Mahindra XUV500 vs Jeep Compass
What's the difference?

Mahindra XUV500

—

2018 price

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Jeep Compass

$14,990 - $33,850

2022 price

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Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

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Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class

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Summary

2018 Mahindra XUV500

2022 Jeep Compass

By Andrew Chesterton

By Tim Nicholson

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Diesel Turbo 4, 2.2L

Diesel Turbo 4, 2.0L

Fuel Type

Diesel

Fuel Efficiency

6.7L/100km (combined)

6.9L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Cheap way into seven seats
Petrol/auto combination a winner
Hugely spacious third row

Excellent multimedia system
New semi-premium interior
Spacious cabin

Dislikes

Underwhelming safety
Steering that requires plenty of guesswork
Cheap-feeling interior

Overall drive experience
Badly executed driver assist systems
Poor value for money

2018 Mahindra XUV500 Summary

Just in case attacking Australia's crowded SUV market with a virtually unheard of Indian brand wasn't a high enough hurdle to leap over, Mahindra had made its task even harder - think a Bollywood version of Mission Impossible - by launching its XUV500 SUV here with a diesel engine (which nobody wanted) and a manual gearbox (which few could even remember how to use).

Fortunately, it fixed one of those issues late in 2016, finally adding an automatic transmission to the line-up. And now, at long last, it's fixed the other.

This, then, is the petrol-powered XUV500 SUV. And, on paper at least, it's the most sense-making Mahindra to date.

For one, it's a ferociously cheap way into a new seven-seat SUV. For another, it's pretty well equipped, even from the base level. There's a long warranty, an equally long roadside assistance offering, and there's capped-price servicing, too.

So, should the mainstream SUV players be looking over their shoulders?

Spoiler alert: no.

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2022 Jeep Compass Summary

The Jeep Compass is something of a unicorn among the long list of small SUVs sold in Australia. It is now the only model in either the light or small-SUV category that is available with a diesel engine.

That diesel is found under the bonnet of just one variant – the rugged Trailhawk which is also the flagship of the range.

Aside from Suzuki’s adorable Jimny light SUV, the Compass Trailhawk is the only small SUV with some off-road ability.

After going on sale in Australia in late 2017, the second-generation Compass was overhauled as part of a mid-life update in 2021. Aside from subtle styling tweaks, the biggest change was a new multimedia system.

Has Jeep done enough to lift the Compass from an also-ran to a model that buyers should consider, or was the update too little, too late?

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Deep dive comparison

2018 Mahindra XUV500 2022 Jeep Compass

Verdict

This petrol-powered and well-priced XUV500 W6 might mark Mahindra's most convincing effort at cracking Australia's congested SUV market, but we're still not completely convinced.

That said, it's certainly cheap, the ownership credentials stack up and it's a very comfortable way to transport seven people.

Verdict

The Jeep Compass Trailhawk is a curious beast. On the one hand, it looks pretty cool, and it has a well-executed new interior, featuring one of the best multimedia set-ups in the business. It’s spacious and has a long list of standard comfort and safety gear.

Sadly, that’s where the positives end.

It is way too expensive for what you get, especially when you consider the quality of some of its rivals from mainstream and premium brands.

The driver assist features are badly in need of recalibration and the overall drive experience is a letdown.

If you really want a diesel-powered small SUV, perhaps look at one of the much better diesel models at the smaller end of the medium-SUV segment.

Mahindra XUV500 vs Jeep Compass What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Mahindra XUV500 vs Jeep Compass
What's the difference?