The XUV 3XO is extra upmarket and fascinating than the XUV300 it replaces. We discover out if it’s the greatest compact SUV out there.
Mahindra has upped its recreation with the XUV 3XO. It’s feature-rich, packs in robust engines, and with costs ranging between Rs 7.49 lakh and 15.49 lakh, the Indian carmaker has carpet-bombed the compact SUV section. Although at least 11 contenders are preventing for market share on this area, two able to placing up a troublesome combat are the Kia Sonet – famend for its refined and polished manner – and the bestselling Tata Nexon.
For this comparability, we’ve introduced collectively their totally loaded turbo-petrol computerized variants. At Rs 15.49 lakh, ex-showroom, the XUV 3XO AX7L is the priciest of the lot, whereas the Nexon Fearless +S DCT and Sonet X-Line DCT are extra inexpensive at Rs 14.80 lakh and 14.75 lakh, respectively.
Being compact SUVs, they’re all equally sized, however the XUV 3XO is the widest, tallest, and has the longest wheelbase of this trio, if solely by just a few millimetres. The Sonet is the narrowest. The Nexon is the bottom nevertheless it boasts the best floor clearance of 208mm.
All three have already gone by their respective mid-life updates, and the XUV is the freshest right here. It will get an EV-like closed-off grille completed in piano black, distinctive LED lights, a trendy set of 17-inch alloys, and a neat set of tail-lamps related by an LED bar. The Sonet’s facelift got here earlier this yr, and it now seems like a barely shrunken Seltos, which isn’t any unhealthy factor. It options an array of cuts and muscular strains, all of which have come collectively fantastically. The Nexon can be a looker, and in its newest avatar, its extra mature look is prone to have common attraction.
3XO vs Nexon vs Sonet: inside
Moreover having the most important cabin, the XUV 3XO’s shiny and ethereal atmosphere and two-tone color scheme really feel inviting; its segment-first panoramic sunroof additional elevates the sense of area. The inclusion of sentimental supplies on the dashboard and door pads does properly to carry its premium really feel. The buttoned dual-zone local weather management panel and its new free-standing touchscreen with bodily shortcut keys and a quantity knob are handy. The display screen is simple to make use of, however the music system sadly doesn’t meet the excessive expectations set by Harman/Kardon.
Within the XUV 3XO, the intense colors improve the sense of area in an already spacious cabin. Delicate supplies really feel upmarket.
The brand new digital instrument cluster integrates a blind-spot monitor that prompts once you point out. Nevertheless, its execution isn’t as good because the Sonet’s as a result of the digital camera feed is delayed. A number of capabilities – like these for ADAS – are buried deep throughout the instrument panel menus, and this isn’t intuitive.
The entrance seats are plush, however these with bigger frames will discover the facet bolstering a bit intrusive. The rear seat is low, which leads to a knees-up seating place, however seating three abreast would be the comfiest as it’s the widest and roomiest. Including to the consolation are the delicate cushioning and a universally interesting backrest angle.
On paper, the 3XO’s boot is the smallest, though Mahindra has reprofiled the bumper and tailgate, and the spare tyre is now an area saver, which helps liberate some area. In consequence, the precise cargo-carrying capability is much like the opposite two, however its excessive boot lip makes it inconvenient to load/unload heavy baggage.
The Nexon’s fashionable interiors have a wowing impact, however shiny panels are reflective. Match-finish might’ve been higher.
The Tata Nexon’s sprint seems fashionable, with its free-standing touchscreen taking centre stage. Lending an upmarket look is the touch-operable local weather management panel and the two-spoke steering that includes an illuminated emblem. There’s beneficiant use of piano black trim to spruce up its cabin, however these surfaces are extremely reflective and choose up fingerprints and smudge marks. And Tata might have completed a greater job with the digital instrument cluster readouts, that are tiny and never simply legible. By way of match and end, high quality and ergonomics, there’s nonetheless a variety of scope for enchancment.
The Nexon’s entrance seats are the least comfy on account of their agency cushioning and restricted thigh help, particularly for taller people. What’s good is their air flow operate, which the Mahindra misses. Rear passengers are seated larger than within the XUV, in a chair-like place, and the rear bench could be very comfy and supportive for 2 adults; a 3rd grownup will really feel unwelcome because it isn’t as broad because the XUV 3XO.
The Sonet’s darkish cabin exacerbates the shortage of roominess; however fit-finish, high quality and person expertise are the nicest.
The Kia Sonet has the smallest cabin, and what exacerbates the difficulty of area additional is that this ‘X-Line’ variant, which has a black inside; pink stitching and silver highlights break the monotony to some extent. In contrast to the Mahindra, there aren’t any soft-touch supplies, however by way of match and end, switchgear’s tactility, and the execution of its person interface, the Sonet units the benchmark and stays the one to beat. Its ventilated entrance seats are the broadest and most accommodating, and the driving force’s seat will get an electrical recline and slide operate. Its rear seat is fairly spacious for tall adults, with scooped-out entrance seatbacks and roof, which liberate extra knee and headroom, respectively. Nevertheless, as it’s slender, this area is greatest for 2 adults.
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3XO vs Nexon vs Sonet: efficiency
What makes the XUV 3XO essentially the most highly effective compact SUV within the nation is Mahindra’s 1.2-litre direct injection turbo-petrol that produces 131hp and 230Nm. Like its rivals, this can be a three-cylinder unit, however it’s among the many smoothest and most refined. Energy is available in robust past 2,300rpm, and whereas it doesn’t rev as excessive or as rapidly because the Sonet, efficiency is moderately fulfilling on account of its robust midrange. However at low speeds, the turbo lag adopted by a sudden gush of energy can really feel overwhelming and can coax you to ease off the accelerator pedal.
Complementing this engine is a 6-speed torque converter, which is kind of easy, if conservative, in the way in which it downshifts. In consequence, you sometimes miss having paddle shifters; you’ll must make do with a tiptronic mode on the lever and its clunky shift motion once you need handbook management over the gearbox. Each the Sonet and Nexon use 120hp turbo-petrol engines and 7-speed dual-clutch computerized transmissions with paddle shifters, however the similarities finish there. Tata’s turbo-petrol delivers its efficiency in a progressive method with negligible lag, and its dual-clutch transmission brings with it a newfound seamlessness, which its prior AMT gearbox couldn’t ship. Since its focus is smoothness, this gearbox hesitates earlier than downshifting to keep away from any sudden spikes in efficiency, and even if you happen to use the paddles, it won’t oblige with aggressive downshifts. So, sporty it isn’t. Refinement additionally isn’t the Nexon’s robust go well with. You possibly can really feel vibrations contained in the cabin at idle, and at low speeds, the Nexon’s gearbox can really feel jerky, significantly whereas decelerating.
The Sonet’s 1.0-litre engine is the smallest and isn’t devoid of lag beneath 2,000rpm. However it packs fairly a punch when in enhance, and being a free-revving unit, it feels fairly entertaining. On this firm, its dual-clutch auto is the quickest and feels reactive to person inputs, thus limiting the necessity for handbook intervention. And once you tug the paddle shifters, not like Tata Nexon’s, these are fairly obedient and help aggressive downshifts, thus including to its sporty expertise.
We strapped our testing gear to those automobiles, and the outcomes had been moderately predictable. The Mahindra 3XO accelerated from 0–100kph the quickest, and its rolling acceleration occasions had been additionally higher than the others. The Sonet out-accelerated the Nexon in 0–100kph and 40–100kph sprints. Nevertheless, the Tata was faster than the Kia in a 20–80kph dash.
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3XO vs Nexon vs Sonet: trip and dealing with
Mahindra has nailed the XUV 3XO’s trip and dealing with. The compact SUV rides comfortably in any respect speeds and absorbs all undulations and imperfections brilliantly. Its high-speed manners are confidence-inspiring, and it does an unbelievable job of masking its pace, too. Most customers will love the steering’s effortlessness at metropolis and parking speeds, and though its weight may be altered by altering the drive modes, the added heft in another modes feels synthetic and hardly interprets into any really feel or suggestions.
The Nexon’s chassis exudes an inherent toughness that turns into obvious whereas tackling unhealthy and damaged roads. It feels agency and a bit jittery at low speeds, however on the flip facet, it feels glued to the street at excessive speeds. Its steering feels overly sharp and pointy, particularly for its supposed use.
The Kia Sonet’s trip feels comparatively uneven in any respect speeds; rear occupants particularly will really feel a variety of vertical motion. So it isn’t as settled as its rivals. The steering is fluid and constant, however the XUV has an edge relating to sheer lightness.
3XO vs Nexon vs Sonet: verdict
It isn’t arduous to see why the Nexon is among the many nation’s bestsellers. Patrons will respect its robust construct, spacious and well-equipped interiors, and strong 5-star crash ranking. Nevertheless, rivals do a greater job by way of refinement and reliability.
The Kia Sonet is essentially the most inexpensive, and it performs its duties with nice finesse, which is why it comes throughout as a elegant, well-rounded automobile. However it will get the second spot as a result of it’s the least spacious and never as assured because the others at freeway speeds.
Taking prime honours on this comparability is the Mahindra XUV 3XO, regardless of the numerous premium it instructions over its direct rivals. That’s as a result of it has essentially the most spacious and splendid cabin, its turbo-petrol feels the strongest of the bunch, and it drives and feels prefer it belongs to a section above. That’s why it’s our choose on this section.
Additionally see:
Mahindra XUV 3XO vs Tata Nexon vs Kia Sonet comparability video
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