Mahindra KUV100 was launched on January 15 at what can be considered a mouth watering price tag for an SUV. This is the smallest SUV on offer in India and brings quite a few firsts from Mahindra including the new segment that it has created. The company has targeted the youth and loaded the car with features. The ‘Kool’ KUV100 (that is what ‘K’ in the name stands for) has been priced to take on the likes of the Maruti Swift, Ford Figo and Hyundai Grand i10.
The Mahindra KUV100 has been positioned as an SUV but its dimensions point more towards a hatchback. The front looks dashing and has a lot of detailing in the headlamps, thanks to the LED DRLs and the red strip that runs above it all the way up to the A-pillar through the glossy black panel which frankly feels like overkill. The sculpted bonnet and the black plastic cladding all over the car give it a thorough SUV look, but move to the side and you are reminded of something like the Maruti WagonR. It has a silhouette that can be related more to a typical tall boy hatchback than a SUV. The clenched fist ORVMs, spider design alloy wheels and the pillar mounted rear door handle though are unique touches which definitely improve aesthetics. The rear looks more like a contemporary hatchback with a neat looking pair of double barrel tail lamps. It also gets puddle lamps on top variants which is a welcome addition at this price point.
The Mahindra KUV100 marks the return of the flat bench front seats which makes it a 6-seater if opted. The middle seat upfront can be folded down to make for a comfortable armrest for both front passengers and also has a slot to hold bottles/cups. The gear lever is mounted on the dashboard with the manual HVAC controls laid out in a column besides it. The infotainment system can pair your smartphone via Bluetooth; while a joystick toggle button will help you navigate through different menus. The instrument cluster is clear and the display between the two dials shows a fuel gauge, engine temperature indicator, an odometer and two tripmeters. The Distance to Empty (DTE) feature has been moved to the central infotainment display which is a bit weird but it is there.
There is a good amount of space in the cabin with loads of headroom and decent legroom both at the front and rear. Seat comfort is not the best when compared to rivals mainly due to the stiff padding on the back rests. Also at the rear, the absence of a quarter glass limits the passenger’s view outside. The cabin though is fairly wide and can seat three abreast with reasonable ease.
The Mahindra KUV100 debuts with an indigenously developed petrol motor for the first time under the hood of a Mahindra, while the diesel engine is the smallest oil burner to come out of the company’s factory. The 1.2-litre G80 petrol motor feels responsive from low engine speeds but isn’t particularly free-revving. The engine feels out of breath at high RPMs but the extremely short gearing and light clutch means it is extremely easy to drive in heavy traffic conditions. The 1.2-litre D75 diesel on the other hand has a strong mid-range and pulls well till 4000 RPM after which it loses steam. The dashboard mounted gear lever needs a special mention here as it falls easily to hand, has accurate throws and feels fun to shift in an awkward way.
Mahindra’s have always been sloppy handling SUVs but things seem to have changed with the KUV100. The car feels very stable even on those tiny 14-inch wheels. The brakes have an artificial feel but do their job well as ABS is offered standard across the range. Ride quality is good for the most part but there is a constant body movement on uneven surfaces that can get bothersome. Body roll is very well controlled and handling manners are predictable. The car is offered with dual airbags as an option even on base variants and ISOFIX seat mounts on the safety front.
The Mahindra KUV100 is a very well engineered product and is a vehicle that offers all the practicality, ground clearance and feel of an SUV at mainstream hatchback prices. The Mahindra KUV100 is priced at Rs. 4.47 lakhs for the base petrol variant which goes up to Rs. 6.86 lakhs (Prices ex-showroom, Goa) for the top-end diesel with all the bells and whistles.
Specifications
Dimensions (LxWxH) 3675mm x 1715mm x 1655mm
Wheelbase 2385mm
Tyres 185/65 R14
Boot Space 243 litres
Fuel Tank 35 litres
