We drove the Mahindra XUV 3XO Diesel Automatic for 2,800 km from Indore to Chitkul. Here’s how it performed across highways, city traffic and the challenging mountain roads of Kinnaur.
Mahindra XUV 3XO Diesel Automatic – Quick Verdict
| Highway Comfort | 9/10 |
| Mountain Capability | 8.5/10 |
| Fuel Efficiency | 8.5/10 |
| Rear Seat Comfort | 8/10 |
| Boot Space | 8/10 |
| Value for Money | 9/10 |
Introduction
When you think about a road trip to the Himalayas, you think about towering mountains, steep climbs, narrow roads, high altitudes, and endless hours behind the wheel.
But beyond the scenery and the excitement, one thing matters the most — the vehicle that gets you there safely and comfortably.
Over the years, we had travelled to the mountains in bigger SUVs like the Toyota Fortuner Legender and the Mahindra Scorpio N. This time, however, we wanted to test something different.
Could the newly bought Mahindra XUV 3XO Diesel Automatic handle the challenging roads of Sangla, Rakcham and Chitkul?
Our journey began in Indore.
Three friends — two doctors and a dentist — set out on a 2,800-kilometre road trip to the last inhabited village near the Indo-Tibetan border.
There was Ravi, our most experienced mountain driver; Amar, our dependable co-driver; and Shivam, the proud owner of the XUV 3XO, who was still gaining confidence on high-altitude roads.
The original plan changed when Ravi decided to stay back in Gwalior, and another one of our trusted drivers, Archit, joined him.
That left most of the driving responsibilities to Amar, while Shivam and I — both relatively inexperienced in mountain terrain — prepared ourselves for the narrow roads and unpredictable conditions of Kinnaur.
But this article isn’t about our journey.
It’s about the Mahindra XUV 3XO — a compact SUV that quietly impressed us throughout the trip and proved that you don’t always need the biggest vehicle to conquer the Himalayas.
Gwalior to Delhi: Highway Manners
I won’t bore you with technical specifications, engine figures or feature lists. Millions of websites already do that.
Instead, let me tell you how the Mahindra XUV 3XO Diesel Automatic performed during our 2,800-kilometre journey to Chitkul.
Shivam and Amar started the next leg from Gwalior to Delhi to pick me up before heading towards the Himalayas.
The Yamuna Expressway was the perfect place to understand the car’s highway character.
Cruising comfortably at 100–110 km/h, the XUV 3XO felt stable and composed. Cabin noise was minimal, overtaking was effortless, and the diesel engine delivered power smoothly without any signs of stress.
The cruise control turned out to be one of our favourite features on this stretch. On long highways, being able to maintain speed without constantly pressing the accelerator significantly reduced driver fatigue.
For a compact SUV, the XUV 3XO felt surprisingly mature on the highway.
Delhi to Rampur Bushahr: From Traffic to Twists
After a quick rest in Noida, we started the longest driving day of the trip — around 450 kilometres from Delhi to Rampur Bushahr.
This route throws every possible challenge at a driver: city traffic, expressways, crowded highways and eventually mountain roads.
Shivam took responsibility for the first stretch through Delhi and Chandigarh.
Despite being relatively new to mountain driving, he immediately appreciated features like the automatic transmission, crawl function and light throttle response.
Navigating slow-moving traffic, squeezing through tight gaps and overtaking trucks felt much easier than expected.
The 205/65 R16 tyres offered reassuring grip and stability, especially during quick lane changes and sharp turns.
As we crossed Zirakpur and the roads began climbing towards the mountains, Amar took over the wheel.
A long-time manual transmission driver and proud owner of a Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, Amar was particularly impressed by the hill-hold assist feature.
On steep inclines, the system prevented the vehicle from rolling backwards, making stop-and-go traffic on mountain roads almost stress-free.
It was one of those small features that made a big difference throughout the journey.
Rampur Bushahr to Chitkul and Back: The Real Test
Beyond Rampur Bushahr, the roads begin to change dramatically.
Wide highways give way to narrow mountain roads carved into cliffsides. Overtaking becomes a distant thought, and at many points, even crossing another vehicle requires patience and precision.
After a much-needed rest at our friend Tyagi’s home in Rampur Bushahr, the four of us began the final leg towards Chitkul.
Modestly, Tyagi took responsibility for the steering wheel.
[Why you should take a stop at Rampur, Read Story here]
As the roads narrowed and the climbs became steeper, the Mahindra XUV 3XO started to reveal its true capabilities.
The biggest surprise was the ground clearance.
On uneven surfaces, potholes and broken patches of road, we didn’t have to carefully manoeuvre around every obstacle like we were performing a dance routine. The XUV 3XO simply absorbed the rough sections and kept moving forward confidently.
The suspension setup deserves special mention.
Even for rear-seat passengers, the ride remained comfortable, with minimal body roll and surprisingly few jolts on rough roads.
Features like hill-hold assist and crawl mode proved invaluable on steep inclines and stop-and-go traffic, reducing driver stress considerably.
Fuel efficiency was another pleasant surprise.
While cruising on highways, the diesel automatic consistently delivered around 18–20 km/l.
As we climbed higher into the mountains, the mileage dropped to approximately 12–13 km/l.
For a diesel automatic SUV tackling steep gradients and high-altitude roads, those figures felt impressive.
Narrow roads and blind corners are often intimidating for drivers in the Himalayas.
Yet even Tyagi, who wasn’t entirely confident about mountain driving initially, gradually found his rhythm behind the wheel.
By the end of the journey, he laughed and said “I officially graduated as a mountain driver today.”
That moment summed up our experience perfectly.
The XUV 3XO inspired confidence.
Of course, no vehicle can replace careful driving.
Respect the mountains, follow speed limits, use your horn before blind turns, and never overtake unnecessarily.
Do that, and the Mahindra XUV 3XO will prove to be a reliable companion on the roads to Sangla and Chitkul.
Things We Loved
- Stable highway performance
- Excellent ground clearance
- Comfortable rear seats
- Hill-hold and crawl mode
- Impressive fuel efficiency
- Easy to drive in traffic
Things That Could Be Better
- Boot space may feel limited for five adults
- Rear seat best suited for two passengers on long trips
- Blind spots require attention on mountain roads
Final Verdict
After covering nearly 2,800 kilometres across highways, city traffic, steep climbs and narrow mountain roads, I came away genuinely impressed with the Mahindra XUV 3XO Diesel Automatic.
For long journeys, the cabin comfortably accommodates four adults along with their luggage. While Mahindra claims seating for five, I would recommend limiting occupancy to four passengers for mountain trips to ensure better comfort and sufficient luggage space.
The 342-litre boot handled four large suitcases and multiple backpacks without any issues.
Travelling in June, we particularly appreciated the rear AC vents, which kept the cabin comfortable even during long hours on the road.
If you are planning to upgrade from a hatchback or a sedan and want an SUV that can handle daily commutes as well as weekend adventures, the XUV 3XO deserves serious consideration.
It is compact enough for city traffic, comfortable enough for long highway drives, and capable enough for challenging mountain roads.
Would I choose it again for another Himalayan road trip?
Absolutely.
Whether it is Sangla, Chitkul, Spiti or even Leh in the future, the XUV 3XO has earned our trust.
At the end of the day, this is not a technical review.
It is the experience of four friends who took a compact SUV into the Himalayas and returned with confidence in both the vehicle and the memories it helped create.
If you have any questions about the route, road conditions or our experience with the XUV 3XO, feel free to leave a comment below.
Until the next road trip, follow along on Instagram and explore more stories on Amit On The Move.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. Can the Mahindra XUV 3XO reach Chitkul?
Yes. The Mahindra XUV 3XO Diesel Automatic handled the roads to Chitkul confidently, including the narrow and uneven stretches beyond Karcham Dam. Its ground clearance, hill-hold assist and compact dimensions make it well-suited for the roads of Sangla, Rakcham and Chitkul.
Q2. Is the XUV 3XO suitable for mountain driving?
Absolutely. The diesel automatic transmission, crawl mode and hill-hold assist significantly reduce driver fatigue on steep inclines and stop-and-go traffic. Its compact size also makes it easier to navigate narrow mountain roads and blind corners.
Q3. What mileage does the XUV 3XO Diesel Automatic offer in the mountains?
During our 2,800-kilometre road trip, the XUV 3XO delivered around 18–20 km/l on highways. As we climbed higher into the mountains, fuel efficiency dropped to approximately 12–13 km/l, which is impressive for a diesel automatic SUV.
Q4. Is the boot space enough for a family road trip?
The 342-litre boot comfortably accommodated four large suitcases along with a few backpacks during our trip. For maximum comfort on long journeys, we recommend travelling with four adults instead of five.
Q5. Is an automatic transmission better for Himalayan roads?
For most drivers, yes. Features like hill-hold assist and crawl mode make driving on steep inclines much easier, especially in traffic or on narrow roads. An automatic transmission also reduces fatigue during long drives and allows the driver to focus more on the road conditions.