Mahindra XUV400 vs Tata Nexon EV electric comparison; price, design, range, interior, equipment – Introduction

The Nexon EV wants no actual introduction at this level. It’s, in any case, the automotive that’s nearly singlehandedly answerable for making Tata Motors the EV chief in India. It was the suitable automotive on the proper time, on the proper value, and so compelling was the general bundle that it even noticed off competitors from a phase above. Tata then launched the Max, which you see right here, with an even bigger battery and longer vary, additional sweetening the deal.

It’s becoming and never completely stunning that the Nexon EV’s most critical adversary but comes from homegrown arch-rival Mahindra, within the type of the long-overdue XUV400, a automotive which holds a variety of promise. In any case, it was Mahindra that launched the primary technology of electrical automobiles to India, so it has some experience within the space. It additionally owns Automobili Pininfarina, an organization that’s pushing boundaries on the slicing fringe of the EV spectrum, though tech from there’ll possible solely trickle down into the following technology of Mahindra EVs.  

Slick lever the good inside element on the XUV400.

For now, the XUV400 method mirrors the Nexon EV’s intently, which is to base an EV off an current ICE SUV; it’s a cheap method that labored for Tata, in any case. Each are spawned off compact SUVs, each have near-identical battery and charging capacities, each have related energy outputs and, after a well timed value reduce from Tata Motors in January, each automobiles, as examined, have the very same value. However, in fact, it’s not so simple as that, and with this instrumented street take a look at comparability, we’ll decide which is the higher electrical household SUV. 

Mahindra XUV400 vs Tata Nexon EV : design and engineering 

The Mahindra XUV400 is predicated on the XUV300, which in flip is predicated on the SsangYong Tivoli. The SsangYong crossover is 4.2 metres lengthy, which was then shaved down behind the rear axle to three.95 metres for the XUV300 to qualify as a compact SUV. However, since size has no bearing on an EV’s taxation, Mahindra has gone again to a 4.2-metre size for the XUV400. The Tata Nexon EV makes use of the very same physique as its ICE counterpart and retains its 3,993mm size, whereas a 4.2-metre SUV – the Curvv – primarily based on a by-product of the Nexon’s X1 platform (which began life within the Tata Indica Vista) is coming later, and could have each ICE and EV variants.

Nexon EV has a extra fashionable design however with sharp-edged plastics and a few odd ergonomics. Gentle colors soil simply.

The Nexon EV seems an identical to its ICE counterpart, save for some totally different color choices and using blue accents all around the bodywork. It retains the coupe-like form, which was revolutionary when it first launched, and the electrical model doesn’t even get a closed-off grille. It’s additionally out there as a Darkish Version, which blacks out some panels, and the long-range Max model has refined visible variations from the Prime. Some may need appreciated a better visible differentiation from the ICE automotive to higher stand out, however then it’s immediately recognisable. It’s additionally due for a facelift later this yr.

The added 200mm of size behind the XUV400’s rear axle is well noticeable and provides the EV significantly better proportions than the very truncated XUV300. That apart, there are a couple of extra variations, like a blanked-off grille with ‘X’ motifs on it, a unique decrease air dam and bumper remedy, copper-coloured accents throughout and, curiously, no fog lamps. Curiously, it shares its 16-inch alloy wheel design with the XUV300 Turbosport too. On the rear, the added size permits the tailgate to have a extra three-dimensional look, the tail-lamps getting a clear-lens design, and badges completed in copper.

Mahindra XUV400 vs Tata Nexon EV: inside

Greater than aesthetics, the actual good thing about the XUV400’s added size is bigger boot area, which was a sore level within the XUV300. For the reason that extension is completely aft of the rear axle (the two,600mm wheelbase is identical), all of it has gone into the boot, which has grown by a full 121 litres to 378 litres. That’s a helpful 28 litres greater than even the Nexon EV’s already sensible boot, however the Tata does have the benefit of a decrease loading lip to haul your baggage over.

Nexon EV has well-contoured seat, extra snug for 2; good area, however home windows taper.

There have been no modifications to the XUV400’s rear seat, which stays as spacious because the XUV300’s. Its flaws stay too, like flat cushioning, elastic bands to carry objects in place as a substitute of typical seatback pockets and, most egregious of all, no rear AC vents or charging ports. You’ll additionally discover a slight lack of thigh assist within the seat base, however that’s a small value to pay for the good, tall seating place and better width that’s higher suited to three passengers.

Ventilated seats on the Nexon are a boon on a scorching day.

The Nexon’s cabin width is noticeably down, and thus, it’s simply as effectively that the bench is contoured into two particular person seats, and if used as such, they’re extra snug and supportive. Headroom is on par with the Mahindra, whereas knee room is just a little in need of it, though nonetheless excellent in isolation. The one different draw back is that the battery’s presence may be felt extra within the cabin, elevating the ground degree and forcing you right into a barely knees up seating place. And whereas the XUV400 has an odd seatback storage answer, the Nexon has no seat pockets in any respect.

XUV400 bench is broad sufficient for 3 with beneficiant head- and legroom; a bit flat although.

In reality, storage throughout the Nexon EV’s cabin is in brief provide, with slender door pockets and an impractical cubbyhole beneath the AC controls. There’s a slim however deep field between the seats, however with the addition of a wi-fi charger on prime, the area is now hidden awkwardly beneath. That is one of some ergonomic oddities within the Nexon, however the XUV400 shouldn’t be with out its personal; like a visit pc whose controls are on the dashboard.

Big panel on the XUV400 for a primary guide AC.

The XUV400 additionally exhibits its classic with an old-school vertical dashboard design and a button-heavy AC management panel that takes up half the centre console. That stated, nonetheless, it does have bigger, extra usable storage within the door pockets and between the entrance seats, and whereas it has odd bungee straps to carry onto knick-knacks towards the seatbacks, the Nexon has no seatback storage in any respect. The extra apparent distinction is the Nexon’s beige, black and silver color scheme versus the XUV’s black and dark-grey format. Which you like is right down to your style, however construct high quality and fit-and-finish are a notch greater within the Mahindra. 

Mahindra XUV400 vs Tata Nexon EV : tools and security

Of their top-spec guises examined right here, each automobiles get a lot of the fundamentals, equivalent to a sunroof, auto headlamps and wipers and leatherette upholstery. In addition they each get drive modes and regen modes, however whereas these may be adjusted impartial of one another within the Nexon, within the XUV400 they’re tied collectively. The Nexon EV, nonetheless, goes a bit additional with feel-good options like a wi-fi telephone charger, ventilated entrance seats, an auto-dimming mirror, auto local weather management and cruise management, all of which the XUV400 misses. 

1. Rear AC vents are one of many many lacking options on the XUV, 2. Analogue dials, black & white MID really feel too primary for an EV, 3. Tender suspension soaks up sharp bumps and is nice for metropolis driving, 4. Useful SOC and consumption knowledge inside touchscreen sub menu.

Each automobiles get touchscreens with app-linked related automotive tech, however at 7 inches throughout, each are small by immediately’s requirements. The XUV’s display is responsive sufficient, with a fairly intuitive UI, and has been given some updates in comparison with its ICE counterpart, together with a really detailed real-time energy consumption and state of cost (SOC) readout. It additionally has onboard navigation, which is helpful, as whereas it’s claimed to have Apple Carplay and Android Auto, our take a look at automotive got here with out the latter.

The Nexon EV has two smartphone interfaces, however the touchscreen itself leaves quite a bit to be desired. It’s sluggish, has a crowded UI and poor contact response, and doesn’t provide you with any driving knowledge. Tata is, nonetheless, within the strategy of introducing its new, far-slicker 10.25-inch touchscreen throughout the Nexon vary. For now although, the Nexon EV scores a brownie level for providing semi-digital dials with a color display that exhibits you all of the important driving knowledge. Its UI, too, is a bit crowded, however nonetheless higher than the XUV400’s dials, that are analogue, with a small monochrome MID within the centre that exhibits you both your vary or journey knowledge.

1.Impartial regen modes allow you to tailor them to your desire, 2.Rotary drive selector features slowly, 3. Sharp steering, tight physique management make it fairly enjoyable to drive, 4.Slender storage bin beneath telephone charger is close to ineffective.

On the protection entrance, the XUV400 has a giant trump card within the type of six airbags to the Nexon’s two, however the Nexon will get quite a few energetic security aids like ESC, traction management, hill-ascent and descent help, and a tyre strain monitor – all of that are absent on the XUV400. A few of these will, nonetheless, be coming in an up to date mannequin very quickly, we’ve got learnt. Each automobiles get entrance and rear disc brakes, however the Nexon once more goes a step forward with an digital parking brake with auto maintain. By the way, whereas neither automotive has been formally crash examined, the ICE variations of each automobiles scored 5 stars in World NCAP’s exams, albeit beneath the older methodology.

Mahindra XUV400 vs Tata Nexon EV : efficiency

On the spec sheet, the Nexon’s 143hp is a contact decrease than the XUV’s 150hp, however its 250Nm is massively outgunned by 310Nm within the Mahindra. In our efficiency exams, the hole isn’t as broad as you may suppose; the XUV400 is simply half a second faster to 100kph and the variations are even smaller in rolling acceleration.

Numerous that is right down to the absence of traction management within the Mahindra, which makes placing energy down easily troublesome. Even for those who aren’t trying to nail the quickest potential launch, it’s a must to be measured with the accelerator to keep away from torque steer and plenty of wheelspin. This even occurs with part-throttle inputs whereas overtaking. As we reported final month, Mahindra’s provider wasn’t capable of full the ESC and TCS calibration in time for the XUV400’s launch. If Mahindra delayed the launch, it will face penalties for not assembly CAFE II norms, so the primary batch of automobiles needed to be offered with out these options. The up to date model can’t come a second too quickly.

There are additionally refined variations in the best way each EVs reply to your inputs. The Nexon EV Max, from the primary millimetre of accelerator pedal journey, will get shifting ahead. Nonetheless, due to its TCS, there’s some restraint in the best way energy is meted out. In the meantime, the XUV400 has a small lifeless zone in its accelerator pedal, after which all that torque slams in a single shot. Whereas each will take some getting used to in comparison with an ICE automotive, it’s the Mahindra that’s quite a bit trickier to grasp.

Drive modes play a giant position in how each automobiles behave, however every producer’s strategy is totally different. Each automobiles have three modes that serve up perceptibly totally different ranges of energy and torque; within the XUV, the economical mode limits the highest velocity to 90kph, whereas within the Nexon, it limits torque to 170Nm. Within the Nexon EV Max, they’re known as Eco, Metropolis and Sport, whereas within the XUV400 they’re peculiarly named Enjoyable, Quick and Fearless, respectively. The Mahindra’s modes have variable power recuperation (or regen) baked into them, with the quantity of regen growing with the sportier modes, however that’s not essentially the way you’ll need to use them. It additionally has an L mode on the drive selector, which considerably will increase regen, permitting you to do one-pedal driving. The Nexon EV’s regen isn’t robust sufficient to do one-pedal driving, however it may be adjusted independently of the primary drive modes, which is way extra helpful.

Braking mirrors acceleration in the best way each SUVs behave, and within the Tata, you’ll get an prompt however comparatively measured response to tapping the brake pedal, with extra progressive brake mixing. The XUV400, in the meantime, has some play in its brake pedal earlier than the total stopping pressure is available in one go, requiring you to be much more mild. That stated, the Mahindra in the end had barely higher stopping energy, coming to a halt about 1.8 metres earlier than the Tata.

Mahindra XUV400 vs Tata Nexon EV: battery, charging & vary

Each EVs may be had with smaller batteries and charging capacities, however of their respective top-spec guises examined right here, they’re related on paper. The XUV400 has a 39.4kWh battery and the Max has a 40.5kWh battery, each of which may be charged at as much as 7.2kW on an AC quick charger. Utilizing such a charger, the XUV400 took 5 hours and 38 minutes to cost from 10-100%, whereas the Nexon was a bit slower at 5 hours and 55 minutes.

On the subject of DC quick charging, the XUV400 maxes out at round 45kW whereas the Nexon tops out at 28-29kW, possible within the curiosity of sustaining battery temperature. In consequence, the XUV400 will cost should sooner at a DC public quick charger. On the identical 60kW DC quick charger, in related circumstances, the XUV400 took 1hr35min to get from 15%-100% whereas the Nexon took 2hr12min to get from 9%-100%. Price a notice, Tata Motors makes use of newer LFP cell chemistry in its batteries, which is extra thermally safe however much less power dense, whereas Mahindra has used NMC cell chemistry, which packs in additional power, however theoretically has a shorter life span.

In our real-world vary take a look at, each automobiles carried out equally, with a parallel drop in cost throughout over 200km of driving, a mixture of metropolis and freeway. The AC was set at medium, we used every automotive’s Eco mode within the metropolis and Regular on the freeway, and within the Nexon we set the regen to excessive within the metropolis and off on the freeway. Each automobiles additionally went into limp mode at 15 % state of cost (SOC), which restricted the highest velocity. Within the XUV400, the velocity was first capped at 70kph after which obtained progressively decrease, ending at round 30kph because the SOC dropped beneath 10 %. Within the Nexon EV Max, the cap remained fixed at 50kph, however the AC was additionally deactivated in limp mode.

Tata Nexon EV is capped at 30kW on a DC quick charger.

With the Nexon being simply 30kg lighter than the XUV, weight would unlikely issue into the vary distinction. And positive sufficient, in our real-world vary take a look at, the XUV400 carried out barely higher within the essential metropolis run, doing 6.40km/kWh, for a possible 253km on a full cost. The Nexon EV Max did 6.01km/kWh within the metropolis run, for a possible 243km metropolis vary. On the freeway, each automobiles have been fairly related, amounting to round 233km vary.

Mahindra XUV400 vs Tata Nexon EV: trip and dealing with

The dynamics division might be the place the starkest variations between these two e-SUVs present, and every has its execs and cons. The XUV400 has an altogether much less tightly wound set-up, with softer suspension and lighter, slower steering. It uniquely helps you to add steering weight as you go up the drive modes, a characteristic that has been tailored from the XUV300, however is now married to the powertrain settings, and just like the regen, can’t be adjusted independently. Whereas the added weight in Fearless mode is welcome, as is a lighter steering setup general for metropolis driving, it feels unfastened and disconnected, and requires extra turns, lock to lock.

A firmer set-up means the Nexon evokes extra confidence going quick.

The Nexon EV’s steering is noticeably heavier than even the XUV’s heaviest setting, nevertheless it makes up for this by being very responsive. That added weight helps on the freeway the place it feels much less nervous at velocity than the Mahindra, and, in corners, the place mixed with better sharpness and accuracy, it feels much more agile. It additionally has much less physique roll than the XUV400 and the one actual limiting issue in terms of dealing with are the Nexon’s low-rolling-resistance MRF Wanderer Ecotred tyres, whose grip can get overwhelmed for those who push too arduous. Not a difficulty with the Mahindra’s extra typical and grippier Apollo Apterra Cross set. 

XUV400 allows noise at velocity and feels bouncy on enlargement joints if you’re quick.

However then the XUV400 doesn’t lend itself to being pushed arduous within the first place, which is at odds with its explosive efficiency. Other than the aforementioned steering setup, there’s a variety of physique roll from the comfortable suspension, and also you’ll end up backing off somewhat than diving into corners. The setup is significantly better suited to low-speed city driving, which, to be honest, is the place these EVs will see most use. Right here, the suspension rounds off sharp-edged bumps and velocity breakers effectively, whereas the Nexon EV can really feel a bit lumpy. Nonetheless, as you go sooner, the XUV400 begins to really feel bouncy, and likewise lets extra street noise into the cabin than the Tata does. Different excellent news is that, regardless of their ICE origins, each SUVs have managed to bundle their batteries effectively sufficient in order to not hinder floor clearance an excessive amount of, and at no level do you are feeling they’re in peril of scraping their bellies over velocity breakers.

Mahindra XUV400 vs Tata Nexon EV: verdict

Each are spawned off compact SUVs, each have near-identical battery and charging capacities.

The XUV400 is available in with a really apparent benefit – being bigger, it’s extra spacious and has a bigger boot. And when you get behind the wheel, you’ll recognize the stronger efficiency too. The softer trip makes the XUV400 extra city-friendly as effectively, although when you up the tempo it does bounce a good bit on an uneven street. 

Spend a bit extra time, nonetheless, and the slider begins to shift in the direction of the Nexon EV. For a begin, your cash will get you a complete lot extra tools – and these are options that patrons completely love, like ventilated seats and wi-fi charging, that are lacking within the XUV400, as are extra important stuff, like rear AC vents. Additionally lacking within the XUV is impartial regen adjustment, which is a very useful characteristic within the Nexon. However what’s alarming is the shortage of traction management that permits the wheels to spin manner too simply. In reality, the XUV400 seems like a little bit of a rushed job and, due to the CAFE deadline, we suspect it was. 

The long-established Nexon EV is certainly the extra sorted of the 2 and strikes a cheerful steadiness of efficiency, dealing with, consolation and straightforward driveability. Positive, it has its flaws too, just like the low-res touchscreen (which will probably be changed very quickly) and a few ergonomic gaffes. However apart from that, it does the job effectively. Mahindra is probably going to present the XUV400 an replace quickly to iron out its bugs, however for now, it’s Tata that’s the higher selection.