Maruti Ertiga price and more against Mahindra Xylo MPVs
RIDE AND HANDLING
The Ertiga is based on the Swift platform which means it has a car-like monocoque construction, unlike the Xylo’s more rudimentary ladder-on-frame construction. This makes the body more rigid and the low centre of gravity helps it corner well. This gives the Ertiga car-like driving dynamics and you can drive it quite briskly. The soft suspension means the low-speed ride is plush and even as speeds increase, the Ertiga handles bumps with aplomb and feels solid. There is a bit of up-and-down motion over undulating surfaces, but it never gets uncomfortable. The Ertiga’s suspension works silently too and it’s just over sharp bumps that there is a mild thud from the suspension.
The steering offers good feedback and is light enough at city speeds. Manoeuvrability too is terrific and this is one of the USPs of the Ertiga. Despite the soft setup, body roll through corners is well controlled, and once you get used to the Ertiga’s size, it gives you the confidence to push it as much as you would a saloon. In the ride and handling department, the Ertiga easily pips the rather crude Xylo.
The Mahindra is based on a beefy chassis like the Bolero’s. It is tall and rides on huge tyres. The suspension is tuned for ride quality, which means bumps are easily absorbed at slow city speeds. But it feels a little too soft for higher speeds. The Xylo has a tendency to bob up and down through dips and doesn’t feel as stable
