Mahindra TUV300 vs Ford Ecosport: Specifications comparison

Mahindra has just launched its new compact SUV, TUV300 (pronounced ‘three double oh’) at a starting price of Rs 6.90 lakh (ex showroom, Pune). With this launch, the carmaker has once again forayed into the compact SUV segment, after the Quanto failed to sell as per its expectations. The TUV300 has found a direct competitor in the sub-four metre Ford EcoSport, which has had a great run in the country. Since its launch in June 2013, the EcoSport has found more than 1,12,000 buyers in India. The TUV300 created quite a storm when Mahindra revealed sketches of the car some weeks prior to its launch. Mahindra says it has a winner on its hands in the compact SUV space this time around and is looking to expand its market share in the utility vehicle segment. The TUV300 has been made on a completely new platform and has an upright, rugged-looking stance. We compare the specifications of the TUV300 and the Ford EcoSport to see which one makes for the best value proposition.

Under the hood

Powering the TUV300 is Mahindra’s updated mHawk engine christened the mHawk80. The engine, which will only be offered in a diesel guise, displaces 1,493cc, which helps the TUV300 qualify as a small car and hence, a lower rate of excise duty. The mHawk80 engine churns out 82.85bhp at 3,750rpm and 23.45kgm at 1,500-2,250rpm. On the other hand, the 1.5-litre diesel unit in the Ford EcoSport, which also does duty in the Ford Fiesta, puts out a higher 90bhp at 3,750rpm and a torque figure of 20.8kgm at 2,000-2,750rpm. So while the TUV300 gains in the torque category, the EcoSport edges ahead in terms of power output.

Ford is also offering the EcoSport with two petrol engine options; a 1.0-litre Ecoboost engine making 123bhp at 6,000rpm and a 1.5-litre motor good for 110bhp at 6,300rpm. However, for the purpose of a fair comparison, we will consider the diesel unit here. The TUV300 will be available only in two-wheel drive for now. However, the carmaker said the new platform is capable of spawning a four-wheel-drive version as well.

Space on offer

In this category, both the cars measure close in terms of length. The TUV300 is 3,995mm long while the EcoSport measures 3,999mm. Both the cars are just short of the four-metre mark in order to take advantage of the ‘small car’ regulations in India that provide cost benefits to cars of sub-four-meter length.

However, Mahindra’s offering is more spacious and comes with a larger wheelbase, is broader and sits higher as well. The TUV300 has an overall width of 1,835mm, a height of 1,839mm and the space between the front and rear wheels measure 2,680mm. On the other hand, the EcoSport has a wheelbase of 2,520mm, an overall width of 1,765mm and a height of 1,708mm.

Mahindra has focussed on giving the TUV300 a tough stance and claim styling cues have been borrowed from a battle tank. The compact SUV has high ground clearance and an upright stance. Moreover, details like the cladding on the sides, a prominent bumper, a squarish signature grille with chrome borders and a tail gate-mounted spare wheel add to its rugged appearance. Interestingly, Italian design firm Pininfarina was also involved in the styling process. 

The EcoSport also boasts of ‘SUV-like’ cues under its belt. At the front is a massive octagonal grille, a high bonnet and beltline, black plastic cladding on the sides along the lower part of the body and also features the tailgate-mounted spare wheel. The EcoSport also boasts of a slightly higher ground clearance of 200mm, as against 190mm on the TUV300.

However, what sets the TUV apart from the EcoSport and other small SUVs in the passenger vehicle segment in India, is the fact that it comes with a seven-seat configuration, thanks to a jump seat on each side behind the second row. The arrangement is similar to the one seen in the Quanto.

So essentially, in terms of specifications, the TUV300 is the most spacious of the two and also has the largest exterior. Besides, talking about boot space, the TUV300 scores here as well with 400 litre of space (with jump seats folded up) as against the 362 litres in the Ecosport.

NISHANT PAREKH