Mahindra’s latest sub-4 metre SUV – the XUV300 – has begun its innings promisingly. Since launch, which happened on this year’s Valentine’s Day, it has bagged more than 13,000 bookings. By doing so, it has entered the top three in the compact SUV segment in its very first month. Mahindra claims that it has received over 2.5 lakh queries for the XUV300 till date.

Here’s some more dope on the feat achieved. Out of the lot, more than 75 per cent of bookings are for the top end variants. Mahindra says that based on the interest shown by the end consumers, the bookings count falls right in line with the main objective of achieving 15 to 20 per cent share of the segment. Now, align that target with this – the compact SUV segment accounts for 40 per cent of the SUV industry and is easily the fastest growing over the last five years. In other words, Mahindra is betting big on the XUV300.

The Mahindra XUV300 is available in four trim levels – W4, W6, W8 and W8 (O) – covering two engine-transmission combinations. If you want a petrol engine under the bonnet, you will have to settle for a 1.2-litre mill that produces 110PS/200Nm. Diesel lovers will get a 1.5-litre engine that puts out 115PS/300Nm. Both engines are coupled with a 6-speed manual transmission. Compare those figures with the competition and you’ll notice that the XUV300 has the torquiest engines of the lot. In fact, the diesel engine also claims the title of being the most powerful in the segment.

Just like all modern Mahindra models, the XUV300 comes loaded with features. The list includes a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, dual-zone climate control, heated ORVMs, front and rear parking sensors, 17-inch diamond cut alloy wheels, an electric sunroof, 7 airbags and a tyre pressure monitoring system. In India, the Mahindra XUV300 locks horns with the likes of the Honda WR-V, Ford EcoSport, Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza and the Tata Nexon.