Compact challengers
The sub-four-metre compact SUV segment is one of the hottest in the market today, with over 10 cars fighting for pole position. Among the competitors are two new cars: one that came back in a new avatar and the one that’s the automaker’s smallest car, not just in India, but globally too. How does the new Kylaq compare to the XUV30XO? Let’s find out!
Dimensions
In terms of raw dimensions, the Mahindra XUV3XO measures in at 3.99 meters, with a wheelbase of 2.60 meters, while the Skoda Kylaq is also 3.99 meters, but with a wheelbase of 2.56 meters. Essentially, the Mahindra has a width of 1.82 meters, while the Kylaq stands at 1.78 meters. On paper, the gap may not look significant, but it tends to make a difference in terms of occupant space.
Feature fight
The compact SUV segment has turned the feature fight upside down, as customers have demanded features offered on bigger cars in their compact SUVs. When comparing prices, the top-spec Kylaq Prestige AT is equivalent to the AX7 petrol 1.2 AT. The most expensive version is the AX7L, priced at Rs 15.57 lakh (ex-showroom).
In terms of features, both cars get climate control with rear AC vents, USB-C charging ports, dual-digital screens, connected car technology, a powered driver’s seat, and a full LED light package. The Kylaq’s USP feature is a powered passenger seat and ventilation for both front occupants. The AX7 variant featured in our comparison gets a panoramic sunroof, front parking sensors, LED foglamps, and a cooled glove box.
One of the big USPs of the XUV3XO is level-2 ADAS which is available in the AX7L or AX5L variant. The latter is priced lower than the Kylaq and in addition to the level-2 ADAS, you also get the 360-degree camera, auto-dimming IRVM and electric parking brake. This might seem like an odd strategy, but by splitting the feature list and making the ADAS as well as the 360-camera common for both, Mahindra has upped the safety quotient for the SUV.
Powertrain battle
This is where the odds fall high in favour of the XUV3XO. The Mahindra is available, either with two petrol engine options or a diesel engine while, the Kylaq is offered with one petrol engine, with either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission.
Petrol | Gearbox | Diesel | Gearbox | Turbo petrol | Gearbox | |
XUV 3XO | 1.2-litre | 6 MT | 1.5-litre | 6 MT/6 AMT | 1.2-litre | 6 MT/ 6 AT |
Output | 109bhp/200Nm | 115bhp/300Nm | 128bhp/230Nm | |||
Kylaq | 1.0-litre | 6 MT/ 6 AT | ||||
Output | 114bhp/178Nm |
The Pricing
The Skoda Kylaq range is priced from Rs. 7.89 lakh and tops out at Rs. 14.40 lakh while the XUV3XO range is priced from Rs. 7.99 lakh to Rs. 15.57 lakh and the car featured in our story is Rs. 13.99 lakh.
