Mahindra XUV 3XO vs Tata Nexon : By now, if you’re looking for the best compact SUV in 2025, the Mahindra XUV 3XO and Tata Nexon are more compelling options. Both have contemporary features, good safety scores, and eye-catching looks. Whether you choose one over the other depends on what you value more-power and technology or efficiency and practicality. Let’s dissect it.
Pricing and Variants
XUV 3XO’s base starting point is about ₹7.49 lakh. The first trim option is cheaper and lower priced than the Nexon, which is priced at ₹8.15 lakh opening cost. The top-end trims stretch to costs not so dissimilar to one another, but Mahindra cut prices for popular variants, making the 3XO’s price even more competitive in its segment.
Features
XUV 3XO has a more premium cabin for the price, with a dual 10.25-inch screen layout (infotainment and instrument cluster), a huge panoramic sunroof, wireless charging, and an ADAS Level 2 suite including adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist. The audio experience also stands out, courtesy a 7-speaker Harman Kardon system.
The Tata Nexon also comes very close in feature count with a 10.25-inch touchscreen and digital cluster, ventilated leatherette seats, a seven-speaker JBL audio system, air purifier, wireless charging, and cabin tech like a cool glovebox and illuminated steering wheel. Its most trims will miss out on ADAS and panoramic sunroof, but its feel comes across as much refined and well-in-place.
Performance & Mileage
The turbo-petrol side of things comes from the TGDi motor of the XUV 3XO; it gives an output of around 129 PS and 230 Nm-strong low-end torque and smooth power. Tata’s supercharged petrol Nexon makes 118 PS and 170 Nm. Better real-world fuel mileage is on the books for the XUV 3XO-approximately 11.7 km/l against Nexon’s 10.8 km/l figures from third-party tests of petrol AT versions. Although diesel variants are there, the higher fuel economy also goes with diesel variants of Nexon. Both SUVs give options of manual and automatic, depending on variants.
Comfort and Space
With a wheelbase of 2600 mm, the XUV 3XO creates more space between the wheels with a wider body. But the Nexon boasts of more boot space at 382 l versus 364 l in XUV. Height is also more in the Nexon, with a ground clearance of 208 mm, making it a bit better on the rugged type of roads.
Safety & Real-world Mutability
Both SUVs have a five-star safety rating from Global NCAP and Bharat NCAP. Mahindra’s XUV 3XO has six airbags, electronic stability control, and level 2 driver assistance features. Nexon has a similar standard on safety but even more in achieving standard crash test pedigree. There are reports of such users, however, having issues with after-sales support of the XUV 3XO, such as problems with mechanics and tardy service response in various regions.
If you need more engine power and want advanced features like ADAS and a panoramic sunroof at a lesser price point, with a punchy driving experience the Mahindra XUV 3XO packs in excellent value. It is preferable, however, by some percentage for fuel efficiency, a bigger boot, increased ground clearance, and a proven service network, while the Tata Nexon is still a very reliable compact SUV. Both are pretty strong while one prefers high-tech value, the other practical reliability.