WeeklySA_AdminGROWING POPULARITY: The Mahindra XUV 3XO’s combination of features and pricing makes it an attractive alternative in this competitive sector as sales rocket
By Ali Mphaki
It should not come as a surprise that the Mahindra XUV 3XO is fast becoming the Indian manufacturer’s golden egg in South Africa.
Sales of this refreshed compact SUV have been on the rise since its debuted on Mzansi soil in the last quarter 2024 and have been on the ascend,
Fresh from hitting the showrooms, Mahindra South Africa registered its best sales total in more than a year and a half, thanks in part to the freshly launched XUV 3XO.
The XUV 3XO ended October 2024 on a healthy 592 units (all registered via the dealer channel), thus accounting for a considerable 87.7% of Mahindra’s passenger-vehicle sales for the month.
As if to prove the Indian manufacturer is on a roll, Mahindra has announced a record-breaking March, shifting an impressive 2 253 vehicles over the course of the month and reflecting a whopping surge of over 600 units from the previous month.
This milestone not only marks their entry into the coveted 2 000-unit-per-month club but also propels them to the eighth-largest vehicle manufacturer in the country, a remarkable ascent just two months after breaking into the top ten.
Apart from registering its highest-ever monthly sales for SUVs (1 000 units) and bakkies (1 256 units) for March, good news for the stable is that the new Mahindra XUV 3XO has also demonstrated a positive sales trend, indicating its growing popularity.
In March, Mahindra sold 774 units of the XUV 3XO, marking an increase from the 656 units sold in the preceding month of February. This consistent rise in sales figures suggests that the XUV 3XO is resonating well with buyers and contributing to Mahindra’s overall strong performance in the market.
Established in South Africa in 1996, Mahindra has since then become one of the fastest-growing passenger vehicles and bakkie brands. By 2018 ,Mahindra opened its first local assembly plant, solidifying its commitment to providing top-notch vehicles to South Africans.
We recently got behind the wheel of the refreshed Mahindra XUV 3XO AX 7L and were immediately drawn in by the compact SUV’s blends of bold design, smart technology, premium features and value.
You cant help but notice the XUV 3XO was crafted to impress, even though my always grumpy neighbour shared an opposite view.
Whilst not completely sold, there was much consensus between us as regards its mini-Lambo-inspired styling to features like Auto Dimming Bi-LED projector headlamps, infinity tail lamps, and diamond-cut alloys.
Getting inside the XUV 3XO, what sells it is its panoramic skyroof, plush black leatherette seats, dual 10.25-inch digital screens, and a 7-speaker Harman Kardon audio system for the ultimate luxury feel.
Still not sure of the XUV 3XO’s charms?
Building upon its predecessor’s 5-star safety-rating, it is also offered with with advanced features like level 2 ADAS, a 360-degree camera, 6 airbags, all-disc brakes and electronic stability control.
Powered by a 1.2L mStallion turbo petrol engine with 82kW and 200Nm torque, the XUV 3XO delivers a peppy ride, the driving experience enhanced by a multi-tuned suspension, auto hold electronic parking brake, and blind view monitoring.
Boasting a 42-litre petrol tank capacity, the XUV 3XO AL7 while praised for its handling, in- terior comfort, and advanced features, it did not im- press with its drinking habits. On a trip from Joburg to Ethekwini the other, it was already complaining of thirst long before Pietermaritzburg, unable to complete the 600km journey on a full tank.
As a 2025 SA Car of the Year Finalist, the XUV 3XO AX7L is already turning heads—offering premium features and value that truly set it apart.
*Its offered in three guises, the XUV 3XO 1.2T AX5 manual from R319,999, the XUV 3XO 1.2T AX5L ( R374,999) and the`XUV 3XO 1.2T AX7L at R404,999.
Motoring: Briefs
OMODA C5 X SERIES REFRESHED
The OMODA C5 has received a bold new update for its popular C5 X Series bringing improvements across the board, from a more refined driving experience to greater practicality.
The compact crossover sees the introduction of the new C5 Lux X and Elegance X. Alongside a host of enhancements, both models now arrive with more accessible pricing. The Lux X is available at R425,900, while the Elegance X comes in at R465,900—both more affordable than before.
At first glance, the striking front fascia has been redesigned, giving the C5 a sportier and more upmarket look. The diamond matrix grille, a striking part of the C5’s styling, is more polished and sophisticated.
The lower elements of the bumper have also been revised for a cleaner and more modern look. Similarly, the headlights have been restyled, while the daytime running lamps have been sculpted for a more dynamic look.
NEW LEXUS ES
The new Lexus ES has been unveiled, with Toyota’s luxury arm saying the eighth generation was developed with the aim of “redefining” the sedan segment and is expected in South Africa 2026.
Based on Toyota’s newly developed TNGA GA-K platform, the upcoming Lexus ES measures 5 140 mm in length and 1 920 mm in width, making it 165 and 55 mm longer and wider than the seventh iteration. The wheelbase has been stretched by 80 mm to 2 950 mm.
The 350e and 500e, the latter of which available in all-wheel drive, BEV derivatives’ single and dual electric-motor configurations produce 165 kW and 252 kW, respectively. Lexus claims all-electric operating ranges of “approximately” 685 km (350e) and 610 km (500e), and 0-100 km/h sprint times of 8.9 (350e) and 5.9 seconds (500e).
BEE-MY-ONE
The BMW 1 Series will return for a radically reinvented fourth generation within the next three years, as the German brand goes against its rivals in committing to its entry-level model.
As Mercedes-Benz prepares to retire the A-Class for good at the end of its current generation and Audi winds down production of the A1 and Q2, BMW says its smallest car remains an important part of its model range and a next-generation model will be the entry point into the new-gen Neue Klasse family.
BMW will launch this new EV line-up in September with the unveiling of the second-generation iX3 at the Munich motor show, before following that up soon after with the closely related next-generation 3 Series.
TRUCK PLUNGES INTO RIVER
The N4 Bypass near Mbombela was closed to traffic Thursday morning after an articulated truck lost control and plunged off a bridge into the Crocodile River below.
According to an alert issued by the Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison, the crash occurred just after 10h00.
Emergency responders rushed to the scene, where two occupants were found critically injured. Both were stabilised on site and transported to a nearby hospital for urgent medical attention. The exact cause of the crash is still under investigation.
