Mahindra XUV300 vs Maruti Brezza vs Tata Nexon vs Ford Ecosport: Base diesel variants compared!

xuvMahindra has just launched the XUV300, and the diesel variants of the sub-4 meter compact SUV start from Rs. 8.49 lakhs, making it the costliest entry level variant in the quartet comprising of the XUV300-Brezza-Nexon-EcoSport. We decided to dive deep and figure what these SUV’s offer in the base-diesel trim.

Want a highway vehicle with a lot of power? Mahindra XUV300

What really stands out about the Mahindra XUV300 is the sheer power and torque it makes. The compact SUV borrows the 1.5 liter turbo diesel engine from the much larger Marazzo MPV, and the 115 Bhp-300 Nm the engine puts out makes the XUV300 the most powerful sub-4 meter compact SUV in India. Why, the XUV300 produces more torque than even the Hyundai Creta Diesel, which sits a segment above.

So, if you’re in the market for a really quick SUV, the Mahindra XUV300 is the one to go for. The extra power and torque that the XUV300 offers will make it a a good option for highway driving, where quick overtakes are possible with additional torque. Also, the XUV300 is the only SUV in its segment to get disc brakes on all four wheels even on the base variant. This should make the base trim of the vehicle a great bet for highway driving.

The base variant of the XUV300 is priced at Rs. 9.79 lakhs, on-road Delhi, which makes it costlier than the Brezza (8.74 lakhs) and Nexon (8.63 lakhs) but cheaper than the EcoSport (10.42 lakhs).

Want a well rounded, feature-rich SUV? Ford EcoSport!

Base variants of cars are generally stripped out, so much so that it makes almost no sense to opt for them. However, the EcoSport is an outlier, with a base variant that’s priced higher than those offered by competition. Along with the higher price tag, the SUV also packs in a lot of features that justify the pricing. Here’s a brief look at the small but significant feature additions on the SUV.

It’s the only SUV to offer remote locking, tilt and telescopic steering, rear parking sensors, a reverse camera, vanity mirrors for the driver and co-passenger, adjustable rear seat, 60:40 split and full folding function for the rear seat, rear windscreen wash wipe function with defogger, roof mounted antenna, follow-me-home headlamps, LED DRLs, rear cabin lamp and GPS navigation on the touchscreen infotainment unit that also supports voice commands. These features are what most people will use on a day-to-day basis, making the EcoSport the most well-rounded option in the base diesel trim.

The Ford EcoSport is the costliest among all four SUVs, just as the price comparison above shows. However, it’s also the most rounded SUV in terms of features on offer, even on the base variant. The EcoSport is powered by a 1.5 liter-4 cylinder diesel engine that makes 98.6 Bhp-215 Nm. A 5 speed manual gearbox is on offer. Twin airbags and ABS are standard safety features.

On a tight budget? Tata Nexon

The Tata Nexon is not the most feature loaded SUV nor is the most powerful, but where the Nexon really shines is in the pricing department. With a on-road price tag of Rs. 8.63 lakhs, it’s the cheapest SUV in its segment. And don’t let the price fool you into thinking that the Nexon doesn’t pack a punch in terms of performance. The compact SUV has the second most powerful diesel engine in its class with a 1.5 liter turbo diesel unit making 108 Bhp-260 Nm.

In terms of features though, the Nexon isn’t anything to write home about as Tata has deleted a lot of features to arrive at the sharp price tag. For someone buying the Nexon on a car loan, it makes sense to opt for the next higher variant as the monthly EMI difference will be quite small. But for someone on a very tight budget, the Nexon’s base variant is the cheapest of the lot.

Want the best mileage & resale value? Maruti Brezza

The Maruti Brezza is India’s best selling compact SUV, and it manages to do such massive numbers despite not outshining the competition in most areas. On the other hand, the Vitara Brezza is bought mainly by those who want a safe bet. It’s got the Maruti badge on the bonnet, which means access to good after sales service, which in most cases is very affordable too.

The sheer reputation that Maruti has in the market and the high sales numbers of the Brezza gives it excellent resale value – a factor that sways a lot of decisions in favour of this best seller. In terms of equipment on offer, the Brezza has twin airbags and ABS+EBD as key safety features. Creature comforts aren’t many in the base variant but there’s  just enough on offer for this not be a deal breaker.

The Brezza is also the least powerful SUV in its class, with a 1.3 liter diesel engine making 89 Bhp-200 Nm. The lower power and torque outputs also mean that fuel efficiency is likely to be high, which is indeed the case with the Brezza. The SUV is the most fuel efficient of the lot, with an ARAI rated mileage figure of 24.29 Kmpl. While this is not a lot more than what the competition offers, it’s still a significant figure that sways purchase decisions.

Space? Mahindra XUV300

In terms of dimensions, the Mahindra XUV300 comes out ahead of all other SUVs in this comparison. While it measures under 4 meters like its competitors, it offers a class leasing 2,600 mm wheelbase, which is significantly longer than what the Brezza (2,500), EcoSport (2,519) and Nexon (2.498) offer. The longer wheelbase has allowed Mahindra designers to squeeze in more legroom inside the XUV300.

On a similar note, the XUV300 is also much wider than competition, with a width of 1,821 mm. Again, this has allowed designers to maximize shoulder room as the XUV300 is not a very curvy SUV. Overall, the XUV300 is a good pick for those who are seeking good leg room and shoulder room. Head room (1,627 mm) is not a strong suit of the XUV300 though, with the Brezza (1,640 mm) and EcoSport (1,647 mm) both being taller SUVs.