Mahindra XUV 3XO vs Maruti Fronx: Which Turbo-petrol SUV Is Quicker?

The Mahindra XUV 3XO is the latest sub-4m SUV on the block, trying to find a spot in the rather crowded sub-4m SUV segment. While you can find out our first impressions and how it fares with its rivals in our first drive review, this article is all about its real-world performance.

In our previous sub-4m SUV real-world performance comparison, it was the Maruti Fronx that found a pedestal right at the front of the line. So it is only fair to compare the newest turbo-petrol sub-4m SUV with the real-world performance benchmark of the segment: the Maruti Fronx. But before we start, a quick spec check:

Spec Check

The Mahindra XUV 3XO clearly has the upper hand in terms of specs. Both the power and torque figures are greater in the Mahindra, and even the manual transmission gets an extra gear. 

Note that the XUV 3XO also gets a 110 PS/200 Nm 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine. But this comparison has been done with the more powerful 130PS engine. 

Performance test

Surprise, surprise! You had your bets placed on the XUV 3XO, didn’t you? But to everyone’s surprise, it is the Maruti’s 1-litre turbo-petrol engine which is quicker than the XUV 3XO’s more powerful turbo-petrol powertrain.

Also Read: Mahindra XUV 3XO vs Tata Nexon: Which Made-In-India Sub-4 Metre SUV Is Quicker?

Again, note that the Fronx had the manual transmission, while the XUV 3XO was tested with an automatic, which could be the reason for the 0.83-second difference between the two. This is because you can hard-launch a manual, but the automatic transmission of the XUV 3XO is tuned for refinement and not performance. As a result, you don’t get the same intensity from that initial launch as you can in a manual vehicle. We reckon the XUV 3XO’s 0-100kmph time will be slightly, if not significantly, quicker with the manual transmission.

Despite losing the 0-100 kmph sprint, the XUV 3XO ropes the Fronx back in the quarter mile test, as the difference comes down to just 0.41 seconds. This is where the Mahindra’s additional power comes into play. 

It is pretty close in the braking department, but the XUV 3XO stops 0.27 metres shorter  than the Fronx. However, it takes the Mahindra slightly longer (0.17 metres) to come to a complete halt from 80kmph. So they are almost indistinguishable in terms of real-world braking performance.

Price and verdict

Keeping in mind that the parameters for this comparison were rather limited, it is the Fronx that triumphs over the Mahindra XUV 3XO. That is to say, the manual turbo-petrol Fronx is quicker than the automatic turbo-petrol XUV 3XO in terms of real-world performance. Fret not, though we shall soon level the playing field, and bring you a comparison with either the automatic Fronx or the manual XUV 3XO.