Enjoy a huge $340 off this portable power source while this deal lasts.

It's not just you. Concert tickets have gone up -- a lot -- the last few years. Here are seven tips for saving money on them.

Can't settle on a security cam? Arlo's latest Essential camera does it all for under $100.

While this cable provider isn’t as well known as others, it still deserves some hype for its solid home broadband offerings. CNET has all the details.

This year's Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is the first title in the series to be available on phones the same day as PC and consoles.

This is one of my favorite cameras I've ever used, despite its flaws.

If you don't cook for crowds often, heed the advice of a seasoned chef de soirée. Here are six ways to make that holiday feast manageable.

Use Apple's Find My app to keep tabs on your device whether it's powered on.

Commentary: The base iPhone still lacks an always-on display, but I hope Apple changes that with the iPhone 17.

Een drukke week voor Meta, met nieuwe AR/VR-producten op het Connect-evenement en een nieuwe escalatie van het 'fair share'-debat met de telecomwereld...

De toekomst van satelliettelevisie staat opnieuw ter discussie nadat de twee grootste aanbieders in de VS, Dish en DirecTV, het eindelijk eens zijn geworden over een fusie...

Samsung trapte het Q3 rapportageseizoen af met een verrassende verontschuldiging, nu de druk toeneemt om de beloften van AI waar te maken. Deutsche Telekom en Korea Telecom wedden er ondertussen op dat AI hen veel efficiënter kan maken, wat lagere kosten en minder personeel betekent...

De drie grote Amerikaanse hyperscalers, Amazon, Microsoft en Google, lijken een wapenwedloop te voeren om hun netwerken wereldwijd uit te breiden. Zowel de cloud als specifiek de zware belasting van AI vraagt daarom. Het is een trend die vooral sinds begin dit jaar zichtbaar is...

KPN rapporteert de resultaten over het derde kwartaal op 28 oktober. De markt verwacht een hogere omzet maar een lagere marge...

Nog geen tekenen van een opleving in de markt voor netwerkapparatuur, op basis van de kwartaalresultaten van Ericsson en Nokia, terwijl Netflix wist te verrassen met een hogere omzet, zelfs met een seizoensgebonden vertraging in de klantengroei...

Het vast-mobiel convergentieverhaal krijgt vorm in de VS met de aankondiging van de nieuwe breedbandstrategie van Verizon, terwijl AT&T en T-Mobile stappen zetten op de glasvezelmarkt. Op de jaarlijkse producttop van Qualcomm heeft de chipmaker hoge verwachtingen van zijn Oryon CPU, ondanks tegenstand van Arm...

De grootste smartphonefabrikanten waren vorige week allemaal in het nieuws, met kwartaalcijfers van Apple en Samsung en nieuwe toptelefoons van Xiaomi en Honor. De grote Amerikaanse techbedrijven presenteerden ook hun derdekwartaalresultaten, zonder tekenen van een vertraging in hun wereldwijde groei...

Moet een telecombedrijf uitbreiden buiten zijn thuismarkt? Deze vraag kwam vorige week in het nieuws nadat BCE een grote stap naar de VS aankondigde, terwijl BT en NTT gemengde resultaten lieten zien bij het opbouwen van een internationale business...

1. Google says Gems are ‘one of the most used Gemini Advanced features,’ adds file upload  9to5Google
2. Gemini Live is getting ready to chat with you about your files (APK teardown)  Android Authority
3. Google thinks attachments could be the perfect conversation starter for Gemini Live  Android Police
4. Google's Gemini AI may soon allow users to edit files using voice commands  The Times of India
5. Gemini Live could soon start messing around with your files  Android Central

1. GOP Rep. Valadao holds Central Valley, California, swing seat  POLITICO
2. Republican David Valadao wins re-election to US House in California's 22nd Congressional District  Fox News
3. Republican David Valadao secures California House wins  Newsweek

1. Democrat Dave Min keeps Katie Porter’s House seat blue  POLITICO
2. Democrat wins California House seat to replace Porter  The Hill
3. In California’s 47th congressional district, former Republican Assemblyman Scott Baugh concedes to Democrat Dave Min  The Mercury News

1. Trump Puts ‘First Buddy’ Elon Musk in Charge of Fake Gov’t Department  The Daily Beast
2. Why is Elon Musk becoming Donald Trump's efficiency adviser?  BBC.com
3. Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy to lead Trump's Department of Government Efficiency  Fox News

This report estimates the size and value of the Dutch video market, consisting of both the traditional pay-TV market (TV) and the internet-based (over-the-top) services market (OTT video). It offers an overview of Dutch consumer TV and video revenues in the second quarter of 2024, and compares the findings with results from previous quarters.

This report shows the spontaneous and assisted brand awareness of video services in the Netherlands during the August 2024. We also look at what is top of mind. Brand awareness is an important indicator of how successful existing and new brands are in their marketing. It is an essential first step in convincing consumers to take out a subscription. The following brands are included: Amazon Prime Video, AppleTV+, Discovery+, Disney+, ESPN, Film1, HBO Max, Kijk, Netflix, NLziet, NPO, Pathé Thuis, SkyShowtime, Viaplay, Videoland, YouTube, Ziggo Sport Totaal. 

This report provides insights into usage of customer service apps from telecom providers. We report on the service apps for the following brands: Ziggo, Vodafone, hollandsnieuwe, KPN, Simyo, Odido, Simpel and Ben. Data is from August 2024.

(Telecompaper) Charter Communications said that its Spectrum has promoted Elena Ritchie to the position of senior vice president of video. In her new role, Ritchie will advance the company's video strategy, including video experience, hardware and software architecture and engineering, and product and digital...

(Telecompaper) SmartCIC Group has announced the launch of its managed Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite service, which the company hopes to rapidly deploy across 30 countries. The company said the new offering provides secure, scalable, and cost-effective connectivity across remote and challenging locations with the need for a costly ground infrastructure...

(Telecompaper) The UK government has announced the launch of a new forum to advise on the future of UK television. Led by Media Minister, Stephanie Peacock MP, the working group will include senior representatives from regulator Ofcom, TV broadcasters, infrastructure providers, and audience/viewer groups. It will...

(Telecompaper) Canadian vendor Vecima Networks has announced the successful completion of a first-phase linear ad insertion deployment for US fibre and IPTV carrier Hotwire Communications. The first phase introduces linear parity ad insertion, enabling zonal ad placements in IPTV streams. In the next phase,...

(Telecompaper) Thaicom saw its revenue from sales and services reach THB 614 million in the third quarter of 3024, which represents a decline from THB 638 million in the second quarter of 2024 and THB 623 million in the third quarter of 2023. This was mainly attributed to the revenue from satellite and related...

(Telecompaper) ...

(Telecompaper) Jazztel has become the latest MasOrange brand to launch its Christmas campaign, offering all subscribers access to over 15 premium channels for free until after the festive season. The guest channels include Warner TV, Star Channel, Eurosport 1 and 2, TCM, Cosmo, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr, Disney Jr, National Geographic, Nat Geo Wild, Discovery Channel, Mezzo and MTV...

(Telecompaper) European broadcaster RTL has trimmed its outlook for full-year results due to weakness in the German advertising market. RTL posted revenues for the first nine months of the year down 1.5 percent on an organic basis to EUR 4.2 billion and lowered its FY outlook to EUR 6.3 billion in sales, from a...

(Telecompaper) SpaceX's Starlink announced that its satellite internet service is now available in Chad, making it the latest African country to approve Starlink's low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite internet services. Elon Musk announced on his X feed that Chad approved the licensing of Starlink on 11 November to...

(Telecompaper) Thai operator AIS has introduced the Max streaming platform from Warner Bros. Discovery on the local market. Starting 19 November, AIS customers will be able to subscribe to Max packages and access entertainment content, including blockbuster movies and popular series. AIS will also enhance its...

(Telecompaper) MultiChoice Group says that revenue increased by 4 percent year on year to ZAR 25.4 billion on an organic basis in the six months to September thanks to disciplined inflationary pricing and revenue growth for new products. On a reported basis, revenues declined by 10 percent, hit by foreign...

(Telecompaper) MultiChoice says it will update its DStv Stream platform by letting viewers rewind live television channels by up to 24 hours and improving Watch from Start functionality and Cloud PVR Recordings, which it introduced on 12 November. The Cloud PVR Recording feature lets customers record live shows for viewing or re-watching within 30 days...

(Telecompaper) Rivada announced it has secured new spectrum rights to support its planned satellite constellation and services. In the past year Rivada secured market access for its Outernet constellation in 18 countries and on every continent, including the UK, the Netherlands, Denmark, Finland, Colombia and...

Daily roundup by CSE and Down to Earth @COP27 by Avantika Goswami and Rohini Krishnamurthy, November 7, 2022 • UN Secretary-General António Guterres said that Loss and damage can no longer be swept

I am confused whether I should buy an Audi Q3 Premium Plus or a BYD Atto 3 Dynamic.

Lavya Garg, Gurugram

Autocar India says: Both are very different cars; one is combustion-engined, and the other an EV. The Audi is the safer choice as it feels more premium and can be taken anywhere without worrying about fuelling up. The Atto 3 doesn’t feel as premium but has a lot more tech that makes the Q3 look outdated. Being an EV, the Atto 3 is much easier to drive and has negligible running costs, but it will have poorer resale value.

Also See:

2022 Audi Q3 India review: Back with a bang

2022 Audi Q3 India video review

Audi Q3 Sportback review: The downsized Q8

BYD Atto 3 review: Characterful and slick to drive

BYD Atto 3 real world range test video

I am confused between the Mahindra XUV700 and the Mahindra Thar Roxx. We’re a family of six, and I need a powerful vehicle with ADAS.

Kaustubh Satish, Bengaluru

Autocar India says: As a family car, the XUV700 is a better choice as it is more spacious than the Thar Roxx, especially since you have six family members. The XU700’s second row is wider than the Roxx, so sitting three abreast isn’t as comfortable on the latter. Also, the XUV700 has a third row, which the Roxx doesn’t, and this is crucial for accommodating the sixth passenger. The XUV700 is also more powerful than the Roxx and comes with ADAS. The Roxx is meant for adventure seekers who also want an everyday car, but for your requirements, the XUV700 is the better choice.

Also See:

Mahindra Thar Roxx review: An SUV that does it all?

Mahindra Thar Roxx video review

2021 Mahindra XUV700 review, test drive

2021 Mahindra XUV700 video review

I currently drive a BMW X5, and I’m looking to upgrade to the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV or the Range Rover Sport. What would you recommend?

Suraj M, Gurugram

Autocar India says: If you mainly drive within the city with the odd weekend outing, the EQS SUV is a good choice. It’s smoother and faster, has a futuristic interior and is far more refined than the Range Rover Sport. If you are planning to do a lot of highway driving, then the RR Sport is better. It also has a better back seat and more legroom than the EQS SUV. 

Also See:

New Range Rover Sport video review

New Range Rover Sport review: More than just good looks

Mercedes EQS SUV review: High on EQ

Mercedes EQS SUV video review

I am looking for a luxurious family car between Rs 1 crore and Rs 1.5 crore. We’re a family of five – three adults and two kids – so my priority is comfort. It needs to be a recognisable brand, have a decent road presence and have updated technology. I will be driving the car, but my usage will be very low. I can extend my budget slightly if you strongly recommend a car. I am not in favour of EVs and would prefer petrol.

Mohit Sarin, New Delhi

Autocar India says: There’s a fair bit of choice for your budget, but we would suggest you look at the Mercedes-Benz GLE. It has a good road presence, is a very strong brand, the back seat is spacious, the MBUX infotainment system has the best on-board tech, and it is fairly reliable.

Also See:

Mercedes Benz GLE facelift review: Small updates for big Merc SUV

Mercedes Benz GLE facelift video review

Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe review: The everyday AMG

Maruti Suzuki recently launched the new fourth-generation Dzire with prices ranging between Rs 6.79 lakh and Rs 10.14 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). It continues to be based on the Swift hatchback, shares the same platform and engine but sports a differentiated look. It even goes one up on the equipment front. The new Dzire is available in four trims – LXi, VXi, ZXi and ZXi+ – and we take a close look at all the features you get in each trim.

2024 Maruti Suzuki Dzire trims, variants explained

The Dzire is powered by the same Z12E engine as the Swift: 82hp, 112Nm, 3-cylinder naturally aspirated. It’s available with a 5-speed manual gearbox as standard on all four trims; the AMT is available on all but the base trim. The new Dzire also gets a CNG powertrain right from launch, available on the mid-spec VXi and ZXi trims. Coupled with a 5-speed manual gearbox, the Dzire produces 69.75hp and 101.8Nm in CNG spec.

The new Dzire’s ARAI-rated fuel efficiency figure is 24.79kpl in manual form and 25.71kpl in AMT guise. Meanwhile, in CNG spec, the Dzire returns a claimed efficiency of 33.73km/kg.

New Maruti Dzire variant-wise features

Maruti Dzire LXi: Rs 6.79 lakh

Powertrain: petrol-MT

• Projector halogen headlights
• LED tail-lights
• 14-inch steel wheels without covers
• Shark fin antenna
• Black and beige dual-tone interior
• Fabric seat upholstery
• Adjustable front seat headrests
• Analogue instrument cluster with MID (multi-information display)
• All four power windows
• Auto up/down for the driver-side window
• Keyless entry
• Manual AC
• Tilt-adjustable steering wheel
• Six airbags
• Rear defogger
• 3-point seat belts with reminders for all seats
• Electronic stability program (ESP)
• Hill-hold assist
• ABS with EBD
• Reverse parking sensors

Maruti Dzire VXi: Rs 7.79 lakh–8.74 lakh

Powertrain: petrol-MT, petrol-AMT, CNG-MT

• 14-inch steel wheels with covers
• Chrome finish on the front grille
• Turn indicators on wing mirrors
• Body-coloured door handles and wing mirrors
• Electrically adjustable and foldable wing mirrors
• Silver insert on dashboard
• 7-inch touchscreen
• Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• 4 speakers
• Steering-mounted controls
• OTA updates
• Voice assistant
• USB and Bluetooth connectivity
• Height-adjustable driver’s seat
• Adjustable rear headrests
• Day/night inside rearview mirror (IRVM)
• Front roof lamp
• Rear centre armrest with cupholders
• Rear AC vents

Maruti Dzire ZXi: Rs 8.89 lakh–9.84 lakh

Powertrain: petrol-MT, petrol-AMT, CNG-MT

• Auto LED headlights
• LED daytime running lamps
• 15-inch single-tone alloy wheels
• Chrome window garnish
• Silver trim and faux wood insert on dashboard
• Push button start/stop
• Wireless phone charger
• Key-operated boot opening
• Auto AC
• 6 speakers (including 2 tweeters)
• Connected car tech
• Reverse parking camera
• TPMS

Maruti Dzire ZXi+: Rs 9.69 lakh–10.14 lakh

Powertrain: petrol-MT, petrol-AMT

• 15-inch dual-tone alloys
• LED front fog lamps
• Front footwell illumination
• Leatherette-wrapped steering wheel
• 9-inch touchscreen
• Arkamys-tuned sound system
• Single-pane sunroof
• Coloured MID on instrument console
• Cruise control
• Auto-fold wing mirrors on locking the car
• 360-degree camera

Bookings for the new Dzire are ongoing for a token amount of Rs 11,000, and the introductory prices will be applicable till December 31, 2024. The Dzire rivals the Hyundai Aura, the Tata Tigor and the Honda Amaze, with the Amaze also due to receive an all-new generation next month.

Also See:

Maruti Dzire new vs old: price, engine, features comparison

2024 Maruti Suzuki Dzire review: India's favourite sedan massively updated

Ahead of its November 27 reveal, Honda India has teased the upcoming electric scooter for the first time. The teaser briefly gives us a glimpse at the scooter’s headlight, under which there’s a Honda logo. 

1. Headlight on Honda electric scooter is a LED unit
2. Design of headlight seems new, not shared with overseas Honda EVs

Honda electric scooter: Will it be called the Activa electric? 

Very little is known about the Honda electric scooter, which will be shown to us soon. From the teaser, all that can be made out is that this headlight is not shared with any overseas Honda electric scooter, those being the EM1 e: and the CUV e:. While the former has a claimed range of 48km, the latter can cover ‘over 70km’ on a single charge. 

It remains to be seen if Honda will repurpose one of its international electric scooters, and if it does so, which one exactly. Some years ago, the company also filed a few patent applications, which show an entirely new product, one that borrows some components from the popular Activa. 

Also See: Honda showcases electric scooter, e-bike concepts at EICMA 2024

Skoda India has taken the wraps off the Kylaq and revealed its starting price of Rs 7.89 lakh. With the Kylaq, the Czech carmaker has forayed into the heavily populated compact SUV segment, taking on the likes of the Tata Nexon, Hyundai Venue, and Mahindra XUV 3XO. The compact SUV space is the largest sub-segment in the Indian market, comprising more than 50 percent of all SUV sales.

The Kylaq is an important model for Skoda, positioned at the heart of the market. Here, we are looking at how it compares with its rivals on paper in terms of price, size, and specs.

Skoda Kylaq vs rivals dimensions

At 3,995mm in length, the Kylaq fits just under the sub-4m mark to be in line with most other compact SUVs, although the XUV 3XO, Kiger, and Magnite are slightly shorter. Overall, the Kylaq sits in the middle of its rivals on nearly every metric, barring wheelbase length and wheel size. Skoda's compact SUV has the second-longest wheelbase, at 2,556mm, after the XUV 3XO, which offers the best-in-class cabin space. The XUV 3XO comfortably accommodates three individuals in the rear, while the others are best reserved for two adults. Therefore, the Kylaq is expected to have more interior space than most of its rivals, if not the XUV 3XO.

Skoda Kylaq vs rivals engine and specs

The Kylaq is powered by a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine that produces 115hp and 178Nm of torque. From the other Skoda-VW cars that this engine does duty in, along with our drive in a prototype, we know it is responsive, relatively refined, and delivers strong acceleration. The 6-speed manual and the 6-speed torque converter automatic gearboxes will also be carried over.

The Kylaq comes with a single engine, whereas most competitors offer at least two options. However, it finds itself right in the middle of the pack in terms of power and torque figures – it's more powerful than all entry-level, naturally aspirated engines of its rivals but slightly less powerful than the turbo-petrol units. The XUV 3XO, with the 131hp TGDi engine, remains the most powerful in its class. Meanwhile, the Brezza gets the largest engine, but it's the only one to miss out on a turbo-petrol unit.

It’s worth mentioning that the likes of the Nexon, XUV 3XO, Venue, and Sonet are also available with a diesel engine. The percentage of diesel buyers in this class is less than the majority and shrinking, but the said models at least offer that option. The Brezza and the Nexon are the only models in this class to get a factory-fitted CNG kit.

Skoda Kylaq price

Skoda has yet to reveal the full price list of the Kylaq, though it has confirmed that the entry-level Classic trim will be priced at Rs 7.89 lakh. With prices expected to rise to about Rs 14 lakh for the top-spec Prestige automatic variant, the Kylaq is expected to be well-priced compared to rivals like the Nexon, Brezza, XUV 3XO, Venue and Sonet. However, the Magnite and Kiger continue to be the most affordable compact SUVs on sale in India. 

Also see:

Citroen C3 automatic vs rivals: price, specifications compared

Tata Nexon CNG vs rivals: price, specifications comparison

Toyota had introduced Festival Limited Edition variants of the Glanza, Taisor and Hyryder a couple of months ago, with free dealer-level accessories. Now, Toyota is offering the same accessories packages at a discounted price on the Glanza, Taisor and Hyryder as part of year-end benefits.  

1. Glanza and Taisor get dealer-level accessories at discounted price
2. Other exclusive year-end offers extend to over Rs 1 lakh

Toyota Special Limited-Edition variants: what’s new?

All three cars essentially come with dealer-level accessories such as chrome highlights for the grilles and bumpers, 3D door mats, door visors and full body covers. These accessories can be availed on all trims of the Glanza, on the lower-spec E, S and S+ trims of the Taisor, and on the S, G and V trims of the Urban Cruiser Hyryder. These, however, cannot be opted for with the CNG variants of any car.

The accessory package on the Glanza is available for Rs 17,381 (down from Rs 20,567); the one for the Taisor costs Rs 17,931 (down from Rs 20,160), while the Hyryder’s accessories package is listed for Rs 50,817 (no change from regular price). These prices are applicable till December 31, 2024.

Apart from these accessories, customers can also avail of other exclusive year-end offers worth over Rs 1 lakh, although Toyota has not specified the exact nature of these benefits. Toyota is likely to have extended these benefits in an effort to clear stocks before the year-end. 

Also See:

Kia Syros name confirmed for upcoming compact SUV

New Honda Amaze exterior design, interior previewed

The fourth-gen Maruti Dzire is quite a departure from its predecessors in a lot of ways. Through the generations, this compact sedan has been based on the Swift hatchback, sharing the same chassis and powertrain options, among many other bits. However, with the latest-gen, there are quite a few differences between the two models, which is why this is going to be an in-depth comparison, on paper, between the new Dzire and Swift.

New Maruti Dzire vs Swift design

As mentioned above, the new Dzire has a distinct design when compared to the Swift, sharing almost nothing with the hatchback. The compact sedan looks more premium with its Audi-esque styling in the front, a smoother roofline, and the notchy boot.

In terms of size, the new Dzire is 5mm taller and 135mm longer, with the latter explaining the compact sedan's ability to carry an additional 117 litres worth of luggage in the boot. Interestingly, the base versions of both models weigh the same 920kg, while the higher versions of the Dzire, especially the CNG-equipped variants, weigh up to 35kg more.

It should be noted that the Swift comes with three dual-tone exterior colours – Sizzling Red with Midnight Black, Luster Blue with Midnight Black and Pearl Arctic White with Midnight Black – and six monotone options. Meanwhile, the Dzire gets a total of seven exterior finishes with no dual-tone options.

New Maruti Dzire vs Swift interior

On the inside, the new Dzire and Swift are far more closely linked. In fact, they have nearly identical dash layouts, from the size and shape of the side AC vents to the centrally mounted floating touchscreen. However, the compact sedan’s cabin gets a brighter beige and grey finish compared to the hatchback’s all-black one. In addition, the chrome strip that runs the length of the Dzire’s dashboard gets a kink near the central AC vents, which also has a marginally different trapezoidal design.

Coming to the features on offer in their respective range-topping forms, the Dzire comes with a longer list. Kit available on the Dzire that's not available on the Swift is a powered sunroof and a 360-degree camera. The rest of the features are identical, from the rear AC vents and climate control system to the 9-inch touchscreen, analogue dials and coloured MID.

New Maruti Dzire vs Swift engine

True to form, the new Dzire and Swift share the same Z12E three-cylinder petrol engine. The 1.2-litre unit produces the same 82hp and 112Nm of torque on petrol, 69.75hp and 101.8Nm of CNG, and comes with 5-speed manual and AMT options. Interestingly, while the heavier Dzire in petrol form is marginally less frugal than the Swift, the Dzire CNG goes 0.88km further on a kilo of gas than its hatchback counterpart.

New Maruti Dzire vs Swift price

For now, prices of the Dzire start Rs 30,000 higher than the Swift, which isn’t too much of a difference. Dzire AMT variants cost about Rs 50,000 more than the equivalent Swift variant, with the range-topping compact sedan being priced Rs 69,000 higher. Meanwhile, prices for the Dzire CNG are about Rs 54,000-64,000 higher than the Swift CNG’s.

Do note that prices for the Dzire are introductory, and will increase from January 2025. On paper then, the new Dzire seems to be quite a proposition when compared to the Swift. For not too much more money, the Dzire offers a more mature aesthetic and a longer list of features, along with being the more frugal model in CNG form.

Also see:

New Maruti Dzire variant-wise features, trims and prices explained

Maruti Dzire new vs old: price, engine, features comparison

Maruti Swift long term review, 1,200km report

The Mahindra XUV 3XO is available with three engine options – an entry-level 1.2-litre multi-point fuel injection (MPFi) turbo-petrol, a more modern direct injection (TGDi) turbo-petrol, and a 1.5-litre turbo-diesel, which are all available with manual and automatic gearbox options. In this review, we focus on the AX5 variant with the MPFi turbo-petrol engine and 6-speed manual gearbox – priced at Rs 11 lakh (ex-showroom) – to find out why it is one of the most demanded variants in the XUV 3XO line-up.

AX5 is one of the most demanded variants in the XUV 3XO line-up.

Differentiating the AX5 from the top-spec variant is the absence of fog lamps; these are replaced by a prominent black casing. This variant retains the LED daytime running lamps (DRLs) and headlamps, as well as the chrome inserts on the grille panel. It gets smaller, 16-inch wheels (not 17s from the top-spec) that are carried over from the outgoing XUV300. It also gets roof rails, a rear spoiler, connected tail-lamps, and a rear wiper and washer. What’s missing is a variant badge on the boot. 

Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 interiors

The interior retains the dual-tone colour scheme with the top half of the dashboard and door pads being black, and the lower half finished in white. While the dual colours elevate the cabin’s appeal and sense of space, its white areas get soiled very easily and warrant utmost care to keep clean. It doesn’t get soft-touch materials on the dashboard like the higher variants, but it still sports generous piano black garnishing, some silver highlights, and an upmarket, perforated leather-wrapped steering.

It gets black fabric seats, which are more suited to our conditions. Not only are these easier to maintain compared to the white leatherette seats available in the top-spec but these are also a lot more breathable, so you won’t be left with a sweaty back on a hot day. The seats, however, are small, and occupants with large body frames will find these too snug for comfort. Also, the driver footwell is cramped, just like the other variants. The rear seat is a spacious and comfortable place, even for three adults. A space saver spare tyre beneath its floor has enabled Mahindra to liberate a bit more luggage space (compared to the XUV300), but the 3XO’s 295-litre boot is still small by segment standards, and its loading lip is high.

Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 equipment

This variant gets a small, single-pane sunroof.

As far as equipment goes, the AX5 variant gets twin 10.2-inch screens – one for the instrument cluster and one for the touchscreen – with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It also gets a sunroof (single pane), a wireless charger, dual-zone climate control, auto LED headlamps, power-folding mirrors, rear air-con vents, a reversing camera, hill-start assist, 6 airbags and ESP, to name a few.

Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 performance

It isn’t devoid of turbo lag, but once it is on boost – beyond 2,000rpm – it accelerates with a sense of urgency. Performance feels strongest and most effortless, in the 2,000-4,500rpm band. At 1,362kg, the XUV 3XO is heavy, but it still accelerates to 100kph from a standstill in a respectable 11.58 seconds. Interestingly, the 3XO’s outright as well as rolling acceleration times from 20-80kph in third gear and 40-100kph in fourth gear are much quicker than its predecessor.

Its ride and handling balance is spot on, but what further enhance the ride comfort are its high profile tyres (with 16-inch alloys). These absorb road shocks better than its higher variants that come equipped with 17-inch alloys.

Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 price and verdict

Performance is so good, it makes you question the need to spend more for the TGDi version.

Also see: 

Mahindra XUV 3XO review - Feature and power packed compact SUV

Mahindra XUV 3XO waiting period increases to over a year

Before the end of November, Royal Enfield will launch the Goan Classic 350, its fifth product on the J-series engine platform, following the Meteor, Classic, Hunter, and Bullet. The Goan Classic will be a funky-looking bobber-style motorcycle that will share most of its fundamentals with the Classic 350.

1. Riding position will be different from Classic 350’s
2. Will use the same engine as the other RE 350s
3. Could be the most expensive 350cc RE upon launch

Royal Enfield Goan Classic 350: details

Since the Goan Classic will use the same 349cc single-cylinder engine as the rest of the RE 350s, its peak output will most likely stand at 20hp and 27Nm of torque. Even the Goan Classic’s main frame is likely to be the same as the Classic 350. The differences are likely to be in the styling, paint options, and riding position. 

Also See: Royal Enfield Classic 650 Twin review: All-Time Classic?