Spec Comparison: MG Astor Vs Mahindra XUV700 Vs Skoda Kushaq Vs Hyundai Creta Vs Kia Seltos Vs Tata Harrier Vs MG Hector Vs Volkswagen Taigun

Kenneth John Published: October 11, 2021, 04:38 PM IST

In a segment that doesn't seem to take a break from adding a new member to the lineup of options, the MG Astor is the latest addition to the mid-size SUV market and the competition just keeps getting fierce every passing month. Not too long ago did we witness the Volkswagen Taigun launch and Skoda Kushaq arrive in India into a segment where the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos are dominating.

The recently much-awaited SUV of the year, Mahindra XUV700 too was launched and bookings for the car were right through the roof. And with the Tata Harrier and MG Hector being a public favourite, it's only in time that we will know when another SUV joins this list. TIll then we have these many cars at hand and we are obliged to compare them against each other to know which is the right choice for you.

MG Astor Vs Mahindra XUV700 Vs Skoda Kushaq Vs Hyundai Creta Vs Kia Seltos Vs Tata Harrier Vs MG Hector Vs Volkswagen Taigun - Dimensions And Design

Skoda Kushaq and the Volkswagen Taigun sit on the MQB-AO IN platform that has been engineered keeping the Indian market in focus. The wheelbase of the Kushaq and Taigun is longer than both the Creta and Seltos. The Harrier is the widest SUV with a width of 1894mm and the Harrier is just a few mm shorter than the Hector in terms of wheelbase.

The latest entrant MG Astor has a wheelbase of just 2585 mm which is the shortest here by quite a margin. The XUV700 and Hector come in as the ones with the longest wheelbase at 2750mm.

The Volkswagen Taigun and Mahindra XUV700 look like the freshest SUVs here. Not too very radical like the Hyundai Creta and both sport very proportionate dimensions. Tata Harrier, MG Hector and Mahindra XUV700 sit a notch above the Astor, Taigun, Kushaq, Creta and the Seltos but as the pricing of all these SUVs clashes with each other and buyers do consider looking over bigger options as well.

The MG being the latest entrant to this list does look very stylish from a visual point of view, but being of the exact same cloth as the MG ZS EV the design does look like we've gotten a bit used to.

MG Astor Vs Mahindra XUV700 Vs Skoda Kushaq Vs Hyundai Creta Vs Kia Seltos Vs Tata Harrier Vs MG Hector Vs Volkswagen Taigun - Features

The Volkswagen Taigun and Skoda Kushaq packs in a lot of goodies that put it in line with the competition. While the Korean rivals top the features list, the Taigun and Kushaq aren't far behind whereas the Harrier is the least equipped SUV here. However, by no means the Harrier is under-equipped as it offers all the necessary daily use and safety features. The Taigun and Kushaq boast features like ventilated seats with leatherette seat covers, a 10-inch infotainment system, 6-airbags, ESP, electric sunroof to name a few.

The MG Astor is the only one here with an AI assistant and a level 2 Autonomous System. The Mahindra XUV700 is the only other one here with ADAS Autonomous System but in level 1 configuration.

All the SUVs listed here offers six airbags, electric sunroof, height-adjustable driver's seat, ESP, reverse parking camera, rear armrest, rear AC vents, touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, keyless entry and go and more. Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos trump the competition in this segment thanks to an air purifier, connected car tech and plenty more.

MG Astor Vs Mahindra XUV700 Vs Skoda Kushaq Vs Hyundai Creta Vs Kia Seltos Vs Tata Harrier Vs MG Hector Vs Volkswagen Taigun - Features

Skoda Kushaq and Volkswagen Taigun are offered with the same two TSI petrol engines with no diesel engine for the time being. The 1.0-litre TSI motor puts out 115PS and 175 Nm of torque, mated with a 6-speed manual or automatic gearbox. The 1.5-litre TSI motor puts out 150PS and 250 Nm of torque, mated with a 6-speed manual or 7-speed DSG. Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos are offered with the same 1.5-litre petrol, 1.5-litre diesel and 1.4-litre turbo petrol engines. However, the Seltos is further offered with 1.4-litre MT and 1.5-litre iMT gearbox options as well that the Creta misses.

Tata Harrier is only offered with a 2.0-litre FCA-sourced diesel engine that produces 170PS and 350 Nm of torque. The diesel motor comes mated with a 6-speed manual and Hyundai-sourced 6-speed automatic gearbox. MG Hector also uses the 2.0-litre diesel engine, found in the Harrier, with a similar state of tune. However, MG doesn't offer any diesel automatic option. To compensate for that, MG Hector 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol motor is offered with 6-speed MT, 6-speed MT with hybrid, 6-speed DCT and 8-speed CVT gearbox options.

The two engines on offer for the MG Astor is a 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated unit which will be available with a manual or an automatic transmission and a 1.3-litre turbo-petrol paired to an automatic gearbox. The 1.5-litre unit will produce 110PS and 144 Nm of torque, while the 1.3-litre turbo unit will put out a healthy 140PS and 220 Nm of torque.

The XUV700 is offered with two engine options, the same 2.2-litre mHawk turbo diesel and the 2.0-litre mStallion turbo-petrol. The diesel puts out 185PS and makes 420 Nm with the 6-speed manual and 450 Nm with the 6-speed automatic. The petrol motor makes 200PS and 380 Nm paired with both gearboxes. In the more basic MX spec, the petrol remains unchanged but the diesel is detuned to 155PS and 360 Nm although only manual gearboxes are on offer.