Mahindra has launched the XUV 3XO EV as its entry-level electric car. The XUV 3XO EV is effectively positioned as an additional powertrain for the ICE-powered XUV 3XO compact SUV and therefore doesn’t sport many cosmetic and feature differences compared to its petrol and diesel counterparts. How does the XUV 3XO EV compare to its direct rival, the Tata Nexon EV, on paper, though? Let’s find out.
Mahindra XUV 3XO EV vs Tata Nexon EV: Battery and range
Mahindra XUV 3XO EV and Tata Nexon EV powertrains compared | ||
| XUV 3XO EV | Nexon EV | |
| Battery capacity (kWh) | 39.4 | 30 / 45 |
| Electric motor setup | Single, front-mounted | Single, front-mounted |
| Power (hp) | 150 | 129 / 144 |
| Torque (Nm) | 310 | 215 |
| Gearbox | Single-speed automatic | Single-speed automatic |
| ARAI-claimed range (km) | 351 | 275 / 489 |
| Claimed 0-100kph time (seconds) | 8.3 | 9.2 / 8.9 |
The XUV 3XO EV comes with only a 39.4kWh battery, which falls between the 30kWh and 45kWh units offered by the Nexon EV. Thanks to its larger battery pack, the Nexon EV 45kWh ekes out a 138km higher ARAI-claimed range than the XUV 3XO EV, though the Tata SUV’s 30kWh variants fall short by 76km.
As for real-world range, Mahindra claims that the XUV 3XO EV can travel 285km on a single charge. Our Nexon EV real-world range test for the 45kWh version yielded a 350km average on a full charge, which is a gap of 65km from the XUV 3XO EV – much slimmer than what the claimed figures suggest.
In terms of power, though, the XUV 3XO EV is the clear winner. It develops 6hp and 95Nm more than even the Nexon EV 45kWh, allowing it to pull a 0.6-second lead in the claimed 0-100kph times.
Mahindra XUV 3XO EV vs Tata Nexon EV: Charging speeds
Mahindra XUV 3XO EV and Tata Nexon EV charging speeds compared | |||
| XUV 3XO EV | Nexon EV | Nexon EV | |
| Battery capacity (kWh) | 39.4 | 30 | 45 |
| 7.2kW AC charging time (hours) | 6.5 (0-100 percent) | 4.3 (10-100 percent) | 6.6 (10-100 percent) |
| 50kW DC charging time (minutes) | 50 (0-80 percent) | 56 (10-80 percent) | - |
| 60kW DC charging time (minutes) | - | - | 40 (10-80 percent) |
Charging times are difficult to assess here because the XUV 3XO EV’s battery sits between those of the Nexon EV. The XUV 3XO EV’s 39.4kWh unit is closer in capacity to the Nexon EV 45kWh, but there’s a marginal difference in their 7.2kW AC charging times, which seems like a plus point for the latter.
Moreover, Tata’s claimed charging figures start at a 10 percent SoC (state of charge), but Mahindra’s start at 0 percent, which yet again makes it tough to compare them. The Nexon EV 45kWh can also charge at 60kW via DC, while the XUV 3XO EV supports 50kW DC charging.
Mahindra XUV 3XO EV vs Tata Nexon EV: Dimensions
Mahindra XUV 3XO EV and Tata Nexon EV dimensions compared | ||
| XUV 3XO EV | Nexon EV | |
| Length (mm) | 3,900 | 3,995 |
| Width (mm) | 1,821 | 1,802 |
| Height (mm) | 1,617 | 1,625 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 2,600 | 2,498 |
| Ground clearance (mm) | 190 | 190 (45kWh) / 205 (30kWh) |
| Wheel size (inches) | 16-17 | 16 |
| Boot space (litres) | 364 | 350 |
| Frunk space (litres) | N/A | 11.6 |
Though the Nexon EV is 95mm longer than the XUV 3XO EV, the latter has a 102mm longer wheelbase. Both of them trade punches in the width and height departments, while ground clearance is a tie between the XUV 3XO EV and Nexon EV 45kWh. The 30kWh variants of the Nexon EV ride slightly higher at 205mm.
As standard, the XUV 3XO EV comes equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels, while its top-spec AX7L variant gets 17-inchers. The Nexon EV, meanwhile, offers 16-inch alloy wheels only, but it then one-ups the XUV 3XO EV with an 11.6-litre frunk. Despite its complete lack of a frunk, the XUV 3XO EV’s 14-litre advantage in boot space endows it with marginally higher overall luggage capacity than the Nexon EV.
Mahindra XUV 3XO EV vs Tata Nexon EV: Prices
Mahindra XUV 3XO EV and Tata Nexon EV prices compared | ||
| XUV 3XO EV | Nexon EV | |
| Price range (Rs, lakh) | 13.89-14.96* | 12.49-17.29 |
*7.2kW AC fast charger costs Rs 50,000 extra.
On the all-important price front, the XUV 3XO EV takes the win. Though the XUV 3XO EV’s starting price is Rs 1.4 lakh higher than the base Nexon EV Creative+ MR, it offers a larger battery, a more performant powertrain and greater range, as well as features such as a sunroof, a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen, a 10.25-inch digital driver’s display, a 6-speaker sound system, dual-zone climate control, and more.
Coming to top-spec variants, the XUV 3XO EV AX7L undercuts the Nexon EV Empowered+ A 45 by a whopping Rs 2.33 lakh, though the Tata SUV does additionally offer ventilated front seats, vehicle-to-load (V2L) and vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) charging and a larger 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. It’s also worth noting that Tata includes the AC fast charger with all Nexon EV variants, while Mahindra charges an extra Rs 50,000 for the same.
All prices are ex-showroom, India.