2019 Mahindra XUV300 vs rivals: Specifications comparison

Scheduled to launch on February 14, we pit the upcoming Mahindra XUV300 against the Hyundai Creta, Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Tata Nexon and Ford EcoSport, on paper.

Published On Feb 07, 2019 06:00:00 AM

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2019 Mahindra XUV300 vs rivals: Specifications comparison

Perhaps the most awaited launch of this year from Mahindra, the XUV300’s prices will finally be revealed on February 14. Based on its expected Rs 8-12 lakh (ex-showroom) price tag and its extensive features list that includes many segment-firsts, the XUV300’s natural rivals will be Tata’s, Maruti Suzuki’s and Ford’s compact SUVs and also include an SUV from the segment above, the Hyundai Creta. We pit the XUV300 against the Hyundai Creta, Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Tata Nexon and Ford EcoSport, on paper.

Dimensions

The XUV300 meets Mahindra’s claims of being the widest in class and having the longest wheelbase. Interestingly, the XUV300 is even larger than the Creta on these two metrics, which indicates that the Mahindra may have the roomiest cabin. While the Creta is the longest and tallest SUV here (obviously, as it is technically a segment above the compact SUVs), the XUV300 and Hyundai have the largest wheels with the chunkiest tyres. However, the XUV300 has the smallest boot and fuel tank in this comparison. It may also be relatively less manoeuvrable than the Nexon and Brezza in tight urban environs due to its turning circle.

XUV300 vs rivals: Dimensions
	XUV300	Nexon	Vitara Brezza	EcoSport	Creta
Length	3995mm	3994mm	3995mm	3998mm	4270mm
Width	1821mm	1811mm	1790mm	1765mm	1780mm
Height	1617mm	1607mm	1640mm	1647mm	1665mm
Wheelbase	2600mm	2498mm	2500mm	2519mm	2590mm
Tyre size	215/55 R17	215/60 R16	215/60 R16	205/50 R17	215/60 R17
Fuel tank	42 litres	44 litres	48 litres	52 litres	55 litres
Boot capacity	257 litres	350 litres	328 litres	352 litres	405 litres
Turning diameter	10.6m	10.2m	10.4m	10.6m	10.6m

Powertrain

Mahindra had earlier claimed that the XUV300 will have best-in-class torque figures, and the numbers show it to be true.

The XUV300’s turbo-petrol engine (essentially the same 1.2-litre three-cylinder mill found under the bonnet of the KUV100 NXT, but turbocharged and updated) joins a number of turbo-petrol compact SUVs. The EcoSport’s smaller 1.0-litre turbo-petrol is the most powerful of the lot, though the Ford also comes with a nearly as powerful 1.5-litre naturally aspirated motor. The petrol XUV300’s 200Nm torque figure is the highest by a good 30Nm margin.

The diesel engine in the XUV300 comes from Mahindra’s Marazzo MPV, though in a different state of tune. Like its petrol counterpart, the XUV300’s diesel engine has the highest torque, which is even more than the Creta that has a larger-displacement 1.6-litre diesel. However, the 128hp diesel Creta is the most powerful SUV. Out of the sub-four-metre models, the XUV300 has the most power.

An automatic gearbox on the XUV300 will arrive at a later date. Meanwhile, rivals like the Vitara Brezza and Nexon get cost-effective AMTs and the Creta and EcoSport boast more sophisticated torque convertor units that give them an advantage in terms of convenience.

A point to note is the Vitara Brezza’s Fiat-sourced 1.3-litre diesel has the smallest displacement and lowest output figures, but is the most fuel-efficient SUV in this comparison.

XUV300 petrol vs rival: Powertrain
	XUV300	Nexon	Vitara Brezza	EcoSport	Creta
Type	3-cyl, turbo-petrol	3-cyl, turbo-petrol	NA	4-cyl, naturally aspirated/ 3-cyl, turbo-petrol	4-cyl, naturally aspirated
Displacement	1197cc	1198cc	NA	1497cc/999cc	1591cc
Power	110hp at 5000rpm	110hp at 5000rpm	NA	123hp at 6500rpm/125hp at 6000rpm	123hp at 6400rpm
Torque	200Nm at 2000-3500rpm	170Nm at 1750-4000rpm	NA	150Nm at 4500rpm/170Nm at 1500-4500rpm	151Nm at 4850rpm
Manual gearbox	6-speed	6-speed	NA	5-speed/6-speed	6-speed
Automatic gearbox	NA	6-speed AMT	NA	6-speed torque convertor	6-speed torque convertor
ARAI efficiency	17kpl	17kpl	NA	17kpl (1.5 MT)	15.29kpl (MT)

XUV300 diesel vs rivals: Powertrain
	XUV300	Nexon	Vitara Brezza	EcoSport	Creta
Type	4-cyl, turbo-diesel	4-cyl, turbo-diesel	4-cyl, turbo-diesel	4-cyl, turbo-diesel	4-cyl, turbo-diesel
Displacement	1497cc	1497cc	1248cc	1498cc	1396cc/1582cc
Power	117hp at 3750rpm	110hp at 3750rpm	90hp at 4000rpm	100hp at 3750rpm	90hp at 4000rpm/128hp at 4000rpm
Torque	300Nm at 1500-2500rpm	260Nm at 1500-2750rpm	200Nm at 1750rpm	205Nm at 1750-3250rpm	220Nm at 1500-2750rpm/260Nm at 1500-3000rpm
Manual gearbox	6-speed	6-speed	5-speed	5-speed	6-speed
Automatic gearbox	NA	6-speed AMT	5-speed AMT	NA	6-speed torque convertor (1.6)
ARAI efficiency	20kpl	21.5kpl	24.3kpl	23kpl	21.3kpl/19.6kpl

Features

As we have reported previously, the XUV300 is quite well-kitted in its range-topping W8 (O) trim and features a number of segment-firsts, whether in safety kit or technology. Equipment levels are quite a bit more than on the Maruti Suzuki and the Tata, and are even a notch above the Ford EcoSport and Hyundai Creta. Mahindra has made sure its product is unique in the segment with technology like a mild-hybrid setup on the diesel XUV300 and steering modes that alter steering weight. Tata offers multiple drive modes on the Nexon (much like the rest of Tata’s newer range of cars), which is still a segment-first. The EcoSport is also very well-specced in its top-spec variant, with a segment-leading 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment display and HID headlamps.

The Nexon and Vitara Brezza have been crash tested by Global NCAP, scoring five stars and four stars, respectively. The SsangYong Tivoli, which is based on the same X100 platform as the XUV300, achieved a commendable four-star Euro NCAP rating.

XUV300 vs rivals: Safety kit
	XUV300	Nexon	Vitara Brezza	EcoSport	Creta
Discs	4	2	2	2	2
Airbags	7	2	2	6	6
Stability control	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes
Hill-start assist	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes
Front parking sensors	Yes	No	No	No	No
Reverse camera	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Isofix child seat mounts	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

XUV300 vs rivals: Equipment
	XUV300	Nexon	Vitara Brezza	EcoSport	Creta
Contrast roof	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Headlamps	Projector	Projector	Projector	HID	Projector
LED DRLs	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
Sunroof	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes
Engine modes	No	Yes	No	No	No
Steering modes	Yes	No	No	No	No
Mild-hybrid	Diesel only	No	No	No	No
Driver’s seat height adjust	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Electric
Tyre pressure monitor	Yes	No	No	Yes	No
Climate control	Dual-zone	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Cruise control	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes
Heated wing mirrors	Yes	No	No	No	No
Touchscreen infotainment display	7.0-inch	6.5-inch	7.0-inch	8.0-inch	7.0-inch
Apple CarPlay/Android Auto	Yes/Yes	Yes/Yes	Yes/Yes	Yes/Yes	Yes/Yes
Navigation	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No
Ventilated seats	No	No	No	No	Yes
Wireless charging	No	No	No	No	Yes

Price

Based on Mahindra’s claim that they will price the XUV300 in the Rs 8-12 lakh (ex-showroom) region, its rivals should be prepared to give up some of their market share. Even lower-spec variants of the XUV300 are quite decently kitted, and are expected to go head-to-head with the Nexon and Vitara Brezza, while the higher variants will match the EcoSport and Creta on price and offer more in terms of kit.

XUV300 vs rivals: Price (ex-showroom, Delhi)
	XUV300*	Nexon	Vitara Brezza	EcoSport	Creta
Petrol	7.90-11.44 lakh	6.36-9.83 lakh	NA	7.82-11.37 lakh	9.60-14.15 lakh
Diesel	8.49-11.99 lakh	7.40-10.80 lakh	7.67-10.64 lakh	8.42-11.89 lakh	10.00-15.64 lakh

A proper road test and comparison between the Mahindra XUV300, Hyundai Creta, Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Tata Nexon and Ford EcoSport will be needed before coming to a definitive result. While its price tag has not yet been revealed, on paper, the Mahindra seems to be a well-rounded and feature-rich, if slightly expensive, alternative to its competition.

Also see:

2019 Mahindra XUV300 review, test drive

2019 Mahindra XUV300 dimensions revealed

2019 Mahindra XUV300 features, specs revealed

2019 Mahindra XUV300 official fuel efficiency figures revealed

New Mahindra XUV300 image gallery