Mahindra XUV500 vs Tata Aria vs Toyota Innova!

[THE XOVER]

Guys one more negative i have found that even during its first extensive test which you will find on net XUV has started to rattle and squeak, now it has been a year since Aria was launched but no complains regarding its build till date.

 

[raj_5004]

All positives agreed!

NEGATIVES:

1] Well with the current pricing not too much you can crib about this car, but still it can be better in many areas like interior plastics quality and fit and finish.

agreed.

2] Looks of this beast are joker like( read:hideous) to say the least. Mahindra designers have marred a wonderful sillouete by trying to make this Rhino look like cheeta.

agreed. but it looks way better in flesh than in pics. I have heard people say "wow" when they see XUV500 on the road.

3] Third row is cramped, Mahindra missed a point here of giving sliding middle row, ala Aria, which could have made this car more flexible.

Agreed.

4] Some of the various extensive tests of this vehicle found on net point a fingure about ESP not working currectly also trouble in start stop system, this is very dangerous trend for potential customers of 16L rs car.

You missed the point. The reviewers have said that it was confusing, they have not said it was malfunctioning. they could not figure out how to turn on the ESP & start stop. if you may have read, the start stop requires a lot of parameters to match for it to work. maybe when we read the manual, we may get to know them properly.

5] But for me the biggest deal breaker is lack of boot space if all 7 seats are occupied by people.Let me give you an analogy, say i am going to hari darshan (pilgrimage )with my entire family which consists of father ,mother, uncle,aunts , small kids etc. and all seats are full then where am i suppose to keep my precious clothes and other items,at my head or my lap, now come on mahindra don't tell me to keep all my expensive luggage at the roof of the vehicle and leave it at mercy of bad weather or at the risk of toppling out of the car, this is where my respect of ARIA has increased immensly because thanks to its humongous boot i can seat all 7 people and keep luggage of all 7 people inside the boot and feel safe unlike at keeping them at top.Mahindra needs to understand that a 7 seater UV needs better luggage space than a 5 seater vehicle, i don't know abt you people but a 7 seater UV without any boot is a big no no for me.

Except the Aria, none of the SUVs/MUVs (xylo, innova, scorpio, grande, etc) has boot space with third row up. So it can be excused.

We are a family of 5. With driver, we become 6 passengers in Innova. I sit in the last row & since it is 50:50, we split fold one side & keep the luggage there.

If you still want to have 7 passengers along with luggage, you may have to buy a tempo traveller! Normally its either 5 or 6 passengers on long trips with luggage or 7 people in city trips without luggage.




So, for me the only negative is cramped third row compared to Xylo or the fact that second row is not on rails.

 

[THE XOVER]

What abt the last negative i.e. 'body squeaking and rattling' after 400 km test drive, does this not raise questions on mahindra xuv's build quality.

Also , Aria's boot can swallow entire luggage of 7 people, speaking as i was part of it, also sat in the last row for 2 hrs (of course with middle seat maximun frwd) and was extremely happy with its ride, i am 5'8".

 

[S Class]

Shootout! Tata Aria vs XUV 500

A nice comparo between Aria & XUV with pics here:-

Shootout! Tata Aria vs XUV 500 - DNA

 

[S Class]

Spec Sheet for Aria & XUV 500

Here is a spec sheet so as to compare Aria & XUV 500. See which figs you find better.

 

[raj_5004]

What abt the last negative i.e. 'body squeaking and rattling' after 400 km test drive, does this not raise questions on mahindra xuv's build quality.

yes, body rattling is an issue. definetely not expected in a 14 lakh car.

Mahindras are not known to have rattling issues. Lets see, maybe the test car was abused. Only owner reports can confirm this.

Also , Aria's boot can swallow entire luggage of 7 people, speaking as i was part of it, also sat in the last row for 2 hrs (of course with middle seat maximun frwd) and was extremely happy with its ride, i am 5'8".

I disagree.

I am 6'2". When I sat in the Aria's 3rd row, the 2nd row would not fold back. So its like IMPOSSIBLE for me to sit there, even if I am willing to adjust.

Even the XUV was uncomfortable but atleast I could sit there with legs splayed. Innova is much more comfier.

I find Aria's ride to be better than Innova's. Never driven XUV, so cant comment.

 

[THE XOVER]

LOLZ, some Scorpio owners after testing XUV are calling it XYLO in disguise and a SCAM by M&M, hope its better than that.

Raj, buddy now come on, third row of a crossover like Aria is not meant for 6 footers, it is at best meant for medium sized people, and that too with middle row fully slid forward, and yes as a package i.e.,passenger +luggage space, Aria does make a loud point about itself.

What about your test ride buddy, aren't you suppose to test it today.

 

[raj_5004]

LOLZ, some Scorpio owners after testing XUV are calling it XYLO in disguise and a SCAM by M&M, hope its better than that.

LOL, even i saw that. and its not "some", its "one"...! if you notice, he does not have a single logical reason as to why he dislikes the XUV!

Raj, buddy now come on, third row of a crossover like Aria is not meant for 6 footers, it is at best meant for medium sized people, and that too with middle row fully slid forward, and yes as a package i.e.,passenger +luggage space, Aria does make a loud point about itself.

Thats the point. If I need a 5 seater vehicle, I am better off buying a sedan. People buy 7 seater vehicle because they have a big family & they need to use the last row, even if its rare.

I am cribbing because TATA has lots of space in the Aria behind the 3rd row, unlike in XUV. they can move the 3rd row behind to liberate more room for passengers. that would make it a 7 seater.

right now, Aria's 3rd row is worse than XUV, even though it has the space.

 

[THE XOVER]

What abt your test drive of XUV and Aria?

 

[raj_5004]

I did not get a call from Mahindra yet. I am waiting for it. Since I have asked for 45 mins of test drive, I guess they are hesitant. I will call them today.

 

[THE XOVER]

Buddy have doubts upon Aria's last row and what the buyers of Aria think about boot space, read katickramu's reply on TATA ARIA comprehensive test last page on our forum.

 

[S Class]

Thats the point. If I need a 5 seater vehicle, I am better off buying a sedan. People buy 7 seater vehicle because they have a big family & they need to use the last row, even if its rare.

Yep, for 5 people, it is best to opt for a sedan. It is much peppier to drive, looks good & more sophisticated & boot is no issue at all.

For 7 people, how about the vehicles like Merc Viano ? I know its expensive but Force motors is bringing on at <15L price. This I think is better than UV.
And yeah, what I seen is that face to face seating arrangement in last/boot area is now almost gone. This is rather a comfortable arrangement coz the person can enter/exit from the 5th door/boot door & seating face to face means having a larger legroom as well.

It was there is cab models of Tavera & Scorpio. Ofcourse, Safari still has it but due to sloping roofline, it is useless for well built people.

Btw, in UK, people are not ready to buy such UV type vehicles coz people think that hey, this chap be having lot of population .

 

[raj_5004]

Side facing seats is more of a safety issue since they cant have seatbelts.

I think Viano is more of a van like the winger, but more expensive & luxurious. Will it have the status symbol of an SUV?

Remember the Merc MB100 & MB140? It flopped big time.

 

[S Class]

Side facing seats is more of a safety issue since they cant have seatbelts.

But in case of rear crash, there is no use of seat belts either. And if car cos want, they can have seat belts to C pillar too.

I think Viano is more of a van like the winger, but more expensive & luxurious. Will it have the status symbol of an SUV?

Yes, Viano is not a UV but luxurious Maxi van. It has its own charm though.
As far as status symbol of SUV is concerned, it depends upon the criterion of the car. Viano commands more respect than say Fortuner or Honda Accord has more of it than Ford Endevor. Also, if one wants status symbol, then a good saloon commands more of it than SUV.

 

[raj_5004]

But in case of rear crash, there is no use of seat belts either. And if car cos want, they can have seat belts to C pillar too.

Seat belts are designed for frontal impact friend.

If you wear a seat belt when you are sitting sideways, you can strangulate yourself or break your neck in case of an impact.

Without seat belt, you will be thrown in the front thus injuring the other passengers.

Yes, Viano is not a UV but luxurious Maxi van. It has its own charm though.
As far as status symbol of SUV is concerned, it depends upon the criterion of the car. Viano commands more respect than say Fortuner or Honda Accord has more of it than Ford Endevor. Also, if one wants status symbol, then a good saloon commands more of it than SUV.

I disagree. In India, SUVs are given more respect & associated with status, than sedans. Size matters!

Look at the Fortuner. Compare it with Accord or Superb. Why do you think Toyota sells so many Fortuners? Why do you think Scorpio sells so much? Why do you think XUV500 is such a hit in a segment where competent cars like Cruze, Altis & Civic is doing moderate business?