Tata Nexon.ev Vs Mahindra XUV400: The Battle Of Electric SUVs

So Round 1 went to the Mahindra EV, but we now have both the cars again for a duel. Why? Because the respective carmakers have updated the cars. Is the challenge between the two more black and white this time around?

Along with everything that’s changed. The names of the two electric SUVs have also changed. We have the Mahindra XUV400 EL Pro and the Tata Nexon.ev Empowered Plus Long Range. Wow, that name is a mouthful compared to what it used to be called earlier, Why Tata? Why make the names more complicated?

Tata Nexon.ev Vs Mahindra XUV400: Features

Now the biggest change in both the EVs is the feature list. While Tata has gone all guns blazing, Mahindra has changed a few things around.

The XUV 400’s cabin has improved a lot since the last time we saw it. You have the new 10.25-inch touchscreen which has much better response than before and it also gets wireless smartphone connectivity. Strangely, the base variant doesn’t even get a touchscreen. You also have a crisp and detailed 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster but the Nexon.ev just trumps it.”

In the Nexon.ev you get this slick-to-use 12.3-inch touchscreen but that's only reserved on the top-spec variants, unfortunately. The base variants still get the 7-inch unit and mid-spec ones get a 10.25-inch unit.”

The wireless charger in the Nexon is a bit finicky to use. It works well if you have a phone that fits the charging pad, but a smaller phone needs to be moved a few times for it to start charging.

Both have wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Well at least Mahindra claims the XUV400 does but this car doesn’t and it will come with an OTA update soon.

The Nexon.ev is miles ahead of the XUV400 when it comes to features as it has Arcade.ev, an app suite that allows you to play games or stream content while you charge your car along with a 360-degree camera, automatic headlamps and so much more.

Tata Nexon.ev Vs Mahindra XUV400: Interior

We’ve spoken about the cabin in detail in the review but the steering is askewed and finding the right driving position takes some effort as the steering wheel can only be adjusted for height and not reach.

Something that is also an issue with the XUV400. However, the angle of the steering wheel feels more normal than the Nexon.ev.

Since both EVs have a light-coloured cabin, they are prone to getting soiled very easily. Not ideal for an environment as dusty as India.

The Nexon.ev is the only one here that gets ventilated seats. We would have preferred a better position for its controls though, as right now, it seems like the feature that was an afterthought.

What we also don’t like is the touch-based climate control panel, every time you have to press a button, you have to look down to see if it actually worked. Haptic feedback would have been nice.

Space at the back in the XUV400 is much better thanks to its longer length and wheelbase. And being wider than the Nexon.ev, there’s decent head and shoulder room.

That isn’t the case with Nexon.ev, it’s still cramped back here and the middle seat is best left for children. But if you’re going to spend more time in the back, the XUV400 is a much better bet.

Tata Nexon.ev Vs Mahindra XUV400: Safety

Safety has now become a crucial aspect in buying a new car. Global NCAP crash-tested the new Nexon and it scored 5 stars for both adult and child occupant protection tests. Unfortunately, the XUV400 still hasn’t been tested yet. Both are yet to be crashed by Bharat NCAP as well.

Tata Nexon.ev Vs Mahindra XUV400: Performance

Now on to how they drive. Power delivery on the Nexon does not come in a burst, rather spurts and while there is a slight delay of that during initial acceleration, it picks up as the speed goes up. So you might not enjoy the instant torque feel here, because it’s curtailed, and for good reason. Things are not quite the same in the XUV400 though.

The XUV400 just loves spinning its tyres in the Fearless mode. The adrenaline junkie in you will love the way it accelerates. The wheelspins are bad for energy consumption as well as the tyres. But it is just so much fun.

The XUV400 is the more powerful EV of the two, producing 148 bhp and 310 Nm. While the Nexon.ev makes do with 143 bhp and 215 Nm. The Nexon though has 10km more range and a slightly larger battery pack.

Tata Nexon.ev Vs Mahindra XUV400: RIde & Handling

Now on to ride quality. The Nexon.ev still has the problem of a bumpy ride at slow speeds and it irons out eventually as the speed increases. The steering is sharp and it inspires confidence behind the wheel.

The XUV400 has a supple low-speed ride quality thanks to its softer suspension and lighter steering. But out on the highway, it feels bouncy, especially at the back.

Tata Nexon.ev Vs Mahindra XUV400: Charging & Regen

And the charging times haven’t also changed much since the last time we tested both the EVs.

Both still support 50 kW DC fast charging and come with 7.2 kW wall box chargers from the factory.

A plus point for the Nexon.ev is the vehicle-to-load and vehicle-to-vehicle charging capability and this is the only mass-market EV to get this feature. Kudos Tata Motors.

Well, what about regen braking then? While both get it, the Nexon.ev gives you more freedom as you can select the intensity of the regen and the XUV400 gets only a single mode An issue with the Nexon.ev’s regen mode is that it is not linear while braking at slower speeds and it doesn’t bring the EV to a halt, which the XUV400 manages with its regen braking.

Tata Nexon.ev Vs Mahindra XUV400: Design

On the looks front a lot has changed for the Nexon and not so much for the XUV400.

The Nexon.ev is more flamboyant, superlative even. The LED light bar is a signature and there’s no doubt which car it is even if you see it from a distance. Easily recognisable and quick brand connect, Tata has ticked both those boxes.

The XUV400 is more of an understated design and yes, some may like that. The copper accents look good but don’t enhance the overall look.

Tata Nexon.ev Vs Mahindra XUV400: Price & Verdict

Now the most important bit. the XUV400 starts at ₹15.49 lakh and goes up to ₹17.69 lakh and the Nexon.ev starts at ₹14.49 lakh and goes up to ₹19.29 lakh.

While the XUV has a higher starting price, the Nexon.ev is costlier at the top end but for that price, you get so much more. But the Nexon wins on fronts like the plethora of features it offers, the bigger battery, the longer range and the design, making it the winner of the duel this time around.