2019 Mahindra XUV300 review, road test

Jointly developed by Mahindra and SsangYong, this Brezza-rivaling sub-four-metre SUV is high on appeal and features.

Published on Mar 28, 2019 06:01:00 AM

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Bright colours, a pleasing design and high-quality materials give the interiors a genuine premium feel.

Boot is smaller than many premium hatchbacks, and loading lip is high.

While the exteriors are youthful, the interiors appear to be more mature. The black and light beige colour theme with tasteful silver accents accentuates the premium ‘look’ of the cabin and the overall design is rather pleasing, save for the climate control section that looks dated and has slim buttons that are fiddly to use on the go. Even the twin-ring instruments aren’t very easy on the eyes. And yes, like the Brezza, the circles within the dials change colour but the outer ring strangely remains red. The switchgear exudes quality and has a nice, tactile feel. Although there aren’t any soft-touch plastics, the textured plastic on the dash feels quite upmarket. Another positive here is the front seats; they offer good support and even those with wider frames will be very comfy, as the cushioning is spot on. Drivers enjoy a commanding view of the road, and with the bonnet being visible from behind the wheel, it gives that ‘proper SUV experience’. Not all ergonomics are sorted, though. The clutch travel is unusually long, and the gear lever is a bit too tall, with long throws, and there’s no dead pedal either.

Cushioning at the front is spot on. Seats are very comfy and supportive.

Also, the rubberised storage area in front of the gear lever isn’t large enough to hold a smartphone, and you’d end up placing it in the two small cupholders beside the handbrake. The armrest console, on the other hand, is large, and can even swallow a small laptop or tablet. The door pockets are large enough to hold bottles and other things. Oddly, the open shelf above the glovebox gets a rubberised wall instead of an anti-slip base, so loose objects placed here will slide around.

The base of the shelf isn’t rubberised, but the wall is; so items placed here will slide around.

The XUV300’s cabin feels spacious, with the beige interiors adding to the ambience. Knee-and headroom are ample, and because the backseat is as wide as the Creta’s, three adults can sit here without their shoulders overlapping. Also, impressive is that all three passengers get neck restraints and three-point seatbelts. It, however, isn’t all perfect – the backseat is placed a bit low, thigh support is less, and lower back support feels excessive. For an otherwise well-equipped car, it misses out rear air con vents and USB charging slots too. Storage areas at the rear include seatback straps to hold magazines, and door pockets and cupholders in the armrest. The boot is shallow, and its 257-litre capacity is much lesser than its rivals; even the loading lip is high, making it that much more difficult to load heavier items.