As per trade reports based on the initial bookings, it seems that the Mahindra XUV500 is scoring big with the buyers in the market. With more than 8,000 vehicles booked within the first week of launch, Mahindra was forced to stop accepting fresh orders for quite some time. The reason for its popularity seems to be the notion that it is a better value for money compared to the more expensive SUVs. This article attempts to find out whether the Mahindra XUV500 has in it the capability to challenge a bigger, more powerful SUV like Ford Endeavour 4X2AT.
Driving and Handling:
The Mahindra XUV500 is much smaller than the Ford Endeavour, but at the same time, it is lighter consequently more agile than the latter. The Mahindra XUV500 is powered by 2.2 litre common-rail diesel engines that get a power of 140 bhp and a torque of 330 Nm; this mated to front wheel driving by six-speed manual transmission.
In comparison, the Endeavour has a 3-litre diesel engine with power of 155 bhp and 380Nm torque with five-speed automatic transmission. Though the Mahindra XUV500 has lesser power, it feels faster. The XUV feels lesser body roll at corners and its braking is better too. However, the Endeavour is equipped to handle rougher patches of road better.
Verdict: In aspects of driving and handling, the Mahindra XUV500 scores better.
Looks:
The Ford Endeavour is a traditional well-built SUV with full body-on-frame construction and straightforward lines. There is an aggressiveness in the design and higher ground clearance inculcates an aggressive stance too. The Mahindra XUV500 thought compact in design relies mostly on design cues for aggression. Fitments and finishing is good enough in the XUV and both feel luxurious inside.
Verdict: Looks being subjective to judge, this aspect is best left to consumers to decide upon, based on their individual preferences.
Space and Comfort:
The Ford Endeavour scores significantly over the Mahindra XUV500 in the spacing criteria. In the Indian SUV segment, the Endeavour, at 5 meters plus length, is the longest; which means better legroom across three rows, with enough luggage space. The XUV’s first two rows are quite comfortable and spacious, but its third row is very cramped and when all three rows are in use, luggage space becomes non-existent. The independent all-wheel suspension of the XUV provides superb highway comfort and handling. However, on bends, the XUV discomforts rear passengers, which the Endeavour does not.
Verdict: The Endeavour is more spacious and slightly more comfortable than the XUV 500.
Features: The Mahindra XUV500 far exceeds the Ford Endeavour in terms of features available. The W8 variant has all-round-disc brakes, six air bags; and loaded with much more safety features than the Ford Endeavour. Again, when one talks about the features of convenience, the XUV500 with its chilled storage box, touch-screen-navigation system, Bluetooth, voice commands and the likes are certain features it has in add on over the Endeavour.
Verdict: The Mahindra XUV500 is a clear winner in this criterion.
Price, Mileage and overall monetary value: The range of features the Mahindra XUV500 offers could make it face a much higher pricing than it has been actually priced at. At Rs.11.95 lakh, it is cheaper by Rs.6.3 lakh from the Endeavour which costs Rs.18.29 lakh.
The Mahindra XUV500 has higher mileage too. Endeavour claims a mileage of 10.7kmpl whereas XUV500 claimed 15.1kmpl.
Verdict: Based on the above criteria, the Mahindra XUV500 offers much better return for money compared to the Endeavour.
The Final Verdict: The Endeavour, a traditional old-school SUV, is more spacious and comfortable; also being automatic, it satisfies the needs of driving with ease. The Mahindra XUV500 would seem a good deal, for its car-like handling, features offered as well as in terms of savings.