There are plenty of newcomers in the crossover scene, and at this point, the models are just one-upping each other with specs, drive, and promises of a solid ownership experience. We have the Toyota Starlet Cross, the recently announced Mahindra XUV 3XO, and a popular choice, the Nissan Magnite.
Related: Top 3 things you need to know about the Toyota Starlet Cross
The Starlet Cross is a proper multitool of note to aid you in your daily adventures, and it comes at just the right price. Meanwhile, Mahindra has been set to be a bit of a disruptor to the segment since its recent announcement. We threw in the Magnite for good measure as it has been around for a while, but let's see if it still has the staying power. We picked variants that compare price-wise to the base spec Starlet Cross being the XS trim. With the Mahindra, we chose the MX3 Manual and then the Magnite in the Acenta Plus Manual but not the turbocharged variant.
Looking at the figures
| Toyota Starlet Cross XS | Mahindra XUV 3XO MX3 | Nissan Magnite Acenta | |
| Engine | 1.5l 4 Cylinder Non Turbo | 1.2l 3 Cylinder Turbo | 1.0l 3 Cylinder Non-Turbo |
| Power / Torque | 77kW / 138Nm | 82kW / 200Nm | 53kW / 96Nm |
| Gearbox | 5-speed manual | 6-speed manual | 5-speed manual |
| Claimed Fuel Consumption | 5.6 L/100 km | 5.3 L/100 km | 5.9 L/100 km |
| Airbags | 2 | 6 | 2 |
| Driven Wheels | Front | Front | Front |
| Kerb Weight | 1005 kg | 1379 kg | 1004 kg |
| Fuel Tank Capacity (litres) | 37 | 42 | 40 |
| Alloy wheels | Yes | No | Yes |
| CO2 Emissions | 131 g/km | 137 g/km | 140 g/km |
| Service Plan | 4-services /60 000 km | 3-year /55 000 km | 3-year /30 000km |
| Price | from R299 900 | from R274 999 | from R277 000 |
*Pricing stated here was correct when publishing and is subject to change without prior notice. Manufacturer figures were also claimed here.
Comparing the figures
Purchase Price
The basis for comparing these three is pricing and body style. Looking at monthly instalments, though, we'll do a quick calculation to see how much it costs to pay off these three vehicles monthly. We'll calculate using our finance tool and set the parameters at 72 months, a 10% deposit, no balloon/residual, and a 12% interest rate.
| Car | Purchase Price | Monthly Installment |
| Toyota Starlet Cross XS | R299 900 | from R5 277 |
| Mahindra XUV 3XO MX3 | R279 999 | from R4 927 |
| Nissan Magnite Acenta | R277 000 | from R4 874 |
In terms of affordability, the Magnite takes it here.
Claimed Fuel Consumption
| Car | Fuel Consumption |
| Toyota Starlet Cross XS | 5.6 L/100 km |
| Mahindra XUV 3XO MX3 | 5.3 L/100 km |
| Nissan Magnite Acenta | 5.9 L/100 km |
The Mahindra uses the least fuel out of the trio.
Service Plan
| Car | Service Plan |
| Toyota Starlet Cross XS | 4-services / 60 000km |
| Mahindra XUV 3XO MX3 | 3-year / 55 000 km |
| Nissan Magnite Acenta | 3-year / 30 000 km |
The Toyota takes it here as it has the most services and the longest distance out of the three. One could argue between the services versus yearly model, but typically an owner would service their car atleast once a year.
Who wins?
Looking at the data above, it seems like an even spread across the three. However, there can only be one winner, and we'll have to give it to the Mahindra. It has the lowest fuel consumption, the price is reasonable but just slightly loses out against the Magnite, and the service plan is also reasonable.
If you're keen on the new Mahindra, you can search AutoTrader for the latest used and new offerings and sell your car too.
