Buying Used: Mahindra XUV300 (2019-2024)

The Mahindra XUV300 may have been around for a few years, but it made a substantial impact – in more ways than one!

Mahindra XUV300 front

Image: CAR magazine

The compact-crossover segment is a battlefield where manufacturers routinely sacrifice structural integrity for aggressive pricing. Yet, when the Mahindra XUV300 touched down in South Africa in 2019, it subverted this paradigm to a very large degree. Derived from the SsangYong Tivoli’s X100 platform, the XUV300 proudly claimed a five-star Global NCAP safety rating. It represented a monumental shift for the Indian automaker, proving they could deliver almost European levels of dynamic refinement and safety tech at a value-oriented price point. However, as the XUV300 matures on the pre-owned market – now superseded by the XUV 3XO, which featured in CAR magazine’s 2025 SUV Shootout – buyers must weigh up their options.

A rundown on the Mahindra XUV300

The XUV300 boasts 180 mm of ground clearance and a suspension setup that confidently absorbs corrugations. Inside, the cabin offers proper width and impressive rear legroom, accommodating three adults across the aft bench with surprising ease. However, this passenger space comes at a cost…the boot capacity is a a modest 257 litres; limiting its utility as a primary family vehicle. The dashboard layout is robust but visually dated, with the standard 7.0-inch touchscreen lacking crisp resolution despite offering Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.

The powertrain strategy relied on two highly capable, forced-induction engines. The 1.2-litre, three-cylinder turbocharged petrol unit produced a spirited 81 kW at 5000 r/min and 200 N.m of torque from 2 000 r/min. While peppy, its real-world fuel consumption often hovers around a relatively thirsty 7.5 L/100 km. The standout powertrain was the 1.5-litre, four-cylinder turbodiesel. Delivering 86 kW at 3 750 r/min and a punchy 300 N.m from just 1 500 r/min, it provides effortless highway cruising and returns a highly frugal claimed consumption of 4.8 L/100 km. Both engines were initially mated to a slick-shifting six-speed manual gearbox, with a somewhat unrefined automated manual transmission (AMT) introduced later to capture the two-pedal market.

Mahindra XUV300 interior

Image: CAR magazine

What to look out for when buying a used Mahindra XUV300

  • AMT jerkiness: The automated manual transmission is unrefined, so check for aggressive lurching or delayed clutch engagement between first and second gear during a test drive.
  • Steering rack rattle: While the XUV300 features adjustable steering weight modes, the electronic motor linkage can develop minor play over time.
  • Infotainment freezing: The 7.0-inch interface on pre-2022 models is prone to input lag and spontaneous reboots when running smartphone mirroring applications.
  • Clutch wear (manuals): Because the 1.2-litre petrol engine suffers from slight low-end turbo lag, urban drivers often slip the clutch excessively to pull away quickly, leading to premature friction plate wear.

Which 0ne to buy

The one to get is the 1.5TD W8 manual. The 300 N.m of torque transforms the crossover into an effortless long-distance cruiser, while the diesel’s inherent efficiency perfectly offsets the vehicle’s 1.4-tonne kerb weight. The W8 trim level is non-negotiable because it unlocks the full suite of safety features – including seven airbags and electronic stability control (ESC) – that earned the vehicle its prestigious safety rating, alongside essential creature comforts like dual-zone climate control.

Click here to browse thousands of new and used vehicles here with CARmag!

The post Buying Used: Mahindra XUV300 (2019-2024) appeared first on CAR Magazine.


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