Comparison: Mahindra XUV 3XO vs Hyundai Venue

Whether it is the automobile industry or any other business field, competition is something which is always increasing. While most carmakers do their best to keep up with the ever-increasing competition, some of them push the envelope. By the same token, Mahindra has taken giant strides and raised the segment’s standards with the recently launched Mahindra XUV 3XO which is essentially the Mahindra XUV300’s facelift. While the new name is an interesting update, the most sensational highlight of the Indian compact SUV is the addition of segment-first features. Both these features are extremely desirable and have taken the masses by surprise as they had been limited to mid-size SUVs for the longest time.

All the same, when it comes to competing in terms of features, Korean cars usually come to the fore. For the longest time, Hyundai Venue has been one of the most feature-rich compact SUVs and despite being refreshed a couple of years ago, it packs enough to challenge XUV 3XO. With that being said, features only constitute one department and a car needs to be good in most departments to meet most requirements. Therefore, this comparison of Mahindra XUV 3XO vs Hyundai Venue pits them against each other in key departments so that you can decide which one you should put your money on.

Mahindra XUV 3XO vs Hyundai Venue: Dimensions

A car can have all the perks such as cutting-edge features and the most refined, powerful, or fuel-efficient engines. But the value added by these perks is nullified if sitting in its cabin is a tight fit for passengers, especially in India where cars are often bought for families.

The biggest draw for the Mahindra XUV 3XO has always been its spaciousness and it still is the most spacious car in the segment. As compared to Hyundai Venue, the XUV 3XO is 51 mm wider, 30 mm taller, and has a 100 mm longer wheelbase. This translates into more shoulder room, headroom, and legroom for rear-seat passengers. With such differences, XUV 3XO can easily accommodate five adults, while three adults sit snugly in the rear seat of Venue.

As far as boot space is concerned, the XUV 3XO is a tad ahead of Venue, however, it is important to remember that XUV 3XO does not get a parcel tray. Moreover, with a higher ground clearance of 201 mm, XUV 3XO rides higher and is more capable of driving through uneven surfaces.

Meanwhile, the overall visual appeals of both cars are poles apart from each other. XUV 3XO is designed with a sharp silhouette with cuts and creases all around. It looks butch and has a more eye-catching road presence. On the other hand, the Venue looks like a miniaturised Creta and other than a relatively aggressive face, it is curvier and calmer than the XUV 3XO.

Mahindra XUV 3XO is considerably larger than Hyundai Venue and is the best five-seater car in its segment. Moreover, it looks more eye-catching due to its sharper design, however, preference in terms of looks is totally subjective.

Mahindra XUV 3XO vs Hyundai Venue: Engine & Transmission

As can be seen, XUV 3XO offers two turbo petrol engines and a diesel engine, while Venue offers one naturally aspirated petrol engine, one turbo petrol engine, and one diesel engine.

Comparing the entry-level offerings, the 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine of the XUV 3XO is comprehensively more powerful than the 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine of the Venue. The story remains the same while comparing the others of their engines as well.

Of the sporty engines, the 1.2-litre TGDi engine of the XUV 3XO is considerably more powerful and generates far more torque. This does make an impact on the excitement both engines have to offer to driving enthusiasts. However, it is important to note that XUV 3XO is not equipped with paddle shifters while they are available in Venue, offering more engagement to drivers. Moreover, Venue gets a sportier 7-speed DCT automatic for its turbo petrol engine, while XUV 3XO gets a 6-speed torque converter automatic which is configured for more comfort rather than performance.

The diesel engine of Venue is the same as that of the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos. In comparison to this engine, the diesel engine of XUV 3XO is slightly more powerful. With that being said, the 300 Nm of torque that it generates is not only higher than that of all its rivals including the Venue, but also all cars from the segment above, for example, the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos. This is one of the reasons why the diesel-powered Mahindra XUV 3XO has always been popular and among its best-selling variants.

In terms of ride comfort, both these cars do well at higher speeds. However, at lower speeds, it is the XUV 3XO which shines brighter as it competently absorbs bumps and jerks, delivering a pleasant ride comfort.

All engines of the Mahindra XUV 3XO are more powerful than rival engines of the Hyundai Venue. Meanwhile, equipped with 7-speed DCT automatic and paddle shifters, Hyundai Venue facilitates sportier gear shifts and more driver engagement. However, this equipment is out of the question, if you go for a manual variant. Furthermore, due to better ride comfort, the Mahindra XUV 3XO is a better choice for urban driving.

Mahindra XUV 3XO vs Hyundai Venue: Features & Comfort

On the inside, neither of the two feels dated. At the same time, the XUV 3XO feels slightly more premium which is understandable as it is the freshest and Venue was updated two years ago. Also helping the XUV 3XO is the simplicity of the theme. While it has a dual-tone black and ivory theme, it is limited to the dashboard and doors. The seats are completely ivory which makes the cabin feel premium and airy. Moreover, Mahindra has used a good dose of soft-touch materials on the dashboard and leatherette finishing on door pads, adding to the premium quotient. What uplifts the ambience and accentuates the sense of airiness is the panoramic sunroof which is one of its chief draws. Venue, on the other hand, features a dual-tone black and beige theme across the cabin. As opposed to the XUV 3XO, which has three headrests in the rear seat, Venue gets only two. At the front, it features a flat-bottom steering, unlike the round steering in XUV 3XO. Moreover, the overall quality of the material used on the dashboard is nice and aptly matches the segment’s standards.

One of the key parameters in this comparison is feature wealth. While both cars are equipped with many modern-day tech perks, the XUV 3XO has a clear advantage, especially due to the segment-first panoramic sunroof. As mentioned, it does a great job of uplifting the atmosphere of the cabin. Meanwhile, XUV 3XO also offers a single-pane sunroof in some lower variants, while Venue offers it in the top variant. Next, along with larger 10.25-inch displays, the XUV 3XO features dual-zone climate control which the Venue misses. Moreover, the 7-speaker Harman Kardon sound system of XUV 3XO serves a better sound quality as compared to the 6-speaker Arkamys sound system of Venue. With that being said, the Venue has some advantages in the form of a 4-way powered driver seat and an air purifier. In the Knight edition,the Venue also offers a dual-camera dashcam.

Mahindra XUV 3XO feels more premium on the inside and packs more features, enabling itself to deliver a more upscale experience. At the same time, Venue is not too short on features and like most Hyundai cars, it is equipped enough to deliver the required convenience and entertainment.

Mahindra XUV 3XO vs Hyundai Venue: Safety Features

When it comes to safety, Mahindra cars are usually among the leaders. Even if the safety features are kept out of the equation, Mahindra cars are robustly built and therefore are safer on a fundamental level. Mahindra XUV 3XO is no exception and the pre-facelift model, XUV300 scored full 5 stars in the Global NCAP safety test, exhibiting its structural strength. While the new XUV 3XO is yet to be tested by Global NCAP or Bharat NCAP, it is almost certain to bag the same score as before, given it is structurally the same as the XUV300. Now, the XUV 3XO has added a solid layer of safety, adding the segment-first Level-2 ADAS safety suite to the package. This camera & radar-based ADAS suite consists of forward collision warning, lane departure warning, auto emergency braking, traffic sign recognition, high-beam assist, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and smart pilot assist. Along with this huge edge over the Venue, the XUV 3XO gets some other advantages such as a 360-degree camera and electronic parking brake with auto-hold.

On the other hand, Venue features a slew of standard safety features such as six airbags, ESC, and TPMS. Moreover, it gets a camera-based Level-1 ADAS feature that includes forward collision warning, lane keep assist and departure warning, driver attention warning, high-beam assist, and leading vehicle lane departure alert.

Due to a stronger body and Level-2 ADAS safety suite, the Mahindra XUV 3XO is a safer car than the Hyundai Venue.

Mahindra XUV 3XO vs Hyundai Venue: Price comparison

The comparison so far favours XUV 3XO and the price comparison follows the same story. The top variants of XUV 3XO are more expensive than those of the Venue. However, even if the larger panoramic sunroof and a stronger Level-2 ADAS safety suite are not enough to justify the higher price, it can not be overlooked that the XUV 3XO is far more spacious and safer. All this makes XUV 3XO a more value-for-money offering.

At the same time, Venue is amply loaded with features. Moreover, it features a sportier automatic transmission and a couple of tricks up its sleeve such as a powered driver seat and dual-camera dashcam to justify its price.

Mahindra XUV 3XO vs Hyundai Venue: Summary

Now, the question is which one you should put your money on?

Hyundai Venue has been in the game for a long time and has fared well. It packs a host of features and refined and reliable engines. While its ride is not as comfortable as that of the Mahindra XUV 3XO, it does a fine job as far as urban commutes are concerned. Moreover, it comes with time-tested reliability and Hyundai’s fuss-free after-sales services. Overall, it is a nifty Korean compact SUV and a sensible choice if your use case requires it to be mostly driven on urban landscapes and for occasional outings of five passengers. Meanwhile, if you want a spacious five-seater compact SUV which is tough as nails and delivers the best value for your money, it is the Mahindra XUV 3XO that you should go for. It offers a premium ride comfort, better music system, and more potent safety features. Overall, it is one of the most valuable cars and this is the reason why it has become one of the talks of the town right after its launch.

Mahindra XUV 3XO vs Hyundai Venue: FAQs