Comparison: Mahindra XUV 3XO vs Nissan Magnite

Compact SUVs have been some of the most popular cars in India these last few years. These smaller SUVs offer a balanced mix of the practicality of an SUV and the affordability of a Hatchback.

Compact SUVs available in the market generally tend to swing between either luxury or accessibility, and these two polarising choices often confuse people looking to make a compact SUV as their new car. The new XUV 3XO is Mahindra’s answer to an SUV that offers top-of-the-line features and a ride experience like no other. On the flip side, the Nissan Magnite is an excellent example of an SUV that can very well suit the budget of a hatchback buyer. But just how different they can be, and how they compare to each other? Let’s find out.

Mahindra XUV 3XO vs Nissan Magnite: Dimensions

One of the most significant features of an SUV is its sheer size compared to a hatchback. So when it comes to dimensions, every millimetre counts, and here’s what we’ve learned.

The Mahindra XUV 3XO is wider and higher than the Nissan Magnite. Meaning, the XUV 3XO will fit three people in the back seat, or taller people more comfortably than the Magnite. The Mahindra also has a longer wheelbase and more boot space. The longer wheelbase adds stability at higher speeds, and the boot space, of course, holds more luggage.

The Magnite does not go down without a fight, though. The Nissan has a slightly larger length, which is crucial in giving ample legroom to people in both front and rear seats. The Magnite also has a higher ground clearance. It may not be much on paper, but it can be a deciding factor on whether the car can go ahead on uneven roads without major problems or not, and since we’re in India, there may be a lot of such instances.

Both SUVs are adequately sized on their own, but if we have to choose a winner, it would be the Mahindra XUV 3XO. The extra width and height you get is too much to overlook. However, the Magnite is not a tiny SUV either, and the added ground clearance can be a lifesaver in some areas.

Mahindra XUV 3XO vs Nissan Magnite: Engine & Transmission

An engine is the heart of a car, and these two SUVs have very different hearts. The Mahindra XUV 3XO offers three engines to choose from, two of which are petrol and one diesel. The Nissan Magnite only offers two engine options, and both are petrol.

The Mahindra XUV 3XO retains the same engines as the XUV 300, so if you know about the outgoing XUV 300’s engines already, you can skip this paragraph completely. The two petrol engines are 1.2-litre turbocharged motors with the main difference being fuel injection. One uses MPFi while the other uses GDi. The power difference is significant with the MPFi managing 110 PS and the GDi producing 130 PS. But the torque figures are quite similar with the GDi making only about 30 Nm more. The diesel motor is a turbocharged 1.5-litre that makes about 116 PS and 300 Nm of torque.

The Nissan Magnite only comes with a 1.0-litre petrol engine, one option offering it in its naturally aspirated form, while the other option adding a turbo to it. The naturally aspirated engine comes with the lower and mid variants and produces 72 PS and 96 Nm of torque, which is good enough for the city but might leave some wanting for more on highways. The other engine option solves that by adding a big old turbocharger to it that results in 100 PS and 160 Nm power figures. Both engines offer a 5-speed manual, the naturally aspirated engine adds a 5-speed AT to the mix, and the turbocharged one comes with a CVT option instead.

Mileage is one of the most essential things to consider when you are an Indian car buyer, but there is no need to worry here. The Nissan Magnite offering the only naturally aspirated engine in this comparison gets the highest figures for the petrol engine options while the Mahindra XUV 3XO’s powerful petrol engines loses some points.

If you want power, the Mahindra XUV 3XO is your best bet between the two. The Magnite’s turbo engine may have all the power you will probably ever need, but the XUV 3XO is more powerful. Mileage-wise, the Magnite’s naturally aspirated petrol engine takes the cake, but again, the XUV 3XO’s diesel engine evens it out.

Mahindra XUV 3XO vs Nissan Magnite: Features and Comfort

The new Mahindra XUIV 3XO packs a lot of features to satisfy both tech lovers and comfort seekers at the same time. One of the major complaints (if any) regarding the previous XUV 300 was how dated the interior cabin looked and felt. Mahindra completely resolved the issue by giving the new XUV 3XO a fully modern cabin with digital screens and lighting just about everywhere it could. The 10.25-inch infotainment system was an upgrade over that of the XUV 300, and now there’s even a digital cluster of the same size for the company. The XUV 3XO comes with everything from climate control and cruise control to multiple driving modes, rear AC vents and the largest sunroof in the compact SUV segment.

The Nissan Magnite, not one to go down without a fight, also has its fair share of comfort and convenience features. Part of the Nissan Magnite’s appeal comes from the fact that it offers so many features at such a low price, but more on that later. The Magnite also comes with a digital infotainment system, a digital instrument cluster, cruise control, driving modes, and a 60:40 rear seat split. However, the Magnite has got fewer speakers, fewer driving modes, a smaller infotainment screen, and does not come with a sunroof.

The Nissan Magnite may be a tempting choice with a generous amount of features and tech, but it cannot match the Mahindra XUV 3XO’s long list of stuff it comes with. The XUV 3XO takes the win here as long as we are solely looking at the features the compact SUVs come equipped with.

Mahindra XUV 3XO vs Nissan Magnite: Safety Features

Safety is one of the most important parameters of a new car. Thankfully, the Nissan Magnite and all Mahindra cars have made a name for being some of the safest cars in India.

The Nissan Magnite starts things off with an impressive list of features such as Anti Lock Braking System, Stability Control, Traction Control, Hill Hold Assist, and 360° Camera. Speaking of the outer body, the Nissan Magnite gets a respectable 4-star rating in Global NCAP. Having a strong chassis instils a sense of relief and confidence, especially on highways where everyone is at high speed.

The Mahindra XUV 3XO ups the ante by adding more airbags, automatic headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, and ADAS. The new XUV 3XO hasn’t gone through any NCAP test yet, but the XUV 300 had a 5-star rating in the Global NCAP, so it would make sense to assume the new XUV 3XO will also get the same, especially since they are on the same platform. 

Both cars here have plenty of safety tech to nullify any worry. However, suppose you want no compromises and optimal safety in your new car. In that case, the XUV 3XO is the one to pick, the extra security it provides is a blessing, and ADAS is a significant upgrade in a new car.

Mahindra XUV 3XO vs Nissan Magnite: Prices & Variants

Till now, you must have noticed that the Mahindra XUV 3XO has offered more or better features than the Nissan Magnite in most categories. So what is the point of comparing the two? This is where it all makes sense because the price difference between the two cars is also significant.

The Mahindra XUV 3XO’s base model MX1 kicks things off with several features such as power windows, rear AC vents, electrically adjustable ORVMs, and a majority of the safety features as standard. The mid-level MX2 adds an infotainment system, steering controls, keyless entry, and a single-pane sunroof, but for about Rs. 1.50 to Rs. 4.5 lakh more than the base model. The upper-mid MX3 gets wireless charging, wireless Android Auto & Apple CarPlay, cruise control, and LED headlights. Mahindra calls the top variant Adrenox, and it consists of two subvariants. The AX5 comes with a digital instrument cluster, connected car features, push-button start, and level 2 ADAS among other things. The AX5 offers a significant upgrade over the AX3 and could be considered the top value-for-money variant. The top subvariant AX7 offers some nice-to-have stuff like a panoramic sunroof, cooled glovebox, diamond-cut alloy wheels, and leather upholstery. 

The Nissan Magnite, compared to the XUV 3XO, may offer fewer things by a small margin, but it’s also significantly more affordable, especially for the upper variants. The base-variant Magnite XE is somewhat barebones, but it gets some essential stuff such as all four power windows, manual AC, and a decent amount of safety tech. With a starting price of only Rs. 6.00 lakh, the XE is the perfect variant for someone looking to buy an SUV for the price of a hatchback, and we’re not talking about premium hatchbacks either. The XL adds an infotainment system, steering-mounted controls, Hill Start Assist, push-button start, and some other safety and tech features. Once again, the most value-for-money variant is the upper-mid XV, especially the XV Turbo CVT. The XV includes an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a digital instrument cluster, diamond-cut alloy wheels, a rear parking camera, voice assist, and LED DRLs among other things. Finally, we have the top variant, the XV Premium. As the name suggests, the XV Premium offers numerous features such as cruise control, LED headlamps, a driver armrest with storage, a 360-degree camera, and TPMS.

This is where you will probably have to spend the most time thinking. Here, it’s a choice between affordability and luxury. On one hand, the Mahindra XUV 3XO offers some luxury features that the Magnite misses out on. On the other hand, the Nissan Magnite offers a level of affordability and accessibility that few other cars can.

Mahindra XUV 3XO vs Nissan Magnite: Summary

By now, it must be clear to you that these two compact SUVs are in the market for different reasons.

If you want all the latest features and a premium level of experience in a compact SUV, you should go for the Mahindra XUV 3XO. However, it’s also more expensive than the Nissan Magnite. If you want to get a decent compact SUV with all the practicality and a decent amount of features without making a huge hole in your pockets, the Nissan Magnite is a safe bet.

Mahindra cars typically have better resale value, and Mahindra has a wider service network in India compared to Nissan. However, if you have a tight budget and Nissan’s presence where you live, you can also opt for the Magnite.

Mahindra XUV 3XO vs Nissan Magnite: FAQs