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We all know the story of Goldilocks, the cautionary fairytale in which a little girl lost breaks into a house and proceeds to taste-test three bowls of porridge to find the one that’s ‘just right’.
Well, that same principle can also be applied when buying a new car, particularly if you’re looking for a family-friendly SUV as they now come in a variety of sizes across a broad spectrum of price points.
While most cater to growing families, taking over the role previously performed by a traditional sedan or station wagon, some offer more potential for adventure and the ability to explore well beyond the beaten path with genuine off-road capabilities, while others are best suited to urbanites or empty-nesters confined to cities, suburbs or towns.
Whatever the case, there’s likely to be an SUV that’s just right for you.
And, with the recent arrival of the city-savvy Mahindra XUV 3X0, the Indian automaker now has a ‘three bears’ trio of SUVs that could meet your needs.
So, let’s dig in…
Mahindra XUV 3X0
The Mahindra XUV 3X0 landed in showrooms last month as Australia’s most affordable SUV.
The smallest of these three SUVs, it is available in two model grades: the entry-level AX5L priced from $23,490 drive-away and the range-topping AX7L that commands a $3000 premium but brings additional equipment. These introductory prices are available until the end of August, 2025, and will increase by $500 from September 1.
Both share the same mechanical package, which comprises a 1.2-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine linked as standard to a six-speed automatic transmission that drives the front wheels only.
The engine delivers healthy outputs of 82kW of power and 200Nm torque, and consumes a claimed average of 6.5L/100km of standard 91-octane unleaded.
Both variants also come equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assist systems, including autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane keeping assist, traffic sign recognition, surround-view parking display and six airbags.
Amplifying its excellent value for money, even the entry-level XUV 3X0 comes equipped with a generous list of standard equipment, which includes:
- 16-inch alloy wheels
- Keyless entry with push-button start
- Automatic LED headlights
- Power windows
- Cooled glovebox
- Sunroof
- 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster
- 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen
- Wireless smartphone mirroring
- DAB+ digital radio
- 6-speaker audio
The AX7L adds more features, such as larger 17-inch alloys, black synthetic leather trim, front fog lights, a premium Harmon Kardon audio system with amplifier and sub-woofer, and an even larger ‘Sky Roof’.
It also comes with the option of a two-tone colour scheme and the exclusive availability of bright Citrine Yellow paintwork, which heightens its distinctive design.
Inside the cabin, the XUV 3X0 is well packaged with generous headroom for both front and rear occupants, and more space in the back than you’d imagine for a car of this size.
Plus, there are adjustable rear air vents, USB-C and 12V power outlets and a flip-down centre armrest.
With 364 litres of cargo capacity, the deep boot offers more room than many small hatchbacks.
In the AX7L, the soft touch materials – with synthetic leather covering not only the seats but also the top of the dash and upper sections of the doors – enhance the tactile experience.
There’s a sense of quality rarely found at this end of the market, and the large panoramic sunroof ensures the cabin feels bigger and brighter than many of its rivals.
Its digital technology also stands out from the crowd, with a clear instrument cluster that provides all the information required at a glance.
And the tablet-style touchscreen has an intuitive menu structure with large widgets for easy access to individual functions.
On the road, the XUV 3X0 feels perky around town with plenty of low-rev torque, and it has a surefooted and direct dynamic character that makes light work of navigating the tight confines of the urban jungle.
With the latest safety systems, compact dimensions, affordable price tag and generous list of standard equipment, the XUV 3X0 is ideally suited to younger urbanites and empty-nesters looking for a budget-friendly yet distinctive city runabout.
CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Mahindra XUV 3X0. Click here to get a great deal.
Mahindra XUV700
The Mahindra XUV700 is designed specifically for growing families.
Measuring 4695mm in length and riding on a 2600mm wheelbase, it is a full size larger than the baby XUV 3X0 and is one of only a handful of mid-size SUVs with seven-seat capacity.
In fact, it is the only one to offer three rows of seats in all model variants, and with a starting price of just $36,990 drive-away for the entry-level AX7, it’s the most affordable of its type – by a significant margin.
Sitting above the AX7 is the AX7L flagship, which comes with more standard equipment and costs $42,990 drive-away. It can also be had in the optional Black Edition specification, which – as its name suggests – features darker exterior highlights for an extra $1000.
All three variants share the same mechanical package: a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that drives the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission.
The engine produces 149kW of power and 380Nm of torque, which are outputs that are on par with the best in its class, and the XUV700’s claimed average fuel consumption is 8.3L/100km.
As for standard equipment, there’s a long list of luxuries and conveniences even at base level, including features normally reserved for high-grade variant, such as:
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Automatic LED headlights
- Synthetic leather trim
- Power adjustable driver’s seat
- Dual-zone climate control
- Keyless entry and push-button start
- Panoramic sunroof
- 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster
- 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen
- Smartphone mirroring
- DAB+ digital radio
The upgraded AX7L adds even more features, including ventilated front seats, wireless smartphone mirroring, wireless phone charging, electric ‘smart’ door handles and a premium 12-speaker audio system.
All variants are equipped with a suite of advanced safety systems including AEB, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assistance, traffic sign recognition, a reversing camera, rear parking sensors and six airbags that provide protection for occupants in all three rows.
The AX7L enhances the package with additional functions such as blind spot monitoring, a 360-degree parking display and a knee airbag in front of the driver.
Inside, the XUV700 presents a modern theme by linking its twin 10.25-inch digital screens together under a single cowl, and also offer plenty of practical and convenient storage solutions.
These include a chilled glovebox and lidded centre console, which is a unique touch, as well as large door bins, cupholders and a deep cubby at the base of the dash, which has a non-slip mat that keeps mobile devices from shuffling around when cornering or accelerating.
The front seats have a commanding view of the road ahead, there’s plenty of adjustment to suit myriad of drivers, and all the controls are within easy reach and intuitive to use.
Those in the second row have a generous amount of leg and head room – with enough space for two adults to travel comfortably – as well as a flip-down centre armrest, adjustable air vents, and both USB-C and 12V power outlets.
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Access to the third row is easy thanks to a one-touch lever that folds and flips the kerb-side seat forward.
The two-seat layout is best suited for small children as there’s not as much legroom.
But the XUV700 does provide those in the back-back with more amenities than its rivals, including air vents with a separate fan speed controller, cupholders and 12V power outlets.
With the third row in place, boot space is limited to small items. But, when used as a conventional five-seater, the XUV700 provides cavernous cargo space capable of handling weekly family duties and family holiday getaways.
As for how it drives, the engine is refined, quiet and provides decent acceleration across the rev range, and the automatic transmission is smooth and intuitive.
Its ride/handling package leans more towards occupant comfort rather than corner-carving dynamism, and is best suited to suburban commutes or long-distance destination drives.
CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Mahindra XUV700. Click here to get a great deal.
Mahindra Scorpio
If you want to head off the beaten track, the Mahindra Scorpio delivers genuine off-road capabilities.
While it is roughly the same size as the XUV700 in terms of overall dimensions, and also offers three-row seating, the Scorpio is built on a ladder-frame chassis and comes with a part-time four-wheel drive system including a low-range transfer case.
It is available in two model grades – the six-seat Z8 and the seven-seat Z8L, which are currently priced at $38,990 and $43,990 drive-away respectively (including all on-road costs).
Like its siblings, the difference between the two model grades comes down to equipment rather than mechanical components.
The Scorpio is powered by a 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine that produces 129kW of power and 400Nm of torque, and consumes a claimed average of 7.2L/100km.
The engine is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and Mahindra’s intelligent 4XPLOR four-wheel drive system with shift-on-fly capability for high-range 4WD, plus selectable terrain modes for Normal, Snow, Mud and Ruts and Sand, and a mechanical locking rear differential.
Both variants look the same from the outside, riding on 18-inch alloy wheels and featuring LED headlights with sequential turn indicators. There are also alloy skid plates, chrome door handles and built-in roof rails.
Inside, however, the Z8 has seating for six with two middle-row captain’s chairs, while the Z8L has a more conventional three-person middle-row bench.
Both variants are equipped with a generous level of standard equipment that includes:
- Dual-zone air-conditioning with rear air vents
- Keyless entry with push-button start
- Leather interior trim
- 8.0-inch colour infotainment touchscreen
- Smartphone mirroring
- Sunroof
- Cooled glovebox
Apart from the different seating configuration, the Z8L adds side steps, power adjustment for the driver’s seat, a larger 7.0-inch TFT multi-information screen in the instrument cluster, front-facing off-road camera, parking sensors and a premium 12-speaker Sony audio system with 12-channel sub-woofer.
Whichever model you choose, the Scorpio’s cabin presents well with its classy coffee and black colour palette and high-quality materials.
It’s clearly designed with a more rugged purpose in mind than the XUV700, with features like easy-to-clean rubber floor mats and larger grab handles on the doors and A-pillars.
But it doesn’t compromise on space or practicality, with plenty of head and leg room in the middle row, rear vents with a fan controller, a single USB-C power outlet and the same one-touch function to fold and flip the passenger-side seat to access the third row.
Back there, it offers slightly more legroom than the XUV700, but it misses out on cupholders, power outlets and air vents.
With the third row in place, the Scorpio has a shallower boot than the XUV700. The seats don’t fold flat into the floor either, which means you’ll have to lift heavy items up higher. And the heavy side-hinged door opens outwards (on the kerb side at least) rather than from the top as with a traditional tailgate.
On the road, the Scorpio feels like a bigger and heaver car than the XUV700, with slower steering and more pronounced body roll through the corners, but it is surprisingly comfortable around town thanks to its plush suspension.
The diesel engine feels stronger than its numbers suggest and is well matched to the smooth-shifting six-speed automatic.
But it’s outside the city limits where the Scorpio has a clear advantage, thanks to its genuine off-road capabilities. And for those that travel around the country towing a small caravan, as the Scorpio has a maximum braked towing capacity of 2500kg.
It’s the one to choose for more adventurous families.
CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Mahindra Scorpio. Click here to get a great deal.
How much do the Mahindra SUVs cost to run?
All three members of the Mahindra SUV family are covered by a seven-year, 150,000km warranty with free roadside assistance.
Both the XUV 3X0 and XUV700 require maintenance every 12 months or 15,000km, while the Scorpio’s mileage requirements are shorter at 10,000km intervals.
The smaller XUV 3X0 is offered with capped-price servicing for the first six years, for a total cost of $1994, while the XUV700 and Scorpio have similar plans over the first five years and cost $1781 and $2358 respectively.
CarExpert’s Take
So, which one of these is ‘just right’? Well, each of Mahindra’s three SUVs have their own unique character and benefits, and therefore they appeal to different buyers for different reasons.
The XUV 3X0 is essentially a small car that is ideally suited to being used as an inner-city runabout for younger drivers or empty-nesters, whereas the XUV700 is perfect for growing families that occasionally need room to carry more friends or family members.
And, while the Scorpio is equally as capable around town, it offers more for those adventure seekers and outback travellers.
If anything, there’s one common thread that links them all together, and that’s affordability. No matter which one hits the sweet spot for you, each of these three Mahindra SUVs sets a benchmark in their class when it come to value for money.
MORE: Explore the Mahindra showroom
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