The budget-end of the Australian automotive market is an interesting and colourful place at the moment.
Where once it was exclusively filled with gutless, no-frills tiny tots that lacked even the most basic creature comforts, let alone advanced safety systems, first-time new car buyers are today treated to a wider range of choices with plenty of mod-cons and cutting-edge driver aids.
Like these two: the chunky and funky Mahindra XUV 3XO – the Indian brand’s first city-sized SUV – and the latest generation of the venerable Suzuki Swift hatchback, which now features an all-hybrid lineup.
Both come loaded with standard equipment that belies their sub $25k pricetags, and are cheap to own thanks to fuel-sipping powertrains and affordable servicing programs.
But which one is best? Let’s dig in to find out…
How much?
The Mahindra XUV 3XO is the newer of this pair, having arrived in local showrooms a couple of months after the sixth-generation Swift earlier this year, with the entry-level AX5L costing just $23,990 drive-away – making it Australia’s most affordable SUV.
There is, of course, a higher-grade AX7L variant that costs an extra $3000 and brings more equipment and the option of a two-tone colour scheme.
It doesn’t take that much more money to get into the entry-level variant of the three-grade Suzuki Swift lineup, which costs $24,990 drive-away with a five-speed manual transmission or $27,490 drive-away with a CVT automatic.
The mid-range Swift Plus and range-topping GLX come standard with the self-shifting transmission and command an additional premium of $4000 and $6000 respectively.
So, it’s a first-up win for the Mahindra on sticker price, but let’s see if the value continues to stack up in terms of equipment.
What do you get?
As mentioned, it wasn’t that long ago that cars at this end of the market still had manual wind-up windows, a basic radio, and only the essential safety equipment required to meet local design rules and keep costs down.
You literally got what you paid for – the convenience of mobility, but not much more.
But the XUV 3XO and Swift represent a new era of budget-friendly motoring, with generous levels of standard equipment, including:
- Keyless entry with push-button start
- Cloth seat trim
- Air-conditioning
- Touchscreen infotainment display
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Embedded satellite navigation
The Mahindra goes even further though, with larger 16-inch alloy wheels compared to the Swift’s 15-inch steelies with hubcaps, plus it has dual-zone climate control with rear air vents and a chilled glovebox, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, USB power outlets, a sunroof, and a six-speaker audio system (the entry-level Swift has just two speakers).
Are they safe?
Both of these cars come equipped with a comprehensive array of advanced safety systems and driver aids, and both have been subjected to independent assessment by ANCAP, achieving a three-star rating under the latest and most stringent protocols.
The XUV 3XO and Swift both feature the following safety functions:
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Adaptive cruise control
- Lane keeping assistance
- Traffic sign recognition
- Reverse camera with rear parking sensors
- Six airbags
Again, the Mahindra offers even more with tyre pressure monitoring, blind-spot monitoring, and a 360-degree parking display.
What are they like inside?
Here’s another surprising thing about both of these cars – they might be small on the outside, but they are amazingly practical on the inside, where both cars offer more space than you’d imagine.
The Mahindra XUV 3XO is slightly bigger than the Swift in all key dimensions, measuring 3990mm in length and riding on a generous 2600mm wheelbase, with the front and rear axles pushed to each end of the vehicle in order to maximise interior space.
The Swift, by comparison, measures 3860mm in length and rides on a 2450mm wheelbase.
Both are five-seaters with enough headroom and legroom in the back for two adults to travel comfortably, or three small children across the bench.
The fact the Mahindra has rear air vents, a USB power outlet and a fold-down arm rest in the centre makes it even more liveable. And the standard sunroof brings more light into the cabin too, making it feel even more spacious.
Plus, the XUV 3XO has significantly more cargo capacity in the boot, which has a total volume of 364 litres compared to the Swift hatchback’s 265L.
And for those up front, both cars have comfortable seats with decent support, plenty of adjustment, good vision and an array of convenient small-item storage solutions.
The Mahindra’s mostly black colour palette is offset somewhat by light coming in via the standard sunroof, whereas the Swift has a softer and lighter tone with a mix of grey and white through the centre of the dash, separated by black highlights on the centre console.
Both have high-mounted infotainment touchscreens with easy-to-navigate menu structures, but the Mahindra’s is slightly larger and the digital instrument cluster also adds a more modern touch.
What’s under the bonnet?
Both of these cars are powered by 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engines that drive the front wheels, but that’s where the similarities end.
The Mahindra XUV 3XO has a turbocharged triple that produces 82kW of power and 200Nm of torque, and comes standard with a six-speed automatic transmission.
Meanwhile, the Suzuki Swift has a naturally-aspirated three-pot linked to a 12V mild-hybrid system that adds electrical assistance under initial acceleration and shuts down the engine when the vehicle is stationary to save fuel.
It only generates 61kW of power and 112Nm of torque, but consumes around 30 per cent less fuel with a claimed average of just 3.8L/100km in manual form (4.0L/100km with the CVT). That compares to Mahindra’s claimed average for the XUV 3XO of 6.5L/100km
Cost of ownership
The Mahindra offers more when it comes to long-term ownership credentials, as the XUV 3XO is covered by a seven-year/150,000km warranty with roadside assistance, and six years of capped-price servicing.
Regular maintenance is required every 12 months or 15,000km, and costs a total of $1994 over the first six years.
In comparison, the Swift is covered by a five-year/unlimited-km warranty with roadside assistance, and capped price-servicing for the same period.
As with the Mahindra, service intervals are 12 months or 15,000km (whichever comes first), and servicing costs $1955 for the first five years.
CarExpert’s Pick
The biggest winner here is consumers – whether they be first-time new car buyers, empty-nesters or those on a tight budget – as both of these relatively new arrivals prove the bottom end of the auto market has never been more competitive, and entry-level models have never been more substantial.
The Suzuki Swift is a solid choice with excellent build quality, good driving dynamics, and a mild-hybrid powertrain that will save you money at the petrol bowser.
But, especially with an auto transmission, the Swift costs significantly more than the XUV 3XO, and yet doesn’t come with anywhere near the level of creature comforts and mod-cons of the Mahindra, which is undeniably one of the best-value new cars on sale today.
