Comparison: Mahindra XUV 3XO vs Renault Kiger

You can throw a stone on a busy road in India and it would probably hit a compact SUV or two before hitting the ground. These smaller SUVs are very popular because they offer a good mix of practicality and affordability.

Replacing the Mahindra XUV 300, the new Mahindra XUV 3XO aims to bring cutting-edge features and luxury to the compact SUV segment. Contradictorily, the Renault Kiger offers affordability like no other. These two SUVs have plenty of similarities, yet are very different. Having multiple options can be a good thing, but it can also make it complicated for new buyers. So we are going to compare the two compact SUVs across various categories.

Mahindra XUV 3XO vs Renault Kiger: Dimensions

One of an SUV’s most significant features is its size; here’s what we’ve learned.

The Renault Kiger boasts more boot space than the XUV 3XO, which is crucial for long road trips. The Kiger also has a higher ground clearance. It may not be much on paper, but it can be crucial on uneven roads.

However, the Mahindra XUV 3XO is wider and taller than the Renault Kiger, but not by much. Hence, the XUV 3XO will fit three people in the back seat, or taller people a bit more comfortably compared to the Kiger. The Mahindra also has a longer wheelbase, which adds stability at higher speeds.

Both SUVs are adequately sized on their own, but the Mahindra XUV 3XO edges out the Kiger by a little bit. You cannot overlook the extra width and height you get in the Mahindra. However, the Kiger is not a tiny SUV either, and the added ground clearance can be a lifesaver in some areas.

Mahindra XUV 3XO vs Renault Kiger: Engine & Transmission

The Mahindra XUV 3XO offers three engines to choose from: two petrol and one diesel. The Renault Kiger only offers two engine options, both of which are petrol.

The XUV 3XO’s two petrol engines are both 1.2-litre turbocharged motors. However, there is a difference in their fuel injection systems. One uses MPFi while the other uses GDi. The power difference is high with the MPFi making 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 Renault Kiger, like the Nissan Magnite, only comes with a 1.0-litre petrol engine co-developed by Renault and Nissan, but it comes in two versions. The naturally aspirated engine comes with the lower and mid variants and produces 72 PS and 96 Nm of torque. The turbocharged option makes 100 PS and 160 Nm of torque. Both engines offer a 5-speed manual, the naturally aspirated engine adds a 5-speed AT to the mix, while the turbocharged engine comes with a CVT option.

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 Renault Kiger offering the only naturally aspirated engine in this comparison gets the highest figures for the petrol engine options. The Mahindra XUV 3XO’s powerful petrol engines lose some points. But Mahindra does gain those points back with its diesel engine.

The Mahindra XUV 3XO is your best bet if power is a requirement. The Kiger’s turbo engine may have all the power you will probably ever need, but the XUV 3XO is more powerful. Mileage-wise, the Kiger’s naturally aspirated petrol engine takes the cake, but again, the XUV 3XO’s diesel engine tips the scale in its favour again.

Mahindra XUV 3XO vs Renault Kiger: Features and Comfort

The new Mahindra XUV 3XO packs a lot of features to satisfy both tech lovers and comfort seekers at the same time. While the previous XUV300 suffered from a dated interior cabin design, such is not the case anymore. The XUV 3XO’s 10.25-inch infotainment system was an upgrade over that of the XUV300, and now there’s even a digital cluster of the same size. 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 Renault Kiger also has its fair share of comfort and convenience features. The Kiger offers plenty of features at a very low price, which is why it’s so popular in India today. You may find fewer speakers, a smaller infotainment screen, and the lack of a sunroof in the Kiger. However, the Kiger does come with a digital infotainment system, a digital instrument cluster, cruise control, driving modes, and a 60:40 rear seat split among other features.

The Renault Kiger 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 equipment. 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 Renault Kiger: Safety Features

The Renault Kiger and all Mahindra cars have made a name for being some of the safest cars in India.

Renault has installed an extensive list of features such as an Anti-lock Braking System, Stability Control, Traction Control, Hill Hold Assist, and 360-degree Camera in the Kiger. The Renault Kiger also gets a respectable 4-star rating in Global NCAP.

Apart from the safety features of the Kiger, the Mahindra XUV 3XO additionally gets two more airbags, automatic headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, and level two ADAS. The new XUV 3XO hasn’t gone through any NCAP test yet, but the outgoing XUV300 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.

If you want no compromises and optimal safety in your new car, 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. Other than that, there is no need to worry about choosing either SUV regarding safety.

Mahindra XUV 3XO vs Renault Kiger: Prices & Variants

The Mahindra XUV 3XO has offered more or better than the Renault Kiger in the categories until now. But, this is where the Kiger makes for a good SUV to compare against because the price difference between the two cars is a significant one.

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 most 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 Renault Kiger, 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 Kiger 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.

Here’s where things will make more sense for many. The stark difference between the price tags of these two SUVs justifies the features (or the lack thereof) that you find in these cars, be it safety, tech, or comfort. In simpler words, the Mahindra XUV 3XO offers more stuff for more money, and the Renault Kiger offers fewer things for less money.

Mahindra XUV 3XO vs Renault Kiger: Summary

As you can see, the two compact SUVs are not the same. Moreover, they are in the market for different reasons.

The Mahindra XUV 3XO provides the latest features in terms of safety, comfort, and convenience. It also got a stylish new makeover with the 2024 facelift. Mahindra cars typically have better resale value compared to Renault as well. However, it’s also quite expensive. 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 Renault Kiger is a safe bet.

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