5 safety stars for Mahindra’s impressive B-Segment SUV contender, “Africa’s safest car.” Ryan de Villiers reports from the media launch.
The Mahindra XUV300 has achieved a five-star rating from the (Global New Car Assessment Programme (GNCAP) and it would seem as though the Indian vehicle manufacturer is rather proud of this fact. It is a compact SUV littered with a tremendous number of safety features. The updated XUV300 is a culmination of a number of efforts to improve the safety rating issued to the Indian model. According to Mahindra, their vehicle received a score of 16.42 out of 17 as well as five stars for its adult occupant safety rating. Notable features range from seven airbags to an EBD system that comes as standard from the base model up. At a reasonable sticker price of R235 000 for its base model, the XUV300 positions itself as an affordable and reliable choice for the family-oriented consumer.
“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 meets the standards that has made the model the GNCAP’s top performer,” says Rajesh Gupta, CEO of Mahindra South Africa.
Mahindra’s Somerset West branch hosted a launch event for the firm’s acclaimed SUV. Attendees were fortunate enough to pilot the range-topper, the W8 (specifically the diesel variant). The itinerary for the day included a quick talk about the features of the XUV300 followed by a certified defensive driving class and finally a presentation by the MasterDrive team on preventative measures for hijackings.
The defensive driving segment of the event saw a qualified MasterDrive employee evaluate the driver’s ability and awareness while giving feedback and advice on how to improve their driving. The presentation revolving around hijacking, aimed at informing the attendees about the proper procedures to follow when involved in a hijacking. Afterwards, a first-aid kit was gifted to everyone in attendance.
In ascending order, the models range from the W4, W4 SE, W6, and W8. Each model has two derivatives (one petrol variant and one diesel variant). The XUV300’s main selling point is its impeccable safety rating. While there were one or two gripes about the spacing and design choices of Mahindra’s B-Segment SUV, as far as performance is concerned the compact SUV offers a comfortable ride and an array of modern comforts. The 1,5-litre turbodiesel motor feels peppy and doesn’t suffer from any perceivable turbo lag. Overall, the car is agile and very responsive while assuring the driver that they are cradled by myriad precautionary features.
Keyword: Mahindra’s updated XUV300 range gets 5 safety stars at GNCAP