The Tata Nexon and Mahindra XUV300 are both strong contenders in the compact SUV market, but there is one thing that is different in 2026: the former has the benefit of a new model, while the XUV300 has been discontinued and replaced by the Mahindra XUV3X0. This makes buyers, when comparing the two vehicles in the present, compare a new Nexon with a used XUV300. The paper shows that the petrol manual transmission of the XUV300 offered 18.24 km/l versus 17.44 km/l for the petrol manual Nexon, and the diesel Nexon continues to be more fuel-efficient.
Real-world results make the diesel comparison even clearer. The Nexon diesel has returned approximately 17.95 km/l in mixed driving compared with around 16.15 km/l for the XUV300 diesel. The Nexon also adds a factory CNG option, giving buyers an even lower-cost alternative that the old Mahindra never offered. The XUV300, however, counters with considerably stronger torque and performance, particularly in diesel form.
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Tata Nexon vs Mahindra XUV300 Specs
The current Tata Nexon comes with three different types of engines. Its 1.2-litre turbo-petrol generates 120hp and 170Nm of torque and can be combined with manual, AMT, or DCT gearboxes depending on the variant. The 1.5-litre diesel engine generates 115hp and 260Nm of torque and is offered with a six-speed manual or AMT. Tata also provides a factory-made CNG option of the 1.2-litre engine that generates roughly 100hp and 170Nm of torque.
The final Mahindra XUV300 had a broader performance spread. Its regular 1.2-litre turbo-petrol produced around 111hp and 200Nm, while the more powerful TGDi petrol made 131hp and 230Nm. The 1.5-litre diesel produced 117hp and a substantial 300Nm. Depending on engine and variant, the XUV300 was available with manual and AMT gearboxes.
| Specification | Tata Nexon | Mahindra XUV300 |
| Petrol engine | 1.2L turbo | 1.2L turbo / 1.2L TGDi |
| Petrol power | 120hp | 110hp / 130hp |
| Petrol torque | 170Nm | 200Nm / 230Nm |
| Diesel engine | 1.5L turbo-diesel | 1.5L turbo-diesel |
| Diesel power | 115PS | 117PS |
| Diesel torque | 260Nm | 300Nm |
| CNG | Factory CNG available | Not available |
| Transmission | MT / AMT / DCT | MT / AMT |
| Fuel tank | 44 litres | 42 litres |
| Availability | On sale new | Discontinued and replaced by XUV 3XO |
In terms of torque advantage, the XUV300 is ahead by a margin. Its diesel engine provides about 40Nm more torque compared to the Nexon, while even the base petrol engine has more torque in comparison to the Nexon. However, the Nexon gives customers greater options in terms of transmissions and fuel types.
Tata Nexon vs Mahindra XUV300 Claimed Mileage
The current Nexon petrol manual is rated at 17.44 km/l, while the petrol AMT claims 17.18 km/l and the DCT 17.01 km/l. The factory CNG version is rated at 24 km/kg. The diesel uses the same basic powertrain that has previously carried figures of 23.23 km/l for the manual and 24.08 km/l for the AMT; these are useful carryover references rather than newly published September 2026 certification figures.
The last official reading for the XUV300 had a fuel efficiency of 18.24km/l for petrol manual and 17km/l for petrol AMT. The diesel manual was stated to have managed 20.1 km/l, and the diesel AMT was rated at 20 km/l. These numbers have been sourced because the model has been discontinued by the manufacturer.
| Car | Engine & Transmission | Fuel Type | Claimed Mileage |
| Tata Nexon | Petrol MT | Petrol | 17.44 km/l |
| Tata Nexon | Petrol AMT | Petrol | 17.18 km/l |
| Tata Nexon | Petrol DCT | Petrol | 17.01 km/l |
| Tata Nexon | Diesel MT | Diesel | 23.23 km/l* |
| Tata Nexon | Diesel AMT | Diesel | 24.08 km/l* |
| Tata Nexon | CNG MT | CNG | 24 km/kg |
| Mahindra XUV300 | Petrol MT | Petrol | 18.24 km/l |
| Mahindra XUV300 | Petrol AMT | Petrol | 17 km/l |
| Mahindra XUV300 | Diesel MT | Diesel | 20.1 km/l |
| Mahindra XUV300 | Diesel AMT | Diesel | 20 km/l |
*Carryover figures for the mechanically unchanged diesel powertrain.
According to these numbers, XUV300 wins marginally in terms of petrol-manual fuel economy, while Nexon performs far better than it in terms of diesel mileage.
Also Read: Mahindra XUV300 Alternatives: Competitors of Mahindra XUV300
Tata Nexon vs Mahindra XUV300 Real-World Diesel Mileage
The diesel-manual comparison provides the cleanest real-world result because both vehicles have instrumented test data. The Nexon diesel has returned approximately 16.5 km/l in city driving and 19.4 km/l on highways. That gives a simple combined reference of around 17.95 km/l.
The XUV300 diesel manual clocked a mileage of about 14.4km/l while driving in the city and about 17.9 km/l on highways, allowing a nearly average mileage of just a little above 16.15 km/l. Therefore, Nexon is expected to be better in both scenarios.
| Nexon Diesel MT | XUV300 Diesel MT | |
| City | 16.5 km/l | 14.4 km/l |
| Highway | 19.4 km/l | 17.9 km/l |
| Combined reference | ~17.95 km/l | ~16.15 km/l |
| Fuel tank | 44L | 42L |
| Approx. mixed range | ~790 km | ~678 km |
Another favourable factor in Nexon’s favour is its large 44-litre fuel tank. Considering the average mileage stated above, Nexon’s theoretical mixed range can be expected to be more than 100 km higher than that of XUV300.
Tata Nexon vs Mahindra XUV300 Real-World Petrol Mileage
The petrol comparison is not as clean because the available data comes from different test methods. The XUV300 petrol manual returned around 9.7 km/l in city conditions and 14.8 km/l on highways in an instrumented test, giving a simple combined reference of roughly 12.25 km/l.
The current Nexon petrol manual is being reported by owners to deliver an average mileage of around 16.03 km/l, whereas an older drive test on the same anticipated the mechanically related 120hp petrol manual to have provided a mileage of around 13.26 km/l city and a highway mileage of around 14.45 km/l. These figures would be approximately equal to 13.85 km/l average mileage.
These numbers point towards the Nexon being the more efficient petrol SUV in normal use, despite the XUV300’s slightly better final ARAI manual figure. However, because the data is not from an identical test methodology, the petrol result should be treated as indicative rather than as controlled as the diesel comparison.
Also Read: Tata Nexon vs Nissan Magnite Real-World Mileage Comparison
Tata Nexon CNG Mileage
The Nexon also boasts another significant advantage – factory CNG. The latest drive test of the Nexon iCNG was able to show real-world fuel economy figures of about 15.1km/kg city and 23.7km/kg highway, giving an average of roughly 19.4 km/kg.
The XUV300 was never offered with an equivalent factory CNG powertrain. That makes the Nexon particularly relevant for buyers who prioritise low fuel cost over outright diesel torque.
The CNG edition continues to deliver adequate performance, being capable of producing up to 100 hp and 170 Nm. This means it has higher power than many conventional compact CNG cars while also having substantially lower fuel costs than both petrol SUVs.
Tata Nexon vs Mahindra XUV300 Fuel Cost Comparison
For the cleanest ownership-cost comparison, we will use the diesel manuals. Assume 1,500 km of driving every month, equal to 18,000 km annually, with diesel priced at approximately ₹95.20 per litre in New Delhi in September 2026.
| Nexon Diesel MT | XUV300 Diesel MT | |
| Reference Mileage | 17.95 km/l | 16.15 km/l |
| Monthly Fuel Use | 83.6L | 92.9L |
| Monthly Fuel Cost | ~₹7,330 | ~₹8,140 |
| Annual Fuel Cost | ~₹87,900 | ~₹97,700 |
| 5-Year Fuel Cost | ~₹4.40 lakh | ~₹4.89 lakh |
Monthly savings of ₹890 is what the Nexon diesel provides in comparison to the XUV300 diesel model. If this analysis is done for a complete one-year period, the total savings is ₹10,600, while over five years with similar usage, fuel cost variations are calculated to be around ₹53,000.
The saving is useful but not enormous. Buyers comparing a used XUV300 diesel with a new Nexon should therefore also consider purchase price, vehicle condition, service history and likely maintenance expenses.
Also Read: Mahindra XUV300 Real World Mileage
Petrol and CNG Running Costs
In terms of petrol costing around ₹102.12 per litre, the Nexon petrol manual, with a reported fuel economy of 16.03 km/l, comes to ₹11,060 on a monthly basis for 1,500km of driving. The XUV300 petrol manual, with its older measurement of 12.25 km/l, totals ₹12,500 monthly.
That suggests a significant Nexon advantage, but the different test methods mean this should not be treated as a precise like-for-like cost result. The diesel comparison remains more reliable.
Calculation of fuel expenses for a Nexon CNG is more straightforward. It has an average of 19.4 km/kg of CNG costing approximately ₹86.98 per kg, which drives fuel consumption for 1,500km to 77.3 kg. This leads to roughly 6,725 in fuel expenses on a monthly basis, equal to ₹80,700 in a year, or approximately ₹4.04 lakh for five years.
That makes the Nexon CNG the cheapest powertrain to fuel in this comparison.
Why Is the Nexon Diesel More Efficient?
The XUV300 diesel engine has a bigger torque advantage, generating an impressive 300Nm compared to the Nexon’s 260Nm. This gives the Mahindra noticeably higher performance at low speeds, thus making it especially good while overtaking or carrying passengers. But higher fuel consumption is its biggest disadvantage.
The Nexon takes a more balanced approach. Its 115hp and 260Nm remain strong enough for highway use and full-load driving, but its real-world city and highway figures are both better than the XUV300’s.
The Nexon’s fuel tank capacity is slightly bigger than that of many competitors. With improved fuel efficiency and an added two litres in tank size, the Nexon offers much higher mileage between two refuelling sessions.
Also Read: Tata Punch vs Tata Nexon Real World Mileage Comparison
Tata Nexon vs Mahindra XUV300 Price
The current Nexon starts at around ₹7.4 lakh ex-showroom and extends beyond ₹14 lakh depending on fuel type, transmission and trim. Buyers can choose between petrol, diesel and CNG, making the range significantly broader than what the XUV300 offered at the end of its life.
When it comes to the newly launched XUV300, it carries a price tag ranging from ₹7.99 lakh to ₹14.76 lakh. However, this range is historical and is not valid for potential buyers today, as most buyers in need ofthe XUV300 would rather look for a used vehicle.
| Model | Variant / Powertrain | Approx. Price |
| Tata Nexon | Smart Petrol MT | ~₹7.4 lakh |
| Tata Nexon | Smart CNG | ~₹8.3 lakh |
| Tata Nexon | Smart+ Diesel MT | ~₹9.0 lakh |
| Tata Nexon | Pure+ Petrol AMT | ~₹9.6 lakh |
| Tata Nexon | Pure+ Diesel AMT | ~₹10.64 lakh |
| Tata Nexon | Creative Petrol DCT | ~₹11.25 lakh |
| Tata Nexon | Fearless+ Diesel AMT | ~₹14.02 lakh |
| Mahindra XUV300 | Base petrol | ₹7.99 lakh* |
| Mahindra XUV300 | Higher petrol/diesel variants | Up to ₹14.76 lakh* |
*Last recorded new-car prices before discontinuation.
Buying a used XUV300 will prove to be much more economical than purchasing the latest Nexon, but the actual price will depend on many factors including model year, kilometres driven, number of owners, accidents, service history, etc.
Summary
The Tata Nexon is the stronger overall mileage choice. In the clean diesel-manual comparison, it returns around 17.95 km/l compared with 16.15 km/l for the XUV300. That translates to lower monthly fuel costs and a longer full-tank range.
The Mahindra XUV300 remains the superior option when it comes to performance, especially in diesel form, where the 300Nm of torque clearly exceeds the Nexon’s 260 Nm. The more powerful TGDi petrol engine boasts 130PS and 230Nm, making the old XUV300 a preferable option for used car buyers who value performance.
Overall, choose the Tata Nexon if fuel economy, current new-car availability, diesel efficiency or factory CNG matter most. Consider the Mahindra XUV300 as a used option if stronger torque and performance are higher priorities. For outright running cost, the Nexon CNG is the cheapest option of all.
Related Blogs:
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Tata Punch vs Mahindra XUV300 Real-World Mileage Comparison
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FAQs about Tata Nexon and Mahindra XUV300 Mileage
Q. Which has better mileage, Tata Nexon or Mahindra XUV300?
The Tata Nexon has better real-world diesel mileage. Its diesel manual returns around 17.95 km/l compared with approximately 16.15 km/l for the XUV300 diesel manual.
Q. What is the real-world mileage of the Tata Nexon diesel?
The Nexon diesel manual has returned around 16.5 km/l in the city and 19.4 km/l on highways, giving a combined reference of approximately 17.95 km/l.
Q. What is the real-world mileage of the Mahindra XUV300 diesel?
The XUV300 diesel manual returned approximately 14.4 km/l in city driving and 17.9 km/l on highways, giving a combined reference around 16.15 km/l.
Q. Which is cheaper to run, Nexon diesel or XUV300 diesel?
The Nexon diesel is cheaper to run. At 1,500km per month, it costs roughly ₹7,950 in diesel compared with approximately ₹8,840 for the XUV300.
Q. Does the Nexon have a CNG advantage?
Yes. The Nexon offers a factory CNG version that has returned around 19.4 km/kg in real-world testing. The XUV300 did not have a factory CNG option.
Q. Is the Mahindra XUV300 still available new?
No. The XUV300 has been discontinued and replaced by the Mahindra XUV 3XO. Buyers considering an XUV300 in 2026 will generally be looking at used examples.
