Tata Buzzard Vs Mahindra XUV500 - Which One Is The Go-To Option For You?

by Mohammed Burman | 14/03/2019
Share this post:
In this article, we are going to provide you with a comparison between the Tata Buzzard, the 7-seat version of the Tata Harrier (codenamed as H7X) and the Mahindra XUV500.

The 7-seat version of the Harrier SUV was revealed earlier this month in the 2019 Gevena Motor Show under the name “Tata Buzzard”, the upcoming flagship vehicle of the home-grown auto manufacturer. Once launched in India, it will definitely pose a direct danger to the popular Mahindra XUV500, which has been one of the best-selling 7-seater SUV in India.

Also readMahindra XUV500 2018 Review India

The India-spec 7-seat Tata Harrier is likely to get some changes against the unveiled model and Tata Motors has also confirmed that it will get another name when coming to India. However, for now, let’s compare the two important products from the two domestic automakers: the Tata Buzzard and the Mahindra XUV500 in details. The forthcoming Buzzard with a strong basis of the Harrier and the Mahindra XUV500, which has been around in India for quite some time as one of the top-selling 7-seat SUV, which one will attract you more? Before making a decision, read this article.

Also read

2019 Tata Harrier Review: What Makes The Car So Appealing?

Tata Harrier Vs Mahindra XUV500 – Detailed Comparison

Tata Buzzard vs Mahindra XUV500 Exterior

Since the Tata Buzzard is a later comer; therefore, it is expected to have a much more modern look than the Mahindra XUV500. Actually, since it is a 7-seater version of the Tata Harrier, it bears a strong resemblance to the 5-seater sibling.

The front of the Buzzard looks exactly the same as the Harrier with some outstanding features such as projector headlamps with bulb-shaped LED DRLs and front fog lamps. On the sides, it also resembles the Harrier SUV except for slightly larger alloy wheels, a wider glass in the rear and a raised roofline. In the rear, if you are a car novice, you need to have very good eyes to realize some subtle differences between the two siblings which include an updated tailgate supporting a wider windscreen in the rear and new taillights. Generally, the SUV has an impressive appearance with a contemporary design and robust dimensions.

Tata Buzzard blue side profile

The Tata Buzzard comes with a modern look and bold dimensions

On the other hand, the XUV500 comes with a somewhat traditional design. After several facelifts, the SUV still remains its bold stance and there is almost nothing special about its exterior look. Although it may look not as modern as the Buzzard, it is still beautiful in its own way, thanks to the robust stance, which has been one of Indian auto buyers’ favourite SUV features.

2018 Mahindra XUV500 dark silver side profile

Mahindra XUV500, after receiving several updates, is still beautiful in its own way with a bold stance

Both the two SUVs has its own advantage in terms of exterior look, but considering the fact that many Indian auto buyers nowadays give cars’ aesthetics a high priority, if we still have to pick the winner, we will go for the Tata Buzzard because of its fresher design.

Tata Buzzard vs Mahindra XUV500 Interior

Interior features

In this competition, the Buzzard shows a clear advantage over its competitor. The vehicle’s cabin reminds us of a lot of the Harrier except for the three seat rows. The 7-seater SUV shares the dashboard and almost all the panels with the smaller sibling. Like the Harrier, the Buzzard has an impressive feature list, which consists of top-notch ones like

  • Semi-digital instrument cluster

  • 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment unit which supports MirrorLink, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity

  • Two-tone temperature control.

At launch, the Tata Harrier was introduced without a sunroof; however, considering the increasing demand for this feature owing to the suffocating air in India, Tata Motors is expected to develop a fixed glass roof instead of a traditional sliding one for the Tata Buzzard. This will ensure that the addition of this new feature will not sacrifice the headroom and the safety of the vehicle.

Tata Buzzard interior

The Tata Buzzard offers much more top-notch interior features as compared to the Mahindra XUV500

On the other hand, the cabin of the Mahindra XUV500 is not equipped with some of the cutting-edge features like the Tata Buzzard. But it comes with a sunroof in the top-spec variant. The XUV500 interior has started to become outdated and definitely lose in this competition against the Tata Buzzard.

Mahindra XUV500 interior

The Mahindra XUV500, which has been around for quite some time, comes with a little bit outdated cabin

Safety features

Equipped with a wide array of safety features, both the SUVs ensure a safe journey for both the driver and the co-passengers. However, again here, the Tata Buzzard is the winning candidate by offering a much wider range of safety features which include

  • Airbags

  • ABS with EBD

  • Hill hold control

  • Rear parking camera with sensors

  • Emergency brake assist

The Mahindra XUV500 is also packed with airbags, ABS with EBD among the other safety features but it lacks the hill holder and the brake assist and ]the rear parking camera is exclusive only to the top-spec variants.

Tata Buzzard vs Mahindra XUV500 Specifications

Dimensions

Dimensions

 Tata Buzzard

 Mahindra XUV500

Differences 

 Length

 4,661 mm

 4,585 mm

 + 0.076 mm

 Width 

 1,894 mm

 1,890 mm

 + 0.004 mm 

 Height

 1,786 mm

 1,785 mm

 + 0.01 mm

 Wheelbase

 2,741 mm

 2,700 mm

 + 0.041 mm

The 5-seater Harrier already slightly dominates the XUV500. The H7X, while borrowing the wheelbase from the Harrier, has a 62mm greater length than its smaller version. In fact, the Buzzard overshadows its competitor in all dimensions. The longer wheelbase and greater length of the Buzzard will translate into a more amber cabin, particularly for the third seat row as compared to the XUV500. This gives the former a clear advantage over the latter.

Tata Buzzard blue angular right

Here again, the Tata Buzzard proves to be the winner with slightly greater proportions

Engine and performance

Model

Engine types 

 Max Power

 Peak torque

Transmission 

Tata Buzzard

Fiat-sourced 2.0L Multijet II

 170 hp

 350 Nm

  6-speed AT/MT 

 Mahindra XUV500

 

2.2L turbo diesel

155 hp

 360 Nm

  6-speed AT/MT 

 2.2L petrol

 140 PS

 320 Nm

 6-speed AT/MT

 

The Tata H7X keeps a Fiat-sourced 2.0L Multijet II motor under its hood which can produce a maximum power of 170 bhp and a peak torque of 350 Nm, which is 12 hp more and 10 Nm less than those produced by the 2.2L turbo diesel motor of the XUV500. Tata’s 2.0L Multijet II engine sourced from Fiat is well-known for its good fuel efficiency and refinement, which cannot be paralleled by that of the XUV500.

The XUV500 receives its power from the engines through a 6-speed MT and a 6-speed AT gearbox. Likewise, the transmission duties on the Tata Buzzard are implemented by the same gearbox options. The Mahindra XUV500 also has a petrol engine and an AWD system which are two clear advantages over the Tata Buzzard. We expect Tata Buzzard to be available with an AWD system and a petrol motor in its production model when it comes to India.

In this competition, despite the greater power output, the lack of the AWD system and the petrol motor make the Buzzard lag behind the XUV500.

2018 Mahindra XUV500 white angular left

The Mahindra XUV500 is the winner, thanks to its petrol engine option and an AWD system

Tata Buzzard vs Mahindra XUV500 Price

 Model

 Price

 Tata Buzzard

 INR 13.50 - 18 lakh (expected, ex-showroom)

 Mahindra XUV500

 INR 12.72 - INR 19.48 lakh (ex-showroom, New Delhi)

The price list of the Tata Buzzard will only be unveiled at its launch. Nevertheless, based on the Harrier’s prices, the 7-seater version is expected to have a higher price by approximately INR 75,000 - INR 80,000 than its smaller sibling. This means that the Buzzard is likely to be priced in the range from INR 13.50 lakh to INR 18 lakh (ex-showroom). On the other hand, the Mahindra XUV500 has a price range between INR 12.72 – 19.48 lakh (ex-showroom, New Delhi).

Despite a somewhat disappointing lack of an AWD system and the petrol motor, in general, the Tata Buzzard is the winner in this competition with much greater dimensions, a more modern exterior and interior along with a wider range of top-notch features. So, if you are a traditional person who prefers a car with a conventional design and an AWD system, the XUV500 is the one to go. On the other hand, if you like a modern SUV with cutting-edge features, the Buzzard is the more suitable one.

This comparison is expected to help you make a wiser decision when considering between two SUVs. After reading this article, which one would you choose? Share with us in the comment section below. 

Read more car compare articles from IndiaAuto.com

Related Videos
Tracking icon
Would you like to receive notifications with latest news and car deals from IndianAuto?