Is This the Most Stylish Small SUV for First-Time Buyers?

Any parent will tell you there are few feelings more complex than the pride of seeing a child get behind the wheel and hit the open road, alone, coupled with the natural worry about their safety. 

The road can be a dangerous place after all, especially for young drivers. But, for the actual person driving the car, free from having a parent sitting beside them, the greater worry is likely how the car looks, what it says about them, and if it has wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. 

For a young person buying potentially their first new car – guided by the wisdom of their parents – combining both wants can be tricky, but there’s a new car likely to keep both parties happy: the new Mahindra XUV 3XO. 

Having just arrived in Australia, and priced from an incredible $23,490 drive-away, the XUV 3XO is set to disrupt the competitive compact SUV segment with its mix of tech, stand-out styling and affordability. And also safety. 

Mahindra includes plenty of safety features with its new cars, and its XUV 3XO touts even more affordable safety. Parents will be pleased after seeing its safety credentials, while the fresh-looking XUV 3XO goes against the grain for young drivers who want to stand out on Aussie roads full of generically-styled SUVs. 

In this article, we explore why the Mahindra XUV 3XO could be the best small SUV for young drivers in Australia in 2025. 

For those looking for a safe SUV under $25K, the Mahindra XUV 3XO could fit the bill, and not just for a vehicle of its size. 

With a five-star Bharat NCAP (Indian-market) safety rating, the XUV 3XO is built from 30 per cent high-strength steel, 10 per cent ultra-high-strength steel and five percent advanced high-strength steel – wrapping its occupants in a super-strong protective crash cell. In a nutshell, Bharat NCAP is modelled on Global NCAP, with the only difference being Global NCAP awards extra points for seatbelt reminders – which the XUV3XO has in abundance. In fact, it has seatbelt reminders on all five seats. 

The XUV 3XO also comes with six airbags as standard, and the latest in active safety – including a full Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS). 

Every XUV 3XO variant comes with autonomous emergency braking (AEB) – a system that continuously monitors the road ahead, can detect cyclists and pedestrians in addition to other cars, and in the event of an emergency, apply the brakes to avoid a collision. 

The XUV 3XO also comes with Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning and Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane-Keep Assist. Activate the cruise control and Mahindra’s “Smart Pilot Assist” will reassuringly drive the car ‘with’ you, keeping it confidently in its lane and at a safe distance to the car ahead. 

Standard on all XUV 3XO variants in Australia, the safety features list continues with Traffic Sign Recognition (detects speed limit signs and displays them in the digital instrument cluster so you always know the speed limit) and High Beam Assist (which senses oncoming cars at night and automatically dips the high beam to avoid dazzling them). 

The Mahindra XUV 3XO comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. And just as importantly for many young buyers, it also will stand out on Australian roads. 

SUVs are the hottest type of new vehicle sold in Australia, but that presents a new problem: they’re all starting to look the same. Styled by Mahindra’s European and Indian design studios, and led by Chief Design & Creative Officer Pratap Bose, the XUV 3XO is unlikely to ever blend into traffic. 

The top-spec AX7L challenges for the title of most stylish compact SUV in Australia with its blacked-out roof, standard 17-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, and full-width rear tail-lights. 

Inside makes just as great an impression. There’s a surprisingly wide and spacious cabin, while dual 10.25-inch digital displays give a high-tech feel. The central infotainment display offers wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and there’s 65-watt fast USB-C smartphone charging. High-contrast stitching on the doors and dashboard offer a classy touch. 

In the AX7L, there’s an expansive, opening glass roof as well as a premium sound system from Harman Kardon, a supplier to BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo.

International Mahindra XUV 3XO reviews praise it for its light electric steering, while the Command Driving Position gives a clear view of the road ahead, helping make the XUV 3XO very easy to drive. 

With its small footprint, the XUV 3XO fits all its space and features into just 3990mm of vehicle length, making it the perfect size for the city. The entry-level, $23,490 drive-away AX5L with its standard reversing camera is easy to park, but the top-spec, $26,490 drive-away AX7L takes that to another level with its 360-degree surround view parking camera.  

When changing lanes, the AX7L also displays a live video feed of your blind-spot in the digital instrument cluster – something you won’t be able to do without once you’re used to it.  

It’s also fun to drive. The XUV 3XO’s characterful, turbo-intercooled three-cylinder engine offers both power and efficiency, producing 82kW at 5000rpm and 200Nm from just 1500rpm. There are Zip, Zap and Zoom modes to play with, as well as a combined fuel economy of just 6.5 litres per 100 kilometres.

Focusing on bang-for-buck value with an extensive list of standard equipment for the price, is the XUV 3XO the best car for a first-time buyer in Australia? 

It makes a strong case for itself. As well as 55 standard safety features, there’s standard dual-zone air-conditioning, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear-knob, push-button start and keyless entry, tyre pressure monitoring system, automatic headlights and more – all standard. 

Small, thoughtful touches abound, such as the standard rear air vents, auto-hold transmission feature, and physical audio and air-conditioning controls. There’s also a large-for-its-class 364-litre boot. 

Backed by a seven-year, 150,000km warranty and seven years of roadside assistance, the XUV 3XO uses quality components from proven brands. As well as the Harman Kardon audio system, the six-speed automatic transmission is manufactured by Aisin – part of the Toyota Corporation. 

The XUV 3XO has everything Aussie parents are looking for when guiding their child on the safest-possible SUV – and everything a young driver would want in a car to call their own. 

Whether you’re the parent or the new owner, head down to your local Mahindra dealer this weekend to test drive the XUV 3XO.