First launched to a global audience in May 2019, the XUV300 received a full five-star rating and the title of Safest Car Ever Tested by the Global New Car Assessment Programme (GNCAP) in 2020. Soon thereafter, in 2021, Mahindra South Africa submitted their own locally homologated version for testing and received a thumbs up from the GNCAP and the title as Safest Car in Africa.

“It is worth noting that the GNCAP tested the most basic specification level of the XUV300 for its safety rating, both in South Africa and India. This means that even the entry-level W4 models are fully Five-Star Safety compliant and meet the standards that have made the model the GNCAP’s top performer,” says Rajesh Gupta, CEO of Mahindra South Africa.

The specification upgrade for 2022 includes the entry-level XUV300 W4 that now boasts a dark interior with black dashboard design and black seat upholstery. The upholstery is further upgraded from cloth to black leatherette on the W8 models.

A second significant upgrade has been made to the XUV300 infotainment system. A new high-output system with a new 9” touch-sensitive infotainment system replaces the 7” infotainment system of old and all specification levels that are fitted with the touch screen (W4 SE, W6 and W8) offer Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard.

Moving from the W4 SE to the W6, you’ll find more luxuries previously not available at this specification level.

These include a rear window wiper and demister and a comprehensive satellite navigation system. Mahindra has also added cruise control to the W6 specification level as a standard feature.

Stepping up from the W6, the W8 delivers on all the luxuries expected from a flagship. This new model features, amongst other things, dual zone climate control, a leather-clad steering wheel, a tyre pressure monitoring system and sunroof.

The XUV300 will continue to offer both a petrol and diesel option, except in the entry-level W4, which will only be available with a petrol engine.

The turbo-petrol engine is Mahindra’s own three-cylinder 1.2 litre engine, which delivers 81 kW at 5 000 r/min and a healthy 200 Nm of torque between 2 000 r/min and 3 500 r/min.

The diesel engine is a brand-new four-cylinder 1.5 litre turbo-diesel engine that delivers 85.8 kW and 300 Nm.

Both engine options deliver some of the best torque figures in their class and both are mated to a six-speed manual gearbox.