2018 Mahindra mPact XTV Diesel vs. John Deere Gator XUV 865M: By the Numbers

The idea of diesel UTVs is nothing new. These heavy-duty haulers make for some extremely capable workhorses. Now, when it comes to tractors, especially compact tractors, two of the heavy-hitters in the arena are Mahindra and John Deere. These two players make up a huge part of the market, and they also offer up UTV options that are just as hard working as any machine you’ll find.

Why Diesel?

The notion of a diesel truck or tractor is widely known, but why would you want one for your UTV? Let’s look at some of the items on the plus side of the comparison. A diesel engine runs cooler than a gas engine, so when you’re working it hard all day doing tasks around the ranch or worksite, the engine platform will keep on rumbling along.

There is also the idea of fuel consumption. Diesel engines tend to have better fuel economy, yes, but an added benefit to having a diesel-powered UTV is having it run on the same fuel as other machinery you already have. That way you don’t need to have two kinds of fuel on hand.

And then there’s the whole idea of power. You’re going to get a lot of torque from a diesel engine. That means there is plenty of power for doing tasks like pulling heavy trailers, running implements and more.

mPact vs. Gator

So why would you want one of these capable machines? The Mahindra mPact XTV Diesel has a 1,000cc Kohler diesel versus the 865cc Gator. Both will run you up to 33mph, but you don’t buy one for speed. There are a few major differences between the two vehicles.

The bed is a major difference that may sway your decision. The Gator has standard-style bed with a 1,000-pound capacity and 20 tie-down points. It has standard power-dump assist, which is very nice when you come even marginally close to maxing out the capacity. The Mahindra Flexhauler box holds 1,200 pounds of whatever you want to put in it. The sides also fold flat for larger loads, giving you a great deal of flexibility in what you haul. It, too, comes with power dump assist.

Different Differential

Another area of difference is the differentials. The Gator comes with a manual-locking differential that operates with a hand-lever on the floor in front of the seats. This creates a very solid locking mechanism, which overcomes the awkward feeling of engaging it. The Mahindra mPact XTV Diesel has a conventional electronic-locking differential. It is activated by a switch on the dash.

Both machines are very capable workhorses that will serve you for years to come. As with many of these types of purchases, it may just come down to some brand loyalty. While some folks are pretty loyal about their trucks, baseball teams and firearm brands, there are no more brand-loyal people out there than farmers and their tractors and these are two of the largest tractor manufacturers in the world.

Learn more about the Mahindra at your local dealership, or by going to the website. Want to find out more on the Gator? Hit up your local John Deere dealership, or go to the website.