Maruti Suzuki Ertiga vs Mahindra Xylo

Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. (MSIL) is all set to venture into the rapidly growing segment of Multi Purpose Vehicles (MPVs) with its latest offering, Ertiga. The company has realised that it cannot rely on hatchbacks to retain its position as India's largest car maker and has, thus, made its foray into a segment in which it has no prior experience. However, the latest model in its portfolio, Ertiga, will have to contend against the current leader of the segment, Mahindra Xylo, in order to win the title of India's best MPV.

Mahindra Xylo is a powerful vehicle that has become the favourite of urban buyers who need a family vehicle with ample seating space, decent comfort and convenience features as well as the capability to undertake long distance journeys. This is the same class of customers that Maruti Suzuki is targeting through its Ertiga. While the USP of the latter is sufficient space in a compact frame, the latest edition of the latter boasts of refurbished exteriors that have helped it attract many new buyers.

The following table shows how Maruti Ertiga fares against its competitor Mahindra Xylo in terms of technical specifications:

Mahindra & Mahindra has enjoyed an enviable position in the MPV segment till now, but it can be justified that Maruti has come with a technically sound vehicle that can take on Xylo. The main advantages that the former has over the latter include its superior mileage and compact size, while latter performs better on the grounds of engine capacity and spaciousness.

In terms of seating configuration, both cars come with 5 + 2 seat arrangement, which is sufficient for a large urban family. However, lack of space in the third row can put off some buyers who may consider buying the Ertiga. Moreover, the city driving experience of the model will also be crucial towards its sales. Thus, Maruti has to ensure the driving quality of Ertiga should be at par or better than Mahindra Xylo. Notably, the former will be priced slightly higher than the latter, which may also play a role in its sales in the long run.

Both cars come with a host of interior features that make the passengers comfortable on long journeys. The comfort and convenience features of the two models make city driving as well as long journeys enjoyable. Each vehicle comes with a decent in-car music system with several connectivity options and provides entertainment to the occupants throughout the trip. The ample headroom and leg room make both cars ideal for families with tall members, while sufficient boot space allows them to take care of luggage easily.

Maruti Suzuki has done well by coming up with petrol as well as diesel versions of Ertiga, since Xylo is available only in diesel variant, which keeps at bay buyers who want a powerful petrol model. However, the fuel efficient diesel vehicles account for more than 70 per cent of the sales in the country’s MPV segment, so the impact of a petrol variant on sales cannot be speculated. As Maruti gears up to launch Ertiga on April 11, 2012, auto enthusiasts are waiting for the competition to further intensify in India’s booming MPV segment.

Maruti SuzukiErtiga [2018-2022] ₹ N/A OnwardsCheck On Road Price

Share via