Panoramic Sunroof
The toplines (e.g. AX7 Pro, AX7L Pro) now include a skyroof, giving the cabin a light, airy ambience and enhancing premium feel. Lower lower-series trims may retain a single-pane sunroof instead of a panoramic unit .
3. Powertrain: Performance & Efficiency
Mahindra continues with familiar engine choices, refined for 2025:
1.2 L turbo‑petrol (mStallion TGDi) delivering 108 bhp / 200 Nm, or the higher‑output TGDi version that makes 130 bhp / 230 Nm .
1.5 L diesel with roughly 115–117 bhp / 300 Nm torque delivery .
Transmission options: 6‑speed manual across variants; 6‑speed AMT optional on petrol turbo and diesel trims .
Fuel Efficiency
Petrol: city ~17 km/l, highway up to ~21 km/l.
Diesel: ~20 km/l city, up to ~23 km/l highway (ARAI‑certified) .
4. Cabin: Comfort & Tech
4.1 Space & Ergonomics
Offers a spacious cabin for five adults thanks to a 2,600 mm wheelbase, roomier rear seat layout, and decent headroom/legroom .
4.2 Infotainment & Interfaces
Higher variants feature dual 10.25″ screens: one for infotainment and another digital cluster; built-in AdrenoX & Alexa voice commands, along with 360° camera system and Harman Kardon 7‑speaker sound system .
Supports wireless Android Auto / wired Apple CarPlay, cruise control, wireless charging, softly‑touch dashboard trim, cooled glove box etc. on upper variants .
4.3 Comfort Features
Dual‑zone climate control, electrically adjustable driver seat, multiple USB ports, rear AC vents, cooled glove box, and refined material quality as you climb trims .
5. Safety: 7‑Airbags & ADAS
5.1 Safety Ratings
Even prior to facelift, XUV300 achieved 5 stars Adult Occupant Protection (AOP) and 4 stars child occupant protection under Global NCAP standards—a first at its launch .
The facelifted XUV 3XO (2024/25) scored 5 stars on both Adult and Child ratings in Bharat NCAP tests—rated exceptionally high with AOP ~29.36/32 and COP ~43/49 .
5.2 Airbag Configuration
Lower trims: dual front airbags standard.
Upper trims: up to 6 airbags (front, side & curtain), and the top AX variant adds a driver knee‑airbag, making a total of 7 airbags .
5.3 Additional Safety Tech
Offers ABS with EBD, ESC (ESP), hill‑start assist, corner braking control, ISOFIX mounts, seatbelt reminders, speed‑based door‑lock, crash sensors, engine immobiliser, TPMS on higher variants .
Level‑2 ADAS suite (adaptive cruise control, lane‑keep assist, 360° view, forward collision warning, blind‑spot monitoring) available on AX5 L, AX7 L Pro trims .
6. Variants & Pricing
6.1 Variant Hierarchy
The facelift retains the earlier W‑series base trims (W2, W4, W6, W8, W8(O), TurboSport) and introduces AX & MX series alone facelift side:
MX Series—MX1, MX2, MX2 Pro, MX3, MX3 Pro: gradually adds infotainment, sunroof (single-pane), cruise, wireless charging etc.
AX Series—AX5, AX5 L (adds ADAS), AX7, AX7 Pro, AX7 L, AX7 L Pro (adds skyroof + Harman Kardon + full ADAS) .
6.2 Price Band (Ex‑Showroom, Pan‑India)
Base petrol starts at ₹7.99 lakh, base diesel at ₹8.99 lakh.
Mid petrol/diesel trims around ₹10.99–11.99 lakh.
Top-end turbo petrol / top diesel variant ~₹13.76–14.76 lakh.
XUV 3XO launches from ~₹7.49 lakh ex‑showroom in some reports. Fully-specced AX7 L Pro could approach ₹15 lakh territory .
7. Segment Comparison: How It Stacks Against Rivals
Key Competitors:
Tata Nexon, Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet, Maruti Fronx / Brezza, Ford EcoSport, Nissan Magnite etc.
Where XUV300 Shines
Top-class safety: consistently 5-star rated and loaded with up to 7 airbags.
Driving dynamics: smaller footprint, refined torque‑rich powertrain and sporty handling.
High‑end tech in facelifted model: dual‑screens, ADAS, 360° camera, Harman Kardon—all rare in sub‑4 m segment.
Weaknesses & Pain Points
Boot space is often criticized (~257 litres), insufficient for long trips with full luggage. Many users and threads highlight this shortcoming at length .
Initial reliability issues with early batches: e.g. fuel pump, suspension noise, DPF errors, water intrusion complaints before facelift models improved (per user retrospectives) .
Interior quality & aesthetics: still considered dated by some. Critics say the dashboard layout feels old compared to rivals, and the build doesn’t feel premium at base trims
8. Owner Feedback (Reddit Highlights)
**”Real fun to drive…”** multiple users praised the sporty driving dynamics and torque-rich engine despite being a compact chassis .
**”Boot is really really tiny…”**, and often the go-to gripe—many mention it’s manageable for small families but limiting on long journeys or luggage-heavy trips .
Early batch teething issues: boot leaks, DPF faults, poor Bluetooth, inconsistent service experiences surfaced in long‑term ownership reports . Also consensus: with later batches (facelift included), things have stabilized.
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9. In Focus: Sunroof & 7‑Airbags
9.1 Sunroof Experience
Single-pane sunroof appears on mid-tier MX-series trims, but panoramic skyroof reserved for higher AX7 Pro and AX7L Pro models. It enhances cabin openness, sunlight flow, and overall appeal—especially valuable in urban India for day‑time mood uplift .
9.2 7‑Airbag Safety Setup
Includes dual front, dual side, dual curtain, and driver-knee airbag. This means occupant protection is available at head, pelvis, and knees in case of a frontal crash—rare in this price bracket .
Coupled with ESP, TPMS, ADAS features, the XUV300 gives one of the strongest safety packages in the sub‑4 m SUV category.
10. Pros & Cons Summary
Pros
Class-leading safety credentials (5‑star AOP/COP, 7 airbags)
Rich facelift feature set: panoramic roof, dual screens, ADAS, 360° camera, wireless tech
Engaging performance: strong torque and sharp handling for a compact SUV
Spacious cabin for five adults and thoughtful comfort features like rear vents, cooled glove box
Cons
Very small boot space (~257 L) limits long-distance usability
Interior design & material quality still trail rivals; base variants feel dated
Service reliability & support have seen user complaints in early ownership; later trucks improved
no all-wheel drive or rear AC vents (only front), which some rivals offer
11. Who Should Consider the XUV300 2025?
Safety-first buyers wanting best-in-class crash performance.
Drivers who prioritize driving feel, handling, and compact agility in city use.
Tech-savvy folks appreciating panoramic sunroof, ADAS features, dual screens, and connected car capabilities.
Small families or couples who rarely need large boot space and enjoy weekend city driving.
12. Verdict
The 2025 XUV300 facelift (or XUV 3XO) breathes new life into a platform that already punched above its weight in terms of safety and driving dynamics. With introduction of the panoramic skyroof, dual 10.25″ screens, advanced ADAS, and 7‑airbag safety suite, this is arguably the most compelling compact SUV Mahindra has offered to date.
Yes, it still doesn’t solve the age-old criticism about limited boot space, and interior styling doesn’t quite match the ultramodern look of Venue, Sonet or Nexon. But if you prioritize safety, value-packed features, and a fun, responsive drive, the updated XUV300 deserves serious consideration in the ₹8–15 lakh ex-showroom bracket.
Quick Pros & Cons Table
Pros Cons
5-star adult & child safety rating + 7 airbags Boot ~257 L – quite small
Panoramic sunroof, ADAS, dual‑10.25″ screens, 360° cam Interior styling/materials look dated in base trims
Strong torque engines, sharp city/highway drive Service and early batch reliability issues linger
Spacious cabin for five, dual‑zone AC, cooled glove box No AWD, no rear AC vents
Final Thoughts 吝
The 2025 Mahindra XUV300/XUV 3XO delivers a comprehensive leap in features and safety while retaining its strengths in driving dynamics and cabin comfort. It is perfectly positioned for buyers seeking a safe, well‑equipped compact SUV with a driving edge—especially who appreciate the sunroof luxury and 7‑airbag peace of mind.
Price-wise, starting under ₹8 lakh makes it accessible, while top variants pushing ₹14–15 lakh still offer strong value compared to similarly priced Tata or Hyundai options. If your lifestyle doesn’t demand massive boot capacity and you can handle Mahindra’s after-sales network, it’s a serious trophy contender.