Mahindra showcased its upcoming flagship SUV, the SsangYong G4 Rexton, at the Auto Expo 2018. The second-gen Rexton will make its way to the Indian market with a Mahindra badge and will square off against two veterans in the Indian full-size SUV segment - the Toyota Fortuner and the Ford Endeavour. So let’s get down to the business of comparing these full-size SUVs. How does Mahindra’s future flagship fare on paper against the established rivals? Let’s find out!
In order to take the crown of Mahindra's leader item from the XUV500, the 7-seat Rexton will take the battle to full-size premium SUVs like the Toyota Fortuner and the Ford Endeavor. The second-gen G4 Rexton, in another context, is longer, more expensive, higher and spacious than the outgoing variant and will highlight a 2.2-liter diesel motor with 7-speed AT. Mahindra is known for budget pricing and will attempt to undermine its two essential opponents when it is launched with a normal tag of under Rs 25 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).
Honda used the Delhi expo splendidly as it displayed numerous new autos that we needed to see. Also, one of them was the 2018 CR-V with its 7-seat SUV out of the blue. Another one was the 1.6-liter Earth Dreams diesel motor with a 9-speed automatic transmission engine which will give the CR-V a genuinely necessary lift in the diesel-ruled SUV market. When launched in Indian markets, the CR-V will soon enter our nearest Honda dealerships. It is expected to be announced in the financial year 2018-19.
Handling gear swapping duties in the G4 Rexton will be a 7-speed automatic gearbox. The Mahindra flagship will also get a low ratio transfer case for handling the rough stuff. It remains to be seen whether Mahindra brings in a 2WD version to give the G4 Rexton a competitive price tag to take on its rivals.
The CR-V diesel 1.6-litre diesel engine isn’t likely to be a huge improvement over the 1.5 we have in India. The two engines share many parts, and then there’s the fact that this 1.6 is a mere 99cc larger. How much better can it be? And this new CR-V, with its larger seating capacity and greater mass, will also be a huge 142kg heavier than the current car.
The Mahindra G4 Rexton will primarily go up against the Ford Endeavour and the Toyota Fortuner and is likely to undercut the two when it is launched later this year. It is expected to be priced in the range of the Isuzu MU-X, which starts at Rs 24.83 lakh. The new CR-V, when it comes sometime in the middle of 2018, is likely to a bit more expensive than the current car. Prices are expected to start at Rs 23 lakh for the petrol 2WD, similar to that of the current car, but this diesel is likely to be a bit more expensive at around Rs 25 lakh. Those who’ve been wanting a diesel CR-V will find the car hugely appealing. It’s comfortable, smooth, powerful, better built than the earlier car and should be more efficient too! And you’ll get the practicality of seven seats as well!
