Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 vs Kia Sonet HTX: Which Sub-4m SUV To Buy?

Modified On May 20, 2024 02:14 PM By Samarth for Mahindra XUV 3XO

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The XUV 3XO offers some segment-first features in its top variant, but how does the mid-spec variant compare to a similarly priced Kia Sonet variant?

The recently introduced Mahindra XUV 3XO is offered in seven broad variants, and choice of petrol and diesel engines, both with the option of a manual or automatic transmissions. One of its key segment rivals is the Kia Sonet. We compared the variant-wise prices of both sub-4m SUVs and noticed that the XUV 3XO AX5 variant was priced similarly to the Kia Sonet HTX variant, in a range of Rs 12-13 lakh (ex-showroom). If you were considering both these models in a similar budget, here’s a detailed comparison to help you pick the right one for you:

Price

Model	Petrol	Diesel
Model	Automatic	Manual	Automatic
Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5	Rs 12.19 lakh (AT)	Rs 12.09 lakh	Rs 12.89 lakh (AT)
Kia Sonet HTX	Rs 12.36 lakh (DCT)	Rs 12.10 lakh	Rs 13.10 lakh (AT)
Difference	Rs 17,000	Rs 1,000	Rs. 21,000

While the petrol-manual options for the XUV 3XO AX5 and Sonet HTX have a significant price difference, all the other comparable powertrain options for these two variants are priced within Rs 50,000 of each other.

Also Check Out: Mahindra XUV 3XO vs Kia Sonet: Specifications Compared

Dimensions

Model	Mahindra XUV 3XO	Kia Sonet
Length	3990 mm	3995 mm
Width	1821 mm	1790 mm
Height	1647 mm	1642 mm
Wheelbase	2600 mm	2500 mm
Boot Space	364 litres	385 litres

The Kia Sonet is 5 mm longer than the XUV 3XO, but the Mahindra stands 31 mm wider and 5 mm taller.
The XUV 3XO has a wheelbase that is 100 mm longer than the Sonet, resulting in more cabin space.

- The Sonet’s boot space is 21 litres more than that of the XUV 3XO.
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Powertrain

	Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5		Kia Sonet HTX
Engine	1.2-litre turbo-petrol	1.5-litre diesel	1-litre turbo-petrol	1.5-litre diesel
Power	112 PS	117 PS	120 PS	116 PS
Torque	200 Nm	300 Nm	172 Nm	250 Nm
Transmission	6-speed AT	6-speed MT, 6-speed AMT	7-speed DCT	6-speed MT, 6-speed AT
Mileage	17.96 kmpl	20.6 kmpl (MT) 21.2 kmpl (AMT)	19.2 kmpl	22.3 kmpl (MT) 18.6 kmpl (AT)

These are the specifications for the powertrains available with both subcompact SUVs at comparable prices. While the Mahindra turbo-petrol engine uses a torque converter automatic, the Kia gets a dual-clutch transmission, and both offer a relatively refined driving experience. The turbo-petrol unit of Sonet delivers a mileage of 19.2 kmpl which is more than that of XUV 3XO.

When considering a diesel engine, both get a 6-speed manual, but it’s the Sonet that gets the better automatic option with a 6-speed torque converter in comparison to the 3XO’s less refined AMT option. However, the Mahindra diesel engine packs more torque.

The Mahindra promises an impressive fuel economy of 21.2 kmpl in diesel AMT compared to 18.6 kmpl in the automatic unit of Sonet, while the Sonet gets a better fuel efficiency than XUV 3XO in the manual unit of diesel powertrain.

Also Check Out: 7 Key Advantages The Mahindra XUV 3XO Offers Over The Hyundai Venue

Features Highlights
Features	Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5	Kia Sonet HTX
Exterior	Bi-LED automatic projector headlights LED DRLs with turn indicators LED fog lamps 16-inch alloy wheels Connected LED tail lights	LED headlights with LED DRLs LED fog lamps Connected LED tail lights 16-inch alloy wheels Shark-fin antenna
Interior	Dual-tone black & white dashboard 60:40 split folding rear seats Front centre armrest with storage Rear centre armrest with cupholders Height adjustable headrests for all seats	All Black interiors with Brown inserts 60:40 split folding rear seats Black and Beige Semi-Leatherette seat upholstery Leather-wrapped steering and shifter Front centre armrest Rear centre armrest with cupholders Height adjustable headrests for front and rear passengers
Comfort & Convenience	Push button engine start/stop Power folding and adjustable ORVMs Cruise control Single-pane sunroof Dual-zone AC Rear AC vents Rear defogger Wireless phone charger Height adjustable driver’s seat Rear wiper and washer Drive modes (petrol-AT only) Manual day night IRVM Keyless Entry	Push button engine Start/Stop Power folding and adjustable ORVMs Cruise control Single-pane sunroof Automatic AC Rear AC vents Rear defogger Ventilated front seats Rear door sunshade Rear defogger Multiple drive modes (automatic) Paddle shifters (automatic) Manual day night IRVM Keyless entry
Infotainment	10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system 10.25-inch digital driver’s display 6-speakers Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay Adrenox connect with online navigation	8-inch touchscreen infotainment system 4.2-inch digital driver’s display 6-speaker system Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
Safety	6 airbags Electronic stability control (ESC) ABS with EBD Rear parking sensors Tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) All wheel disc brakes ISOFIX child seat anchors Rear view camera	6 airbags Electronic stability control (ESC) ABS with EBD Front and rear parking sensors Tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) All wheel disc brakes ISOFIX child seat anchors Rear view camera with guidelines

Final Takeaways

The mid-spec variants of both SUVs get similar levels of exterior features, including LED DRLs, connected tail lamps, and 16-inch alloy wheels.
Both variants come with a dual-tone dashboard, single-pane sunroof and 60:40 split rear seats. They also offer features like cruise control, rear AC vents, and a push start/stop button.
The Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 offers wireless charging and dual-zone climate control, which the Kia Sonet HTX misses out on, though the Sonet HTX offers the convenient paddle shifters in the automatic powertrain which is a miss in the XUV 3XO.

Mahindra XUV 3XO Infotainment System

In terms of technology, it’s the XUV 3XO AX5 that has some advantages over Sonet in the form of a larger 10.25-inch display for the instrument cluster as well as the infotainment system that is offered with the connected Adrenox technology. This variant of the Sonet only offers the 8-inch infotainment unit and analogue dials in the instrument cluster.
When it comes to safety, both the variants are well-equipped, as both get six airbags, ABS with EBD, ESC and TPMS. However, the Sonet HTX has an edge here, thanks to front parking sensors, which the XUV 3XO AX5 misses.

The mid-spec Sonet HTX and XUV 3XO AX5 are quite evenly matched in terms of comfort and safety. However, the Mahindra offering has the more premium cabin thanks to the larger displays and dual-zone AC while also packing more torque from both engines.

However, if you want the more refined diesel-automatic option or a more efficient petrol engine, the Kia offering might be the better pick for you. Which of these similarly priced, feature-rich variants of the XUV 3XO and Sonet would you choose? Let us know in the comments below.