Mahindra XUV400 vs Nexon EV Max vs MG ZS EV vs Hyundai Kona: dimensions, specs, range, charging compared

Mahindra‘s recently unveiled XUV400 electric SUV is slated to go on sale in India in January 2023. Based on the ICE-powered, compact XUV300, the Mahindra XUV400 is a direct rival to the Tata Nexon EV Max. This then becomes the second homegrown mass-market electric SUV and the fourth overall that you can buy in India right now.

We pit the XUV400 against the Tata Nexon EV Max, as well as the MG ZS EV and Hyundai Kona Electric, both of which it also matches closely in terms of positioning and specifications. Read on to see which electric SUV comes out on top on paper in terms of size, specs and range.

Mahindra XUV400 vs rivals: dimensions

Although based on the sub-4m XUV300, the XUV400’s length has been increased – by 205mm – because the tax benefits valid for the sub-4m rule do not apply to EVs. 

Compared to its rivals, the XUV400 is longer than both the Nexon EV Max and Kona Electric, but is 123mm shorter than the MG ZS EV. It is, however, the widest SUV in its class. In terms of height again, the XUV400 is taller than both Nexon EV Max and Kona Electric, but is 15mm shorter than the ZS EV.

The XUV400 also has the longest wheelbase, which, at 2,600mm, is also identical to that of the Kona Electric. Thanks to the added length, the Mahindra electric SUV also has the largest boot in its segment. As for their wheel sizes, the XUV400 and Nexon EV Max ride on 16-inch wheels, while the ZS EV and Kona Electric ride on larger 17-inch units.

Mahindra XUV400 vs rivals: power, range and performance

All SUVs here are powered by a front axle-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor, but it’s the ZS EV that has the largest battery capacity of 50.3kWh. The XUV400, meanwhile, has one of the smaller batteries in this lot, only marginally larger than the Kona Electric.

Despite that, the XUV400 has a claimed range of 456km, and that’s not only greater than the Nexon EV Max and Kona Electric but is just 5km less than the ZS EV which gets a much larger battery. Do note that the real-world driving range will differ as per driving conditions and driving style.

In terms of power outputs, the ZS EV is the most powerful with 176hp, while the XUV400 comes in second with 150hp. And while the Kona Electric is the least powerful of the lot, it makes up with class-leading torque figures by quite a fair margin. Again, the XUV400 slots in second in terms of torque output, while the Nexon EV Max has the least torque.

In terms of performance, all SUVs can sprint from 0-100kph in less than 10 seconds, but it’s the XUV400 that’s the quickest at 8.3 seconds. Meanwhile, the Kona Electric is the slowest at 9.3 seconds. Do note that these are manufacturer claimed figures and might differ in real world tests.

Mahindra XUV400 vs rivals: charging

Although all SUVs here have different battery sizes, it’s the XUV400 that charges the fastest from 0 to 80 percent using a 50kW DC fast charger. Meanwhile, the ZS EV takes the longest, and understandably so, as it also has the largest battery pack.

However, when using a 7.2kW AC charger, the Nexon EV Max tops up its battery the quickest, followed by the Kona Electric and XUV400. Here again, the ZS EV takes the longest to charge. Lastly, using a standard domestic charger, the XUV400 is the quickest to top up its batteries to 100 percent, followed by the Nexon EV Max and then the Kona Electric.

Mahindra will announce prices for the XUV400 sometime in January 2023, which is when we will know exactly where it fits in the company of these electric SUVs. For reference, the prices for the Nexon EV Max range between Rs 18.34 lakh-20.04 lakh*, while the ZS EV is priced between Rs 21.99 lakh-25.88 lakh*. Lastly, the Kona Electric is priced between Rs 23.84 lakh-24.02 lakh*.

*all prices ex-showroom, Delhi

Would you pick the Mahindra XUV400 over any of its rivals? Let us know in the comments below.

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