While the XUV300 has got a good grip in the compact-SUV segment here in India, Mahindra is now gearing up to make it bigger. The brand is preparing to launch a 7-seater variant of the XUV300 which will be based on the SsangYong Tivoli XLV. As we all know, the compact-SUV Mahindra XUV300 is based on the SsangYong Tivoli and the Korean manufacturer also has a larger Tivoli XLV already on sale abroad. The same would come to India and can be dubbed as the XUV300 Plus.
The XUV300 Plus as it might be named is currently codenamed as S204 by Mahindra. The Tivoli XLV / Mahindra XUV300 Plus / S204 will not really have any direct rival as none of the other compact-SUVs in India have a stretched 7-seater iteration. Expect pricing to be up by nearly INR 1.5 lakh, variant to variant for the Tivoli XLV / Mahindra XUV300 Plus / S204. Point to note, the Mahindra XUV300 is already an expensive car as per segment standards, but comes loaded with features which are not available even in a segment above.
The SsangYong Tivolo XLV in the international market is a 5-seater SUV with a larger boot space. But in India, it could accommodate folding seats as a 3rd row to make it more versatile and lucrative for buyers.
SsangYong Tivoli XLV Dimensions:
| Length (mm) | 4440 | |||
| Width (mm) | 1798 | |||
| Height (mm) | 1635 | |||
| Wheelbase (mm) | 2600 | |||
| Track: front/rear (mm) | 1550 | |||
| Min turning circle (m) | 5.3 | |||
| Overhang: front/rear (mm) | 865/975 | |||
| Gross vehicle weight (kg) | 1970 | |||
We expect Mahindra to work on the XUV300 by keeping the same wheelbase, but extending the rear profile of the car to integrate 2 extra seats. The 7-seater S204 will be slightly heavier, but will most definitely come with the same engine options which include a petrol and diesel motor, both of which are turbocharged.
We’re expecting Mahindra to showcase the 7-seater Tivoli XLV / Mahindra XUV300 Plus / S204 at the 2020 Auto Expo in India and this monocoque SUV will fight its own sibling the Mahindra XUV500 to some extent, given the pricing and also try to fend off the Tata Buzzard since there is no other direct rival.
