At TURBOCHARGED, we’ve always celebrated our anniversaries in the grandest manner possible. So as TURBOCHARGED turned four we decided to do something special: celebrate SUVs in a way they probably haven’t been yet. I’ve also liked the idea of numbers always, besides which, numbers are relevant to us as petrolheads too. So, for our fourth anniversary we decided to take four SUVs from Mahindra – a manufacturer steeped in tradition when it comes to the body style – on a road trip. But this isn’t about merely driving four SUVs together. Mahindra is the only manufacturer to offer SUVs with four different drivetrains in India! So be it front wheel drive, all-wheel drive, rear wheel drive or four-wheel drive SUVs, Mahindra has them all in its arsenal.
Wasn’t hard to pick one with each drivetrain either, given Mahindra’s extensive product line-up, and we decided upon the XUV 3XO (FWD), XUV700 (AWD), Scorpio-N (RWD) and ‘The SUV’, the Thar ROXX (4WD). Psst… In case you didn’t know, the Thar ROXX has won India’s most prestigious automotive award, the ICOTY this year! Taking these SUVs to Rajasthan’s sand dunes or the snow-clad Himalayas would’ve been easy given the robust build and able dynamics that Mahindra’s SUVs are known for, not to forget, their stellar safety ratings. But in our quest to do things differently we decided to head to the northeast, a region that’s a lot less explored, and one that I’ve been itching to drive in. Consisting of seven states, also known as the ‘seven sisters’, the region is very scenic and thankfully, not swarmed by too many tourists!
We zeroed in on Meghalaya, given its pristineness and natural beauty. The state is also home to many ‘hidden gems’ and since it’s our fourth anniversary, we decided to explore four such unique places. Four SUVs with four different drivetrains to four special places – it’s all about numbers, you see! And we’re talking four SUVs that are hugely popular in their respective segments. After all, Mahindra’s legacy needs no introduction, as the car maker has been making SUVs for decades now. And it’s the decades of experience that has helped Mahindra engineer world-class SUVs like the quartet on these pages!
For instance, the XUV 3XO is Mahindra’s offering in the fiercely competitive compact SUV segment, and is an SUV packaged to be a cut above the rest. It looks smashing outside and premium inside and is also loaded with many segment-first features. But we are… ahem… ‘TURBOCHARGED’, and I cannot help but mention that the XUV 3XO is also India’s most powerful compact SUV, thanks to its 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine that puts out 130PS and 230Nm. It’s compact dimensions make the XUV 3XO apt as an urban SUV, and an excellent city slicker. Then there’s the excellent seating and space despite its sub-4 metre exterior dimensions, the view from behind the wheel, light but precise steering and of course, the smooth engine and precise throttle responses that impress.
More importantly, besides its compact dimensions and nifty handling the XUV 3XO’s feature list was also helping us make the most of our drive. Also, while lower variants are loaded with features, higher variants can put more expensive SUVs to shame with their feature lists. We’re talking dual-zone climate control, a segment first, and the ability to control both zones individually, remotely, via Mahindra’s own Adrenox connected car technology. This is a feature even premium and luxury SUVs are not equipped with! The app even lets you control the front and rear defoggers which helped us immensely in Meghalaya’s intense cold, as temperatures were in single digits.
Then there’s the segment first panoramic sunroof that allowed us to soak in beautiful views, adding to the pleasant feel. The XUV 3XO is also the first compact SUV to be equipped with Level 2 ADAS, a feature seen only in midsize SUVs previously. Interiors look stylish, and you get a 10.25-inch touchscreen supporting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The screen also offers crisp, detailed views of your surroundings when using the XUV 3XO’s 360-degree view system. Another highlight is the Harman Kardon music system with two tweeters, four speakers and subwoofer. The XUV 3XO is also big on safety – you get six airbags as standard, hill descent and hill hold, traction control and vehicle dynamics control, besides three driving modes and an electronic parking brake.
Heck, the XUV 3XO also scored five stars in the Bharat-NCAP safety tests! But a good SUV isn’t just about features, safety or a good design. It also boasts excellent dynamics. And on Meghalaya’s twisty roads, the XUV 3XO’s chassis and suspension helped me reaffirm that it is one of the best handling compact SUVs. It felt rewarding on the narrow roads and hilly terrain, and was the SUV I drove to our first hidden gem, the Dawki river. Dawki is Asia’s cleanest river and its water is so clean, you can see the river bed clearly!
Dawki is also a natural border between India and Bangladesh and has a suspension bridge running across that was built in the British era for trade between the two nations and is still in use. A boat ride in the river felt soothing given the aqua-blue, crystal-clear water and the gorges around. The calming effect and the sense of tranquillity offered by the naturally formed rocky cliffs and lush green forests on both sides certainly help in making Dawki a hidden gem!
I then swapped the 3XO for the XUV700. The XUV700 brought about the winds of change for Mahindra and was also the first SUV to sport the ‘Twin Peaks’ logo. The XUV700 looks world-class, premium and ultra-modern, packed with cutting-edge technology. It also democratised ADAS, being the first Indian SUV to come with Level 2 ADAS. No prizes for guessing, the XUV700 is yet another ICOTY winner from Mahindra’s stables, having won the prestigious award in 2022! The XUV700 has a commanding road presence and looks sleek, courtesy design elements like the flush door handles and sporty, 18-inch wheels. Then there’s the rich interiors including the elegantly designed dashboard holding the massive, single glass panel that houses the instrument cluster display and infotainment screen, making for an air of sophistication.
And the XUV700 even beats luxury SUVs with its feature list. You get more features in the XUV700 than a long list of luxury cars, which helps it offer a sense of status and also feel very premium. We’re talking features like built-in Amazon Alexa, automatic headlamps and wipers, ventilated front seats, 360-degree view and external cameras that can record and store footage up to 11 hours! You also get seven airbags, ESC and driver drowsiness detection and tyre pressure monitoring besides Level 2 ADAS, power assisted seats with memory function and also, a first in segment memory function for the outside rear view mirrors!
These were just some of the features pampering me, besides the 2.2-litre diesel engine that puts out 185PS and 450Nm. The engine impresses with its refinement and performance, especially the torquey feel. Coupled with the able automatic transmission the engine made progress effortless, and smile inducing. The icing on the cake was the all-wheel drive system.
I’ve gotten fond of all-wheel drive systems, as they ensure power is sent to all four wheels, maximising grip and enhancing handling – which is why every modern performance car and SUV today uses AWD systems! And that’s just one of the many reasons why the XUV700 is such a good handler. AWD systems like the one in the XUV700 also help you make the most of the performance on offer in a safe and reassuring manner, giving it an edge over rivals, as the SUV feels very confident, especially when munching miles on highways. At the same time, the suspension helps it offer the kind of ride quality that impresses chauffeur-driven and family SUV buyers alike. And on our road trip, the XUV700 was gliding over undulations and soaking up potholes with aplomb thanks to its well-tuned suspension equipped with frequency selective damping.
The XUV700 was thus perfect to head to our next destination, one of the many ‘living root’ bridges in Meghalaya, as some of the stretches included dirt sections with no tarmac. The all-wheel drive system offered a confident feel despite the less than ideal grip levels, along with an impeccable balance between ride and handling. Living root bridges are a large bunch of tree roots intertwined together to form a bridge, usually over a stream of water. These are created over several years by purposefully guiding the roots, usually of the rubber fig tree. As long as the tree is healthy, roots keep renewing themselves and can sustain weight for decades, or even hundreds of years! They are common for locals but awe-inspiring for outsiders, as this isn’t a phenomenon you see in many places. Effectively living root bridges are just one of the many wonderful things nature helps mankind with.
This thought also made me reflect on Mahindra’s product line-up consisting of over a dozen SUVs including petrol, diesel and fully electric ones. In fact Mahindra makes an SUV for everyone literally, a feat not many manufacturers can boast of. It has also ensured its SUVs evolve with time to meet the demands of new-age SUV buyers. Interestingly though, the next SUV I got into was the Scorpio-N, one of the oldest nameplates, not just in Mahindra’s portfolio but India too. Called the ‘Big Daddy’ of SUVs the Scorpio-N looks butch and has an unmistakeable road presence.
The Scorpio has always been a bestseller and the Scorpio-N takes that legacy forward well. It continues with the body on frame construction – just like hardcore SUVs should – but offers car-like handling and comfort. Dynamics have only gotten better thus, helping the Scorpio-N appeal to enthusiasts and family SUV buyers alike. It is in fact the choice of the largest spectrum of SUV buyers with its macho design. Interiors meanwhile reek of classiness – the dashboard design, soft door trims, large touchscreen and tall seating typical of old-school SUVs help it impress. But while it is on offer with a four wheel drive system too, the Scorpio-N is hugely popular in rear wheel drive form, the version I was driving. And even without four wheel drive it felt confident off tarmac, also courtesy its excellent ground clearance, helping it take on broken roads without a hitch.
This prowess is thanks to its WATT’s Link rear suspension and frequency dependent damping. The suspension helps the Scorpio-N stay composed, be it on undulated surfaces or around corners. Truth be told, its impeccable balance between ride and handling is among the best as far as body on frame SUVs go. On the other hand, its feature list ensures the Scorpio-N impresses with more than just its road manners. We’re talking ventilated front seats, LED projector headlamps and fog lamps, cruise control, a sunroof, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, connected car technology, premium leather upholstery and more. Then there’s the 2.2-litre diesel producing 175PS and 370Nm, which impresses massively with its refinement and performance.
As I drove on I realised Meghalaya is also home to hills and mountains with numerous waterfalls, besides the forests and pine trees. And our next destination, the Nohkalikai waterfall is one of its hidden gems, being India’s highest plunge waterfall – the water plunges down from 1,115 feet! It’s a sight to behold, especially during the monsoons we’re told, and watching the water plunge down, surrounded by mountains clad with greenery was an experience. As we were heading off from there, I swapped SUVs again and finally, grabbed the keys to the Thar ROXX!
With its tall, butch stance, the Thar ROXX is the textbook definition of SUVs. It’s road presence is unmistakeable, and with its design and massive tyres the Thar ROXX makes onlookers gawk at it. It impresses everyone, whether you’re an adventure junkie who loves off-roading and trails, or a buyer looking for a macho-looking SUV that’s also sophisticated, plush, premium and comfortable for your family. And with its kind of powertrain options, suspension setup and four wheel drive system, the Thar ROXX does it all, be it taking on hardcore trails, conquering mountains or taking you on a cross-country road trip in great comfort.
The route to our next destination, Cherrapunji, was an interesting one too. It included a mix of highways that gave me a chance to make the most of the 175PS and 370Nm from the 2.2-litre diesel engine and the smooth and intuitive 6-speed automatic gearbox powering the Thar ROXX. A bigger highlight was its dynamics, be it on the highway or off tarmac later, when I went off roading. The all-new M_Glyde platform and suspension setup (independent front suspension and coil springs at the rear with WATT’s link) and also the frequency dependent damping and hydraulic rebound stoppers help it handle in a manner that belies the Thar ROXX using a body on frame construction. It stays planted at highway speeds and around corners, also offering lots of feedback from the steering. But when driving in the north east, it’s hard to resist the temptation to go off-road, especially when driving the Thar ROXX. So as soon as we encountered country roads and I found a suitable turn off, I took off to tread off tarmac!
Because when it comes to off-roading, few Indian SUVs match up to its abilities. And with its excellent, 226mm ground clearance the Thar ROXX goaded me to go further, even as the rest of the pack slowed down. The Thar ROXX is also the only 4×4 SUV at its price point to be equipped with serious technology including the CrawlSmart feature that allowed me to crawl ahead on uphill sections without using the throttle or losing traction, IntelliTurn that locks the inside rear wheel to reduce the turning radius when driving off-road and more, besides traction control, ABS with EBD, hill hold and hill descent. It isn’t without reason that the Thar ROXX is a massive hit with off-road clubs!
It’s also on this road trip that I was able to get a better sense of the factors that had helped the Thar ROXX secure 1.76 lakh bookings within an hour of them being opened – the highest ever for a Mahindra SUV! And besides its multiple powertrain and drivetrain options, it’s also the SUV’s luxurious interiors, space and practicality that help it appeal to a massively wide spectrum of buyers. The interiors are swathed in premium leatherette and soft touch plastics, while the excellent dashboard design, panoramic sunroof, extensive legroom and kneeroom in the second row and huge boot all help it convince buyers.
Also adding to its appeal were the SUV’s features and technology including Level 2 ADAS, the latest version of Adrenox, 9-speaker, premium Harman Kardon music system, dual zone climate control, ventilated seats and more. In a nutshell the Thar ROXX is unlike few other SUVs, helping it justify its tag of being ‘The SUV’. As I got back from my off-road excursion I found the team waiting for me to head to Cherrapunji. That’s also when the realisation hit that it had already been a few days of exploring Meghalaya. As for Cherrapunji, it sits on a plateau at the edge of tall cliffs overseeing Bangladesh which arrest clouds ascending from below, resulting in the highest amounts of rainfall – in the world!
As we enjoyed the scenic views of the dense forests in the valley below in Bangladesh, the team and I couldn’t help but reflect on the experiences of driving in Meghalaya. The XUV 3XO, XUV700, Scorpio-N and Thar ROXX had impressed us to no end and performed flawlessly, making it hard to pick a favourite. Each SUV has its own strengths and while they’re all different, what binds them all together is their solid build quality, the ‘born tough’ DNA and finesse with which they’ve been engineered. All four are icons in their own right like I mentioned, and excel in their respective segments given their strong engineering foundations and not to forget, Mahindra’s unmatched experience in making SUVs. And these four SUVs had just helped me explore a region of our country that’s considered remote but is pristinely beautiful, soaking in sights, sounds and experiences that were only making me and the team smile as we celebrated TURBOCHARGED’s fourth anniversary. And also celebrate SUVs for the matter, in a way they’ve not been celebrated before!
