Mahindra XUV300 vs Ssangyong Tivoli: Same-Same, but Different!

Mahindra acquired Ssangyong back in 2011. Then in 2015, the first product after acquisition came into existence. It was the Ssangyong Tivoli. Within a year of Tivoli’s launch, the company reported net profit in 9 years. The takeover was successful! Mahindra tried to replicate this success by introducing Mahindra’s iteration of Tivoli, the XUV300. It was launched in 2019. But are we Indians getting the same? Its time for Mahindra XUV300 vs the Ssangyong Tivoli. Let’s find out!

Let’s compare the looks first!

Ssangyong Tivoli and Mahindra XUV300 are based on the same platform. But the dimensions are pretty different when compared. Take a look.

• Although the Tivoli has got extra length, the wheelbase for both the cars is same. The XUV300 has been kept sub-4 meter in order to be able to enjoy the tax benefits in India.
• The XUV300 has also better shoulder room as well as slightly better headroom.

So, in terms of space, even though Tivoli has extra length to offer, the XUV300 shows that it’s not always the size that matters, it’s the way you use it, properly!

Now that we know of the dimensions, its time we take a look at how do these compact SUVs look in front of each other.

At the front, Ssangyong Tivoli feels much more premium when compared to the XUV300 as it has got a bold front fascia with radiator grille and Ssangyong badging at the centre. The headlamp housing is almost identical, but the LED headlamps at the Tivoli have better looks, although it is subjective.

At the rear, Tivoli again oozes out a premium with the LED combination tail lamps. The XUV300 also gets LED taillamps but the ones at Tivoli are better looking for sure. But if you are to compare the cars on the basis of segment, XUV300 looks more of an SUV at the rear.

The interior at the Ssangyong is all-black with red inserts. The plush dashboard and the door panels give it an upper hand over the XUV300 which has the basic interior.

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What’s under the Hood?

The platform might be the same, but both the Compact SUVs offer different engine options under the hood. Let’s take a look.

The Tivoli is simply powerful. And that’s not all. It also offers an AWD system. Why do the international iterations of Indian cars offer AWD and the ones in India miss out? It was the same in the case of Renault Duster and Dacia Duster.

See for yourself: Renault Duster vs Dacia Duster | Are we missing something out?

What about the safety, is Tivoli better in that part too? 

Mahindra XUV300 is currently the safest car in India as it scored a 5-star rating at the Global NCAP with 4-star for the child occupancy. But is it safer than Tivoli or at par with it? Let’s find out!

Safety Features Comparison
	Mahindra XUV300	Ssangyong Tivoli
Airbags	7	7
Front and Rear Disc Brakes
ABS with EBD and Brake Assist
Forward Collision Warning System
Lane Change Assist
Rear Parking Sensors
Front Parking Sensors
High Beam Assist
Anti-rollover Protection
Emergency Stop Signal
Hill Descent Control
Heated ORVMs
Hill Start Assist
Front Vehicle Start Assist

It is simply clear that the Ssangyong Tivoli has much to offer in safety part when compared to the XUV300. That being said, XUV300 offers safety much more than any car compared in India at present. For eg, the disc brakes at all the four corners are still not available in a lot of cars in the segment. Now its time to take a look at comfort and convenience features.

Comfort and Convenience Features
	Mahindra XUV300	Ssangyong Tivoli
Cruise Control
Electric Sunroof
Heated Front Seats
Ventilated Front Seats
Dual Zone Fully Auto AC
Telescopic and Tilt Steering
Heated Steering Wheel
17.78cm Touchscreen Infotainment
Android Auto and Apple Carplay

Again, Tivoli shows a better pack of features for comfort and convenience. Mahindra XUV300 could have offered a few features like front ventilated seats and heated steering wheel. But still, it does the job well.

The best part about the Ssangyong Tivoli is that it gets a fully digital instrument cluster, which in my opinion does look mean. Mahindra XUV300, on the other hand, does get an informative cluster but is dull when compared to the Tivoli.

So this was all for the comparison here. Ssangyong Tivoli is better in terms of performance as well as features. But this does not mean that XUV300 lacks far behind. It is already the segment-best in India when it comes to performance. What do you think? Let us know in the comments section below.