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• More than 1000 XUVs have been sold since launch in 2019.
• Vast improvement on build quality, materials easy to clean.
• One of the most frugal cars to drive.
Build quality was a massive concern when Mahindra first entered the local market several years ago. Equipment panels inside the vehicles had massive gaps in between, and the plastic felt and sounded cheap. And, the cars had a peculiar smell due to the materials which were a bit unappealing.
Fast forward a few years along with loads of well-received feedback from customers, Mahindra has taken a 180-degree turn and changed the poor perception and has now become a sought-after brand in South Africa.
The XUV300 is a good example of that. When you look inside this car, it isn't easy to believe where they've come from compared to the build quality which was seen when the automaker first launched here locally.
The automaker says it has sold over 1000 XUV300 models since it first launched here in South Africa just over a year ago, and that's an incredible feat for a brand new model in the country.
Mahindra XUV300 interior - Image: Clavern Van der Post
Probably the most striking feature you'll notice when you look inside this car, are the light seats; black leather is optional on another derivative. My initial concern was that my five-year-old would ruin those seats in the rear with her muddy shoes, grubby hands when she's snacking in the car during road trips, or just whatever it is that toddlers do to get their hands filthy. However, the XUV300's seats are so easy to clean, everything vanishes with a quick use of a wet wipe or cloth. I love it.
Cup-holders and little storage compartments everywhere are a charm; there are spots in the doors for water or juice bottles which are easy to reach from her car seat in the rear while the two front doors have space for two water bottle-holders in its pockets too. There's even a neat little shelf of sorts above the cubby for extra bits.
Mahindra XUV300 interior - Image: Clavern Van der Post
There's also the rope intricately patterned behind the two front seats which not only look intriguing and are a unique feature but also double as storage. Since the sprog loves to draw and always has a book and some colouring pens wherever we may go, this makes for an excellent spot for these items on the road, and they're easy to reach.
The boot might look small at first glance, but it actually is more than suffice. There's enough room for several items of luggage, or a big haul of groceries for an essential run to the store.
I am still taken aback at the build quality, just because the brand's equipment and materials were so incredibly poor over a decade ago. I could literally stick my finger between interior panels back then, and everything rattled and rolled when you drove. It felt like the car would fall apart when driving 100km/h. There's none of that now.
Mahindra XUV300 interior - Image: Clavern Van der Post
My only gripe would be the insulation rubbers around the door panels are a bit flimsy, and could come loose quite easily if you're not careful. However, it slips right back in when it does happen to come apart, but it's still something that could use heaps of improvement, or perhaps some extra-strength industrial glue.
It might look bland at first, but I prefer the minimalist approach. Less is, after all, more, and it works in this car.
Janine Van der Post is the Editor at Wheels24. You can email her any car questions, or queries here.
