What we have in front of us are the flagship models of their respective marques – Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra. The XUV carries forward the development that took place with the Scorpio, and the Aria, a segment buster that brought crossovers within reach of normal people. They’re different vehicles built for different purposes, but being in the same price range, they’re bound to be cross-shopped. If you find yourself having to choose between these two, then read on to find out which one suits your needs.
Exterior
From the outside, the two look like they belong in different segments. The Aria looks like an overgrown crossover. It has a very crisp design that is a mix of aggressive elements, like the front fascia, and clean lines to deliver a car that just looks good without making much of a fuss about it. The XUV, on the other hand seems to be clearly in the aggressive camp of design. It looks stunning, no doubt, but for different reasons. It’s a more in-your-face kind of car that demands attention wherever it goes, with its aggressive frontage, bulging wheel arches and an imposing stance. When we were just driving the cars around, the Aria got its fair share of attention, but the XUV was in a completely different league. People would notice the car, come closer to it, stare, move a little, stare a little more and then try to get my attention to ask about it. For those that like to keep a low profile, the Aria it is, then
In the pic: Tata Aria
Interior
Inside, however, you’d be forgiven for mistaking one car for the other. The interiors of the two cars are strikingly similar, down to the colour combination. The centre consoles on both cars are dominated by a large screen that shows the information about the media being played, reverse sensors, but points to the XUV in this department as it has a touch screen that also displays vehicle diagnostics. The Mahindra also has the better instrument cluster, a simple, retro two-pod unit along with LCD screens. First row and middle row seats in both the cars are very comfortable, with acres of leg room and good support. The last rows, however, are limited in use to small children. For most occasions, it’s just better to leave the seats folded flat and utilising the extra luggage space that’s liberated. The quality of materials used in both the cars is excellent, but some of the switchgear used in the Aria feels cheap in comparison to the XUV 500.
In the pic: XUV 5OO
Ride and handling
This is the parameter that really differentiates the two. Ironically, the crossover, in this case the Aria, has a ladder-frame chassis and a body bolted on to that, while the SUV has a monocoque construction, that means the frame is integrated into the body itself for better control and fit and finish. Another point of difference is the wheels being driven. Both of these are the two-wheel drive models in their respective ranges, but the Aria accomplishes this by removing the front axles and a few other components to make this a rear wheel drive vehicle. The XUV is built from the ground up as a front wheel drive vehicle, as evidenced by its transverse engine set-up, and even the all-wheel-drive option is a front biased one that only sends power to the rear wheels when it detects wheel slippage.
There is no clear winner in between the two layouts, as such, but a front-engined front wheel drive layout is better in minimising loss of power during transfer from the engine to the drive wheels. Despite the ladder frame handicap, the Aria handles surprisingly well with well controlled body movements. The XUV manages to transfer a lot of the bumps on the road into the passenger compartment, there’s a noise when you encounter a bump, but it’s restricted to just that, the bumps aren’t felt most of the time.
Performance and economy
As with the interior, the engine specs of both the cars are very, very identical. Both have a four cylinder turbo diesel engine that displaces the same, making more or less the same amount of power. The Mahindra has the added advantage of a 6th gear on the manual gearbox that gives it slightly longer legs on the highway. Like typical turbo-diesels, the power delivery seems a bit sluggish until the turbo spools up. The Aria is a mild mannered vehicle during acceleration, it goes without any drama. The XUV is a little more flamboyant, it chirps its wheels during quick shifts, tugs at the steering wheel during hard acceleration and generally does a few antics to remind you that you’re behind the wheel of something special.
In terms of fuel efficiency, the Mahindra edges ahead of the Tata, delivering a hair under 14 kmpl to the Aria’s 13 kmpl on the same loop in similar conditions. This is due in part to the extra cog in the gearbox and the inherent efficiency of a front-wheel drive set-up.
In the pic: XUV 5OO
Verdict
The XUV wins this shoot-out, but that doesn’t mean the Aria is any less a vehicle. In the grand scheme of things, the intended use of the vehicle will decide who you’ll be writing your cheque out to. The XUV is a feature packed urban cruiser, while the Aria is the rugged but understated performer. Take either one of these home and you won’t be disappointed.
Spec sheet
MAHINDRA XUV500 W8
Price: Rs11.88 lakh (Ex-showroom, Mumbai)
Engine: 2179cc, I-4, diesel
Max power: 140 bhp@3750 rpm
Max torque: 33.7 kgm@1600 – 2800 rpm
Dimension in feet: Height 5.9, Width 6.2, Length 15
Mileage: 12-14 kms/litre, fuel tank: 70 litres
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Steering type: Rack and pinion with power assist
Turning radius: 5.6 m
Suspension: Front: Independent double wishbone with coil springs
Rear: Five-link suspension with coil springs
Brakes: Front: Ventilated disc, Rear: solid disc
TATA ARIA 4×2
Price: Rs11.85 lakh (Ex-showroom, Mumbai)
Engine: 2179cc, I-4, diesel
Max power: 138 bhp@4000 rpm
Max torque: 32.6 kgm@1700-2700 rpm
Dimension in feet: Height 5.8, Width 6.2, Length 15.7
Mileage: 11-13 kms/litre, fuel tank: 60 litres
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Steering type: Rack and pinion with power assist
Turning radius: 5.6 m
Suspension: Independent double wishbone
with coil springs
Rear: Five-link suspension with coil springs
Brakes: Ventilated disc, solid disc
