The MPV segment has been a bit slow for a while as the body style is not that popular anymore and is mostly used by the fleet market. The only exception to this is of course the Innova which is a juggernaut and stands well above cars priced nearly 7-8 lakhs below it. However, Mahindra has decided to enter this segment of compact multi-seat vehicles with the Mahindra TUV300 Plus. It’s a full length version of the TUV300 compact SUV and now with a bigger engine for better load carrying ability.
Exterior
The Maruti Ertiga gets the traditional MPV design with the forward sloping design, flat roofline and basically function over form. The TUV300 Plus is a similar story but this time around it’s the boxy and traditional SUV design but in a stretched out form for the additional internal space. The Ertiga will undergo a generational change either by the end of this year or early next year. The design change is not too drastic but does give the car a fresh and slightly modern look as compared to the current model.
Interior
Given the prices of these vehicles, their top-spec models both get touchscreen systems, driver’s seat height adjustment, multiple 12V sockets and a plethora of storage spaces all around. The TUV300 is slightly better equipped as its spec variant also gets climate control and in theory seat space for nine persons. The Ertiga only offers space for seven as it has a single rear bench when compared to the TUV300s side facing bench seats. All variants of the Ertiga gets dual front airbags and ABS with EBD whereas for the TUV300 Plus only the P6 and P8 variants get these options. `
Engine
The Ertiga has an upper hand here as it can be had with a 1.4-litre petrol engine as well as a 1.3-litre diesel motor whereas the TUV300 Plus is only being offered with a 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel. The latter’s engine is more powerful as it produces 120bhp/280Nm with a six-speed manual whereas the 1.3-litre unit of the Ertiga only produces 90bhp/190Nm and is offered with a five-speed manual.
Pricing
The petrol Ertiga range is in region of Rs 6.33 lakhs to Rs 9.84 lakhs while the diesel range is in the bracket of Rs 8.78 lakhs to Rs 10.69 lakhs. The TUV300 Plus has three variants and they are priced from Rs 9.5 lakhs to Rs 10.9 lakhs.
