Every year, the Old Mutual Car of the Year Awards (COTY) shine a spotlight on the best of the best in South Africa’s automotive scene. The Mahindra XUV 3XO was a 2025 Old Mutual Car of the Year finalist and was voted the winner of the Motor Enthusiast “People’s Choice” award for the second year in a row. The compact SUV secured the highest number of votes among 16 other top contenders.

While expert opinions shape most categories, the People’s Choice Award hands the mic to the public, letting motorists speak for themselves and vote for the car that truly stands out in their eyes. And indeed, the XUV 3XO is packed with the kind of charm that wins you over from the first glance and keeps surprising you long after the test drive ends.

So, What Makes the XUV 3XO So Popular?

The Mahindra XUV 3XO earned every vote with its head-turning design, fuel economy, and feature-packed interior. It might be compact in size, but it arrives with confident styling, sharp LED lighting, a bold grille, and eye-catching alloys that make it look anything but entry-level. It’s a head-turner in the city, yet rugged enough to handle the unpredictable bits of South African roads.

Inside, it’s tech-forward and surprisingly plush. It features a well-thought-out cabin with wireless charging, Harman Kardon audio, and leatherette seats designed to make every journey a pleasure. “From dual 10.25-inch screens and advanced safety tech to a panoramic sunroof and smooth drive, it brings big-car energy without the big price tag,” said Jerry Anthonyrajah, Old Mutual Insure’s chief commercial officer.

Performance is no afterthought, either. The XUV 3XO’s turbocharged 1.2-litre mStallion engine delivers a spirited 82 kW and 200 Nm of torque, launching the SUV from 0 to 60 km/h in just 4.6 seconds while sipping fuel with impressive restraint. But where the XUV 3XO truly sets itself apart is in safety and innovation. Building on a 5-star safety legacy, the compact SUV introduces Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), a 360-degree camera, 6 airbags, and electronic stability control, features that are often reserved for vehicles twice the price.

A Big Win For Mahindra And For Drivers

This award is more than another feather in Mahindra’s cap. It’s a vote of confidence from the very people the brand builds its vehicles for, showing how far the brand has come and how deeply it understands South African drivers. In recent years, Mahindra has steadily gained ground with vehicles that are tough, reliable, and refreshingly well-priced. The XUV 3XO builds on that reputation with a modern edge, combining bold styling, a feature-packed interior, great fuel efficiency, and unbeatable value.

Winning the People’s Choice category means one thing above all: trust. The kind of trust you earn by delivering exceptional value, smart design, and honest-to-goodness quality.

Experience The People’s Choice For Yourself

There’s a reason the Mahindra XUV 3XO has won over South Africans across the country (twice!), and it’s not just because it looks good in the driveway (although it definitely does that too).

Schedule your test drive at Group1 Mahindra today, and see why it resonates so strongly with the public. The 2025 People’s Choice winner is waiting to impress you, too.