The demand for compact SUVs has sky-rocketed in recent times. And to jump into the bandwagon, Mahindra has launched the XUV300 in the country. The vehicle has received over 4000 bookings and more than 60,000 enquiries across the country in just over a month. However, the XUV300 has a strong contender in the form of the Ford EcoSport which has been one of the popular choices in this segment while also being a strong-selling product for the company in India.
Read below to learn more about the key differences between the two cars -
Exterior
The Mahindra XUV300 gets a cheetah-inspired character with single unit headlamps, fog lamps and LED DRLs that give it a sharp and aggressive front end. The compact SUV rides on 17-inch alloy wheels and offers a best-in-segment wheelbase of 2,600mm. Furthermore, the stylish LED taillamps, a well-sculpted tailgate and a roof-mounted spoiler elevate its sporty appeal. The newly launched XUV300 is available in four variants - W4, W6, W8 and W8(O).
The updated Ford EcoSport, on the other hand, was introduced in India in 2017. With the update, the vehicle received a revised front end that featured an entirely redesigned front bumper with squared-off fog lamps and LED DRLs. Additionally, the EcoSport was offered with a fresh set of headlamps. Also, apart from the existing colours, the compact SUV from Ford was introduced with three new colour options – lightning blue, canyon ridge and race red. This updated model is available in five variants – Ambiente, Trend, Titanium, Signature and S.
Interior
The Mahindra XUV300 is offered with a two-tone cabin along with a three-spoke steering wheel. The vehicle also offers enough storage spaces for phones, bottles, wallet and more. It further gets a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system, sunroof, leather seats and push-button start function. Additionally, it comes with a silver finish on the dash and centre console with piano black touches on the door armrest.
As for the Ford EcoSport, the most prominent change on the inside comes in the form of a large floating infotainment screen mounted atop the centre console. There is a choice of either a 6.5-inch or an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system depending on the trim. The infotainment system integrates Ford’s new SYNC3 connectivity system which features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration compatibility with seamless smartphone connectivity. Ford also offers automatic climate control, ISOFIX, automatic headlamps, glove box illumination, cruise control, rain sensing wipers and tyre pressure monitoring system in the top-of-the-line Titanium+ variant.
Engine
The petrol version of the XUV300 is powered by a 1.2-litre engine that produces 110bhp of power at 5000rpm and 200Nm of torque at 2000-3500rpm. The diesel version is powered by a 1.5-litre engine that generates 115bhp of power at 3750rpm and 300Nm of torque at 1500-2500rpm. Both the engines come mated to a six-speed manual transmission.
The EcoSport is available with a 1.5-litre four-cylinder diesel and a new 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine option. The diesel version produces 98bhp of power and 205Nm of torque while the petrol version produces 121bhp of power and 150Nm of torque. It’s a five-speed manual that performs duty in both engine options while the petrol can also be had with a six-speed AT.
![Mahindra XUV300 [2019-2024] Image](https://imgd.aeplcdn.com/272x153/n/cw/ec/26918/xuv300-exterior-right-front-three-quarter-148709.jpeg?isig=0&q=80 "Mahindra XUV300 [2019-2024] Image")
