Mahindra XUV300 AMT or Manual

Dear Kshitish ji,

Greetings !!

First of all great all round choice as XUV300 W8 Option from Performance, Safety, Fun Experience.
Congratulations !!

Now in terms of making a choice- W8 Option is available in 5 trims
> W8 Option MT & AMT Petrol - 200 NM
> W8 Option Turbosport with more power and even improved 230 NM but only in MT
> W8 Option MT & AMT Diesel - 300 NM Torqye

To help you make the right choice
Just focus on 2 Trims :-
a) XUV300 TurboSport - making it the most fun to drive Petrol Compact SUV of Indian Car Market. Based on all new M-Stallion TGDI Petrol Engine :-
> Biggest difference is that even Turbo spools in early at around 1500 rpm or so to deliver even fun experience (GDI - gasoline direct injection fuel sprayed in comustion chamber at much higher speed)
> Superior higher end range for more fun experience

Experience with superior NVH and Fun would be better off in XUV300 TurboSport

b) XUV300 Diesel AMT - AMT in Diesel is better calibrated over Petrol
Infact so much so that XUV300 Diesel AMT has such high 300 NM Torque where at times AMT does work than desired with minimal jerks or pause effect and when you speed up - car AMT system holds gear
You can experience in XUV300 Diesel AMT when having mixed use where offering
> 70% to 80% in city use with sheer convenience
> Love performance with Fun Aspect at same time on open roads

The only benefit of XUV300 W8 Option Regular MPFI Petrol Engine with 200 NM Torque is value price point where after discounts - On road price will be lower to extent of Rs 80,000 and yet acceptable performance

But care for the best and if
> Performance lover - XUV300 Turbosport which is only there in MT
> Convenience yet Performance at same time - XUV300 W8 Option Diesel AMT

Hope should help !!

Do you mean to say the jerks level will be less in Diesel AMT than Petrol AMT ?
Also, I have heard that if I keep the vehicle idle for 10 to 15 days then the diesel engine will show issues. Like the more you keep the vehicle idle the more problem a diesel engine shows.
Thinking about this will you still advise to go for diesel amt over petrol amt ?

Kshitish Sahab,

Hi. Hope doing great
I endorse in view - Diesel AMT Calibration is by far the best in XUV300 AMT with Mimimal Jerks / Pause Effect
Although some amount of gear upshift are felt in low gears, but on speed and the way gear auto upshift from 3rd to 4th to 5th to 6th - its seamless with fun

The only con of this AMT is in slow speed under 30 kmph - where car gear upshifts are felt more - but post that is awesome

Also, I have heard that if I keep the vehicle idle for 10 to 15 days then the diesel engine will show issues. Like the more you keep the vehicle idle the more problem a diesel engine shows.

Car are Mechanical, are best when driven
No Modern age Diesel or Petrol or CNG can can get issue in 10 to 15 days idling - all a myth but certainly should not be a practice like cranking just once in 15 days and then turned off

But, pls note that Diesel Cars have DPF and if you drive at restricted speed of just 20 to 50 Kmph at most of times - there is a possibility that soot can form too early and DPF can even be clogged within 1000 Kms and thus regeneration is required to clear same.

To clear DPF
> one should drive at high RPM 2500+ for near 30 minutes
or
> High Speed Drive on Highway / Expressway to clear dpf

Also to keep engine in ideal conditions if too many small distance trips (like 2 to 5 kms one) they are called stress conditons for car engine, as engine temperature never reaches in optimal condition, and engine oil replacement should ideally be done earlier.

So - cars are best when driven and driven for a distance so as to reach in optimal engine temp as required to remain in top shape.

Hope should help !!

Thank you for response Gagan ji.
However, most of my travels will be between the city and roughly 5 km a trip and summing it 20 kms a day. And in the weekends I will drive say 200 Kms. In that case should I spend that extra 1.1 Lakhs for a diesel engine? (Alongside I have heard the diesel engine produces more sound and also asks for higher maintenance)

Also, the sales person says if you will accelerate hard then you will feel the jerk or else it's minimal. What will you say on his comments? Also I don't think anyone can rush in a city. And in highways mostly drive will be at 6th gear. So, consider these factors and lemme know when we generally feel jerk. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Please differentiate between XUV 300 Manual and XUV 300 petrol AMT in terms of drivability, performance, mileage and maintenance both for city and highways.
(Please consider I will have a city drive for around 600 Kms and Highway drive for around 600 Kms too).

Also, the sales person says if you will accelerate hard then you will feel the jerk or else it's minimal.

Incorrect, When you accelerate hard car will hold gear rather hence no jerk
Between post 30+ speed - upshift
Only in slow speed where car is like on initial gears felt upshift more often
My experience says that Diesel AMT has better calibrated AMT - but in no way Petrol AMT is bad

All depends on driving style, as once you start experiencing the car can adjust Throttle response to get the most from the unit
But on benchmarking - Diesel AMT can experience better AMT unit response as against Petrol one

Having said at same time - pls have test drive as is utmost important to understand behavior of AMT as trying to refere above

Please consider I will have a city drive for around 600 Kms and Highway drive for around 600 Kms too.

Its like a trade off, that counts for near 15000 Kms as average annual usage
Although upfront cost is lower, but Petrol SUV tend to deliver in lower Mileage
On Similar usage as specified for mix of city - expect near 20% better mileage in city, near 15% better mileage on highway
Basis usage as mentioned that means - Rs 22,000 as annual fuel savings

Factoring in
> Higher Service cost of Diesel cars (Rs 1000 to 1500)
> Slight Higher Insurance premium of Diesel cars in later years
> Fact that some wear and tear items like Battery, clutch plate cost higher in Diesel cars
> Interest loss of buying Diesel cars on additonal loan outflow (due to higher upfront cost)

Ultimately - your final savings would come down to near Rs 14,000 to 15,000 a year means it will take in near 7 yrs to recover in higher upfront cost.

So from usage perspective, been trade off time high - Petrol one makes more sense

most of my travels will be between the city and roughly 5 km a trip and summing it 20 kms a day.
XUV 300 Manual and XUV 300 petrol AMT in terms of drivability, performance, mileage and maintenance both for city and highways.

As you specified that most of the trips would be short distance in city - i strongly suggest to experience in petrol AMT as somehow the jerks/pause effect felt more in lower speed on intial gears.

In that matter if you seek Petrol AMT - to my view Nexon Petrol AMT has better calibrated AMT response on slower speed. If possible pls have drive back to back to understand in city traffic

Else - XUV300 Manual would be like excellent pick, you really do not need to worry about
> Clutch as is light
> Manual Gear change as pretty smooth

Performance although in Petrol AMT / Manual has similar engine - but Manual Transmission feels more engaging and nature of jerk free transmission at any given point of time is more smooth.

Turbo lag is pretty much controlled and around 1700 rpm is great all rounder for smooth pickup

From after sales service maintenance - both are similar, except AMT Actuator fluid would be the only add on expense
From Fuel Efficiency - depends on the way you drive, can be marginally better in AMT as car automatically upshift at recommended speed - but difference would be miniscule
From highway / expressway drive - you will love in both, with Cruise set - your left foot will be relaxed for ease of drive,

Overall
Have test drive as theres nothing which can undermine the fact that
> 2 Pedal Drive
> Automated Gear shift change

makes life more convenient and easy.
From Financial perspective and added on the fact about low usage in city - Petrol AMT makes sense

But If these jerks/pause effect are a concern - then although may sound weird but Use Manual Mode while driving in bumper to bumper traffic where still you left foot is relaxed, you only need to upshift gear (as downshift will be done automatically)
> Put in AMT as and when you move on slight higher speed

Else with time as vehcile ownership - you can adjust in throttle response on low speed to get the most from AMT.
Hope should help !!

I took a test drive in diesel AMT as no dealers offer a test drive in petrol amt here. With the Diesel AMT I didn't feel any jerk, I was light on accelerator and the vehicle went really smooth and I drove for around 20 Kms.
But as you said there will be a difference in the jerk levels in between petrol and diesel, that confused me whether to go for the petrol amt on the basis of test drive taken in diesel amt ?

Also between the BS6 Ph I and Ph 2 cost difference is 20k on road. So which one to go for ?

But as you said there will be a difference in the jerk levels in between petrol and diesel, that confused me whether to go for the petrol amt on the basis of test drive taken in diesel amt ?

Diesel AMT calibration levels are benchmark, and ideally be incorrect to opt for Petrol AMT basis Diesel AMT Drive experience
But - 3 things for sure
1. Safety
2. Performance on mid range
3. Handling

you wont find any compromise in Petrol AMT too
At very low speeds - in Petrol AMT gear upshift are noticeable but if you dint felt much in Diesel too on low speed - chances are that would adjust driving style to it too.

Rest suggest to go ahead with BS Phase 2 with updated catalytic, engine tuneup for latest emissions - cars are even more silent and smooth in BS6 ph2 lot and such insignificant difference wont be a deal breaker.

If I will be getting upto 50k discount on BS 6 Phase I then what would you suggest?
Also is there a possibility that the price gets increased for phase 2 once they start distributing the cars to dealers ?

Give me a rough idea a difference of what amount is worth taking a Phase II over Phase I.

Also, if I will drive in city for around 20 to 25 Kms a day, then what will you advise me to go for ? Manual or AMT ? Manual I can drive, no issues for drivability. Just I am concerned about convenience. Like, if there will be an option for AMT/Manual keeping the cost part aside what will you choose ? And does it really pain in leg while driving a manual in city being on traffic?

Hi Kshitish ji,

Let me try to make things easier for you

Phase 2 & Phase 1 Confusion
Mahindra was offering W8 Option with high discounts to tune of
> Rs 27K to 30K Consumer offer
> Dealer End Benefits of Rs 12K to 15K
> Insurance Benefits
> Rs 25K Exchange Bonus
> Corporate Benefits
> Some Accessories too

for long (same scheme was there in 2021 end / most of the period in 2022 and now in 2023 too).

Been changes are mechanical to catalytics, emissions and Engine tune up in BS6 Phase 2, and nothing related to interior revamp or facelift or new styling - once BS6 Ph2 start selling at dealer showroom - which is April onwards - expect similar schemes to be rolled out then in Phase 2 too.

So it means difference of 20K on upfront price would be what the major difference as needs to be paid ahead.

Manual or AMT
As a customer - you need to careful assess in
> Convenience of relaxed left foot & creep mode in AMT Cars
and
> Jerks / Pause effect which is there at low speed in petrol when car auto shift gear or at slow speed - AMT sometimes feels like confusing as upshift do induce slight pause effect

AMT Jerks / Pause are not trouble some - they just need to be managed by owner and if you give highest priority to convenience of drive then opt for AMT, else let me tell you for an individual like me who seek smooth transmission response and cant bear such pause / jerk in slow speed will pick Manual Transmission and will infact pick in GDI Petrol one with 230 NM torque where low end pickup is superior.,

So - have your preferences clear on what you give highest importance to - if conveneince you cant go wrong with AMT as
> Relaxed left foot
> No need to manually change gear every time
> Creep mode which makes life extreme easy in b2b traffic

And does it really pain in leg while driving a manual in city being on traffic?

Not at all if you are medically fit, but with changing times future will be only of 2 pedal technology
Every one looking for
> Features
> Convenience
and AMT definitely adds on convenience factor, but at cost of not so smooth transmission response
So carefully judge in preferences as what you gives highest importance to.

Hope should help in taking final call.

Dear Gagan ji,
I have decided to go with the W8 OPT Petrol AMT. Here I am attaching the quotation.

Please guide me to avail maximum discount.

Also, give me some ideas related to required necessary accessories that I need to purchase.

As this will be my first car please give me some suggestions to make a successful deal with the dealer. So that, I won't be charged higher amount through their sweet talks)

Hi,

As its a BS6 Phase 2 - pls refer these video which will guide on negotiation
1.
2. on how to negotiate

For Car Accessories - Essential Car Accessories

Should help !!

Hello Gagan Ji!
Earlier you told that the AMT gives the jerky feel at low speed. But in the Internet from people who own the Petrol AMT I got to know that in case of low speeds switching to manual mode and driving the car eases everything. It will change the gear as per your own demand.
What will you say on this ? Will switching to manual mode and shifting gears by our own help in low speeds ?

As specified in reply#40728

But If these jerks/pause effect are a concern - then although may sound weird but Use Manual Mode while driving in bumper to bumper traffic where still you left foot is relaxed, you only need to upshift gear (as downshift will be done automatically)
> Put in AMT as and when you move on slight higher speed

Else with time as vehcile ownership - you can adjust in throttle response on low speed to get the most from AMT.

Hello Gagan Ji!
Now that I have decided to go with the AMT, can you tell me something about its reliability? Like I have read some negative reviews about CELERIO AMT & Wagon R AMT getting stranded on roads and most complaints come from people who have used it for more than 5-7 years and driven >50k Kms. (I am attaching a screenshot of someone telling about his experience with AMT breakdown in the middle of road)

Is there any cases of sudden breakdown of AMT Unit?

In case of repair, how much does it cost? How much more does it cost than a Manual gear box repair?

Now that I have decided to go with the XUV and for convenience I am going with the AMT. But, I wish to use the vehicle for atleast 10 years. So in the long run will this last?

Hi,

AMT is Manual Transmission to its core with AMT Device added to it

There is absolute no doubt on reliability if modern age AMT Cars where
> Technological enhancement
> AMT Calibration

is only much better.
Still, bottom line fact remains that car is mechanical and problems may happen and exceptions can be there in .01% cases, but 99.99% reliability if there means at best

For peace of mind - opt for longest possible extended warranty as available (in case of XUV300 - its 5 yrs)
Hope should help !!

Hello Gagan Ji!
Now that I opt to go for Automatic SUV, will it be wise to look for the electric options ?

In that case which electric SUV do you suggest ?

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