The Mahindra KUV100 sub-compact SUV has been launched in the Indian market at a starting price of Rs. 4.42 lakh (ex-showroom, Pune). Available in a total of 14 variants across 4 trim levels, the Mahindra KUV100’s price ranges between Rs. 4.42 lakh – Rs. 6.76 lakh (ex-showroom, Pune). It’s not only Mahindra’s first mini SUV in the country, but the most affordable mass product as well.
With aggressive styling, feature-rich cabin and affordable pricing, the KUV100 will attract young buyers who otherwise go for Hyundai Grand i10, Maruti Suzuki Swift and other B-segment hatches. Since it caters to a niche segment, it will not have any direct rival in the country. But, at this price, this mini SUV will take on the B-segment hatchbacks like Maruti Swift and Hyundai Grand i10. It might also affect sales of the Ford EcoSport.
Having said that, Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) is planning to launch a new sub-4 meter compact SUV – Ignis – that will prove to be a close competitor to the Mahindra KUV100. This compact SUV is positioned below the Quanto/ Canto and the TUV300 compact SUV. Mahindra’s new car is being manufactured at the company’s Chakan plant near Pune, Maharashtra.
Mahindra KUV100 Price
* All prices are ex-showroom, Pune
Petrol Models
K2 – Rs. 4.42 lakh
K2 + – Rs. 4.62 lakh
K4 – Rs. 4.77 lakh
K4 + – Rs. 4.99 lakh
K6 – Rs. 5.36 lakh
K6 + – Rs. 5.58 lakh
K8 – Rs. 5.91 lakh
Diesel Models
K2 – Rs. 5.22 lakh
K2 + – Rs. 5.44 lakh
K4 – Rs. 5.57 lakh
K4 + – Rs. 5.79 lakh
K6 – Rs. 6.21 lakh
K6 + – Rs. 6.43 lakh
K8 – Rs. 6.76 lakh
The Mahindra’s mini SUV is offered in four trim levels – K2, K4, K6 and K8 – and an all-new mFalcon engine lineup – a 1.2-litre mFalcon G80 petrol and a 1.2-litre mFalcon D75 diesel. While the former produces power worth of 82bhp against 114Nm of torque, the latter one is good for 77bhp with 190Nm. Both the powertrains, developed jointly by Mahindra and Ssangyong, are claimed to return high fuel efficiency and great performance.
The new mFalcon engine family will also be used for several future products of both the companies. The transmission duty is taken care of by a 5-speed manual gearbox. While the petrol mill is claimed to return fuel efficiency of 18.23kmpl, the diesel mill offers 25.32kmpl. This also makes it the most fuel efficient car of its segment.
Mahindra’s new compact SUV is based on a new monocoque chassis, and looks very aggressive and sporty. With features like large skid plate, high shoulder line, pronounced wheel arches and a high ground clearance, KUV100 offers a commanding road presence. Inside, the car gets a dual-tone interior with piano black finish dashboard, sliver accents on steering wheel, centre console and instrument cluster, leather upholstery and faux wood and silver finishing. This mini SUV is available with a choice of two seating options – a 5-seater (2 +3) and a 6-seater (3 +3).
All variants of the vehicle get ABS (anti-lock braking system) with EBD (electronic brake-force distribution) as standard safety equipment, while the airbag protection is offered on the higher variants only. The company is offering dual airbags as an optional safety pack across lower trims of the vehicle. Other standard equipment include ABS with EBD, engine immobilizer, body coloured bumpers, power steering with tilt adjustable function and manual air-conditioning.
Mahindra KUV100 Exterior
After the XUV500, the Mahindra KUV100 is the company’s second product to be built on a new monocoque chassis. With SUV-ish and bold stances, the KUV100 looks very sporty, and offers a commanding road presence. This will surely make heads turn around. This compact SUV shares several design elements with its elder siblings – i.e. the Scorpio and the XUV500. The aggressive front styling is further accentuated by wrap-around headlamps with LED DRLs and follow-me-home lamps, the Scorpio-inspired radiator grille, sculpted bonnet, vertically slated LED fog lamps, turn indicators and a large silver skid plate.
The front bumper with a black plastic cladding further enhances its sporty look. From the sides, the vehicle looks like a squeezed SUV. It features pronounced wheel arches and black underbody plastic cladding that is flowing towards the rear side. The high shoulder line, wide stances and square wheel arches add more to its masculine appeal. The rear door handles seem to have been inspired from the Chevrolet Beat that are fitted on the pillar. The vehicle is assembled with the twin 6-spoke 14-inch alloy wheels wrapped with 185/65 R14 front and rear tyres.
The vehicle shares several styling cues with its elder siblings – i.e. the Scorpio and the XUV500.
On the contrary, the rear profile looks like a regular hatch. Some other noteworthy features include electrically operated ORVMs, curvy roofline, roof rails, roof-mounted antenna, short overhangs, front door puddle lamps and a wrap around rear design. Similar to typical SUVs, the Mahindra’s new budget SUV too features high hip point, and a high ground clearance (170mm). The overall dimensions of the Mahindra KUV 100 measure 3,675mm (length), 1,715mm (width with door side cladding), 1,635mm (height). The vehicle has a wheelbase of 2,385mm. What makes it more compatible for rough Indian roads is its ground clearance of 170mm. This mini SUV offers a fuel tank capacity of 35-liters. The Mahindra KUV100 is available with a choice of 7 exterior colours – Pearl White, Fiery Orange, Designer Grey, Aquamarine, Dazzling Silver and Midnight Black.
Mahindra KUV100 Interior & Features
The interior of the vehicle looks as sporty and premium as its exterior. It’s quite spacious, and well-packaged. The car gets a dual-tone interior theme, and what add more to its appeal are a piano black finish dashboard, sliver accents on steering wheel, centre console and instrument cluster, leather upholstery and faux wood and silver finishing. There is a dashboard mounted gear lever, thus offering enough legroom for the person sitting in the middle. Just so you know, the vehicle comes with a bench type front seat option. This mini SUV is being made available with two seating configuration – 5-seats (2 +3) and 6-seats (3 +3). With 6-seat (3 + 3) layout, this mini SUV can accommodate six adult passengers without any squeezing effect.
Besides offering a spacious cabin, the vehicle also comes with a wide array of comfort and connectivity features such as a touchscreen audio system and climate control buttons on the central console, steering mounted audio controls, Infotainment system with 4 speakers and 2 tweeter, height adjustable driver seat, front and rear arm rests, sun glass holder, illuminated key-hole, silver accented air vents, power windows, foldable centre seat, Scorpio-inspired steering wheel and instrument console. One must note that the aforementioned features vary variant-wise.
The Mahindra KUV 100 comes with a 5-seat (2+3), and a 6-seat (3 + 3) with bench type front seat configuration options.
For passengers’ safety, Mahindra offers ABS (anti-lock braking system) with EBD (electronic brake-force distribution) across all-variants of the vehicle. While the higher variants receive airbags as standard equipment, the lower trims get them as optional pack. Safety features like ISOFIX child seat mounts, automatic hazard lights on panic braking and speed sensing door locks are also on offer. Mahindra claims that this compact SUV meets current and future safety regulations. The vehicle also comes with two drive modes – Power and Eco – combined with Mahindra’s Micro Hybrid technology. It has a boot capacity of 243-litres that can be increased up to 473-litres.
Mahindra KUV100 Engine & Transmission
Mahindra’s all-new mFalcon engines – a 1.2-litre mFalcon G80 dual VVT petrol and a 1.2-litre, mFalcon D75 diesel – made debut on this mini SUV. This also makes it the first Mahindra SUV to feature a petrol engine. This petrol unit, with advanced technologies, is claimed to offer a maximum power output of 82bhp at 5,500rpm and 114Nm of torque at 3,500rpm. The all-aluminum mFalcon G80 isn’t only the first petrol engine developed by Mahindra, but the lightest unit in its segment as well.
Whereas, the diesel motor develops a peak power of 77bhp at 3,750rpm and a maximum torque of 190Nm between 1,750rpm – 2,250rpm. Thanks to its light-weight components that help this oil burner weigh considerably lighter. Both the powertrains are mated to a 5-speed manual transmission, and the 2WD (two-wheel drive) system. The Mahindra KUV 100 diesel is claimed to return the best-in-class fuel efficiency of 25.32kmpl, thus making it the most frugal SUV in the country. While, the vehicle’s petrol variant delivers 18.23kmpl.
Mahindra KUV100 Mileage
Petrol Model – 18.23kmpl
Diesel Model – 25.32kmpl
Mahindra KUV100 Variant-Wise Features
K2 – Tilt adjustable power steering, manual air-conditioning with heater, ABS (Anti-Lock Braking System) with EBD (Electronic BrakeForce Distribution), Engine Immobilizer, gear indicator, 14-inches steel wheels, arm rest for driver, roof spoiler at the rear and bumpers in body colour.
K4 (+ K2 Features) – Outside rear view mirrors and door handles in body colour, mud flaps and caps for wheels, rear seats with folding function, power windows, plastic cladding on wheel arches and central locking.
K6 (+ K4 Features) – Chrome elements on front grille, plastic cladding on sides, roof rails, antenna, B-pillar in black colour, Piano black finish on centre console, height adjustable driver seat, arm rest for rear occupants, key-less entry, electrically adjustable ORVMs, cooled glovebox, follow-me-home-headlights and music system. It also comes with two driving modes- Power and Eco.
K8 (+ K6 Features) – Chrome enclosure for front fog lamps, doors with puddle lamps, rear door handles in chrome finish, multi-spoke alloys and daytime running lamps. This variant also comes with Mahindra’s Micro Hybrid technology.
Mahindra KUV100 Specifications, Features, Colors
Engine Options
1.2-litre mFalcon G80 Petrol
Power – 82bhp @ 5,500rpm
Torque – 114Nm @ 3,500rpm
1.2-litre mFalcon D75 Diesel
Power – 77bhp @ 3,750rpm
Torque – 190Nm @ 1,750rpm – 2,250rpm
Transmission – 5-speed manual
Drivetrain system – 2WD (two-wheel drive)
Mahindra KUV100 Seating Capacity – 5-seats (2 + 3) variant and 6-seats (3 + 3) variant
Mahindra KUV100 Colours – Pearl White, Fiery Orange, Designer Grey, Aquamarine, Dazzling Silver and Midnight Black
Dimensions
Length – 3,675mm
Height – 1,635
Width – 1,715mm (with door side cladding)
Wheelbase – 2,385mm
Ground Clearance – 170
Turning Radius – 5.05m
Fuel Tank Capacity – 35-litres
Boot Space – 243litres (473-litres)
Suspension
Front – Independent McPherson strut with dual path mounts
Rear – Semi-independent twist beam with coils spring and hydraulic gas charged shock absorber
Braking System
Front – Disc
Rear – Drum
Tyre Size
Front – 185/65 R14
Rear – 185/65 R14
Key Features
Exterior
Aggressive front fascia
Wrap-around headlamps with LED DRLs
Sculpted bonnet
Wide stance
Square wheel arches
High shoulder line
Short overhangs
XUV500-inspired front grille
Curvy roofline
Wrap around rear
15-inch wheels
Interior
Dual-tone theme with piano black finish dashboard
Steering mounted audio controls
Power windows
Touchscreen audio system
Climate control buttons on the central console
Foldable centre seat
Leather upholstery
Faux wood and silver finishing
Sliver accents on steering wheel, centre console and instrument cluster
Mahindra KUV 100 Safety Features
Dual airbags
Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
Electronic brake-force distribution (EBD)
ISOFIX child seat mounts
Automatic hazard lights on panic braking
Speed sensing door locks
Comparisons
Mahindra KUV 100 Vs Hyundai Grand i10
Mahindra’s all-new mini SUV targets young buyers that aspire for a stylish and affordable utility vehicle. Available within the price range of Rs. 4.42 lakh – Rs. 6.76 lakh, this compact SUV will lock horns with the Hyundai Grand i10 that has always been favored for its premium looks, feature-loaded interior and refined engines. The Grand i10 is powered by a 1.2-litre KappaVVT petrol and a 1.1-litre U2 CRDi diesel engine that offer 82bhp with 114Nm and 70bhp with 160Nm respectively. Both the powertrains are coupled to a 5-speed manual gearbox. On the other hand, the Mahindra’s new car derives its power from a 82bhp, 1.2-litre mFalcon G80 petrol and a 77bhp, 1.2-litre mFalcon D75 diesel engines that are paired to a 5-speed manual transmission.
Mahindra KUV 100 Vs Maruti Suzuki Swift
Though the Mahindra KUV 100 belongs to an all-new mini SUV segment, it will face a close competition from the Maruti’s premium hatchback – the Swift. The Swift is available with two engine options – a 1.2-litre VVT petrol and a 1.3-litre DDiS diesel – that also do duty to the Baleno. While the petrol mill offers 84bhp of power and 115Nm of torque, the diesel motor delivers 74bhp and 190Nm of torque. Power is delivered to the front wheels via a 5-speed manual gearbox. The Mahindra KUV 100 comes with an all-new mFalcon engine lineup – a 82bhp, 1.2-litre mFalcon G80 petrol and a 77bhp, 1.2-litre mFalcon D75 diesel – that are claimed to be high on refinement and performance.