Joseph Fernandes 
Mahindra will be launching the XUV300 Facelift in the early 2024 with new exterior and interior design as well as some new features. So, we thought of comparing it against one of its rival, Tata Nexon to see how Mahindra plans on competing against one of its rivals.
Mahindra XUV300 Facelift vs Tata Nexon: Design
As seen in the spy shots, the upcoming XUV300 Facelift will undergo big exterior changes over the outgoing version. It’ll feature huge new C-Shape LED DRLs that were seen on the concept BE.05 electric SUV, and the DRLs over on the headlamp as frame, closed front grille, new bumpers, bonnet, and new set of alloy wheels. The side profile will remain the same, and will have non-functional roof rails, and body-coloured door handles. The rear will feature new LED taillamps and a LED light bar for a connected light sequence.
The XUV300 Facelift on the other hand, is going to get a new free-standing 10.25-inch infotainment system above the sleeker AC vents and redesigned dashboard, and below the AC vents is the round dial to control the infotainment system or HVAC. It gets new digital instrument cluster which could be the same as the Scorpio-N, and in front of it is the new 4-spoke steering wheel borrowed from the XUV700. It’ll have a first-in segment panoramic Sunroof, and likely powered driver seat. The centre console will undergo some revisions. Moving to the rears, 60:40 split are the seats, and it’ll continue to get the standard 6 Speaker Sound System.
The facelifted Nexon features a closed grille with a black element at the center to separate the two DRLs. The design is clearly Curvv-inspired. The facelift Nexon gets sleeker and thinner L-shaped LED Daytime Running Lights (DRLs). These lights might be reshaped to have a slimmer and more refined appearance. Below the DRLs, there are vertically positioned split LED headlamps. These headlamp units are positioned vertically, and the bumpers have been redesigned, with small rectangular elements that make the Nexon resemble the Curvv SUV.
The side profile remains largely unchanged, except for sleeker ORVMs (Outside Rear-View Mirrors) inspired by the Harrier and Safari. The wheels have also been slightly redesigned, featuring 16-inch alloy wheels. The rear of the Nexon Facelift features X-factor LED taillamps that are connected by a LED light bar for a distinctive design. It gets sequential indicators, C-shaped protrusions, and the reflectors have been positioned towards the edges for a wider SUV appearance.
The Nexon Facelift features a 10.25-inch infotainment system over the thinner and sharper AC vents, and the dashboard comes with dual-tone theme option. The Facelift features a new two-spoke steering wheel with new digital instrument cluster which is the same as the one in current Harrier and Safari, and a single-pane sunroof on top. The two-spoke steering wheel has a rectangular display which illuminates the Tata logo, which is the same as the Curvv SUV. Below the AC vents, there are no physical buttons to control the HVAC, but rather a new touch-sensitive control system for a clean design. There is a huge center console with steptronic gear lever, wireless charging pad behind the rotary dial drive modes, cup holders, and armrest. Moving to the rear, the seats are split in 60:40 ratio, and this SUV comes equipped with 9-speaker JBL Premium Sound System.
Mahindra XUV300 Facelift vs Tata Nexon: Dimensions
| Dimensions | Mahindra XUV300 Facelift | Tata Nexon |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 3995 MM | 3995 MM |
| Width | 1821 MM | 1804 MM |
| Height | 1627 MM | 1620 MM |
| Wheelbase | 2600 MM | 2498 MM |
| Ground Clearance | 180 MM | 208 MM |
| Boot Space | 257 L | 382 L |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 42 L | 44 L |
In Dimensions, the Mahindra XUV300 Facelift measures 3995 MM in length which is the same as the Nexon. The XUV300 Facelift has a width of 1821 MM, height of 1627 MM, and wheelbase of 2600 MM where as the Nexon on the other hand has a width of 1804 MM which is narrower by 17 MM, height is shorter by 7 MM, and wheelbase of 2498 MM which is shorter by just 102 MM. The XUV300 features ground clearance of 180 MM, boot space of 257 L, and fuel tank capacity of 42 L where as the Nexon features 208 MM ground clearance which is higher by 28 MM, boot space of 382 L which is bigger by 125 L, and fuel tank is 44 L that is bigger by just 2 L.
Mahindra XUV300 Facelift vs Tata Nexon: Engine Options
| Turbo Petrol | Mahindra XUV300 Facelift | Tata Nexon |
|---|---|---|
| Engines | 1.2 L 3 Cylinder | 1.2 L 3 Cylinder |
| Displacement | 1197cc | 1199cc |
| Power | 108.62 BHP / 128.73 BHP | 118.27 BHP |
| Torque | 200 NM / 230 NM | 170 NM |
| Transmission Type | 6 Speed MT & AMT | 5 Speed MT, 6 Speed MT / AMT, 7 Speed DCT |
Both the SUVs comes with a turbo petrol powertrain. The Mahindra XUV300 Facelift gets an 1.2 L 3 Cylinder Turbo Petrol producing 108.62 BHP and 200 NM of torque for non-turbo trims, and 128.73 BHP and 230 NM of torque for turbo trims mated to 6 Speed Manual and Automatic Gearbox. The Tata Nexon comes with 1.2 L 3 Cylinder Turbo Petrol engine that generates 118.27 BHP and 170 NM of torque paired to 4 gearboxes – 5 Speed Manual, 6 Speed Manual and Automatic, and 7 Speed DCT Gearbox.
| Diesel | Mahindra XUV300 Facelift | Tata Nexon |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1.5 L 4 Cylinder | 1.5 L 4 Cylinder |
| Displacement | 1497cc | 1497cc |
| Power | 115.05 BHP | 113.42 BHP |
| Torque | 300 NM | 260 NM |
| Transmission Type | 6 Speed MT / AMT | 6 Speed MT / AMT |
Other than Turbo Petrol, both the gets a Diesel Powertrain as well. The Mahindra XUV300 Facelift gets the 1.5 L 4 Cylinder diesel engine puts out 115.05 BHP and 300 NM of torque mated to a 6-speed Manual and Automatic Gearbox. The Tata Nexon on the other hand is powered by the 1.5 L 4 Cylinder Diesel generating 113.42 BHP and 260 NM of torque paired to 6 Speed Manual and Automatic Gearbox.
Mahindra XUV300 Facelift vs Tata Nexon: Features
| Features | Mahindra XUV300 Facelift | Tata Nexon |
|---|---|---|
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED |
| Taillamps | LED | LED |
| Wheel Size & Type | 16-inch alloy wheels | 16-inch alloy wheels |
| Sunroof | Panoramic | Single-Pane |
| Auto Power Window | Yes | Yes |
| Seat upholstery | Leather | Leather |
| Leather-wrapped steering wheel | Yes | Yes |
| Ambient Light | – | Yes |
| AC | 2-zone | Auto |
| Air Purifier | – | Yes |
| Rear AC vents | Yes | Yes |
| Ventilated Seats | Yes | Yes |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital Cockpit | Digital Cockpit |
| Infotainment System | 10.25-inch | 10.25-inch |
| Android Auto, Apple CarPlay | Wireless | Wireless |
| Voice Control | Yes | Yes |
| Sound System | 6-speaker standard sound system | 9 Speaker JBL Sound System |
| Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes |
| Auto-dimming IRVM | Yes | Yes |
| Paddle Shifters | Yes | Yes |
| Drive Modes | – | Yes |
The XUV300 misses out on Drive Modes, Air Purifier, 9 Speaker Sound System, and Ambient Lights while the Nexon misses out on panoramic sunroof, and dual-zone climate control.
| Safety Features | Mahindra XUV300 Facelift | Tata Nexon |
|---|---|---|
| Airbags | Six airbags | Six airbags |
| ABS with EBD | Yes | Yes |
| Camera | 360 Surround View Camera | 360 Surround View Camera |
| Parking Sensors | Front and Rear | Front and Rear |
| TPMS | Yes | Yes |
| Auto Headlamps | Yes | Yes |
| ESP | Yes | Yes |
| Cruise Control | Yes | Yes |
| Traction Control | Yes | Yes |
| ADAS | Level 1 | – |
| Hill Assist | Yes | Yes |
| Hill Descent Control | Yes | – |
| All 4 Disc Brakes | Yes | Front Disc |
| ISOFIX anchorages | Yes | Yes |
The Nexon misses out on Rear Disc Brakes and ADAS.
Mahindra XUV300 Facelift vs Tata Nexon: Price and Warranty
| Model | Price (ex-showroom) |
|---|---|
| Mahindra XUV300 Facelift | Expected Rs. 8.50 L |
| Tata Nexon | Rs. 8.10 – Rs. 15.50 L |
The Tata Nexon is priced from Rs. 8.10 L for the entry-level variant ‘Smart’ and Rs. 15.50 L for the top variant ‘FearlessPR+ S’ where as the upcoming Mahindra XUV300 Facelift on the other hand is expected to start from Rs. 8.50 Lakh.
As for the warranty, the XUV300 warranty period is 3 years/1,00,000 KM and can be extended up to 5 years/1,50,000 KM, and the Tata Motors on the other hand offers 3 years/1,00,000 KM warranty period for Nexon and can be extended for additional 3 year/1,25,000 KM.
Mahindra XUV300 Facelift vs Tata Nexon – Verdict
In the end, the decision to buy which SUV depends totally on you, however, if you’re looking for an SUV that has tons of features, affordable, great performance and fuel efficiency, then the recently launched Tata Nexon is the right choice for you as it has some features better than the XUV300. Although, the upcoming Mahindra XUV300 facelift has features offered with other compact SUVs like Mahindra XUV700, but moreover, the XUV300 will be getting Level 1 ADAS joining its rivals when it comes to safety. So, which SUV are you going to buy?
Mahindra-XUV300-Facelift-vs-Tata-Nexon-XUV300-Worth-Buying-Over-the-Nexon
Mahindra XUV300 Facelift vs Tata Nexon: XUV300 Worth Buying Over the Nexon?