The subcompact SUV space is one of the most hotly contested and densely packed segments in India. Competition amongst peers is so fierce that no one wants to leave any stone unturned. The lastest to portray precisely that is Mahindra. It has upgraded the XUV300’s portfolio in a manner that the model is now much more desirable.

First, the SUV is now available with a petrol-AMT combination. AMT, as we know, stands for Automated Manual Transmission. But, Mahindra likes to call it AutoShift. The said powertrain is available in two trim levels – W6 and W8 (O) – and the prices start at Rs 9.95 lakh. That’s about Rs 55,000 more than the comparable petrol-MT variant.

The 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine produces 109bhp/200Nm, while the AutoShift has six forward speeds. As with the diesel-AMT variants, the petrol-AMT derivatives also gain ESC, Hill-Start Assist and a creep function. The rest of the package remains unaltered. Go for the W8 (O) trim level, and the SUV comes jam-packed with stuff like dual-zone climate control, seven airbags, front parking sensors, a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, keyless entry and auto headlamps.

Speaking of the W8 (O) derivative, it now also offers Mahindra’s BlueSense Plus technology. In layman’s terms – connected-car features. They’ve been categorised in five segments – remote vehicle controls, location-based functions, safety and security, vehicle alerts and miscellaneous functions. Courtesy of the new tech, customers can now use features like geofencing, live vehicle tracking, alerts for overspeeding or low tyre pressure, remotely turning on the AC and location sharing.

Mahindra has also taken the liberty to offer the sunroof in more trim levels. This gizmo was earlier reserved for only the range-topping W8 (O) variants. Now, however, it is also part of W6 and W8 derivatives. As a result, the asking price has shot up. The W6 range starts at Rs 9.4 lakh, which is about Rs 27,000 more than before.

The Mahindra XUV300 has a long list of rivals, including the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet, Tata Nexon and the Ford EcoSport. Soon, Nissan Magnite’s step-sibling, the Renault Kiger, will also join the party. Do you agree that the XUV300 is much more likeable now?