Mahindra XUV300 set to be launched in February 2019
It’s based on the same platform as the SsangYong Tivoli
It promises loads of cabin space, features and performance
While Mahindra gears up to launch the XUV300 in February, we’re here to help you figure out if you should wait for Mahindra’s sub-4 metre compact SUV or instead splurge on the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, the Tata Nexon or Ford EcoSport.
XUV300 won’t come with an automatic!
Yes, the Mahindra XUV300 will not be offered with an automatic gearbox at launch. So if you’re planning to buy a sub-4 metre SUV that offers the convenience of an automatic gearbox, you’ll have to wait beyond February for the XUV300 to get one.
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If you’re, however, willing to buy a car with a manual transmission, the XUV300 is worth considering since it aims to wow customers with a long list of features, some of which are even segment-firsts! For starters, the top-spec variant packs seven airbags. It also gets a sunroof, dual-zone climate control and rear disc brakes.
You want the sunroof, right? Wait for the XUV300
As of now, only the Ford EcoSport offers a sunroof. However, it is only available in the top-spec Signature and S variants which costs over Rs 10.4 lakh (ex-showroom). So if you’re not willing to splurge so much for this particular feature, we suggest you wait for the XUV300 as its top-spec variant is expected to underbut the Ford by quite a margin.
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Despite receiving a facelift and a new petrol heart, the Ford is one of the oldest offerings in the segment. It can be had with two choices of petrol and a single diesel engine. It’s fun to drive and efficient as well. However, it’s price tag, which ranges from Rs 7.82 lakh to Rs 11.89 lakh, makes it one of the most pricier offerings in the segment.
Need a spacious cabin? Mahindra might have the answer
The other downside of the EcoSport is its narrow cabin. The upcoming XUV300, on the other hand, promises more space thanks to its larger wheelbase. In fact, Mahindra claims the XUV300 has the longest wheelbase in the segment. At present, however, it’s the widest car of the lot, the Tata Nexon, that offers the most space on the inside. But don’t let its dimensions fool you. Though it may be the widest, it’s the Maruti that offers the most amount of room for occupants’ shoulders. The Nexon offers more legroom though, both for front and rear passengers.
Since there’s no clear winner in terms of cabin space, you might want to wait for the XUV300 to launch and then for us to measure and compare it with the others for you.
Peppy. Fast. Do these traits define your next car? Hold your purchase till Feb 2019
If, however, you’re looking for a powerful car, the Nexon has us impressed, both with its petrol and diesel engines. When we compared the manual-petrol Nexon with the EcoSport, it turned out to be the faster car. In the diesel comparison, sadly, we couldn’t compare the Nexon with the EcoSport, but we know that the Tata’s roll-on times are better than the Brezza’s, although the Brezza is quicker to 100kmph from standstill. Curious to read about it? Here you go. Understandably, it’s the Nexon that the XUV300 has to beat in this department as well.
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The engines on offer on the XUV300 will be the most powerful ones in the segment, says Mahindra. So we think you should wait for it if outright performance is what you’re looking for.
So should you go ahead and buy the Vitara Brezza, EcoSport or Nexon? Or should you wait for the XUV300?
We’re assuming that the XUV300 will be priced between Rs 8-12 lakh (ex-showroom New Delhi).
If you’re looking for a diesel-automatic powertrain, we suggest you go ahead buy either the Vitara Brezza or the Nexon. For petrol-automatic, choose between Nexon or the EcoSport. Here, we’d like to point out that the the Vitara Brezza and the Nexon get an automated manual transmission, while the petrol-auto EcoSport gets a torque convertor instead.
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Other than that, the XUV300 promises a lot. It’s based on a new platform, so we expect it to score well in terms of dynamics. The engines promise a lot of performance and the cabin is also expected to be spacious. Moreover, it will also be feature-rich. A lot will depend on the prices, and if Mahindra can manage to position the XUV300 below the EcoSport and closer to the Nexon, it might just turn out to be a car worth waiting for.
Source: cardekho.com
