The Indian auto industry had also made its way for the compact SUV’s making it one of the most successful segments. Reason? Blame the Indian roads. This segment was although started by Premier Rio but, it took off with the Ford EcoSport and Renault Duster. Since then this segment has become a prime target for many automotive giants selling in the country.
While the Nexon from TATA Motors has been in the Indian market for a long time and has been a good performer for the company. Becoming the 1st 5-star rated car from India. The Nexon really earned itself an image among the Indian buyers.
Looking at the demand for pseudo-SUV's Mahindra (SUV masters) decided to try the segment but failed multiple times until 2019. While the couples were busy celebrating Valentine’s day. Mahindra gave the car enthusiasts their valentine as the XUV300.
While both the cars currently get 1.2L petrol its the XUV which has 200Nm torque, 30 more than the Nexon’s 170Nm. Doesn’t mean that he Nexon is weak. The Nexon has 118bhp standing 10 more than the XUV 108BHP. Making them equally competitive.
These both do come equipped with BS6 Diesel power mills, the XUV300 houses a 1.5L diesel engine produces 115BHP and 300Nm torque (class-leading). While the Nexon is also powered with a 1.5L Revotorque producing 108BHP and 260Nm torque.
I'm done with the specifications of both these pseudo's if you are interested in a detailed review, let me know in the comments.
Let's talk about something that hasn't been addressed in the industry for a long time.
SAFETY!
The TATA Nexon gained its attention soon after it's 2nd crash test conducted by Global NCAP where it became the 1st car to achieve the 5-star mark. Unlike a few companies who boasted about making safe cars and marketing with names related to heart disease and fool customers on the name of crumple zones. TATA did it practically and showed people yes, we deserve safer cars.
The Nexon, when crashed, achieved beautiful 16/17 points for Adult occupancy protection. While bagging 25/49 points on Child safety protection. It scored 5 stars as an overall rating. Kudos TATA and their design head Pratap Bose.
The vehicle body shell was rated stable and had a kerb weight of 1490kg. Well, something is stable for them than the after-sales service.
When G-NCAP launched the crash reports of XUV300 it snatched away the title for the safest car from Nexon making it the safest car to be tested for India.
Scoring 16.4/17 points for Adult occupancy protection and 37.44/49 points on child safety. The XUV300 got a 5-star rating and the badge of the safest car in India. Kudos to Mahindra and Ssangyong for making such a product. Weighing at 1637Kg the vehicle received a stable body structure.
These cars from these two Indian automobile company proves that you don't need to shell out a huge sum of money to have a safe car for your family. They give us a lesson on how some companies fool their customer with attractive mileage figures and sell them cars that are unsafe for you and your families. Think before buying is it worth saving the cost of 1kmpl fuel or life.
XUV300 originally made as Ssangyong Tivoli for the global international market was above 4meters long which lead to Mahindra designers abruptly chop away the boot making it look like an unfinished product. Yes, this is the reason why the XUV300 has a lower boot carrying capacity than even the Renault Kwid has more boot space than the XUV300.
Well if you ask me which would be my pick? I would select the Mahindra over TATA just for that aggressive look. But, given the fact that I would be inside the vehicle most of the time, it would be the TATA for that clean dashboard layout and best in segment audio system from Harman-Kardon.
What would be your weapon of choice? Do let us know in the comment section.