Test driving Mahindra XUV 3XO: Much better package than Maruti Brezza

I drove the AX7 Petrol TDGi automatic both on the highway and in the city and was amazed by the engine-gearbox combo.

BHPian BoneCollector recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

My brother-in-law is planning to pick up a C-SUV and he is fixated on the Mahindra 3XO. We took a test drive today. He had fixed up the test drive timings. The car was brought home for a test drive. It was a black AX7 Petrol TDGi automatic.

I drove it for about 10 kms on the highway and a couple of kms inside the city. I'm amazed at the engine-gearbox combo. It is so well-mated. Slot it into D and remove the foot from the brake pedal and the car starts moving slowly. There was no lag that I could feel inside the city.

On the highway, it builds up speed too quickly and effortlessly. The turbo push that I feel in my diesel Brezza wasn't there, maybe I was babying the car. Overtaking was a breeze. There are so many gizmos in it.

He had chosen AX5L but now he is planning on AX7 as this variant misses out on ADAS and 360° camera (which is there in AX5L) but the interiors are great. AX7 also has front parking sensors which were very helpful in narrow lanes.

It is overall a great package and at around 16.2L, this is a much better package than Brezza ZXi+ AT. I recently drove Brezza ZXi+ AT and it can't hold a candle to 3XO.

Maruti Brezza ZXi+ AT

Pros

• It's a Maruti so no hassle in finding a service centre.
• Mileage is better as it's a NA engine.
• More gizmos like 360° camera, HUD, pedal shifters etc.

Cons

• Lethargic engine.
• Overtaking needs to be planned in advance.
• Pedal shifters help in increasing engine noise rather than speed.
• Lack of 3-point ELR seatbelts on the rear bench for the middle passenger.
• Not as well built as the Mahindra.

Mahindra XUV 3XO AX7 AT

Pros

• Lovely engine and gearbox combo.
• Overtaking is a breeze, just a gentle tap on the accelerator pedal and you're good to go.
• The power delivery is linear.
• Cabin is silent.
• 3-point ELR seatbelts for all passengers on the rear bench.

Cons

• Service is a hit or miss.
• Mileage is poor as it's a turbo petrol. The test drive car was showing 8kmpl.
• Lack of a 360-deg camera but that is somewhat negated by the presence of front parking sensors. No HUD or pedal shifters.

Boot space is subjective and so is the sunroof. Brezza has a single-pane sunroof, the same as AX5 whereas AX7 and above has a dual-pane panoramic sunroof.

If I've to pick up between these 2, my pick will be the 3XO.

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