Mahindra XUV300 scores five stars in Global NCAP crash tests

Less than a week after it published results for the Tata Altroz ahead of its launch on January 22, 2020, Global NCAP has now shared results for the Mahindra XUV300, which has also secured a full five stars in the crash tests.

Now the third made-in-India vehicle to receive a 5-star rating in adult occupant protection from Global NCAP, the Mahindra XUV300 also secured a 4-star rating for child occupant protection. What makes the XUV300’s performance deeply impressive is the fact that it registered the highest scores for any made-in-India vehicle in the Global NCAP tests.

Of all the cars tested by Global NCAP to date, the XUV300 has scored the highest points on adult occupant protection (16.42 out of a potential 17), as well as child occupant protection (37.44 out of a potential 49). To put it into perspective, the Altroz scored 16.13 points on adult occupant protection and 29 points on child occupant protection.

In its report, Global NCAP said the XUV300’s structure and footwell were ‘stable’ during the crash. Head, neck and knee protection for adult occupants was ‘good’, and while chest protection for the front passenger was also ‘good’, it was rated ‘adequate’ for the driver. The report also noted the XUV300 showed “the lowest level of intrusion and best side-impact crashworthiness performance of any model tested so far”.

On the child occupant protection front, Global NCAP stated protection for the 3-year-old child dummy (placed in a forward-facing child seat) was ‘fair’, and protection for the 1.5-year-old child dummy (placed in a rearward-facing child seat) was ‘good’. The report went on to state the XUV300 missed out on securing a full five stars on child occupant protection owing to ‘poor ISOFIX markings’ and that a three-point seatbelt for the middle-seat passenger is not standard across the line-up and is only available on the top-of-the-line W8 (O) variant.

As standard, the Mahindra XUV300 gets dual airbags, ABS with EBD, cornering brake control, disc brakes for all four wheels, front seatbelt reminder system, front seatbelt pretensioners, and a passenger airbag deactivation switch. What’s exclusive to the fully loaded W8 (O) variant are seven airbags, front parking sensors, heated ORVMs, seatbelt reminders for all passengers, and a three-point seatbelt for the middle-seat passenger.

Like it did with the Tata Altroz, Global NCAP chose the XUV300's higher-spec W8 variant for the crash tests. The reason for this is that safety essentials on the XUV300 are standard across the range, and the W8 – being heavier – would face a bigger challenge. Additionally, as alloy rims are stronger than steel, the impact load on the structure during the crash would be higher.

Powering the XUV300 is the same 1.5-litre diesel engine that debuted in the Marazzo, making 117hp and 300Nm of torque, along with a 1.2-litre turbo-petrol putting out 110hp and 200Nm of torque. A 6-speed manual gearbox is standard, with the diesel also getting the option of an AMT.

Mahindra only recently launched the BS6-compliant XUV300 petrol, with prices ranging from Rs 8.30 lakh to Rs 11.99 lakh. The XUV300 diesel will also be upgraded to BS6 spec shortly, and prices for the XUV300 BS4 currently are between Rs 8.69 lakh to Rs 12.69 lakh (all prices, ex-showroom).

What do you think of the Mahindra XUV300’s performance in the Global NCAP crash tests? Let us know in the comments.