Comparison: New Mahindra XUV 3XO vs Used Mahindra XUV 3XO

The Mahindra XUV 3XO contests in the highly diverse sub 4 metre segment of SUVs and having undergone a facelift in 2024, it is a popular SUV among Indian car buyers. While the SUV itself stands out for many reasons, car buyers are nowadays left with a rather difficult choice of whether to opt for a new car or consider a used car. Apart from the driving experience of both, they can also make for a completely different financial experience.

While it was once deemed a compromise, the used car market today attracts many car buyers because of the availability of a wide variety of models, lower prices, and most importantly, the availability of well kept used cars that continue to offer an excellent driving experience to car buyers. If you are looking to buy the Mahindra XUV 3XO, and are confused about the difference between a new car and a used one, including older generation models that were called the Mahindra XUV300, you have come to the right place. This article gives you a quick overview of the new and used units of the Mahindra XUV 3XO (and XUV300) and the kind of ownership experience each will offer.

New Mahindra XUV 3XO Quick Overview

The Mahindra XUV 3XO is one of the largest SUVs in the segment, based on its dimensions. It also features segment leading features and powerful engines that make it stand out from its rivals. The XUV 3XO is also preferred by many Indian buyers due to its highly soft ride quality which keeps the passengers comfortable over imperfect roads. The variants of the XUV 3XO are divided between MX and AX trims, with the latter featuring Adrenox technology which powers the dual screens of the SUV.

The XUV 3XO features potent engines, with its direct injection turbocharged petrol engine offering the most horsepower and torque in the segment when compared to other petrol engines. The XUV 3XO features another petrol engine with a slightly lower power output for those who don’t need all that firepower, although it too is turbocharged.

There is a diesel engine on offer as well, and it offers similar horsepower as its rivals, although it has a torque advantage over them. While certain powertrains combinations are limited according to variants, each engine is available with a manual or an automatic transmission.

Key Updates of New Mahindra XUV 3XO

The Mahindra XUV 3XO was introduced in the middle of 2024 and it is a sub 4 metre offering from the Indian car maker. While it is a new nameplate for the Indian market, it is a facelift to the SUV previously known as XUV300. To make it stand out, the Mahindra XUV 3XO features a new exterior and interior design, updated features and quite importantly, a bigger boot.

In terms of styling, the XUV 3XO features a thoroughly revamped design which features asymmetrically shaped hexagonal headlamps. To be fair, the XUV 3XO looks like one of the smaller characters from the Transformers movie. The rear of the SUV too features a similarly funky design. However, its side profile continues to be similar to the XUV300, although Mahindra has made the body cladding on the XUV 3XO bolder than before.

The biggest update has to be the features addition, including a panoramic sunroof, new screens with updated UI for the driver instrument cluster and touchscreen and even ADAS. These additions to the XUV 3XO have sharpened its claws in its fight with its rivals like the Hyundai Venue, Kia Seltos, Tata Nexon and Maruti Suzuki Brezza. The XUV 3XO was also crash tested by Bharat NCAP in 2024  and it was awarded a 5 star safety rating for both adult occupant protection and child occupant protection.

The table below takes a look at the price range of different variants of the Mahindra XUV 3XO.

Used Mahindra XUV 3XO Quick Overview

As we mentioned earlier, while the XUV 3XO nameplate is new in the Indian market, the model in itself has existed before. The SUV was previously called the XUV300 and was first launched in India in 2019.

The Mahindra XUV300 was based on the Ssangyong Tivoli, a compact SUV sold in foreign markets by Ssangyong (then owned by Mahindra). The XUV300 was taller and wider than the Tivoli, however, its length was chopped off to fit in the sub 4 metre segment in IndiThe SUV received other changes to make it compliant for the Indian market. It was also tested by Global NCAP in 2020 and the XUV300 scored an impressive 5 star crash test rating for adult occupant protection and 4 star for child occupant protection.

The XUV300 received minor updates from its launch in 2019 till the new XUV 3XO came along in 2024. The older models were offered with a turbocharged petrol engine and a diesel engine, both of which offered class leading performance figures at the time. Both engines were available with manual and automatic transmission options. The diesel-automatic combo was not available initially, and was launched a few months after the XUV300 was first launched in 2019.

The exterior and interior design of the XUV300 remained pretty much the same between 2019 and 2024, although it already looked a bit old when it was first launched in 2019. This was true, especially for the interior, as even though it features high-end features such as drive modes and dual zone climate control, the layout felt dated. The XUV300 has been sold well over the years and more than 3 lakh units have taken to the road since its launch in 2019.

The table below looks at the price of the Mahindra XUV 3XO (2024 to present) and XUV300 (2019 to 2024) in the used car market.

New Mahindra XUV 3XO vs Used Mahindra XUV 3XO: Financing Comparison

Apart from the powertrain preferences and the ownership experience of a new Mahindra XUV 3XO and a used one (including the XUV300), there will be a significant difference in the financial outlay for the two as well. The table looks at the difference in the total expenditure between buying the SUV either new or used, when financing is involved.

When comparing the financing options between new and used cars, we must keep in mind that new cars attract a lower rate of interest compared to used cars. Furthermore, we will be taking the top variant of the new car, and the most expensive variant available in the used car market, for this comparison.

In the comparison above, we have taken the top end variant of the XUV 3XO, that is the AX7 L variant along with Petrol AT powertrain. The down payment amount and the loan tenure has been fixed at Rs. 3 lakh and 5 years, and is the same for both cars. For the new XUV 3XO, the total cost of the vehicle has been calculated for the city of Mumbai, and will slightly change from region to region, subject to registration and other charges. However, the table offers a basic idea of the financing differences between a new and used XUV 3XO.

Despite used car loans being offered at a higher rate of interest compared to new car loans, a used XUV 3XO will save you between Rs. 4 lakh and Rs. 5 lakh over a period of 5 years compared to a new car when you finance it. Moreover, while this comparison highlights the difference between a new and a used Mahindra XUV 3XO, those opting for the older XUV300 will be able to save more money due to its lower cost in the used car market.

New Mahindra XUV 3XO vs Used Mahindra XUV 3XO: Insurance Comparison

Car insurance is another area where car owners have to spend yearly to be able to legally drive their cars on public roads. Now, insurance costs can vary based on different factors. Most importantly, the insurance cost is driven by the type of insurance you opt for. You must have heard the names, third party, comprehensive and zero depreciation and they are all different types of insurance that you can buy for your car. However, it is only third party insurance that is mandatory by law for all cars. Furthermore, any new car sold in India is required to have at least a 3 year third party insurance.

Ultimately, the type of insurance that you buy will depend upon your discretion. If you opt for all the different types of things covered by insurance, you will end up paying heavy premiums. However, if you opt for the bare minimum and get only third party insurance, you can pay a much lower premium. In the table below, we take a look at the third party insurance premium you will have to pay for a new and a used XUV 3XO.

As you can see, a new Mahindra XUV 3XO has a higher insurance premium than a used Mahindra XUV 3XO. However, as we mentioned earlier, it is mandatory for a new car to be sold with at least three years of third party insurance. However, once the initial three year period is over, the insurance can be renewed yearly.

Ultimately, the insurance premium for a new car will always be higher as most people get the maximum coverage for the first few years of a vehicle’s life. In case the insurance has not been claimed, the No Claim Bonus also accumulates yearly, meaning that generally, used car insurance premiums tend to be cheaper than that of a new car.

New Mahindra XUV 3XO vs Used Mahindra XUV 3XO: Which to Choose?

From a financing perspective, a used Mahindra XUV 3XO is the better option compared to a new Mahindra XUV 3XO. This is simply because a used XUV 3XO costs less to buy, either upfront or via loan. Also, the insurance premiums will also be lower if the previous owner hasn’t made any claims, and the overall effect of depreciation will be lower on a used car. Therefore, if the overall cost of buying the XUV 3XO is your main concern, you should opt for either used XUV 3XO or save even more money and buy a used unit of the pre-facelift XUV300. Ultimately, a new XUV 3XO only makes sense for those who aren’t discouraged by a higher price tag and want to own the vehicle for a longer duration of around 5 to 8, or even 10 years.

FAQs about New Mahindra XUV 3XO vs Used Mahindra XUV 3XO