By Prashirwin Naidu
The city’s hustle and bustle can leave you feeling out of sorts and craving fresh air.
So, when I received an invitation to celebrate Mahindra’s 20-year milestone in South
Africa, I was keen. I couldn’t wait to head to OR Tambo’s City Lodge, where the
convoy was set to depart for a media trip to The Lost Palace at Sun City.
Since 2004, Mahindra has established itself as a key player in the automotive market
and continues to grow and make its mark. Their new Twin Peak logo reflects their
commitment to authenticity and integrity, which is evident in their latest products.
Since 2004, Mahindra has established itself as a key player in the automotive market
and continues to grow and make its mark. Their new Twin Peak logo reflects their
commitment to authenticity and integrity, which is evident in their latest products.
Before setting off in convoy, we were given a choice of vehicles: the large XUV700
SUV, the heavy-duty Scorpio-N, and the compact XUV300. I immediately opted for
the funky-looking XUV300.
The XUV300’s design blends smartness with practicality, though some tech and
safety features are reserved for higher models. Our top-spec AX7L costs R405,000,
but don’t worry—prices start at R254,000, with plenty of options to suit your style and budget. We hit the road, sharing the 200 km journey with my co-driver, trekking in style. Mahindra keeps raising the bar with its zippy 1.2-litre turbocharged engine paired with a smooth six-speed automatic gearbox. The drive was comfortable, easily handling bumps and potholes along the beaten paths.
The straight roads can get dull, but we cruised smoothly, dodging potholes with
ease. This little trooper had plenty of power, especially when overtaking, responding
quickly without any struggle. Fuel consumption is a topic worth exploring. It was decent. We set the adaptive cruise control to 120 km/h, achieving 10l/100km. It’s fair, though slightly high for this compact SUV. Once my co-driver and I swapped, I settled into the passenger seat and couldn’t help but appreciate how plush the cabin felt. It’s a step up from the older XUV300, with a modern infotainment screen supporting Google Maps via Apple CarPlay.
Everything felt premium — from the touchpoints to the leather-wrapped steering
wheel and comfy seats. The Harman Kardon sound system with seven speakers
was a joy, filling the car with great tunes as we cruised along. The safety features are impressive, with six airbags and advanced systems like adaptive cruise control, blind spot assist, and lane-keeping. However, the lane- keeping assist could use some refinement — it felt intrusive and not as smooth as expected.
Upon arriving at the Palace of the Lost City, we basked in the sun and admired the
XUV 3X0. Mahindra aims to attract a youthful audience and compete with its rivals.
Some standout features include the panoramic sunroof, which we enjoyed despite
the heat. The updated design includes a revised bumper with C-shaped LED
headlamps, giving it a fresh and appealing look. The rear also impresses with its
elongated tail lights, adding a nice touch.
When it comes to storage, I may have overpacked, but there was ample room for
two suitcases and a hat, making it comfortable for both my partner and me. The XUV 3X0 competes with the Nissan Magnite, the popular Chery Tiggo 4 Pro, and the
Suzuki Fronx. I found the drive in the XUV 3X0 to be smooth and enjoyable. Rajesh
Gupta, CEO, shared the company’s vision of capturing the market with strategically
priced, sought-after vehicles. We’ll see how it performs in the market.
On our return journey, I hopped into the XUV700, a seven-seater family SUV. It was
plush, and we arrived at OR Tambo in style to end the day. The kilometres flew by; it
was a short but enjoyable trip. The XUV 3X0 truly shone, but I wish we had more time.
