Tata Motors has just launched the 2014 Aria that gets a few cosmetic upgrades and some more equipment. Under the skin, the 2014 Tata Aria gets the 2.2-litre VariCor diesel engine, which also powers the Tata Safari Storme but has been tuned to make 148bhp (10bhp more than earlier) here. Cosmetic upgrades include projector head- and tail-lamps and side decals. But how does the 2014 Tata Aria compare against rivals Toyota Innova and Mahindra Xylo? We have compared the top variants of these three competitors to find out.
Let’s begin with the pricing. The top Toyota Innova diesel ZX trim costs Rs 14.92 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The Mahindra Xylo D2 H9 trim is priced at Rs 11.06 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The top Tata Aria Pride LX variant comes equipped with four-wheel-drive and sports a price tag of Rs 14.74 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The Innova and Xylo are available only in two-wheel drive. If you wish to get the Aria in two-wheel-drive then you can opt for the mid Pleasure trim which costs Rs 11.67 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).
New Tata Aria detailed photo gallery
In terms of performance, all three are powered by diesel motors. The Toyota Innova churns out 100bhp and 20.4kgm of torque from its 2494cc engine. In comparison, the Mahindra Xylo makes 120bhp and 28kgm of torque from its smaller 2179cc motor. The Tata Aria gets substantially more power and torque at 148bhp and 32.63kgm, respectively, from a 2179cc motor.
In terms of kit, all three rivals are decently equipped though the top-of-the-line Tata Aria has the longest features list.
The top Toyota Innova ZX trim comes equipped with ABS, airbags for the driver and front passenger, alloy wheels, leather seats, height adjustable driver’s seat, rear wiper and defogger, electrically adjustable wing mirrors with turn indicators, rear spoiler and AC vents on the second and third row. It also gets a touchscreen six-speaker audio system with DVD, Bluetooth, USB and aux-in compatibility, steering-mounted audio controls and a reversing camera. On the outside, it gets chrome garnishing on the fog lamps, radiator grille and side mouldings. The instrumentation console gets a multi-information display, clock, tachometer and tripmeter.
The top Mahindra Xylo H9 trim gets electrically adjustable wing mirrors, alloy wheels, height adjustable driver’s seat, leather seats, steering mounted audio controls, rear parking sensors, rear defogger and second and third row AC vents and cruise control. It gets a four-speaker audio system with Bluetooth, USB and aux-in compatibility. On the safety front, it comes with ABS with EBD along with airbags for the driver and front passenger.
The top Tata Aria Pride 4X4 variant gets ABS with EBD, electronic stability program, traction control, side and curtain airbags, along with airbags for the driver and front passenger. It also has a 10-speaker JBL music system with integrated touchscreen and CD, MP3, Bluetooth, aux-in and USB compatibility along with steering-mounted audio controls. It also comes with climate control, cruise control, reversing camera, height adjustable driver’s seat and electrically adjustable, retractable wing mirrors, alloy wheels and leather upholstery. Only the Tata Aria gets disc brakes on all four wheels, follow-me-home-headlamps, rain sensing wipers, darkness sensing headlamps, satellite navigation and a cooled glove box.
In terms of dimensions, the Toyota Innova measures 4585mm in length, 1765mm in width and gets a 2750mm wheelbase. In comparison, the Mahindra Xylo's length of 4520mm is a bit smaller, though it's slightly wider at 1850mm and has a marginally longer 2760mm wheelbase.
The Tata Aria scores above its competitors in this department with a length of 4780mm. With an 1895mm width, it is also wider than the Innova and Xylo. At 2850mm, its wheelbase is also longer than its two main rivals.
The 2014 Tata Aria Pride has a powerful engine, offers more space than the Toyota Innova and the Mahindra Xylo, and comes equipped with a lot more kit. And the top trim offers all-wheel drive at a lower price than the Toyota Innova. The Mahindra Xylo, despite a smaller features list, is over Rs 3 lakh cheaper than either rival, making it a difficult to ignore value proposition.