Mahindra XUV500 W3 Vs Tata Harrier XE: Spec Comparo

  • Published May 13, 2019
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Mahindra has launched a new base variant of its popular XUV500 to lower the entry point for the mid-size SUV in India. We pitch it against its closest rival, the Harrier XE
*Images used for representational purposes only.
 

The Mahindra XUV500 is one of the most popular mid-size SUVs in the country. With a price tag of Rs 12.81 lakh (ex-showroom Mumbai) for the W5 variant, the XUV500 is known for offering immense value for money. However, with a new rival in the form of the Tata Harrier, the Mahindra XUV500 has started to show its age a bit. A starting price of Rs 12.70 lakh for the base-spec Tata Harrier XE variant hasn’t helped things either. To counter the Tata offering, Mahindra has now launched a pared down version of the XUV500. Called the XUV500 W3, it is priced at Rs 12.23 lakh (ex-showroom Mumbai), making it around Rs 47,000 more affordable than the Tata. However, is it enough to woo Indian car buyers? Let’s find out.

*Images used for representational purposes only.

Dimensions

Tata Harrier XE

Mahindra XUV500 W3

Length (mm)

4598

4585

Width (mm)

1894

1890

Height (mm)

1706

1785

Wheelbase (mm)

2741

2700

Wheel Size

16-inch

17-inch

Longest : Tata Harrier
Widest : Tata Harrier
Tallest : Mahindra XUV500
Longest Wheelbase : Tata Harrier

It must be mentioned that both SUVs are relatively similar is size. However, despite its shorter length, the Mahindra XUV500 manages to pack an additional row of seats to qualify as a seven-seater. While the Harrier is a five-seater, Tata is working on a seven-seater version which was displayed as the Buzzard at the recently held 2019 Geneva Motor Show. It must be mentioned that Harrier’s base variant comes equipped with 16-inch wheels that look quite small on an SUV of its size.

*Images used for representational purposes only.

Features 

Exterior

Tata Harrier XE

Mahindra XUV500 W3

Projector Headlamps

Yes

Yes

DRLs

Yes (Halogen Bulbs)

No

Body Coloured Door Handle and ORVMs

No

Yes

Roof Rails

No

Yes

Wheel Caps

Yes

No

Interior

    

Remote Central Locking

Central locking Only

Yes

Upholstery

Fabric

Fabric

Air Conditioner with HVAC

Yes

Yes

Rear AC Vents

Yes

Yes

Power Windows

Yes

Yes

Height Adjustable Driver’s Seat

No

Yes

Tilt and Telescopic Steering

Yes

Tilt Only

Rear Defogger

No

Yes

Powered Adjustable Mirrors

No

Yes

Infotainment System

No

No

Both SUVs are offered with dual-barrel projector headlamps. But that’s where the similarities end. As far as features are concerned, it’s either a hit or miss in both SUVs. The Harrier XE gets DRLs, albeit with halogen bulbs, and wheel caps. However, it misses out on body coloured door handles and ORVMs, and lacks roof rails as well. It's vice-versa with the Mahindra.

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*Images used for representational purposes only.

On the inside, common features on both SUVs include central locking, fabric upholstery, air conditioner with HVAC, rear AC vents and power windows at the front and rear. But the Mahindra trumps the Tata by offering features like remote central locking, a height adjustable driver seat, rear defogger and power adjustable mirrors. While the Tata misses out on a height adjustable driver seat which is a crucial feature since it gives you a lot more flexibility, it gets telescopic adjustment for the steering wheel, which is not available in the XUV500. Both SUVs don’t get infotainment system and you need to rely on aftermarket options or the ones offered as official accessories from their respective carmakers.

*Images used for representational purposes only.

Safety

 

Tata Harrier XE

Mahindra XUV500 W3

Airbags

2

2

ABS with EBD

Yes

Yes

Rear Parking Sensors

Yes

No

Rear Disc Brakes

No

Yes

Considering these are the base variants of the respective models, both SUVs come with dual airbags and ABS. While the Harrier gets rear parking sensors, the Mahindra gets disc brakes on all four wheels. Considering the fact that rear parking sensors will become mandatory from October 1, we expect Mahindra to update the XUV500 soon.

*Images used for representational purposes only.

Engines

 

Tata Harrier

Mahindra XUV500

DIsplacement (CC)

1956

2179

Cylinders

4

4

Peak Power

(PS@Max RPM)

140PS@3750RPM

157PS@3750RPM

Peak Torque

(Nm@RPM)

350Nm@1750-2000RPM

360Nm@1750RPM-2800RPM

Transmission

6-speed MT

6-speed MT

Most Powerful : Mahindra XUV500
Torquiest : Mahindra XUV500

The Mahindra’s bigger engine produces 17PS of power and 10Nm of torque more than the Tata. Both SUVs employ a 6-speed manual transmission. But the Mahindra can be had with an automatic gearbox in its higher variants, while the same cannot be said about the Tata. It must be noted that Tata is also working on an automatic variant for the Harrier. This variant will employ a Hyundai sourced 6-speed torque converter for clutchless shifts.

Colour Options

 

Tata Harrier XE

Mahindra XUV500

Colour Options 

Orcus White Only

Crimson Red, Mystic Copper, Moondust Silver, Pearl White, Opulent Purple, Volcano Black

Yes, this is a fun one. Choosing a car is easy, but choosing the colour is tough thanks to the various options available. If you pick the Harrier, your choice is limited to the Orcus White option which looks pretty good in our opinion. As for the Mahindra, it can be had in Pearl White colour as well as five other options. 

*Images used for representational purposes only.

Price

 

Tata Harrier XE

Mahindra XUV500 W3

Price (ex-showroom Mumbai)

Rs 12.70 lakh

Rs 12.23 lakh

While both the XUV500 W3 and the Harrier XE are heavily trimmed down versions of the two popular SUVs, pick these variants if you are limited by a tight budget. The Tata Harrier XE is the newer SUV here. It is underpinned by a new platform and is a spacious and comfortable five-seater that also boasts of great road presence. The XUV500, on the other hand, is an older model, but in true Mahindra fashion, it is more feature loaded than its rival. It even has a more powerful engine and packs seven seats in the same footprint as the Harrier. Also considering the fact that the XUV500 is Rs 47,000 cheaper than the Harrier, the all new W3 variant does make a strong case for itself when it comes to sheer value for money.

*Images used for representational purposes only.

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