Citroen BasaltX vs Mahindra XUV 3XO vs Tata Nexon (2026)
The classic compact suv shortlist, settled with numbers (October 2026):
- Pick the Citroen BasaltX if you want the biggest boot (470 L).
- Pick the Mahindra XUV 3XO if you want the most power (129 bhp), the best crash-test score (5 stars).
- Pick the Tata Nexon if you want the lowest starting price (₹7.40 Lakh), the best claimed efficiency (up to 24.08 kmpl).
Three-Way Specification Comparison
Citroen BasaltX in short
The BasaltX is India's most affordable coupe-SUV — the sloping-roof Basalt launched in August 2024, refreshed as the X in September 2025 with six airbags standard, a new dashboard and more equipment. Power comes from an 82 PS 1.2 NA petrol or a 110 PS 1.2 turbo-petrol (190 Nm with the 6-speed manual, 205 Nm with the 6-speed torque-converter automatic), and its 470-litre boot is the biggest in the compact-SUV class. A 4-star Bharat NCAP rating and famously supple ride quality back its fight against the Tata Curvv, the only other coupe-SUV at this price.
Full BasaltX prices & variants →Mahindra XUV 3XO in short
The XUV 3XO is Mahindra's comprehensively reworked sub-4m SUV, replacing the XUV300 with sharper styling, a segment-first panoramic sunroof and Level 2 ADAS on top trims. Its 129 bhp TGDi turbo-petrol is among the punchiest in the class, and it holds a full 5-star Bharat NCAP rating. It battles the Tata Nexon, Maruti Brezza, Hyundai Venue and Kia Sonet.
Full XUV 3XO prices & variants →Tata Nexon in short
The Nexon is Tata's best-selling model and a perennial top-three player in India's cut-throat sub-4-metre SUV segment against the Maruti Brezza, Hyundai Venue and Kia Sonet. The 2023 facelift brought a dramatic Curvv-inspired design, twin digital displays and a 7-speed DCA automatic. It holds 5-star ratings from both Global NCAP and Bharat NCAP, and is the only car in the class with turbo-petrol, diesel and turbo-CNG options.
Full Nexon prices & variants →Head-to-head pairs
Frequently Asked Questions
BasaltX vs XUV 3XO vs Nexon — which should I buy?
Pick the Citroen BasaltX if you want the biggest boot (470 L). Pick the Mahindra XUV 3XO if you want the most power (129 bhp), the best crash-test score (5 stars). Pick the Tata Nexon if you want the lowest starting price (₹7.40 Lakh), the best claimed efficiency (up to 24.08 kmpl). Test-drive at least two before deciding — ride and dealer experience differ by city.
Which is the cheapest among BasaltX, XUV 3XO, Nexon?
The Tata Nexon starts lowest at ₹7.40 Lakh, against ₹7.79 Lakh for the XUV 3XO and ₹8.55 Lakh for the BasaltX (ex-showroom, October 2026).
Which is the safest of the three?
Citroen BasaltX: 4 stars; Mahindra XUV 3XO: 5 stars; Tata Nexon: 5 stars.