Mahindra has launched the 2018 XUV500 in India at Rs 12.32 lakhs (Ex-showroom Mumbai). It comes in nine diesel variants (MT/AT) and one petrol powered variant (AT only) and seven colour options, of which two are brand new. This updated XUV500 has already been driven and you can click here for our detailed review or head on to the bottom of the story for a quick video of the same.
The XUV500 is pretty much the first vehicle that began the revolution of the D-segment SUV when it was launched in 2011. In the seven years that have followed, many other have joined the fray and here is how this updated car stacks up against its major rivals.
Tata Hexa
The Tata Hexa and Mahindra XUV500 have been rivals for a while now. When the XUV was launched, the Hexa was in its previous guise, the Aria and it did not sell too well. The Hexa, however, has certainly fared much better in comparison to its predecessor.
On the face of things, both cars are evenly matched as they have similar levels of equipment, comfort and convenience features. But look closer and you can see that the Hexa is longer, wider and has more space in the cabin. Also a major differentiating factor among both cars is that the Hexa is a traditional RWD ladder-on-frame while the XUV500 is a front-wheel monocoque setup with optional AWD.
Jeep Compass
The Jeep Compass has raised the bar for what to expect in the premium segment since its launch in the middle of last year. It may be the lowest priced product from Jeep in India but there has been no skimping on equipment, features and obviously looks for that matter. The top spec diesel XUV500 is a direct match for the mid-level Compass models and they have similar levels of equipment. However, the Compass is a premium product and even though the XUV is larger in many respects, the Compass will stand one level above simply because of what it is.
Hyundai Tucson
The Hyundai Tucson is the South Korean automaker’s premium SUV. It stands beside the Elantra sedan (also featured here) and like the Compass, it’s a five-seat model and its lower spec models compete with the XUV500. In fact there are only two models that rival the XUV500 while the rest of the range moves into the next price bracket.
Skoda Octavia
The Skoda Octavia is one of the three original survivors of the D-segment sedan fray. It’s fast, powerful, and practical and comes loaded to the gills with features. In fact, there is more equipment in Octavia than there is in the XUV500 but because of the sedan body style, the car has not done as well in recent times.
Hyundai Creta
While the Tucson sits at one end of the spectrum in terms of pricing, the Creta is at the other end whereby its top spec variant is priced as much as a lower model XUV500. In this respect, the Creta, despite being a five-seat model, offers better value than the XUV500. However, it is much smaller in dimension.
