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View Poll Results: What's your pick from this 4x4 choice?
Mahindra XUV5OO 130 34.57%
Mahindra Scorpio 33 8.78%
Tata Safari Storme 154 40.96%
Tata Aria 15 3.99%
Renault Duster 44 11.70%
Voters: 376. You may not vote on this poll

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Old 21st June 2015, 00:31   #1
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Mahindra XUV500 vs Mahindra Scorpio vs Tata Safari Storme vs Renault Duster vs Tata Aria

With the slew of refreshes being given to their products by Manufacturers especially Tata and Mahindra, it does say that the segment is currently heating up well with many customers jumping base from either a B2 hatchback or a C-segment sedan.

The amount of features for the price given is great in this segment along with the vast potential to tap sales is ever growing. The customer base for this segment is definitely in its upward stages and any new launch will be looked hard upon by customers as the current players have a good hold.

The cars compared here are:

Mahindra XUV 5OO vs Mahindra Scorpio vs Tata Safari Storme vs Tata Aria vs Renault Duster

  • Mahindra & Mahindra clearly have winners in their hand with both the Scorpio and XUV, they are just going to be smiling away to the bank as sales do show the an increase in our sales threads. With the recent facelift/refresh given to both the cars, time will tell how well the masses have accepted it. I can see the booking and waiting period increasing for XUV already.

  • Tata here has a lost plot except for the ageing Safari Storme that is clearly selling on the Safari name. This manufacturer as a whole needs a large makeover and completely new set of cars to tackle competition rather than flogging an old horse. I don't mean to say that the Safari is bad but the market now demands an upmarket product that too after Tata launching Bolt and Zest with such great interiors and features. Aria as seen is a dead horse with nothing much to write home about.

  • Renault is currently doing average with the Duster as the competition has heated up well and AFAIK, the 4x4 variant isn't pulling out numbers as the 2WD is doing. May be due to the price factor and people aren't too confident to get the 4x4 from Renault.

I have just put up a minor comparison between the cars for easier understanding and better select-ability for ones who are looking at these cars.

Points that the comparison are made on:
  1. Specifications;
  2. Prices;
  3. Features.

Last edited by a4anurag : 21st June 2015 at 02:47.
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Old 21st June 2015, 00:37   #2
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re: Mahindra XUV500 vs Mahindra Scorpio vs Tata Safari Storme vs Renault Duster vs Tata Aria

1) SPECIFICATION COMPARISON:

What has been compared in this section is:
  • Engine
  • Transmission
  • Dimensions
  • Weight
  • Brakes
  • Suspension
  • Tyres
  • Capacity

Mahindra XUV500 vs Mahindra Scorpio vs Tata Safari Storme vs Renault Duster vs Tata Aria-7.-specifications.jpg

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2) PRICES COMPARISON:

I have taken the prices from the websites of the respective manufacturers. Prices given are for major cities in India.

I have taken the variants as below for the comparison:

Mahindra XUV500 vs Mahindra Scorpio vs Tata Safari Storme vs Renault Duster vs Tata Aria-1.-variants.jpg

Cities used for comparison:
  • Delhi
  • Mumbai
  • Kolkata
  • Hyderabad
  • Chennai
  • Bangalore

Mahindra XUV500 vs Mahindra Scorpio vs Tata Safari Storme vs Renault Duster vs Tata Aria-6.-price-comparo.jpg

NOTE 1: Click any picture to open a larger higher-resolution version in a new window / tab.

NOTE 2: All the prices mentioned are Ex-showroom.

Last edited by a4anurag : 21st June 2015 at 00:46. Reason: Adding an image!
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Old 21st June 2015, 00:59   #3
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re: Mahindra XUV500 vs Mahindra Scorpio vs Tata Safari Storme vs Renault Duster vs Tata Aria

3) FEATURES COMPARISON

Base Variant:
  • XUV 5OO: W4
  • Scorpio: S4
  • Safari Storme: LX
  • Aria: Pure LX
  • Duster: RxL

Mahindra XUV500 vs Mahindra Scorpio vs Tata Safari Storme vs Renault Duster vs Tata Aria-2.-base.jpg

Mid Variant:
  • XUV 5OO: W6
  • Scorpio: S6
  • Safari Storme: EX
  • Aria: Pleasure
  • Duster: RxZ

Mahindra XUV500 vs Mahindra Scorpio vs Tata Safari Storme vs Renault Duster vs Tata Aria-3.-mid.jpg

Top Variant:
  • XUV 5OO: W8
  • Scorpio: S8
  • Safari Storme: VX
  • Aria: Pride
  • Duster: RxZ Optional

Mahindra XUV500 vs Mahindra Scorpio vs Tata Safari Storme vs Renault Duster vs Tata Aria-4.-top.jpg

Top (O) Variant:
  • XUV 5OO: W10
  • Scorpio: S10

Mahindra XUV500 vs Mahindra Scorpio vs Tata Safari Storme vs Renault Duster vs Tata Aria-5.-top-o.jpg

Last edited by a4anurag : 21st June 2015 at 01:01.
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Old 21st June 2015, 01:22   #4
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re: Mahindra XUV500 vs Mahindra Scorpio vs Tata Safari Storme vs Renault Duster vs Tata Aria

With the comparisons done on the above parameters, I would like to end it by adding some more information regarding the cars especially their '+' and '-'

Mahindra XUV 5OO

What you’ll like:

• A well-engineered, contemporary SUV with a value-for-money price tag
• More mature styling. Front end no longer looks garish
• Acres of space on the 1st & 2nd seat rows
• Competent engine delivers fantastic urban driveability, as well as fast highway performance
• Balanced ride & handling package
• Safety kit includes 6 airbags, ESP with rollover mitigation, ABS + EBD and all-wheel disc brakes
• Expansive feature list (sunroof, touchscreen ICE, powered driver's seat, cruise control etc.)

What you won’t:

• Absolutely no luggage capacity with all the seats in place
• Cramped 3rd seat row is best suited to children only. A sliding middle row is sorely missed
• Interior quality, although better, still has a lot of scope for improvement
• Clutch is lighter now, but has a long travel range & high resting point. Gets cumbersome in traffic
• Niggles & issues, as reported by existing XUV500 owners
• Mahindra's inconsistent sales & service experiences
• Automatic transmission nowhere in sight. Premium customers love their ATs

Mahindra XUV500 vs Mahindra Scorpio vs Tata Safari Storme vs Renault Duster vs Tata Aria-mahindraxuv500facelift02.jpg

Link to the Review:

XUV 5OO - Older model

XUV 5OO - 2015 Refresh

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mahindra Scorpio

What you'll like:

• Same popular SUV package, now improved in the 2014 avatar
• Robust, abuse-friendly build & construction
• Aggressive front-end styling. Has good street presence
• mHawk turbo diesel is a jewel of an engine. Great driveability, performance & fuel economy
• New chassis brings better road manners
• 4x4 available on S4 variant too. More affordable than the Safari 4x4 & Duster AWD
• The Scorpio enjoys strong resale value in the used car market
• Features: 6" touchscreen system, GPS navigation, projector headlamps, LED tail-lamps, auto-headlamps & wipers, cruise control, 17" rims etc.

What you won't:

• Ride quality, though improved, is far from plush. Still gets bouncy & bumpy
• Surprisingly limited 2nd-row legroom in an SUV of this size
• Overdone rear end styling. Also, decade-old body shell shows its age
• Fit & finish leave a lot to be desired. Rough edges are plentiful
• Price of the higher variants is dangerously close to the more accomplished XUV500
• Niggles & issues, as reported by existing Scorpio owners
• Automatic transmission has been deleted from the options list
• Mahindra's after-sales service quality is a hit or miss. Remains a gamble.

Mahindra XUV500 vs Mahindra Scorpio vs Tata Safari Storme vs Renault Duster vs Tata Aria-151621.jpg

Link to the Review:

New Scorpio - Review

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tata Safari Storme

What you’ll like:

• The best Safari till date. Tata continually upgrades & tweaks this SUV
• Solid body-on-frame construction. Substantial size & strong presence
• Competent 148 BHP engine. Excellent driveability & superb refinement
• Improved interiors, comfortable driving position & a much lighter clutch
• 1st & 2nd seat rows have enormous space. Nice seats too
• Good ride quality. Also, the X2 chassis brings better road manners & braking ability
• Low range 4x4 transfer case, limited slip differential and sufficient rear wheel articulation
• Additions such as a bigger 63 liter fuel tank, steering-mounted audio controls, double-din ICE, flippy key & LED cabin lamps

What you won’t:

• The same old body style. Surely shows its age
• Effectively a 5 seater. The 3rd row jump seats aren't suitable even for kids
• Not as dynamically accomplished as the XUV500, Duster or its sibling, the Aria
• No MID, navigation, climate control, reversing camera or dead pedal in a Rs. 15 lakh car
• ABS & all-wheel disc brakes removed from the base LX variant
• Niggling issues & problems (as per the many Safari ownership reports)
• Tata's after-sales service experience remains a gamble
• 4x4's critical electronic bits & fuel tank are placed too low. No protective plate against splashes either. Massive size & kerb weight negatively affect its offroad performance.

Mahindra XUV500 vs Mahindra Scorpio vs Tata Safari Storme vs Renault Duster vs Tata Aria-2015tatasafaristorme01.jpg

Link to the Review:

2015 - Refresh model review

Safari - 4x2 variant

Safari - 4x4 variant

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tata Aria

What you’ll like:

• Futuristic styling, stance & body-on-frame robustness
• 200 kgs lighter. Better performance and more nimble to drive too
• Spacious 1st & 2nd seat rows. Interior quality a big leap ahead for Tata
• Balanced road manners. Urban ride quality even better on 16" wheels
• Base variant gets decent kit (ABS, all disc brakes, audio system, electric mirrors etc.)

What you won't:

• Unsettled ride quality at highway speeds, just like the AWD variant
• Fully loaded Pride variant unavailable with the 4x2
• Third row of seats best suited to kids only
• Euro NCAP safety rating not applicable to the 4x2 (structural changes made)
• Tata's un-premium after-sales service experience

Mahindra XUV500 vs Mahindra Scorpio vs Tata Safari Storme vs Renault Duster vs Tata Aria-tataaria01.jpg

Link to the Review:

Aria - 4x4 variant

Aria 4x2 varinat

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Renault Duster

What you’ll like:

• Robust, abuse-friendly build & construction
• A very competent softroader. AWD system can take you places no 2WD can
• Retuned 109 BHP engine & shorter gear ratios make the Duster AWD extremely driveable
• 1.5L dCi turbo-diesel is known for its consistently high fuel efficiency
• Outstanding ride quality has further improved. Comfortable over any kind of road
• Car-like to drive. Balanced handling and dynamics. Extremely stable at high speeds
• Safety kit: ESP, ASR, ABS, EBD, BA & understeer control. Dual airbags for the top variant
• 210 mm of ground clearance for the AWD version. Dismisses broken roads with aplomb

What you won’t:

• Not a hardcore offroader like the Jeep & Gypsy 4x4s
• No 3rd row of seats. The Scorpio & Safari Storme are 7-seaters
• Interiors look cheap & dated in many areas. Weird ergonomics as well
• Mediocre rear seat legroom. More like C1 segment sedans than C2
• Poor NVH insulation. Engine, road & wind noise are prominent inside the cabin
• Missing features: No climate control, 60:40 splitting rear seat, dead pedal or 1-touch down windows
• Bigger, more spacious & feature-packed XUV500 AWD isn't priced too far above
• Renault's after-sales service quality is inconsistent.

Mahindra XUV500 vs Mahindra Scorpio vs Tata Safari Storme vs Renault Duster vs Tata Aria-151505.jpg

Link to the Review:

Duster - 2WD variant

Duster - 4x4 variant

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Acknowledgements:

Sincere Thanks to S2, GTO, Stratos, tsk1979, Tushar, Manson, Rehaan and Tejas@perioimpl for the Official reviews of the cars.

>> I have taken the "What you Like" and "What you Won't" from the Official Review section.

Thanks for reading.

Last edited by a4anurag : 21st June 2015 at 01:32.
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Old 22nd June 2015, 12:06   #5
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re: Mahindra XUV500 vs Mahindra Scorpio vs Tata Safari Storme vs Renault Duster vs Tata Aria

Thread moved out from the Assembly Line. Thanks for sharing!
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Old 22nd June 2015, 12:30   #6
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re: Mahindra XUV500 vs Mahindra Scorpio vs Tata Safari Storme vs Renault Duster vs Tata Aria

A useful comparison and well articulated.

However, a few points


Quote:
Originally Posted by a4anurag View Post


Tata Safari Storme

What you’ll like:

• • Low range 4x4 transfer case, limited slip differential
Since the above is being projected as Safari's strength. The Scorpio 4wd also benefits from the Low range transfer case. Besides this, with the right connects in the organisation, one can fit MLD on the scorpio, which is more robust than a clutch-based LSD (Yes its not so easy to get mahindra to install it, but the Scorpio has the installability)


Quote:
Originally Posted by a4anurag View Post
Tata Safari Storme


What you won’t:

• 4x4's critical electronic bits & fuel tank are placed too low. No protective plate against splashes either. Massive size & kerb weight negatively affect its offroad performance.
Where is the Intercooler placed on the new Storme? Is it still behind the front bumper, susceptible to hits on an incline (given the long front overhang).
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Old 22nd June 2015, 13:36   #7
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re: Mahindra XUV500 vs Mahindra Scorpio vs Tata Safari Storme vs Renault Duster vs Tata Aria

How painful it is for me, on one hand, to vote for the Safari Storme, but with the other, about to place money on the Scorpio S4+ 4WD.
This is indicative of how badly wrong Tata has it's variants lined up. It's close to a 4 Lakh INR difference between the two, where I live, and for that I get lesser Electrical gadgets that can fail!
:(

By the way, I think the OP has the Scorpio variant listed wrong. It should be S4+ instead of S4, for the 4WD variant.
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Old 22nd June 2015, 13:54   #8
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re: Mahindra XUV500 vs Mahindra Scorpio vs Tata Safari Storme vs Renault Duster vs Tata Aria

Quote:
Originally Posted by a4anurag View Post
The cars compared here are:
Mahindra XUV 5OO vs Mahindra Scorpio vs Tata Safari Storme vs Tata Aria vs Renault Duster
Aren't you comparing chalk to cheese, or oranges to apples, here?

Considering that all 4x4s are not the same in terms of transmission & 4wd mechanism (and chassis construction), this comparison of vehicles with an RWD + part-time 4wd system + low range TC (the Storme and Scorpio - with a body-on-frame structure) against those with a FWD + on-demand AWD system with no low range TC (XUV5OO / Duster AWD / Aria - with monocoque construction) doesn't really portray a proper picture.

The applications which each type of vehicle can be put to are not necessarily the same, and even if one variety wins when comparing the *Likes / Dislikes* and features list, it need not be the right 4x4 vehicle for the type of use the buyer has in mind.

I am refraining from voting, because my choice from among the list will depend on what use I have in mind for the vehicle I pick.

About time we try to educate our readers about the basic differences in the varieties of 4wd systems, rather than give them the impression that all 4x4s are the same.

BTW, why have vehicles like the Rexton AWD / Grand Vitara / Fortuner / Pajerosport / Honda CR-V (or the Thar) been left out? Are you restricting the comparo to a specific price band?

Last edited by SS-Traveller : 22nd June 2015 at 14:04.
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Old 22nd June 2015, 14:07   #9
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re: Mahindra XUV500 vs Mahindra Scorpio vs Tata Safari Storme vs Renault Duster vs Tata Aria

Quote:
Originally Posted by SS-Traveller View Post
Aren't you comparing chalk to cheese, or oranges to apples, here?

Considering that all 4x4s are not the same in terms of transmission & 4wd mechanism (and chassis construction), this comparison of vehicles with an RWD + part-time 4wd system + low range TC (the Storme and Scorpio - with a body-on-frame structure) against those with a FWD + on-demand AWD system with no low range TC (XUV5OO / Duster AWD / Aria - with monocoque construction) doesn't really portray a proper picture.

The applications which each type of vehicle can be put to are not necessarily the same, and even if one variety wins when comparing the *Likes / Dislikes* and features list, it need not be the right 4x4 vehicle for the type of use the buyer has in mind.

I am refraining from voting, because my choice from among the list will depend on what use I have in mind for the vehicle I pick.

About time we try to educate our readers about the basic differences in the varieties of 4wd systems, rather than give them the impression that all 4x4s are the same.

BTW, why have vehicles like the Rexton AWD / Grand Vitara / Fortuner / Pajerosport / Honda CR-V been left out? Are you restricting the comparo to a specific price band?
Besides, why should the result of a fight between these different 4wd's be decided on voting, where a person with knowledge of these systems have the same weightage as the others who might not have the same level of knowledge, besides being outnumbered.

Shouldn't this be decided by a jury of people who have used these 4x4's and have a fair idea of what to expect.
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Old 22nd June 2015, 14:26   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SS-Traveller View Post
Aren't you comparing chalk to cheese, or oranges to apples, here?
Quote:
Originally Posted by 1100D View Post
Shouldn't this be decided by a jury of people who have used these 4x4's and have a fair idea of what to expect.
Sincere apologies for the wrong information that I have given in this thread by the wrong comparison made between the cars.

Have reported the thread to be moved to Assembly Line so that I can compare it with the rights cars at using the right medium.

Apologies once again.
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Old 22nd June 2015, 15:16   #11
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Re: Mahindra XUV500 vs Mahindra Scorpio vs Tata Safari Storme vs Renault Duster vs Tata Aria

Quote:
Originally Posted by SS-Traveller View Post
Aren't you comparing chalk to cheese, or oranges to apples, here?
Hey SS-Traveller,

Yes, they have vastly different 4x4 / AWD systems.

However, other than the 2% specialists, the AWD systems of the XUV500 & Duster would meet the needs of everyone out there (travelling to remote areas, farmhouse, slush, muck, sand etc.).

Removed the 4x4 / AWD from the title. Lets choose from these vehicles, whether 4x4 or 4x2.

Good to have such a poll as the Duster (AWD), XUV500, Safari & Scorpio have all received serious updates in the recent past.
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Old 22nd June 2015, 15:19   #12
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Re: Mahindra XUV500 vs Mahindra Scorpio vs Tata Safari Storme vs Renault Duster vs Tata Aria

Quote:
Originally Posted by a4anurag View Post
Sincere apologies for the wrong information that I have given in this thread by the wrong comparison made between the cars.

Have reported the thread to be moved to Assembly Line so that I can compare it with the rights cars at using the right medium.

Apologies once again.
Do we really need to move this thread out of public view and into Assembly Line again? In its present form, it'll probably correct a lot of misconceptions that most people have, similar to what thought processes you went through while writing this thread.

No need for apologies. Apart from *Live to Drive*, we also *Live to Learn*! Prospective 4x4 vehicle buyers would certainly learn to choose better after going through the discussions and comments here.

Quote:
Originally Posted by GTO View Post
Hey SS-Traveller,

Yes, they have vastly different 4x4 / AWD systems.

However, other than the 2% specialists, the AWD systems of the XUV500 & Duster would meet the needs of everyone out there (travelling to remote areas, farmhouse, slush, muck, sand etc.).

Removed the 4x4 / AWD from the title. Lets choose from these vehicles, whether 4x4 or 4x2.
Yes, agreed. More like *The 10L-20L SUV Shoot Out*.

Last edited by SS-Traveller : 22nd June 2015 at 15:22.
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Old 22nd June 2015, 15:36   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GTO View Post

Removed the 4x4 / AWD from the title. Lets choose from these vehicles, whether 4x4 or 4x2.

Good to have such a poll as the Duster (AWD), XUV500, Safari & Scorpio have all received serious updates in the recent past.
Thank you for the correction.

Quote:
Originally Posted by SS-Traveller View Post
In its present form, it'll probably correct a lot of misconceptions that most people have, similar to what thought processes you went through while writing this thread.

No need for apologies. Apart from *Live to Drive*, we also *Live to Learn*! Prospective 4x4 vehicle buyers would certainly learn to choose better after going through the discussions and comments here.
Being a noob in the 4x4 section this thread and also a prospective XUV 5OO buyer wanted to know the difference.

Should have mentioned this in the first post to avoid confusion.

If all feel it is best to let the thread be here to educate myself and others, i don't mind it at all. Thanks once again.
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Old 22nd June 2015, 15:43   #14
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Re: Mahindra XUV500 vs Mahindra Scorpio vs Tata Safari Storme vs Renault Duster vs Tata Aria

Now that the description '4x4/AWD' is removed from from the title, I voted for Mahindra XUV 500. While buying my XUV 500, I test-drove Mahindra XUV 500 [4 times], Renault Duster [once] and Tata Safari Storme [once] and selected the first as I felt that it was enriched with many features, which were not found in some premium SUVs. The New Age XUV 500 has become more attractive with many more premium features.
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Old 22nd June 2015, 15:55   #15
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Re: Mahindra XUV500 vs Mahindra Scorpio vs Tata Safari Storme vs Renault Duster vs Tata Aria

This is more of quality of apple comparo. Good to have general feed back. How can we quantify "niggles" and "service harassment" due to them?
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