Mahindra XUV 3XO vs Tata Nexon: What's different?

The newly launched Mahindra XUV 3XO has taken the sub-4 metre SUV space by storm with its bold looks and host of technology. Yes, the segment is already very crowded with Mahindra's bitter rival, Tata Motors quite frankly dominating the space with its Nexon. The Nexon has quite a list of tricks up its sleeve to make it this popular. Let's take a quick look at how these 2 cars compete against each other on paper.

Mahindra XUV 3XO vs Tata Nexon: Variants and Colours

The Mahindra XUV 3XO is available in 9 variants: MX1, MX2, MX2 Pro, MX3, MX3 Pro, AX5, AX5 Luxury, AX7, and AX7 Luxury. Mahindra offers the XUV 3XO in seven exterior colours: Citrine Yellow, Dune Dust, Nebula Blue, Deep Forest, Stealth Black, and Everest White. Dual-tone colour variants are also available on higher-end models.

The Tata Nexon is available in 11 variants - Smart, Smart+, Smart+ S, Pure, Pure S, Creative, Creative+, Creative+ S, Fearless, Fearless S, and Fearless+ S. The Nexon is also available in six paint options: Fearless Purple, Pristine White, Creative Ocean, Pure Grey, Flame Red, and Daytona Grey. There's even a Dark Edition with a full Black exterior

Mahindra XUV 3XO vs Tata Nexon: Exterior

The XUV 3XO receives a considerable design overhaul to call it just a facelift, with a new gloss black grille flanked by a new pair of LED headlights with DRLs reminiscent of its older sibling, the XUV700. There have been no modifications to the profile, save for the new 17-inch alloy wheels. The rear is completely redesigned, with the 3XO now sporting a new set of linked LED tail lights. You get prominent 'XUV 3XO' badging, and the number plate housing is now located in the rear bumper.

The face of the Neoxn gets projector LED headlights, daytime driving lights that double up as dynamic turn indicators, and fog lamps with cornering lights. While there are not many significant changes to its side profile, the rear features new taillights with welcome and goodbye functions, a light stripe, reverse lights placed in a vertically stacked housing, and a rear spoiler. Additionally, there are redesigned front and rear bumpers along with a new set of 16-inch alloy wheels with aero inserts

The Mahindra has a much bigger wheelbase at 2,600mm while the Tata sits at 2,498mm.

Mahindra XUV 3XO vs Tata Nexon: Powertrain

The Mahindra's engine options comprise a 110PS/200Nm 1.2-litre turbo-petrol, a 130PS/230Nm 1.2-litre T-GDI turbo-petrol, and a 117PS/300Nm 1.5-litre diesel. All engines come standard with a 6-speed manual transmission, with an optional 6-speed AMT available for diesel engines and a new 6-speed torque converter for the turbo petrol.

Powering the Nexon is a 1.2-litre, inline three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine producing 120PS/170Nm of torque and a 1.5-litre inline four-cylinder turbocharged diesel unit that generates 115PS/260Nm of torque. Along with a 6-speed manual and an AMT, the petrol motor now can be mated to a new 7-speed DCT unit with shift-by-wire technology. Whereas, the diesel engine continues with the option of a 6-speed manual or an AMT.

Mahindra XUV 3XO vs Tata Nexon: Interior and Features

The XUV 3XO gains a 10.25-inch digital driver's display, panoramic sunroof (segment-first), wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless phone charger for linked car technology, dual-zone climate control, ambient lighting, rear AC vents, 360-degree camera, a cooled glove box and a 7-speaker Harman/Kardon sound system. The top variants get Level-2 ADAS, which includes lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking. Safety features include 6 airbags, all 4 disc brakes, ESP, 3-point seat belts and reminder for all seats, ISOFIX child seats, auto-hold, hill-start and hill descent assist.

Tata has revamped the interior, it has carried forward the same driving mode selector, hand brake, and front handrest of the previous model. On the flip side, the Nexon facelift features Benecke-Kaliko leatherette seats, new Curvv concept-inspired steering wheel with an illuminated Tata logo, an array of capacitive touch switches, on the centre console, a new Range Rover-style gear selector, a new 10.25-inch fully digital instrument cluster, and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Tata has retained more or less the same features from the previous Nexon, such as a sunroof, air purifier, ventilated seats, cooled glove box, three driving modes, paddle shifters, a wireless charging pad, and auto headlamps and wipers, among others. The Nexon also has a 360-degree camera, front parking sensors, telematics, six airbags, ESP, and hill hold control standard across all variants.

Mahindra XUV 3XO vs Tata Nexon: Prices

The Tata Nexon starts from Rs 8.15 lakh and goes up to Rs 15.80 lakh for the top-of-the-line variant. The Mahindra XUV 3XO has a much more affordable starting price of Rs 7.49 lakh and even the top model is priced at Rs 15.49 lakh. All prices mentioned are Ex-showroom.

Also Read:

2023 Tata Nexon facelift review, first drive - focused on the positives

2024 Mahindra XUV 3XO review - new name, new appeal?