Jeep entered the Indian market last year with SUVs - the Wrangler Unlimited, Grand Cherokee and the Grand Cherokee SRT. As these SUVs were directly imported as CBUs, they had an expensive price tag and were out of reach from most of the car buyers. However, Jeep has now introduced its new SUV, the Compass, which starts at Rs 14.95 lakh and goes up to Rs 20.65 lakh (ex-showroom, New Delhi). It is the most affordable car in the country from the American SUV maker.
In this price bracket, the baby Jeep overlaps several cars. However, we are interested in how it stacks up against the Tata Hexa and the Mahindra XUV500. The idea is understand which of the trio gives you the best value for your money.
Before we get cracking, let’s get the fundamental differences and similarities out of the way.
The entry-level diesel variant (Sport) of the Jeep Compass overlaps the price of the Mahindra XUV500 W8 and the Tata Hexa XT 4x2. All three cars have an array of features in each of their trim levels. Here’s a list of all the major ones in the above mentioned variants.
In its entry-level trim, the Jeep is left shorthanded. Apart from the features listed above, both its rivals have way more creature comforts. As far as the Mahindra is concerned, it includes push button start/stop, voice messaging system with SMS readout functionality, micro hybrid technology, light-sensing headlamps and mobile charging points for the first and second rows.
Similarly the Hexa trounces the Compass with its long list of features including SD card video and image playback, automatic climate control, rain-sensing wipers, cooled glovebox, automatic headlamps and ORVM demister.
However, don’t count out the Jeep yet as it does have some features which the other two miss out. For instance, a sliding armrest for the front passengers, a built-in compass, ISOFIX anchorages for child booster seats, dual-stage passenger airbag and an electronic parking brake.
Next up is the Longitude variant of the Jeep Compass, which falls in the same sort of price bracket as the Mahindra XUV500 W10 and range-topping Tata Hexa XT 4x4. Here’s how they stack up.
Jeep Compass Longitude - Rs 16.45 lakh
Additional features:
17-inch alloy wheels
Rear fog lamps
Front cornering fog lamps
6 speakers
Keyless go
Reverse parking sensors
Electrically adjustable and foldable ORVMs
Push button start
Mahindra XUV500 W10 - Rs 16.06 lakh
Additional features:
Electronic sunroof with anti-pinch
Connected Apps with infotainment
Brake energy regeneration
6-way power adjustable driver’s seat
Illuminated scuff plates
Reverse parking camera with dynamic assist
Bonnet with hydraulic assist
In the same sort of price range, you can also opt for the W8 AT variant. Although it is priced at Rs 16.22 lakh and misses the features mentioned in this section, it does give you the convenience of an automatic transmission (6-speed), especially in start/stop traffic conditions.
Tata Hexa XT 4x4 - Rs 16.24 lakh
Additional features:
Four wheel drive
Toque on demand
Automatic drive mode display in theme colour
Like the XUV500, you can also have the Hexa with an automatic transmission in the same price range. The Tata Hexa XTA is priced at Rs 16.13 lakh and although it misses out on the four-wheel drive and torque on demand technology, it gets a 6-speed automatic transmission with sports mode.
From here on, only two cars remain in this price-sensitive comparison. Next in line is the Longitude (O) variant of the baby Jeep. It is priced at Rs 17.25 lakh, a whiff over the Rs 17.11 lakh price tag of the XUV500 W10 AWD MT.
You guessed it right! The only difference between the two W10 variants is the availability of an all-wheel drive system in this one. The rest of the features remain exactly the same. On the other hand, the Jeep Compass in its Longitude (O) form gets additional gadgetry. The list includes:
Roof rails
Bi-function projector halogen headlamps
Rear parcel shelf
7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility
Activated carbon air filter
Signature LED position lamps
Topping the range of the Mahindra XUV500 is the W10 AWD AT. Priced at Rs 18.09 lakh, it is just a smidge more than the Limited variant of the Jeep Compass which costs Rs 18.05 lakh. The bump in price for the Mahindra product is due to the inclusion of a 6-speed automatic gearbox. Everything else remains exactly the same.
However, in its Limited trim the Jeep Compass carries all the goodies from the Longitude (O) variant and gets a bit more to justify that price hike. The additional feature list includes LED taillamps, reverse parking camera, door scuff plates and leather-wrapped steering wheel.
Unfortunately, this comparison has to end here. Reason? Even the Mahindra XUV500 has gone out of variants now. As far as the Jeep is concerned, it has three more diesel-powered variants - Limited (O), Limited 4x4 and Limited 4x4 (O).
Now that you know all three cars inside out, which one would you pick? Do let us know in the comments section.
Source: CarDekho.com
