Mahindra XUV300 vs Ford EcoSport: Variants Comparison

Mahindra has recently launched the XUV300 in the sub-4 metre SUV space, at prices ranging from Rs 7.90 lakh to Rs 11.99 lakh (both ex-showroom India). In this variants comparison, we have pitted the it against a popular sub-4m SUV, the Ford EcoSport, to find out which variant of these two SUVs is the right fit for you.

But before we dive into that, let’s have a look at the dimensions, engine specs and variant-wise prices of the two.

Dimensions

Talking about dimensions, both these cars have certain advantages over each other. While the XUV300 is wider and has a longer wheelbase, the EcoSport is marginally longer, has 20mm more height and 20mm more ground clearance than the XUV300. Despite having a longer wheelbase, legroom for second-row passengers in the XUV300 is not the greatest. The only place where the XUV300 has a real edge is in seating three abreast in the second row, where its extra width makes things more comfortable.

Engine Specs

Petrol Engine

The XUV300’s turbocharged 1.2-litre petrol engine is less powerful than both the EcoSport’s petrol engines. However, it is torquier than the Ford’s engine options. Also, the XUV300 is only available with a manual transmission, while the EcoSport can be had with an automatic gearbox too. That said, the XUV300 is expected to get an automatic transmission soon.

Diesel Engine

The diesel engine of the XUV300 has been borrowed from the Marazzo, but is slightly detuned in the sub-4 metre SUV. However, that does not stop it from being the more powerful and torquier option here, or in the entire segment for that matter. Both the XUV300 and EcoSport can only be had with a manual transmission for the diesel variants, although the XUV300 does get an extra cog for highway cruising.

Variants

To keep it fair, we will only be comparing variants that are priced within Rs 50,000 of each other. Also, we will only compare variants with manual transmissions for the petrol comparison as the petrol-powered XUV300 does not get an automatic transmission as of now. Here are the prices of all the variants including the ones we will be comparing.

All prices are ex-showroom New Delhi.

Mahindra XUV300 W4 vs Ford EcoSport Ambiente

Common features: ABS with EBD, dual front airbags, front seatbelts with pre-tensioners and load limiters, driver and co-driver seatbelt reminder, impact-sensing door unlock, speed-sensing auto door lock, emergency braking signal, front and rear power windows, height adjustable headrests for first and second row, manual AC, electrically adjustable ORVMs, 12V power socket, audio system with Bluetooth/Aux/USB connectivity (only in diesel for the XUV300), four speakers (only in diesel for XUV300), 60:40 split second row.

What Mahindra XUV300 W4 gets over the Ford EcoSport Ambiente: LED tail lamps, body coloured door handles and ORVMs, corner braking control, rear disc brakes, ISOFIX mounts for child seats, adjustable rear middle seat headrest, passenger airbag deactivation switch, height adjustable front seat belts, front armrest with storage, steering modes, smart watch connectivity (only for diesel), tyre position indicator, USB charging point (diesel only).

What Ford EcoSport Ambiente gets over the Mahindra XUV300 W4: Follow me home headlamps, rear parking sensors, turn signal on ORVM, driver dead pedal.

Verdict: While the EcoSport puts up a good fight, it falls short because of the plethora of features offered on the XUV300. The petrol and diesel variants of the XUV300 are more expensive, but the extra kit on offer makes up for it. The diesel variant of the XUV300 is especially more value for money because it even gets an audio system and four speakers that its petrol variant misses out on. The omission of rear parking sensors is a surprise, but the value for money proposition of the XUV300 despite the lack of this one feature is way higher.

Mahindra XUV300 W6 vs Ford EcoSport Trend

Common features (over previous variants): Follow me home headlamps, touchscreen infotainment system with in-built navigation and 4-speaker system, steering-mounted audio controls, 1 USB charging point, body coloured door handles and ORVMs.

What Mahindra XUV300 W6 gets over the Ford EcoSport Trend: LED tail lamps, corner braking control, rear disc brakes, ISOFIX mounts for child seats, adjustable rear middle seat headrest, passenger airbag deactivation switch, height adjustable front seatbelts, front armrest with storage, steering modes, smart watch connectivity, tyre position indicator, adjustable boot floor.

What Ford EcoSport Trend gets over the Mahindra XUV300 W6: Rear parking sensors, turn signal on ORVM, driver dead pedal, rear washer/wiper/defogger, auto climate control, rearview camera, two tweeters, one extra USB port for charging.

Verdict: Here, the EcoSport manages to catch up with the XUV300. While the EcoSport does not have same number of features as the XVU300, things like rear parking sensors, rear parking camera and rear wiper/washer/defogger and auto climate control tip the scales in the EcoSport’s favour. Notably, the XUV300 offers rear disc brakes and adjustable headrest for the middle rear passenger. However, the EcoSport’s features are the ones that will benefit you more in day-to-day use. And the sweetest part of the deal is that the EcoSport’s Trend petrol variant costs Rs 19,000 less than the XUV300’s W6 variant. Even its diesel counterpart is Rs 14,000 less expensive. A win-win for the Ford here.

Mahindra XUV300 W8 vs Ford EcoSport Titanium Plus

Common features (over previous variants): Turn signal on ORVM, rear washer/wiper/defogger, two tweeters, auto climate control, rear parking sensors, rearview camera, two USB charging points, front fog lamps, hill hold assist, ISOFIX mounts for child seats, cruise control, electrically foldable ORVMs, height adjustable driver’s seat, front armrest with storage, passive keyless entry, push-button start/stop, second-row armrest with cupholder, sunglass holder, rain-sensing wipers, auto headlamps, Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, projector headlamps, LED DRLs, leather wrapped steering wheel, illuminated glovebox, electronic stability control, traction control, emergency assistance, illuminated boot.

What Mahindra XUV300 W8 gets over the Ford EcoSport Titanium Plus: LED tail lamps, corner braking control, rear disc brakes, passenger airbag deactivation switch, height adjustable front seatbelts, steering modes, smartwatch connectivity, tyre position indicator, adjustable boot floor, roll-over mitigation, rear fog lamps, leather wrapped gear knob, dual-zone climate control, warning lamps on front doors (to warn traffic behind you when the door is open).

What Ford EcoSport Titanium Plus gets over the Mahindra XUV300 W8: Driver dead pedal, electronic brake assist, side and curtain airbags, rear 12V power socket, puddle lamps on ORVMs, auto-dimming IRVM.

Verdict: The EcoSport is the more expensive option here and by a significant margin. Moreover, it is under-equipped too when compared to the XUV300. However, the XUV300 does not come with side and curtain airbags, something that Ford offers on the EcoSport taking the total number of airbags to six. Also, the features offered on the XUV300 over the EcoSport are the ones that you will appreciate once in awhile rather than everyday. And hence, we believe that the EcoSport’s Titanium Plus variant is the one to go for, over the XUV300’s W8 variant, as it is the safer option among the two.

Mahindra XUV300 W8(O) vs Ford EcoSport S

Common features (over previous variants): Auto-dimming IRVM, electric sunroof, tyre pressure monitoring system, side and curtain airbags.

What Mahindra XUV300 W8(O) gets over the Ford EcoSport S: LED tail lamps, corner braking control, disc brakes on all four wheels, passenger airbag deactivation switch, height adjustable front seat belts, steering modes, smartwatch connectivity, tyre position indicator, adjustable boot floor, roll-over mitigation, rear fog lamps, leather wrapped gear knob, illuminated boot, dual-zone climate control, warning lamps on front doors (to warn traffic behind you when the door is open), front parking sensors, heated ORVMs, second row seatbelt reminder, knee airbags.

What Ford EcoSport S gets over the Mahindra XUV300 W8(O): Driver dead pedal, emergency brake assist, rear 12V power socket, puddle lamps on ORVMs, bi-xenon headlamps.

Verdict: This time around, it is the XUV300 that comes out on top. The addition of side and curtain airbags brings it at par with the EcoSport  and the addition of a knee airbag for the driver takes it a step ahead. Also, it gets a lot more features than the EcoSport which justify the Rs 12,000 and Rs 10,000 premium for petrol and diesel, respectively.

Source: cardekho.com