Mahindra XUV 500 vs Skoda Yeti

It is probably the sensation that everyone expected the Nano to be. And even now, after over three months post its launch, one still has to wait for a lucky draw to decide whether you can have one right now. Or not. We are of course talking about the Mahindra XUV 500; an SUV we Indians have taken to as if it were the one car we all wanted but never had.

Now, there’s no denying that the XUV is a fantastic vehicle, but it’s not the be all and end all of things. After all for the same money, one can buy the Tata Aria. Okay, the Aria isn’t as good, and for this price, not too well equipped either. But what about the Skoda Yeti?

It’s European, well built, dynamically well endowed and we must agree, it does have a snob quality about it. But, of course, compared to the XUV, it is terribly expensive. Or was, because Skoda now has a two-wheel-drive version as well and it comes in a cheaper trim level, which brings down the difference between the Yeti 4x2 and the XUV 4x2 to about Rs 3 lakh from a staggering Rs 6 lakh or so.

So, should you wait for the XUV or go pick up a Yeti off the shelf, and with it, spend more? Read on and find out...

More spacious and much better equipped, you also have a more commanding view. But the XUV's cabin lacks refinement

The XUV is large, the Yeti more car like. The XUV has bling, the Yeti’s more understated. But, then the Yeti looks tauter and well machined, while the XUV looks tinny in comparison. It's not just as well built or solid looking as the Skoda is.

There’s no denying however, that when it comes to presence and sheer muscular SUV appeal, the XUV is the boss, much like the Toyota Fortuner.

You also step into the XUV rather than sliding in, as you do in the Yeti. And once you are inside, the seats on the XUV feel plusher, larger and the view is a lot more commanding as well. You know instantly you are in a more domineering vehicle. Even at the rear, the XUV is not only more spacious, its seats are again, cushier. As for the Yeti, it feels like a slightly higher Laura with smaller seats. Not that the seats aren't comfortable; in fact, these are more supportive compared to the ones on the Mahindra, both front and back, and should work better over longer distances, and particularly on a twisty section of road.

Coming back to the XUV, what really amazed us were the number of telltale lights. Turn on the ignition and there are enough signs on the clocks that light up to shame Vegas, and everything there has a purpose. There’s Start-Stop for improving fuel economy, safety aids like ABS and ESP and off-roading aids like hill descent. Plus there are more warning lights one of which is for monitoring tyre pressure. In fact, the XUV has so much more equipment it is difficult to justify the Yeti’s higher pricetag in comparison. The Mahindra gets six airbags against two on the Yeti. Also, you get steering mounted controls, cruise control, digital climate control, navigation and Bluetooth telephony, all of which are missing on the Skoda. And lest we forget, there are three rows of seating as well against two on the Yeti with AC vents for all three rows.

Quality of plastics, operability of switches and the overall fit and finish as well as the ergonomics are better on the Yeti

What the XUV could do with, however is better quality. The Yeti in this regard is clearly better. One can see and feel it in the plastics, in the knobs and buttons and also in the way these operate on the Yeti. There are no rough edges here and everything seems to be well thought out and executed. The XUV feels tackier and unfinished. Moreover, the ergonomics on the XUV need serious attention. We can't remember the last time we drove a modern car and had the steering column fouling with our feet.

The XUV doesn't score over the Yeti even when it comes to dynamics. The latter has better straight line stability; it feels a lot more stable over undulated roads; and around bends it is leagues ahead of the Mahindra. It is just like a car; it turns in well, doesn’t roll around much and there’s a road hugging feel to it which the XUV clearly lacks. The response and feedback from the steering is more direct on the Yeti too. But, surprisingly, the XUV too can stimulate the senses, but in a slightly crude sort of way. The good things first - unlike Mahindras of yore, the steering on the XUV is more alive. It also feels more stable. But, when it is driven hard it can get out of hand. It lacks the finesse of the Skoda, rolls about quite a bit and the tyres too could do with more grip. Also, its instant reaction around a corner is to understeer while the Yeti feels a lot more neutral. Clearly then, one mustn’t overdo it in the XUV because if you do, it will certainly get you very excited, but not in the most pleasing of ways.

Mahindra XUV 500

We do like the engine on the XUV though. It is the same engine that we have seen on the Scorpio before, but with the 4x2 Yeti’s 2-litre engine losing almost 30bhp against the 4x4 version, the 2.2-litre unit of the XUV is more powerful and torquier on paper. In the real world though, the Yeti is quicker off the line and manages to post a higher top speed as well. This is mainly down to the Skoda being a good 300kg or so lighter than the Mahindra SUV.

Skoda Yeti

The XUV nonetheless pulls way with more gusto through the gears, so the driveability is better; and is one of the endearing aspects of the XUV. So be it overtaking on the highway or just pottering around in the city, it is less tedious with the XUV. But, its bulk does mean, it is also less fuel efficient. The difference in overall figures is just over a kmpl but this difference is mainly on account of the Yeti being more economical within city confines.