Mahindra has recently launched the XUV300 sub-4 metre SUV in India. And while Maruti Suzuki has the bragging rights for popularity in the segment (Vitara Brezza is the bestseller), places after the first are up for grabs. And that is what Mahindra will be eyeing for with the XUV300 - a position, that is currently occupied by the Tata Nexon. So, let’s compare variants of the XUV300 and the Nexon to find out which one, and in which variant, is the more value-for-money car 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 of dimensions, the XUV300 comes out on top on all fronts but one. The XUV300 is longer by just 1mm. However, it is wider by 10m, taller by 20mm and has a substantially longer wheelbase by 102mm. It is only in the case of ground clearance where the Nexon comes out on top (+29mm).
Engine Specs
Petrol Engine
The XUV300’s turbocharged 1.2-litre petrol engine is at par with that of the Nexon’s, when talking about power figures. However, it pulls ahead by a healthy margin of 30Nm, when it comes to torque figures. Also, the XUV300 is only available with a manual transmission, while the Nexon can be had with an AMT 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, albeit in a slightly detuned state. However, that does not stop it from being the most powerful and torquiest option in the entire segment. Again, the XUV300 can only be had with a manual transmission for now, while the Nexon can be had with a manual transmission, as well as an AMT gearbox.
Variants
To keep it fair, we will only be comparing variants that are priced within a difference of Rs 50,000 between their prices. Also, we will only compare variants with manual transmissions as the XUV300 does not get an automatic transmission as of now. Here are the prices of the variants that we will be comparing. Prices of all variants are mentioned at the end of the article.
All prices are ex-showroom New Delhi.
Mahindra XUV300 W4 vs Tata Nexon XT (Both Petrol and Diesel Variants)
Common features: LED tail lamps, body coloured door handles and ORVMs, infotainment system with Bluetooth/Aux/USB connectivity and four speakers (diesel only in case of XUV300), smartphone integration app (diesel only in case of XUV300), dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, ISOFIX anchor points, driver and co-driver seatbelt reminder, tilt-adjustable steering wheel, all power windows, electrically adjustable ORVMs, USB charging point (diesel only in case of XUV300), 12V power socket, illuminated glovebox.
What Mahindra XUV300 W4 gets over the Tata Nexon XT: Rear disc brakes, front seat belts with pre-tensioner and load limiters, speed sensing door lock, impact sensing door unlock, panic braking signal, passenger airbag deactivation switch, 60:40 second row split, height-adjustable front row seatbelts, adjustable headrest for all seats in second row, front armrest with storage, steering modes, smartwatch connectivity (diesel only), driver power window with one-touch down, tyre position display, extended power window operation (allows the power windows to be operated after ignition is switched off).
What Tata Nexon XT gets over the Mahindra XUV300 W4: Rear parking sensors, Driving modes, auto climate control, rear AC vents, electrically foldable ORVMs, cooled glove box.
Verdict: If you’re looking for a petrol car, the Nexon is the ideal choice here. It has all the standard safety tech which is at par with the XUV300 and has features over the Mahindra that you will appreciate in everyday driving. On top of that, the Mahindra misses out on some features like an infotainment system that is only present on its diesel counterpart. What’s more, the petrol Nexon costs Rs 17,000 less. It’s a no-brainer then that the Nexon is the clear favourite when it comes to petrol variants.
When it comes to diesel variants, however, the story changes a bit. The Nexon is the more expensive option by Rs 12,000. And even though it has features like auto climate control and rear AC vents, the XUV300 makes up with its own fair share of kit on offer. Also, the diesel variant gets an infotainment system plus four speakers and few more things over its petrol counterpart. The XUV300 should be your choice if you want a diesel car.
Mahindra XUV300 W6 vs Tata Nexon XZ (Only Diesel Variants)
Common features (over previous variants): Height-adjustable front row seatbelts, steering-mounted audio controls, touchscreen infotainment system with four speakers, remote central locking.
What Mahindra XUV300 W6 gets over the Tata Nexon XZ: Rear disc brakes, front seatbelts with pre-tensioner and load limiters, speed-sensing door lock, impact-sensing door unlock, panic braking signal, passenger airbag deactivation switch, 60:40 2nd row split, adjustable headrest for all seats in second row, front armrest with storage, steering modes, smartwatch connectivity, driver power window with one-touch down, tyre position display, extended power window operation, adjustable boot floor, follow me home headlamps.
What Tata Nexon XZ gets over the Mahindra XUV300 W6: Rear parking sensors, driving modes, auto climate control, rear AC vents, electrically foldable ORVMs, cooled glove box, projector headlamps, four additional speakers, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, voice recognition for audio and climate controls, rear parking camera, day/night IRVM, driver seat height adjustment.
Verdict: This time around, it is the Nexon that would be our pick among the two. It is priced at Rs 10,000 less than the XUV300 and gets more daily-use features than the XUV300. And even though the feature list of the XUV300 is longer, the Nexon takes this one as it’s the more value-for-money proposition for everyday use.
Mahindra XUV300 W6 vs Tata Nexon XZ Plus (Only Petrol Variants)
Common features (over previous variants): Front armrest with storage, 60:40 2nd row split
What Mahindra XUV300 W6 gets over the Tata Nexon XZ Plus: Rear disc brakes, front seat belts with pre-tensioner and load limiters, speed-sensing door lock, impact-sensing door unlock, panic braking signal, passenger airbag deactivation switch, adjustable headrest for all seats in second row, steering modes, smartwatch connectivity, driver power window with express down, tyre position display, extended power window operation, adjustable boot floor, follow me home headlamps.
What Tata Nexon XZ Plus gets over the Mahindra XUV300 W6: Rear parking sensors, driving modes, auto climate control, rear AC vents, electrically foldable ORVMs, cooled glove box, projector headlamps, four additional speakers, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, voice recognition for audio and climate controls, rear parking camera, day/night IRVM, driver seat height adjustment, LED DRLs, 16-inch alloy wheels, rear seat armrest, front fog lamps with cornering function, rear defogger, passive keyless entry with push-button start.
Verdict: The Nexon, even though more expensive, is our pick among the two here. The features on offer in the Tata, if broken down and calculated, offer a better value-for-money proposition. And while the XUV300 is the cheaper alternative here, the features on offer in the Tata are something you will appreciate on an everyday basis.
All prices are ex-showroom New Delhi.
Source: cardekho.com
