A new generation of city-friendly soft-roaders are flipping the script on the ‘cheap and cheerful’ tagline.
While that saying has commonly been used in the past with a negative connotation to diplomatically describe – or deride – cars for which the only redeeming feature is their price tag, it is now a legitimate and literal description for the latest range of high-riding tiny tots including these two, the Mahindra XUV 3X0 and Hyundai Venue.
Yes, they are cheap, and among the most affordable new cars on sale in Australia today. And, yes, they are cheerful, with a sense of style about them, as well as a surprisingly delightful amount of equipment for the money, which makes them enjoyable to own and drive.
Both are ideal first cars for young drivers, small families, inner-city urbanites or even empty-nesters in the midst of downsizing.
But which one fits the literal interpretation of being cheap and cheerful the best? Let’s find out…
How much?
The Mahindra XUV 3X0 is the newest baby crossover to arrive in the kindergarten class of SUVs, and is available in two model grades – the entry-level AX5L and the range-topping AX7L.
When it was launched in July, the XUV 3X0 was the most affordable light SUV in Australia with a starting price of $23,490 drive-away. But that was a honeymoon deal which expired at the end of August.
But even now with its regular pricing in place, which sees the AX5L cost $23,990 drive-away and the AX7L priced at $26,990 drive-away, the XUV 3X0 remains one of the most accessible new cars available today.
The Hyundai Venue is a full generation older than the Mahindra, having first launched in Australia in 2019, but was updated late last year.
It is offered in three model grades, starting at $22,750 before on-road costs for the eponymous entry-level variant with a manual transmission, and taking a significant leap up in price for the mid-spec Active at $27,000 plus on-roads, while topping out at $29,500 plus on-roads for the flagship Elite also fitted with an automatic transmission as standard.
To see how the Mahindra XUV 3XO lines up against other small SUVs, check out ourcomparison tool
What do you get?
Usually at this end of the market, you get the basics and not much more. But Mahindra bucks that trend with a generous level of standard equipment, even in the base AX5L form.
Mahindra 3XO equipment highlights:
- 16-inch alloy wheels
- Automatic LED highlights
- Keyless entry with push-button start
- Black cloth upholstery
- Power windows
- Sunroof
- Climate control air conditioning with a cooled glovebox
- 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster
- 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment display
- Wireless phone charger
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Bluetooth connectivity
- DAB+ digital radio
- 6-speaker audio system
3XO AX7L adds:
- Larger 17-inch wheels
- Contrasting two-tone paint with black roof
- Front LED fog lights
- Black synthetic leather trim
- Larger ‘Sky Roof’ sunroof
- Harmon Kardon premium audio with amplifier and sub woofer
The Hyundai Venue matches the Mahindra for the basic amenities, but misses out on a lot of the 3X0’s little luxuries and conveniences.
Hyundai Venue comes equipment highlights:
- 15-inch alloy wheels
- Keyless entry
- Cloth trim
- Power windows
- Air-conditioning
- 4.2-inch TFT instrument cluster
- 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment display
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Wireless phone charger
- Bluetooth connectivity
- 4-speaker audio system
Venue Active adds:
- Larger 17-inch alloy wheels
- Six-speed automatic transmission
- LED headlights and daytime running lights
- Power folding exterior mirrors
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Premium interior trim
- 6-speaker audio system
Venue Elite adds:
- Smart Key remote
- Bluelink connected services
- Embedded satellite navigation
- DAB+ digital radio
- Rear privacy glass
- Climate control air-conditioning
- Chrome exterior highlights
- Optional two-tone exterior
To see how the Mahindra XUV 3XO lines up against other small SUVs, check out ourcomparison tool
Are they safe?
The Mahindra XUV 3X0 has yet to be tested by ANCAP, while the Venue has a four-star rating from Australia’s independent auto safety body.
But that doesn’t tell the whole story, as the Hyundai’s score dates back to 2019 when it was first launched under less stringent protocols than today.
Either way, both come standard with essential safety equipment such as autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection, plus lane keeping assistance and six airbags.
But the Mahindra goes a few steps further than the Hyundai with more advanced driver aids and crash avoidance systems, including adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality, blind spot monitoring (which is only available in the top-spec Venue Elite), traffic sign recognition and a 360-degree reverse parking display.
However, the range-topping Venue Elite is equipped with Hyundai’s Bluelink connected services, which includes automatic collision notification and emergency SOS call functions, as well as remote vehicle status and notifications if the windows or doors are left open or the alarm is triggered.
To see how the Mahindra XUV 3XO lines up against other small SUVs, check out ourcomparison tool
What are they like inside?
In both of these cars, you get a lot more than you’d expect at this end of the market, not just in terms of features but also in style, spaciousness and practicality.
Both place roughly the same footprint on the road, measuring 3990mm and 4040mm in length for the XUV3X0 and Venue respectively.
But the Mahindra is fractionally wider than the Hyundai (1821 versus 1770mm) and rides on a slightly longer wheelbase (2600 versus 2520mm), which means the front and rear axles are pushed further to each end of the car to liberate a little more space inside the cabin.
They are both still small cars though, making them ideally suited to urbanites or empty-nesters that only occasionally need the rear seats, or young families with small children.
The Mahindra is deceptively more roomy in the back with a decent amount of rear legroom, and it has the added convenience of air vents on the back of the centre console plus a fold-down centre armrest, neither of which feature in the Hyundai.
For those up front, both light SUVs provide reasonably comfortable seats with plenty of adjustment, excellent forward vision and an array of small-item storage spaces.
The Mahindra’s dashboard layout lines up all the major controls in a vertical stack in the centre, whereas the Hyundai has a more horizontal aesthetic that looks just as modern despite being close to the end of its lifecycle, but it doesn’t present as nicely with cheap, scratchy plastics.
As for cargo space, the Mahindra provides a little more than the Hyundai with 364 litres of boot capacity compared to 355L.
To see how the Mahindra XUV 3XO lines up against other small SUVs, check out ourcomparison tool
What’s under the bonnet?
Here’s where the Hyundai is really starting to show its age, especially alongside the Mahindra.
All three Venue variants share the same powertrain – a 1.6-litre naturally-aspirated four cylinder petrol engine that produces 90kW of power and 151Nm of torque, driving the front wheels through either a six-speed manual transmission (in the entry-level model only) or a six-speed torque-converter automatic.
And, even though the Venue weighs less (between 1140kg for the base manual and 1255kg for the flagship Elite auto) than the XUV 3X0 (which tips the scales at 1392kg for the AX5L and 1410kg for the AX7L), it consumes more fuel with a claimed average of 7.0L/100km (manual) and 7.2L/100km (auto).
That’s because the Mahindra uses a more modern, smaller-capacity turbocharged 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine that produces slightly less peak power at 82kW but significantly more torque, with 200Nm available over a broad 1500-3550rpm.
As such, the XUV 3X0 feels both more effortless and zippier to drive, while consuming less fuel with a claimed average of 6.5L/100km.
To see how the Mahindra XUV 3XO lines up against other small SUVs, check out ourcomparison tool
Cost of ownership
Both Mahindra and Hyundai now cover their vehicles with a seven-year warranty, however, Mahindra’s is limited to 150,000km while Hyundai’s has no mileage limit.
However, Hyundai’s aftersales guarantee is conditional on the vehicle being serviced on time by its authorised dealer network. Otherwise, it falls back to the company’s standard five-year warranty.
Both manufacturers include free roadside assistance and capped-price service plans.
The XUV 3XO’s maintenance program extends for the first six years or 85,000km and costs $1994 over that timeframe, while the Venue comes with a lifetime capped-price service scheme and costs $2448 over the same six-year period.
To see how the Mahindra XUV 3XO lines up against other small SUVs check out ourcomparison tool
CarExpert’s Pick
Both of these little tackers punch well above their weight and are excellent city and suburban runabouts because each of them is deceptively practical, easy to drive, relatively cheap to run and loaded with more equipment than you’d expect for their price tags.
But the newer Mahindra XUV 3XO highlights just how far city SUVs have come in a short period of time, offering a higher level of safety equipment, a more modern drivetrain, and better interior packaging.
Plus, it comes loaded with a level of standard equipment – even in the base model – that amplifies its value for money beyond compare. Yes, it is indeed cheap and cheerful.