Mahindra revealed the highly-anticipated XUV 300 through pictures and announced the official name of the upcoming SUV recently. The all-new 5-seater sub-4m compact SUV will take on the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Ford EcoSport and Tata Nexon too. After the launch of the XUV 300 in February in India, Mahindra would launch a 7-seater version of the SUV, which is likely to be known as the XUV 400.
The XUV 400 would take on the likes of Renault Captur and Hyundai Creta and would be longer than the XUV 300. It will be a bridging model between the XUV 300 and the XUV 500 in the Indian market. The Mahindra XUV 300 is based on the SsangYong Tivoli, which is available in the international markets. However, Mahindra has made a lot of changes to ensure that it looks much different from the Tivoli and gets a unique identity. Internationally, SsangYong also offers a long wheelbase version of the Tivoli that offers an extra amount of boot space and cabin space. However, in India, the long wheelbase version would be launched a 7-seater iteration of the Mahindra XUV 300.
Interestingly, Mahindra’s another sub-4m compact SUV, the TUV 300 also offers an extended wheelbase version 7-seater iteration. The seven-seater version of the TUV 300 is known as the TUV 300 Plus. It is quite possible that Mahindra will follow the same naming nomenclature with the XUV 300 and its long wheelbase 7-seater version.
The seven-seater version would not be sub-4m in length but in the price bracket of Hyundai Creta and Renault Captur, Mahindra would offer two extra seats, which may attract a lot of buyers. The extended wheelbase version of the Mahindra XUV 300 has been caught testing on a multiple occasion alongside the XUV 300. The silhouette of both the cars looks identical so we can safely assume that they will share a lot of similarities when it comes to the design of the vehicle.
The XUV 300 and its LWB 7-seater version would share the same engine and transmission options too. Even the list of features are expected to remain the same when the long wheelbase version of the XUV 300 comes out. Mahindra has partially released information about the XUV 300. The manufacturer has said that the XUV 300 would come with a lot of segment-first features including dual-zone climate control system, disc brakes on all four wheels, 7 airbags, high torque output in the segment and even longest wheelbase in the segment. The SUV also gets a sunroof, 17-inch alloy wheels, 6-speed transmission, touchscreen infotainment system and more.
Mahindra may launch the seven-seat version by the end of 2019. The vehicle is currently being tested on various terrains. The upcoming SUV would also be pricier than the XUV 300 but it is not known by how much.