Mahindra XUV3XO 2025 Review - International

Prices for the Mahindra XUV3XO are yet to be announced but we’ve got some good indications. Clearly they need to be sharp to compete with the hot sellers in the compact SUV category.

The Chery Tiggo 4, for example, sells from $23,990 drive away. The 3XO may not quite get that low, but it should be within $1000 of it, at least for the entry-level model, known as AX5L.

That model gets 16-inch alloy wheels, smart key entry, dual-zone ventilation, a reversing camera and dual 10.25-inch screens incorporating wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

There’s also a space saver spare wheel; tucked under the boot floor.

There’s also a better equipped AX7L, which gets 17-inch wheels and a contrasting black roof. We’re told that model will still come in under $30,000 drive away. It also adds faux leather trim, a 360-degree camera, a panoramic sunroof, cooled and illuminated glovebox, front parking sensors and a Harman Kardon sound system with subwoofer.

The 3XO is covered by a seven-year, 150,000km warranty.

The Mahindra XUV3XO’s price is a big part of its appeal. It’s shaping up to be many thousands cheaper than some big-name rivals and looks set to be competitive with other budget-priced compact SUVs.

In that regard it’s in some ways providing a new car option for those shopping for a second-hand small SUV.

It’s also far from scantily clad, especially in AX7L guise.

It presents well and has some gear that many wouldn’t be expecting at this price level; a panoramic sunroof and Harman Kardon sound system top that list.

The 3XO may be a small SUV – it’s 3990mm long and 1821mm wide – but it doesn’t feel tiny inside.

A couple of adults in the rear can enjoy decent legroom while headroom is acceptable (the sunroof knocks some off the cranium space from the AX7L).

The narrow cabin makes three across the back a squeeze, though.

Rear-seat passengers also enjoy cool air from the centrally mounted vents.

Nothing for this money is particularly powerful in the engine department and it’s no different with the 3XO.

That said, the 82kW on offer makes it a leisurely journey to freeway speeds.

The 200Nm is more useful, mainly because it’s available fairly low in the rev range (from just 1500rpm). It means it pulls respectably at lower speeds without the need to thrash it.

Having that extra oomph from the turbo makes the middle rev range more useful than it otherwise would be, even if the top end doesn’t have a whole lot to offer.

There’s also some character in the little three-cylinder’s sound, while it’s relatively quiet by small engine standards.

The six-speed auto is clean and decisive in its shifts, helping make the most of the modest engine outputs.

Steering is light and responsive and the body well behaved.

Our drive was on a mostly smooth test track, but any bumps we managed to sniff out seemed to be dealt with admirably. The foundations appear there for decent ride quality.

And if you’re one with some rutted roads or aggressive speed humps in your commute then the high ground clearance makes it less likely to scrape the underside.

Mahindra may be taking safety more seriously these days but the 3XO is missing some key features that look set to earn it a less-than-perfect ANCAP safety rating if or when it is tested.

There’s no centre airbag, for example, something that’s typically required these days for small cars to achieve five stars. It also misses out on rear cross-traffic alert and blind-spot warning.

The 3XO’s equipment list looks good, but some of the gear looks built to a price.

The centre screen, for example, lacks the vibrancy of some and has a low-resolution camera that provides a dull image.

There’s the occasional plastic finish that looks like it was built to a price, too.

While the upper door lining has a nice soft finish on the AX7L, for example, the darker central section that flows through to the dash is old-school hard and scratchy.

Now, back to the engine. If you’re looking to do lots of country driving you’ll likely have your right foot buried in the carpet regularly. It’s not very powerful, something more noticeable at higher speeds.

Fuel use is claimed at 6.5L/100km, which is towards the thirsty side for such a small car. Sure, it runs on regular unleaded, but that’s still a decent thirst for a basic car.

Dynamically the 3XO feels better than others at this money, but there’s still room for improvement.

The steering is very light, especially at parking speeds, but when you step up the pace into a corner it’s occasionally oddly weighted. There’s also noticeable leaning at speed.

Like anything at the budget end of the small car market there are compromises with the Mahindra XUV3XO.
Some safety omissions compared with key rivals, for example, and the basic engine that can be thirsty is nothing special.

But, again, at this money nothing is perfect. And the XUV3XO has plenty going for it, starting with a sharp price and a cabin that doesn’t cram people in.

For frugal city transport the 3XO adds to the growing number of tiddlers that are built for those on a budget.

2025 Mahindra3XO at a glance:
Price: From about $25,000 drive away (estimated)
Available: July 2025
Powertrain: 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo
Output: 82kW/200Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel consumption: 6.5L/100km (ADR)
CO2 emissions: 137g/km
Safety rating: Not tested

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