Mahindra KUV100 Review

Greeting Everyone….I am Siddharth Lal here with the review of the recently launched SUV “ Mahindra KUV100”. Mahindra has been striving continuously to set new benchmark in the SUV segment and they are even proving to be really successful. Scorpio and Bolero has been Mahindra’s star performers in terms of sales and later on Mahindra crossed another milestone by launching XUV500 with a very long feature list, excellent fit and finish and stunning style. Mahindra has continued it’s legacy of Jeep by reintroducing the Mahindra Thar, It was Mahindra who first entered the sub-4 meter SUV segment by launching Quanto and this month they launched a new cheapest SUV KUV100. KUV100 is termed by Mahindra as a ‘Young SUV” with having dimensions of B+ segment hatch (3675mm length, 1715mm width, 1655mm height and a wheelbase of 2385mm). So whether this young SUV is a Yay or Nay, we’ll find out below with the review:

Exterior Styling:

At a glance KUV100 does look like an SUV with its sculpted bonnet masculine bonnet, bold and muscular body with dynamic sharp and high shoulder lines, rugged door and wheel arch claddings and the clenched fist-inspired ORVMs. The bold long headlights with DRL’s which are extended all the way to the A-pillar, Big front bumper, bold crease on the front & rear door, sleek front grill with chrome inserts, chrome surrounded parallelogram shaped fog-lamps and stylish roof rails makes the KUV100 look Dashing, premium and like an compact SUV.

Side look is where it is evident that it is not an SUV, with its 14” rims which looks feeble for its size and 3675mm length makes it look like a B+ segment hatch trying to be an SUV. The rear door handle has silver accents and is placed on the C pillar like the Chevy Beat.

The rear looks good too with the double-barrel tail lamps, sporty rear spoiler, chrome accents on rear reflectors but wont be much of taste for many.

Interiors:

I pretty much liked the interiors of KUV100, it has a stylish dual-tone dashboard design with piano black inserts, Joystick-like gearshift on the centre console on the dashboard, KUV100 embossing on the centre console, diamond shaped front outer A/C vents, chrome inserts on knobs and switches and sculpted steering wheel with bolsters and steering mount audio & phone controls. The Mood-lighting inside the door handles adds a nice touch.

The integrated in-dash music system has a small TFT display with AUX, USB and bluetooth connectivity. I didn't liked The Twin-pod instrument cluster as the dials appears to be dull (my opinion though). The overall quality and appearance of the interiors feels premium.

Engine & Gearbox:

Mahindra offers two engine options in the KUV100 namely “mFALCON G80 petrol engine” and “mFALCON D75” diesel engine with Micro-hybrid technology.

Both the petrol engine and the diesel engine has a capacity of 1.2L with 3 cylinders and Front-wheel drivetrain. The petrol engine generates a power of 82Bhp at 5500RPM and a 115Nm torque delivery at 3500RPM whereas the diesel engine generates a decent power of 77Bhp at 3750RPM and a stunning torque of 190Nm at 1750RPM. The NVH levels are just below standards and the refinement levels are quite good.

Both the diesel and the petrol engine gets a 5 speed manual transmission and the gearbox has a crisp short-throw.

Performance & Handling:

By looking at the on-paper figures of the diesel engine (especially the 190Nm torque) it seems KUV100 is a fun to drive car but I stand corrected, The D75 motor is neutrally responsive on the go but later gets drained past 2200RPM, there seems a loss of power as the turbo gets dismissed (over 2200RPM) but you get liner power afterwards which many will like. Highway overtaking is slow but is very quick in city drives due to its flat torque delivery. In short the low-end power delivery is excellent but the high-end revs are sedate.

Whereas the G80 petrol engine has a good initial pickup and the throttle response is good, drivability is okay, and there’s little to excite. The power deliver here is also flat and the revs are not that quick either but the response is quick past 4500RPM mark.

As far as suspension is concerned, Mahindra offers the independent McPherson struts with dual path mounts, coil spring and hydraulic gas charged shock absorbers at the front and semi-independent twist beam with coil spring and shock absorbers. KUV is stable at has speeds and moderately controls on sharp turns and there is a bit body-roll, The suspension feels sturdy on bad roads and the steering is light and the response is good making it easy for city traffic.

Comfort & Convenience:

The front seats get integrated headrests and are comfortable too, driving position is good but I was not much impressed with the gear-lever position on the centre console as one needs to get used to it but once you get familiar it will give you a sporty feel, KUV100 has a driver’s foot rest. The front seat height position is good with ample head-room and the driving position gives the feel of a mini-SUV. The front seats offer space to seat three but the middle seat is suitable to seat kids though. Folding the front middle seat gives amble arm-rest for the driver and the co-driver and in my opinion should be used this way. The hand-brake is placed in the centre console as well and works in the same way as the Ford Endeavour’s hand-brake. Even it needs some getting used to it.

The back-seats are very comfortable with adjustable headrests (all three) and offer good back and under-thigh support, great headroom, elbowroom and knee-room and even the back angle is just perfect. The second row gets flat floor which makes it suitable to seat three passenger at the rear. The ride quality is excellent as reported by Vaibhev (Co-author, TurboCharged Wheels) as he was seated comfortably at the rear and didn’t notice any bad jerks even on the Delhi’s uneven roads with small pot-holes.

The cabin is got many storage spaces, there’s under-floor storage space available, under-seat storage space, 1 litre bottle holder on all four doors, cup-holders in the arm-rest and moderately spacious glovebox with chiller. Though Rear A/C vents are missing but the A/C chills excellently. KUV gets two 12V power outlets in the 1st and the 2nd row.

KUV100 has a moderate 243 litres boot space, and loading and un-loading luggage is a bit tough due to its high boot sills and narrow lips.

Braking & Safety:

The braking of KUV100 is good but not one of the best and could have been better. KUV gets ABS which is standard across all variants. Other safety features include front dual airbags, engine immobiliser with security alarm and automatic hazard lights on panic braking.

To sum-up, the KUV100 is a hatchback dressed up as compact SUV and it will get more road presence than the usual hatchbacks and even the passengers will get a feel of a bigger car. At this price range, the KUV100 is marginally ahead of all the hatchbacks. Ideal for people who love SUVs but really can’t afford one as their dreams of owning an SUV will be fulfilled by Mahindra KUV100.

Hope you guys liked my review, do post your valuable comments/recommendations below. Good bye.

My next post will be of the Mahindra TUV300.