Tata Nexon vs Mahindra XUV 3XO diesel performance comparison

The Nexon and XUV 3XO both come with a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine option, but which compact SUV is quicker? We find out.

Published On Mar 20, 2025 02:25:00 PM

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Tata Nexon vs Mahindra XUV 3XO Performance Comparison

The Tata Nexon and Mahindra XUV 3XO are among the few compact SUVs, along with the Kia Sonet and Hyundai Venue, to get a diesel engine option. A 1.5-litre, four-cylinder diesel and a 6-speed manual gearbox are almost the norm in this segment. So, without further ado, here’s our performance test data on the Tata Nexon diesel and Mahindra XUV 3XO diesel, where we find out which is quicker in the real world.

Tata Nexon’s 1.5-litre diesel produces 115hp and 260Nm
Mahindra XUV 3XO’s 1.5-litre diesel makes 117hp and 300Nm
1,469kg Mahindra XUV 3XO is 112kg heavier than Tata Nexon

Tata Nexon vs Mahindra XUV 3XO diesel specifications

Tata Nexon vs Mahindra XUV 3XO diesel specifications
	Nexon	XUV 3XO
Engine	1.5-litre, 4-cyl, turbo-diesel	1.5-litre, 4-cyl, turbo-diesel
Power (hp)	115	117
Torque (Nm)	260	300
Transmission	6MT	6MT
Kerb weight (kg)	1357	1469
Power-to-weight (hp per tonne)	84.75	79.65
Torque-to-weight (Nm per tonne)	191.59	204.22

XUV 3XO has higher outputs than Nexon

As mentioned above, both Indian compact SUVs are powered by a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder diesel that is paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox. However, the XUV 3XO’s output figures are 2hp and 40Nm more than the Nexon’s.

Nexon significantly lighter than XUV 3XO

On the other hand, the Tata weighs 112kg less than the Mahindra's 1,469kg kerb weight. While this helps the Nexon post a better power-to-weight figure, the torque-to-weight number is still in favour of the XUV 3XO.

Tata Nexon vs Mahindra XUV 3XO diesel 0-100kph times

Tata Nexon vs Mahindra XUV 3XO diesel 0-100kph (seconds)
Speed (kph)	Nexon	XUV 3XO
20	1.43	1.49
40	3.43	3.27
60	5.67	5.51
80	8.54	8.27
100	12.22	12.40
120	17.09	17.51

Nexon is 0.18 seconds quicker to 100kph

From standstill until 20kph, the Nexon is marginally quicker than the XUV 3XO, but from 20kph to 80kph, the Mahindra pulls ahead of the Tata. However, at the 100kph mark, it is the Nexon that is quicker, by 0.18 seconds. The Nexon increases that lead to 0.42 seconds by the time the speedo hits 120kph.

Tata Nexon vs Mahindra XUV 3XO diesel in-gear acceleration

Tata Nexon vs Mahindra XUV 3XO diesel in-gear acceleration (seconds)
	Nexon	XUV 3XO
20-80kph (in 3rd gear)	9.00	10.72
40-100kph (in 4th gear)	10.30	12.33

XUV 3XO in-gear acceleration times are higher than Nexon

Our tests show that the Nexon is also quicker than the XUV 3XO in in-gear acceleration. The Tata is 1.72 seconds quicker from 20-80kph in third gear, while it is a significant 2.03 seconds quicker in the 40-100kph in fourth.

Tata Nexon vs Mahindra XUV 3XO 40-100kph

Autocar India’s testing standards

Before we conduct our performance tests, we check and maintain tyre pressures based on the manufacturer’s recommendation and ensure the car has a full tank of fuel. The car is then tested in a controlled environment with two people on board, and the data is collected via highly accurate GPS-based timing equipment.

Tata Nexon vs Mahindra XUV 3XO diesel prices

With the 1.5-litre diesel engine and manual gearbox, the Tata Nexon price range starts at Rs 10.00 lakh and goes up to Rs 14.10 lakh. Meanwhile, the Mahindra XUV 3XO diesel-manual variants cost between Rs 9.99 lakh and Rs 14.99 lakh.

All prices, ex-showroom, India

Also see:

Mahindra XUV 3XO vs Tata Nexon diesel comparison

Next-gen Tata Nexon launch in 2027

Mahindra XUV 3XO sales jump 80 percent post rebrand