Mahindra XUV500 vs Mazda CX-30
What's the difference?

Mahindra XUV500

—

2018 price

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Mazda CX-30

$22,850 - $41,950

2024 price

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Summary

2018 Mahindra XUV500

2024 Mazda CX-30

By Andrew Chesterton

By James Cleary

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Diesel Turbo 4, 2.2L

Inline 4, 2.5L

Fuel Type

Diesel

Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

6.7L/100km (combined)

6.6L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

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

Value
Practicality
Safety

Dislikes

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

Dated interior
Fuel efficiency could be better
Bit noisy

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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2024 Mazda CX-30 Summary

If you’re in the market for a city- and family-friendly compact SUV, you’re in luck.

The small SUV segment is one of the most heavily populated and hotly contested in the Aussie new-car market and the Mazda CX-30 G25 GT SP FWD is pitched against a seething pack of at least 10 similarly sized, generously specified and highly-credentialed competitors.

So, stay with us on a mission to determine whether this high-end version of one of Mazda’s best sellers is worthy of a spot on your new-car short list.

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Deep dive comparison

2018 Mahindra XUV500 2024 Mazda CX-30

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

About to enter its fifth year in market the Mazda CX-30 is holding up well and this GT SP FWD grade delivers solid value relative to its key competitors, of which there are many. It’s also space-efficient, practical and performs well with top-shelf safety, decent refinement and good dynamic ability.

Alternately, it’s crying out for a hybrid powertrain to improve fuel efficiency, the interior form and function is starting to date and while it meets the market the ownership promise could be sharper. But this little SUV is still worthy of a spot on your new-car short list.

Mahindra XUV500 vs Mazda CX-30 What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Mahindra XUV500 vs Mazda CX-30
What's the difference?