Q.Compact SUV Showdown: Ford Ecosport vs Mahindra TUV 300

Ford has launched the updated version of Ecosport with a Diesel motor tuned to deliver 100 PS of power & 205 Nm of torque. Cosmetic updates include DRLs & a new Golden Bronze shade . All models except the base Ambiente variant gets ABS and EBD as standard now. Fuel efficiency figures now stand at 22.27 km/l, courtesy the updated diesel motor. The prices start from Rs 6.79 lakhs. [CENTER] [ATTACH=CONFIG]n1943[/ATTACH] [/CENTER] Check out this review on Cardekho for more details. [video=youtube;fJH4NostMdo]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJH4NostMdo[/video]

[FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=14px]Everybody in India seems to be jumping on to the SUV bandwagon, be it full-sized one's like the Fortuner or the compact SUV segment that is luring potential small car buyers to up-size.[/SIZE][/FONT] [CENTER] [FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=14px][ATTACH=CONFIG]n1272[/ATTACH][/SIZE][/FONT] [/CENTER] [FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=14px]Mahindra launched its first compact SUV in India with its chopped-off version of the Xylo called the Quanto, which din't click. Then Ford launched the Ecosport and literally killed the market for Quanto. Under four meters in length is what classifies as a compact car in India. The Ecosport had perfect dimension for our roads, with a aground clearance of 200 mm becoming an instant hit.[/SIZE][/FONT] [CENTER] [FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=14px][ATTACH=CONFIG]n1273[/ATTACH][/SIZE][/FONT] [LEFT][FONT=arial][SIZE=14px]Advantages of Ford Ecosport over TUV 300[/SIZE][/FONT][/LEFT] [/CENTER] [LIST] [*][FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=14px]Stylish and compact dimensions.[/SIZE][/FONT] [*][FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=14px]Powerful diesel unit. [/SIZE][/FONT] [*][FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=14px]Interior ergonomics and build quality.[/SIZE][/FONT] [*][FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=14px]Dynamics and fuel efficiency.[/SIZE][/FONT] [*][FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=14px]Ford brand reliability and after-sales service.[/SIZE][/FONT] [/LIST] [FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=14px]Advantages of TUV 300 over Ford Ecosport[/SIZE][/FONT] [LIST] [*][FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=14px]Proper SUV traits in compact dimensions.[/SIZE][/FONT] [*][FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=14px]Excellent low-end torque making it an excellent city-commuter.[/SIZE][/FONT] [*][FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=14px]Good cabin space and seven seats.[/SIZE][/FONT] [*][FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=14px]Diesel Auto-Manual-Transmission(AMT) option.[/SIZE][/FONT] [*][FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=14px]Price. [/SIZE][/FONT] [/LIST] [FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=14px]Now Mahindra is out to take revenge with the new TUV 300, strange nomenclature if you ask me. It should have been called the new Bolero. The battle-tank inspired boxy styling won't go down well with everyone.[/SIZE][/FONT] [CENTER] [FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=14px][ATTACH=CONFIG]n1286[/ATTACH][/SIZE][/FONT] [/CENTER] [FONT=arial][SIZE=14px]Jeep inspired grill that includes five vertical chrome slates take centre stage followed by large headlamps on both sides. But get past that it is actually a honest attempt from Mahindra. The Tuv's design grows on you and it looks much better in real than in photos. As styling is subjective, i am not going to comment on it today.[/SIZE][/FONT] [CENTER] [FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=14px][ATTACH=CONFIG]n1274[/ATTACH][/SIZE][/FONT] [/CENTER] [CENTER] [ATTACH=CONFIG]n1275[/ATTACH] [/CENTER] [FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=14px]Ecosport is a well rounded package, 200 mm of ground clearance coupled with compact dimensions, bold typical ford grill and sleek headlamps,rising shoulder and flared arches give it a SUVish look and still manages to catch few eyes even after all these years. That said the Ecosport cannot match up to TUV on road presence as the Ecoport is 70 mm less wider and 131 mm less taller than the TUV 300.[/SIZE][/FONT] [CENTER] [FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=14px][ATTACH=CONFIG]n1276[/ATTACH][/SIZE][/FONT] [/CENTER] [FONT=arial][SIZE=14px]Insides is where you are going to be most of the time, Mahindra impresses with the Tuv's interiors with a pleasing dual-tone theme with nice design cues. The fit and finish and quality of the materials used is the best that we have seen from the Indian carmaker. The twin pod instrument cluster looks good the piano finished central console that houses the non-touch media system looks stylish. There is decent amounts of storage spaces inside the cabin, something that was given a miss on the new Scorpio.[/SIZE][/FONT] [CENTER] [FONT=arial][SIZE=14px][ATTACH=CONFIG]n1277[/ATTACH][/SIZE][/FONT] [/CENTER] [FONT=arial][SIZE=14px]Space is TUV's trump card, generous legroom, shoulder room and headroom in both the rows and large windows help give it a airy feel, that is something the Ecosport lacks. You sit upright in the second row and Tuv misses out on a rear seat arm-rest and a 60:40 split option. TUV gets a additional third row of jump seats which is better left for kids or decently sized adults for short trips. The boot space in TUV stands at 384 litres with seats down and a massive 720 litres with second row folded.[/SIZE][/FONT] [CENTER] [FONT=arial][SIZE=14px][ATTACH=CONFIG]n1278[/ATTACH][/SIZE][/FONT] [/CENTER] [FONT=arial][SIZE=14px]The Tuv gets a manual aircon unit only with no rear vents, but the the unit cools the cabin impressively. Airbag and ABS is offered as an option in every variant, which is a welcome move.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=arial][SIZE=14px]Ecosport on the other hand sticks to all-black interiors which gives it a sporty and feels car like in this seating position. The cabin has a built to last feel but looks dated now with all the ford models getting the same interior styling. But that said, brilliant ergonomics with everything falling into hands perfectly. But Ecopsort looses out to TUV on cabin space as it feels like a compact hatch inside except the generous boot space it offers.[/SIZE][/FONT] [CENTER] [FONT=arial][SIZE=14px][ATTACH=CONFIG]n1279[/ATTACH][/SIZE][/FONT] [/CENTER] [FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=14px]TUV 300 comes only with one engine option, that is a 1.5-litre 3 cylinder diesel motor producing a maximum of 84 PS of power and 231 NM of torque. The low end touque delivery makes it absolute delight to drive around in the city. But the engine flattens out very fast once you cross the 3000rpm mark. The NVH levels are reduced significantly due the refinement of the new unit. [/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=14px]Even though the TUV is little under-powered compared to the Ecosport, it manages to produce 26 NM of extra torque which gives it that extra punch. But the Tuv weighs a full 300 kgs more than the ecosport, thanks to the ladder-on-frame construction giving way to significant body-roll and bulk while cornering or changing directions. But TUV is very stable during straight line commutes and highway cruises will inspires confidence but the engine soon runs out of breath once you cross triple digits speeds.[/SIZE][/FONT] [CENTER] [FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=14px][ATTACH=CONFIG]n1280[/ATTACH][/SIZE][/FONT] [/CENTER] [FONT=arial][SIZE=14px]The Ecoport comes with two petrol and one diesel engine options. The Ecosport in this deisel avatar is powered by a 1.5 litre unit that produces 91 PS of power and 205 NM of torque mated to a five-speed manual transmission. The extra power available makes it a excellent long-distance companion the car hitting triple digit speed with ease. The lower kerb weight also make it more efficient at a claimed ARAI rating of 22.27 km/l, while the TUV 300 stands at 18.49 km/l.[/SIZE][/FONT] [CENTER] [ATTACH=CONFIG]n1282[/ATTACH] [/CENTER] [FONT=arial][SIZE=14px]Ecopsort trumps the TUV 300 in ride and handling, with car-like dynamics. The light steering makes it easy in the city and weighs-up effectively on the highways[/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=arial][SIZE=14px]. Ecopsort inspires confidence while cornering and when you change directions.[/SIZE][/FONT] [CENTER] [FONT=arial][SIZE=14px][ATTACH=CONFIG]n1283[/ATTACH][/SIZE][/FONT] [/CENTER] [FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=14px]The TUV 300 comes with AMT option which coupled with a diesel motor, which is a definite advantage compared to the Ecosport which only gets an auto-box in this petrol variant. And with price Tag of nearly one lakh cheaper than the Ecosport, the TUV is good-value for money. Add to that the decent off-road usability and the ability to tackle bad roads being a ladder-frame chassis will be a USP for Tier-2 and Tier-3 city users. And don't forget it got two extra seats just in case.[/SIZE][/FONT] [CENTER] [FONT=arial][SIZE=14px][ATTACH=CONFIG]n1284[/ATTACH][/SIZE][/FONT] [/CENTER] [FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=14px]But the Ecosport will appeal to a more urban buyer with its evergreen design, good fuel efficiency and great dynamics. The ecosport will not break a sweat in that occasional off-road adventure to the hills. That said, Ecosport stands out as a better overall package according to me, but all depends on the priorities of each individual buyer[/SIZE][/FONT] [CENTER] [FONT=arial][SIZE=14px][ATTACH=CONFIG]n1285[/ATTACH][/SIZE][/FONT] [/CENTER] (Courtesy, images: Gaadi.com) [FONT=arial][SIZE=14px]The Prices of the Ecosport Diesel ranges from 7.2-11.1 lakhs, while the TUV 300 is priced at 6.9-9.1 lakhs (ex-showroom).[/SIZE][/FONT]