Comparison: Mahindra XUV500 vs Toyota Innova Crysta

Check out the detailed comparison of Mahindra XUV500 and Toyota Innova Crysta.

The Toyota Innova has always been that defacto choice when it comes to choosing a proper full size 7-seater MUV. Since its launch, the Innova has built its reputation for being that perfect Toyota, by offering bulletproof reliability and comfort levels which haven’t been matched by any of its rivals all these years. However, Toyota decided to make the brand more premium by rejuvenating the model, and thus, came the Innova Crysta in picture.

With the Innova Crysta, the brand became more premium and luxurious, and with that, came an increase in its price range as well. This has put the Innova Crysta in the price bracket of entry level full size SUVs, the segment which has been ruled by Mahindra XUV500. Both the cars have a lot of common, but then, there are a lot of subtle differences between them too.

So, how do they fare against each other? Let’s find out.

Exterior

There is a stark difference in both the vehicles look. The Mahindra XUV500 does look like an SUV, with big imposing chrome grille, noticeable haunches above both the wheels when viewed from the sides and curves which make it feel aerodynamic, just like how all the modern SUVs are designed. With the facelift, Mahindra has managed to make it look a bit more premium than before. And when it comes to being premium, Toyota has really nailed it by making the Innova Crysta look much fresher and contemporary than the model it has replaced. Yes, the profile still looks very much MUV-ish, with taut lines and overall boxy stance, but then, the overall profile looks smoothly designed with nicer looking front stance and raised height, which makes the car look bigger than before (which it actually is).

In terms of features, both the XUV500 as well as Innova Crysta are closely matched with each other, by offering modern levels of lighting and contemporary design on the outside.

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Interior

Just like the exterior design, there is a considerable difference in the way the interior cabins of both the cars do differ. Despite of retaining the overall layout, Mahindra has rejuvenated the cabin of the XUV500 by spicing it up with posh elements such as soft touch dashboard, tan and black leather upholstery, piano black finish on center console and redesigned touchscreen infotainment system which now comes with really nice in-built features such as Android Auto, Bluesense and Ecosense apps, voice command system and many more.

With the Innova Crysta, Toyota has shown that MUVs can look premium and not boring, by giving it a cabin which really is the best in the MUV business. The cabin comes loaded with all the premium features you expect from a vehicle of this cadre, such as touchscreen music system, leather upholstery, wood finish interior panels and rear AC vents for all the three rows. And when it comes to overall fit and finish as well as comfort levels, the Innova Crysta beats the XUV500. However, it is the XUV500 which comes with a longer set of features to offer.

Dimensions

Both these 7-seaters offer an imposing stance and large dimensions which may feel cumbersome to drive in city traffic. In comparison, the Innova Crysta is the larger vehicle of the two with bigger length and height, whereas the XUV500 is the wider of the two and offers better range with larger tank capacity. Thanks to longer wheelbase, the Innova Crysta has better interior room, which makes the second and third row of this car more comfortable and spacious.

Engine and Transmission

Both the XUV500 as well as Innova Crysta come with a host of engine options to choose from. Let’s talk about the ones which are meant to sell more, i.e., diesel. While the XUV500 comes with the 2.2 liter four cylinder diesel engine as the only option here, the Innova Crysta comes with two diesel engine options which are distributed evenly in different variants – a 2.4 liter four cylinder diesel as well as a 2.7 liter four cylinder diesel. Out of the three engines here, it is obviously the 2.7 liter diesel engine which is the one to go for, which offers the best performance numbers here.

On the other hand, when it comes to petrol, while the XUV500 comes with a 2.2 liter four cylinder petrol engine, the Innova Crysta is equipped with a 2.7 liter four cylinder petrol engine. Here also, the Innova Crysta’s engine has better performance numbers to offer.

Diesel

Petrol

Safety

Both Mahindra as well Toyota deserve a huge round of applause for packing the XUV500 as well as Innova Crysta with top-of-the-line safety features, many of them being first-in-class in the sub-20 lakh price bracket.

Ride and Handling

The Mahindra XUV500 comes fitted with McPherson Type with Anti-roll Bar at front and Multilink Type with Anti-roll Bar at the rear, whereas the Toyota Innova comes with Double Wishbone Type with Torsion Bar at the front and Coil Spring Type 4 Link type at the rear. In comparison, while the body roll is better controlled in XUV500, the ride quality of the Innova Crysta is plusher than that of the XUV500.

ALSO READ: Mahindra XUV500 vs Jeep Compass Comparison

Price in India

Here are the comprehensive prices of all the top-spec variants of both of them, and going by them, the Innova Crysta is definitely the more expensive out of the two:

Diesel

Petrol

Verdict

Both the vehicles are targeted for different audiences – while the XUV500 has a wider appeal as it offers the driving feel, rigidity and versatility of an SUV, the Innova Crysta is purely for those who prefer comfort and premium appeal over everything else. And when it comes to price and packaging, the XUV500 is the one which feels more value for money with its much more competitive and justifiable prices. In our opinion, if you can sacrifice that extra inch of comfort level, it is the XUV500 which definitely is the more sensible option to go for.