Spec comparison: Renault Captur vs Mahindra XUV500 vs Hyundai Creta vs Jeep Compass vs Tata Hexa

The upcoming Renault Captur will be the company's third SUV in India after the Koleos and the Duster. While the Koleos couldn't strike a chord with the Indian audiences, the Duster was an outright success. Renault is planning to bank on the success of the same and will be positioning the Captur above the Duster, as a more premium SUV. However, to make a mark in the segment, the Renault Captur will have to battle it out with the Hyundai Creta. With strong sales and a brand like Hyundai to back it, the Creta is one of the most sought after SUVs in India. For an additional premium over the Hyundai Creta, there is the recently launched Jeep Compass. We recently compared the Jeep Compass and the Hyundai Creta and found the former to score more when it came to brand appeal, equipment and also the legacy of the Jeep brand.

The SUVs mentioned above can seat five but if space is your primary concern, there are the Mahindra XUV500 and the Tata Hexa. Both come with larger displacement motors, are generous in cabin space and offer more utility, priced in the same range as the other SUVs. Where does the 2017 Renault Captur fit amongst its rivals in India, we find out in our spec comparison story.

Design

The front profile of the Captur gets an aggressive stance with a bold Renault logo set against a gloss black background. The Renault Captur will be the only SUV in the segment to be offered with all-LED headlights. The Captur measures 18mm longer than the Duster and will be offered in a 5-seater configuration. The brushed aluminium split-shaped alloys too look classy. At the back, the C-shaped LED lights add a bit of flair to the design. The rear bench can be folded down in 60/40 ratio, which will expand the 387-litre boot to 1,200 litres. At 204mm of ground clearance, the Captur will have no problem maneuvering over bad sections.

The Jeep Compass has a striking resemblance to the Grand Cherokee, the elder sibling. This is evident with the seven-slat grille or the sleek bi-xenon headlights, it's all been scaled down faithfully. The Jeep Compass too gets an aggressive stance, unlike any sold presently in the Indian market. The stretched side profile with its shark-fin D-pillar and the squared-off wheel arches make the Jeep look distinct. On the other hand, the two-year-old fluidic design on the Creta, so unique at launch, now looks a little too familiar and dated. Compared to the exuberant Compass, the Creta looks understated and misses some of the Jeep's appeal. There's also the fact that the Jeep presents itself as an SUV, while the Creta looks more like a crossover.

While the Hexa looks like a beefed-up MPV, the XUV is styled as a butch SUV. The Hexa's design, however, is the more handsome of the two. Viewed head-on, the strong lines on the bonnet, wide grille and large air dam give it an imposing stance. The smoked headlamps look good too; however, the illumination provided solely by the projectors was inadequate in the dark. The side profile is neat and simple, but there are a few interesting elements that keep it from looking slab-sided. What you cannot miss, though, are the large 19-inch alloys which look absolutely stunning. The rear end of the Hexa has a large chrome strip that integrates with the wrap-around LED lamps which look lovely in the dark. Overall, the Hexa looks premium and has massive road presence, a factor that makes it desirable in a way no MPV-shaped vehicle does. The XUV500, despite having been around for nearly six years, doesn't look dated thanks to the cuts, swoops and sharp crease lines. The front and side profile highlight its butchness, and the XUV is certainly the sportier of the two.

Features

The Renault Captur gets a choice between two-tone look or an all-black theme like the Russian model. A 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth connectivity and navigation might be on offer as well. From the images, it is not clear if Renault will be offering Car Play and Android Auto as connectivity options on the Captur. Since, some of the sub-Rs 10 lakh cars get it in India, we believe Renault too might offer that.

The more premium variants of the 2017 Renault Captur features beige and black upholstery

The 2017 Renault Captur gets modern instrumentation with more options on display compared to that of the Duster. The premium variants of the Renault Captur sold in Russia gets a Bose entertainment system, which we believe might be offered in the India-spec model too.

The 2017 Jeep Compass comes with one of the most premium cabins in the segment

The Jeep boasts more modern instrumentation and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It has multiple options that help control the aircon, music, DRLs etc. Navigation is part of the feature list of the Creta in some trims, but the Compass doesn't get it. In terms of seats and upholstery, the Creta feels premium compared to other SUVs in the segment, but the Jeep looks and feels even better. The contrast of the white seats to the black trim, the steering wheel which feels better to hold, dual-zone air conditioning, brushed aluminium door handles. The Creta is physically smaller outside but it isn't much smaller inside. The Jeep does offer marginally better front passenger space, but rear legroom is similar in both. Both SUVs offer ample storage options throughout the cabin, along with generous boots.

The Mahindra XUV500 comes equipped with the the latest connectivity options

When it comes to the Mahindra XUV500 and the Tata Hexa, the bigger dimensions mean that the Hexa is a bit roomier. Thanks to the new design theme, the Tata Hexa gets a premium cabin, something that was a miss on earlier Tata Motors offerings. The soft-touch plastics, damped-out switches, leather-wrapped steering and chrome accents lend the cabin an upmarket air. The Tata Hexa comes equipped with a Harman infotainment system with 10 speakers by JBL, and it is one of the best units in the segment. The XUV's interior is better in this regard as there are thoughtfully designed storage spaces around the cabin. The twin gloveboxes, for instance, are big enough to store a laptop. Additionally, there's a cooled central box that's placed between the front seats and a neatly integrated storage bin on top of the dash.

The Tata Hexa's cabin is the roomiest of the lot

The six-way electrically adjustable front seats are wide and comfortable, but a little more under-thigh support would've been welcome. The XUV's second row, however, offers a little more legroom than the Hexa's, and the nearly flat transmission tunnel is a boon for the passengers. The third row though is cramped and best suited for kids only. Overall, it's a nice and airy cabin owing to the generous use of beige as well as the large sunroof which the Hexa does not get. However, the XUV's cabin cannot match the premium feeling that you get in the Hexa.

Engines

The Captur is expected to get the Duster's 1.5-litre dCi diesel engine in different states of tune. Choice of transmission might be similar to the international version which offers options between a 5-speed manual, a CVT and a 6-speed automatic. Initially, the 2WD version will be launched with the 4WD following sometime later. There is no word if the Renault Captur will get petrol motor as well. However, in that case, the Duster's unit with a more powerful state of tune might be introduced in the Captur.

The Jeep Compass is available with two engine options - a 173PS/350Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel and a 162PS/250Nm 1.4-litre turbo-petrol. The diesel will come with a 6-speed manual while the petrol will be offered with a 6-speed manual and a 7-speed DCT. The diesel is offered in 4x4 and 4x2 variants while the petrol will only get a 4x2 drivetrain. The petrol variant of the Hyundai Creta is powered by a 1,591cc, naturally aspirated petrol motor with an output of 121PS and 154Nm. Whereas the diesel variant is powered by a 1,582cc, turbocharged diesel engine putting out 126PS and 260Nm. Both variants are driven by 6-speed manual gearboxes.

In the Tata Hexa, the 150PS/320Nm motor is available only with a 5-speed manual in the base variant. The higher tuned 156PS/400Nm motor is available with both the 6-speed auto and manual transmissions. Tata offers a 4x4 on the top manual, and this also comes with different drive modes. The Mahindra XUV500's 2.2-litre motor, on the other hand, produces 140PS at a slightly lower 3,750 rpm and 330Nm between 1,600-2,800rpm. Even the Mahindra XUV 500 gets a transmission choice between 5-speed manual and a 6-speed automatic.

Price

The Hyundai Creta is priced between Rs 9.29 lakh to Rs 14.55 lakh while the Jeep Compass is available between Rs 15.16 lakh to Rs 21.67 lakh. The Mahindra XUV500 is slotted between Rs 12.64 lakh to Rs 17.67 lakh whereas the Tata Hexa is positioned between Rs 11.72 lakh to Rs 17.07 lakh, (all prices ex-showroom Delhi). The Renault Captur will be manufactured at the Renault-Nissan plant in Oragadam, Chennai. We believe this will help the company price the SUV aggressively against the competition.

Renault Captur vs Rivals