Mahindra XUV300 gets a thumbs-up from GNCAP

First launched to a global audience in May 2019, the XUV300 received a full five-star rating and the title as 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,” said Rajesh Gupta, CEO of Mahindra South Africa.

The safest choice

Tested by the GNCAP for both India and Africa, the XUV300 set a new benchmark.

In fact, the GNCAP called it “a milestone moment for vehicle safety” and made particular mention of the fact that it was the entry-level model, not the best specified version, that took home five stars, meaning that regardless of your budget, you get the best possible safety.

During the tests, the GNCAP submitted the XUV300 to various side- and front-offset crash tests. It awarded the XUV300 a score of 16.42 out of 17 for adult protection, giving it five out of five stars.

The GNCAP also awarded the XUV300 with four stars for child protection, scoring it “Good” or “Adequate” in all areas of occupant protection, cabin intrusion and vehicle body deformation.

The entire XUV300 range is fitted with at least two airbags, electronic stability control (ESP), ABS brakes with emergency brakeforce distribution and disk wheels on all four wheels.

For buyers of the W8, the list of safety features grows substantially.

The W8 models add to the high specification level a further five airbags, including a knee and side curtain airbags, for a total of seven airbags, and a dynamic cornering brake control system that electronically distributes brake force to offer a higher level of dynamic steering and safety when the XUV300 is driven briskly.

The W8 also receives a panic braking system, bright warning lights fitted to the doors when open at night and Hill Hold Assist.

Petrol and diesel options

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 81kW and 200Nm.

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

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

“With the refreshed XUV300 we can now rightly claim to offer one of the most comprehensive vehicle packages in the compact SUV segment. Not only is the XUV300 a dynamic and rewarding drive, but it offers a level of comfort and luxury not common in this segment and, of course, it is South Africa’s safest vehicle,” said Gupta.

Source: QuickPic