Spec comparo: Mahindra XUV400 vs Tata Nexon EV

Mahindra recently revealed the prices of its first electric vehicle (EV), the XUV400. This electric SUV has entered a segment completely dominated by Tata Nexon EV. The SUV, like its rival, is also underpinned by its ICE sibling, the XUV300. Here we stack up Mahindra's XUV400 against the front-runner of the sub-compact electric SUV segment, the Tata Nexon EV.

Mahindra XUV400 vs Tata Nexon EV: Powertrain, Range, and Performance

Tata introduced a new version of the Nexon EV last year, called the Nexon EV Max. In addition, it added a suffix to the standard version, which is now known as the Nexon EV Prime. Essentially, both are identical except for battery pack size, power output figures, and a few features. Likewise, the XUV400 gets two battery pack choices too.

Tata's Nexon EV Prime is powered by a 30.2kWh battery pack, while the Nexon EV Max comes with a 40.5kWh unit. The battery packs on both versions are coupled to a single electric motor that makes 129bhp/245Nm and 143PS/250Nm. The former promises a range of 312km, whereas the latter has a range of 437km.

The XUV400 gets two battery packs: 34.5kWh and 39.4kWh, with a travel range of 375km and 456km, respectively. Both battery packs are paired with an electric motor producing the same 150PS and 310Nm of torque.

Mahindra XUV400 vs Tata Nexon EV: Features

Tata has bestowed the Nexon EV, especially the Nexon EV Max, with numerous features, such as an electric parking brake with auto-hold function, wireless charging pad, auto-dimming IRVM, TPMS, cruise control, multi-mode regen, three drive modes (Eco, City, and Sport), multiple regen modes, an air purifier, electric sunroof, cooled front seats, leatherette upholstery, seven-inch touchscreen infotainment by Harman, Arkamys sound system, all-wheel disc brakes, iRA connected car features with smartwatch connectivity, hill hold control, ESP, hill descent control, ABS, EBD, and brake assist.

The Mahindra XUV400 also gets an extensive feature list that includes ESC, six airbags, cornering brake control, an electric sunroof, a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system, BlueSense-connected car features with smartwatch connectivity, three drive modes (Fun, Fast, and Fearless), four-wheel disc brakes, regenerative braking, a rearview camera with parking sensors, projector headlamps, and leatherette seat covers, among others.

Mahindra XUV400 vs Tata Nexon EV: Prices

The prices of the Tata Nexon EV Prime start at Rs 15 lakh and go up to 17.50 lakh, while the Nexon EV Max's cost ranges between Rs 18.34 and Rs 20.04 lakh. On the other hand, the Mahindra XUV400's prices start at Rs 16 and top out at Rs 19 lakh, (all prices, ex-showroom). It is to be noted that Mahindra is offering this introductory pricing for the first 5,000 customers of each variant.

The XUV400 has the advantage of higher power output and driving range, albeit it has a smaller capacity battery pack of 1.1kWh than the Nexon EV Max. Both models offer more or less the same features, however, the Nexon EV Max comes with  more features than its rival. The XUV400 undercuts Tata's top-of-the-line electric SUV. Having said that its launch prices are introductory and could go up north of 20 lakh similar to the Nexon EV Max.