Is it advisable to buy the Mahindra 3XO AX5 petrol variant with manual transmission? While reviews are good on YouTube, I haven't seen any 3XO in Chennai for the last 2 months. Please suggest.

Autocar India

•42m

For mostly city use in Chennai, the Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 Petrol MT is a good pick. It suits Chennai roads because the turbo-petrol engine feels quick at low speeds, making gaps in traffic easy to navigate, and it has enough power for highway overtakes. The ride is comfortable over uneven patches and speed breakers. The cabin is spacious for four, offers a high driving position, and provides good visibility, making daily driving feel easy. For the price, the AX5 packs the key features and safety most people actually use.

A few trade-offs to note. In slow, heavy traffic, the manual can tire your left leg, so if your daily drive is bumper-to-bumper, the smooth-shifting automatic may be worth a look. The boot is not the biggest, so two large suitcases can be a squeeze.

About not seeing many in Chennai, that is a bit surprising, as it is a strong seller for Mahindra, clocking over 1 lakh units in FY2026. If that is a concern, then consider the Tata Nexon or the Hyundai Venue instead.

Explore cars mentioned

Mahindra

XUV 3XO

from ₹8.86 Lakh

Tata

Nexon

from ₹8.67 Lakh

Hyundai

Venue

from ₹9.39 Lakh

More questions on similar cars

Gagan Deep

•1d

Want a turbo-petrol (or diesel, but I have doubts about DPF, maintenance, and the additional ₹1-1.5 lakh cost for diesel). My running is 600-900 km per month (70-80% on highways). I need a car with a modern interior, good exterior design, and sufficient boot space for luggage for 3-4 people. My budget for on-road purchase is under ₹11 lakh. Suggest a car other than Tata, Renault, or Nissan.

Autocar India

•3h

With 600-900 km a month and most of it on highways, a small turbo-petrol is the right choice. Under ₹11 lakh on-road, the Mahindra XUV 3XO MX3 Pro 1.2 turbo manual fits your requirements best. It stays close to your budget cap in many cities, offers strong pull for quick overtakes from 60-100 kph. Also, the new cabin looks and feels premium for the price.Why it suits you: your highway usage is high, so the turbo’s easy overtaking ability will make drives less tiring. You also wanted a modern interior and good road presence; the 3XO looks sharp on the outside and, even in this trim, the dashboard, screen, and overall feel are more up to date than most small cars at this price. This Mahindra car is comfortable over rough patches, and the car feels stable at highway speeds, which helps on long drives.One trade-off to note is that the boot is not the most spacious in this class, so for 3-4 people, you will need to pack smartly. If cabin and boot space are more important, then consider the Kia Syros HTK (O), though you may need to stretch slightly beyond your ₹11 lakh budget.Overall, for your usage and budget, the XUV 3XO MX3 Pro 1.2 turbo manual fits best

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Kia Syros

Sudhir

•3d

I am planning to buy a car within a budget of ₹15 lakh and am confused between the Hyundai Venue HX6 DCT and the Skoda Kushaq Classic Plus automatic. My main requirement is an automatic transmission, and the car should comfortably accommodate three passengers in the rear seat. Please suggest which would be the better option.

Autocar India

•2d

Between your two options, neither is ideal if your priority is comfortably seating three people in the rear. The Hyundai Venue has a relatively narrow cabin, which makes it tight for three adults, while the Skoda Kushaq has a heavily contoured rear seat that is very comfortable for two, but not as accommodating for three.Between the two, the Kushaq is still the more comfortable car overall. It belongs to a segment above, so it offers more knee room and better overall comfort. Its torque converter automatic is also smoother and better suited to city driving compared to the Venue’s DCT, which can feel slightly jerky in slow traffic.If rear-seat comfort for three passengers is a key requirement, it is worth looking beyond your shortlist at the Mahindra XUV 3XO. It has a wider cabin than the Venue and the Kushaq, which makes it more accommodating for three passengers at the back. It also gets a smooth torque converter automatic paired with a strong turbo-petrol engine.

Suganthan

Hello, I am planning to buy a new car within a budget of ₹12-13 lakh. Currently, I own a Hyundai i20 Active and a Kia Seltos, both petrol. My daily driving is around 90-100 km, with 60% highway and 40% city usage. I am looking for a car that offers good fuel efficiency, low maintenance costs, and reliable long-term ownership. I am also open to considering an EV if it makes sense for my usage. Could you please suggest the best suitable option for my needs?

Autocar India

•1d

If you can fit a home charger, the Tata Punch EV Adventure 40kWh version is a great choice for your 100km highway commute. With your usage, you can expect a real-world range of around 250km, which gives you plenty of buffer. Compared to your petrol cars, the Punch EV will be very quiet, smooth and effortless, while running costs will be significantly lower. The Punch EV also rides superbly, is comfortable enough to spend time in, and is well-equipped for the price.Do note that longer trips will require more planning around public chargers, but if you are planning to keep your Seltos, you have a good alternative there.If you cannot set up home charging, consider the Hyundai Venue HX5 diesel manual. It will use less fuel than your petrol cars, highway performance is good, and you will be familiar with the service network as a Hyundai owner.On the test drive, head out on your commute route and drive at your usual speeds to see which suits you best.

Tata Punch EV

Hyundai Venue

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