Tata Harrier XE vs Mahindra XUV500 W3 on Video: Which SUV’s base variant packs more punch

Mahindra recently launched a new variant of the XUV500 which is now the base variant of the SUV. Called the W3, it is essentially a direct take on the Tata Harrier which was priced slightly lower than the XUV500 W5, which was previously the base variant of the Mahindra SUV. Both these SUVs offer quite a lot for their asking price and are bitter competitors of each other. For the same, here are video reviews of both the SUVs in their base trim levels by Car Quest and AutoTrend TV, respectively.

Both the Tata Harrier and the XUV500 in their base variants are in stripped-down form and only come with bare essentials in order to cut costs. On the XUV500 W3, the chrome treatment is missing with grey plastic inserts doing the job. DRLs, fog lamps, are amiss on both these base variant SUVs though both of them come with projector headlamps. The XUV500 W3 gets single tone bumpers while the Harrier XE gets dual tone units. The XUV500 W3 rides on 17-inch tires sans wheel covers while the Harrier gets wheel covers but rides on smaller 16-inch tires.

The interiors of both the cars are quite plain compared to their respective top variant models. They get all black upholstery along with all black dashboard and interior theme. The interiors of the Harrier XE look better thanks to the new smart design. The XUV500 W3 also has decent interiors but the big black volume knob on the centre without any function (no audio system) sticks out as an eyesore. Talking of features, they get similar features kit with little bit differences. The XUV500 W3 gets remote locking and foldable key while the Harrier XE gets simple keys.

Both the SUVs also get start/stop button, power windows on all around, and adjustable steering wheel, though the Harrier XE has both tilt and telescopic adjust while the XUV500 W3 only gets tilt adjustment. Both get manual AC controls along with rear AC vents but the Harrier gets manual ORVM controls while the XUV gets electric adjustment. Further, both the SUVs come with basic safety features like dual airbags, ABS with EBD, disc brakes all around, and rear parking sensors. The Harrier XE further gets speed sensing door locks.

Talking about engine and transmission, the Mahindra XUV500 W3 is powered by a 2.2-litre diesel engine that churns out a maximum power of 155 Bhp and 360 Nm of max torque. The engine comes mated to a 6-speed manual transmission while the drivetrain here is 2WD. On the other hand, the Tata Harrier XE is powered by a 2.0-litre KRYOTEC diesel engine that churns out 140 Bhp of along with 350 Nm of torque. The Fiat sourced engine comes mated to a 6-speed transmission and it is also a 2WD vehicle. On both the SUVs, the front tires are powered and not the rear tires.