Try our newest merchandise
The budget-end of the Australian automotive market is an fascinating and vibrant place in the mean time.
The place as soon as it was solely stuffed with gutless, no-frills tiny tots that lacked even probably the most primary creature comforts, not to mention superior security techniques, first-time new automotive patrons are immediately handled to a wider vary of selections with loads of mod-cons and cutting-edge driver aids.
Like these two: the chunky and funky Mahindra XUV 3XO – the Indian model’s first city-sized SUV – and the newest era of the venerable Suzuki Swift hatchback, which now options an all-hybrid lineup.
Each come loaded with commonplace tools that belies their sub $25k pricetags, and are low cost to personal due to fuel-sipping powertrains and reasonably priced servicing packages.
However which one is finest? Let’s dig in to seek out out…
How a lot?
The Mahindra XUV 3XO is the newer of this pair, having arrived in native showrooms a few months after the sixth-generation Swift earlier this 12 months, with the entry-level AX5L costing simply $23,990 drive-away – making it Australia’s most reasonably priced SUV.
There’s, in fact, a higher-grade AX7L variant that prices an additional $3000 and brings extra tools and the choice of a two-tone color scheme.
It doesn’t take that rather more cash to get into the entry-level variant of the three-grade Suzuki Swift lineup, which prices $24,990 drive-away with a five-speed guide transmission or $27,490 drive-away with a CVT computerized.
The mid-range Swift Plus and range-topping GLX come commonplace with the self-shifting transmission and command an extra premium of $4000 and $6000 respectively.
So, it’s a first-up win for the Mahindra on sticker worth, however let’s see if the worth continues to stack up when it comes to tools.
What do you get?
As talked about, it wasn’t that way back that automobiles at this finish of the market nonetheless had guide wind-up home windows, a primary radio, and solely the important security tools required to satisfy native design guidelines and preserve prices down.
You actually bought what you paid for – the comfort of mobility, however not way more.
However the XUV 3XO and Swift signify a brand new period of budget-friendly motoring, with beneficiant ranges of ordinary tools, together with:
- Keyless entry with push-button begin
- Fabric seat trim
- Air-conditioning
- Touchscreen infotainment show
- Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Embedded satellite tv for pc navigation
The Mahindra goes even additional although, with bigger 16-inch alloy wheels in comparison with the Swift’s 15-inch steelies with hubcaps, plus it has dual-zone local weather management with rear air vents and a relaxing glovebox, a ten.25-inch digital instrument cluster, USB energy shops, a sunroof, and a six-speaker audio system (the entry-level Swift has simply two audio system).
Are they secure?
Each of those automobiles come outfitted with a complete array of superior security techniques and driver aids, and each have been subjected to unbiased evaluation by ANCAP, attaining a three-star ranking underneath the newest and most stringent protocols.
The XUV 3XO and Swift each characteristic the next security capabilities:
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Adaptive cruise management
- Lane holding help
- Site visitors signal recognition
- Reverse digital camera with rear parking sensors
- Six airbags
Once more, the Mahindra gives much more with tyre strain monitoring, blind-spot monitoring, and a 360-degree parking show.
What are they like inside?
Right here’s one other shocking factor about each of those automobiles – they is perhaps small on the skin, however they’re amazingly sensible on the within, the place each automobiles supply more room than you’d think about.
The Mahindra XUV 3XO is barely larger than the Swift in all key dimensions, measuring 3990mm in size and using on a beneficiant 2600mm wheelbase, with the entrance and rear axles pushed to every finish of the automobile so as to maximise inside house.
The Swift, by comparability, measures 3860mm in size and rides on a 2450mm wheelbase.
Each are five-seaters with sufficient headroom and legroom within the again for 2 adults to journey comfortably, or three young children throughout the bench.
The actual fact the Mahindra has rear air vents, a USB energy outlet and a fold-down arm relaxation within the centre makes it much more habitable. And the usual sunroof brings extra gentle into the cabin too, making it really feel much more spacious.
Plus, the XUV 3XO has considerably extra cargo capability within the boot, which has a complete quantity of 364 litres in comparison with the Swift hatchback’s 265L.
And for these up entrance, each automobiles have comfy seats with respectable help, loads of adjustment, good imaginative and prescient and an array of handy small-item storage options.
The Mahindra’s principally black color palette is offset considerably by gentle coming in by way of the usual sunroof, whereas the Swift has a softer and lighter tone with a mixture of gray and white by means of the centre of the sprint, separated by black highlights on the centre console.
Each have high-mounted infotainment touchscreens with easy-to-navigate menu buildings, however the Mahindra’s is barely bigger and the digital instrument cluster additionally provides a extra trendy contact.
What’s underneath the bonnet?
Each of those automobiles are powered by 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engines that drive the entrance wheels, however that’s the place the similarities finish.
The Mahindra XUV 3XO has a turbocharged triple that produces 82kW of energy and 200Nm of torque, and comes commonplace with a six-speed computerized transmission.
In the meantime, the Suzuki Swift has a naturally-aspirated three-pot linked to a 12V mild-hybrid system that provides electrical help underneath preliminary acceleration and shuts down the engine when the automobile is stationary to avoid wasting gasoline.
It solely generates 61kW of energy and 112Nm of torque, however consumes round 30 per cent much less gasoline with a claimed common of simply 3.8L/100km in guide type (4.0L/100km with the CVT). That compares to Mahindra’s claimed common for the XUV 3XO of 6.5L/100km
Value of possession
The Mahindra gives extra on the subject of long-term possession credentials, because the XUV 3XO is roofed by a seven-year/150,000km guarantee with roadside help, and 6 years of capped-price servicing.
Common upkeep is required each 12 months or 15,000km, and prices a complete of $1994 over the primary six years.
As compared, the Swift is roofed by a five-year/unlimited-km guarantee with roadside help, and capped price-servicing for a similar interval.
As with the Mahindra, service intervals are 12 months or 15,000km (whichever comes first), and servicing prices $1955 for the primary 5 years.
CarExpert’s Decide
The most important winner right here is customers – whether or not they be first-time new automotive patrons, empty-nesters or these on a decent price range – as each of those comparatively new arrivals show the underside finish of the auto market has by no means been extra aggressive, and entry-level fashions have by no means been extra substantial.
The Suzuki Swift is a stable selection with glorious construct high quality, good driving dynamics, and a mild-hybrid powertrain that may prevent cash on the petrol bowser.
However, particularly with an auto transmission, the Swift prices considerably greater than the XUV 3XO, and but doesn’t include anyplace close to the extent of creature comforts and mod-cons of the Mahindra, which is undeniably one of many best-value new automobiles on sale immediately.
MORE: Discover the Mahindra XUV 3XO showroom
MORE: Discover the Suzuki Swift showroom
