The Mahindra KUV100 was launched in India today at a starting price of Rs. 4.42 lakh (ex-showroom, Pune), with Mahindra and Mahindra betting big on its smallest SUV yet. The KUV100 is a compact SUV and will be carmaker's third sub-4 metre vehicle for India and the first one to launch in 2016.
Even before the car was launched, Mahindra revealed quite a bit about the SUV and how it looks last month while announcing the official name of the vehicle.
Now that the KUV100 has officially been launched, here's everything you need to know about the car - design, features, engines, and more.
Also Read: Mahindra KUV100 Sub-Compact SUV's Interior Spied
As always, while announcing the name of the vehicle, Mahindra also explained the philosophy behind it. The carmaker revealed that while developing the KUV100 Mahindra chose to again go with the alpha-numeric strategy. The company was looking forward to launching an SUV for the youths that could talk their language and adhere to their needs, in all a cool SUV that will offer them all the modern features and also fall into their budget. Thus with a little wordplay Mahindra brought in the name KUV100 - where KUV stands for Kool Utility Vehicle (KUV) and 100 signifies the series and the vehicle's position, which is now below the Mahindra TUV300 and XUV500.
Mahindra KUV100 - The Design
Now coming to the second major aspect of the car - the design, Mahindra is well known for picking up design elements from its other models while building a new product. Similarly the KUV100 also shares a number of its design elements with its older cousins the XUV500 and the Scorpio. First of all the most integral similarity is the fact that KUV100 is built on the monocoque chassis as the XUV500. Secondly the KUV100 also shares a similar design language with the latter like the beefy and aggressive front end along with sharp character lines that to an extent also makes it look like a mini XUV500. On the other hand the grille of the new KUV100 seems to have taken a bit inspiration from the Scorpio.
Mahindra KUV100 - Variants
The Mahindra KUV100 principally comes in four variants - K2, K4, K6 and K8, among these the K2, K4 and K6 variants also come with a "+" option, which offers some additional safety and comfort features. On the other hand the top-of-the-line K8 variant is equipped with all the premium features and safety offerings in the list.
Also Read: Will Maruti Suzuki Ignis Rival Mahindra KUV100 in India?
Mahindra KUV100 - Exteriors Features
When we talk about the KUV100's exterior features, this compact SUV comes with a very busy front fascia. You'll see unique pair of headlamps with follow-me-home lamps, LED DRLs and turn indicators along with a muscular black plastic cladded front bumper that houses the vertical LED foglamps, air dam and a large sliver skid plate. Going towards the side profile you'll notice the black underbody plastic cladding continues towards the tail section and is garnished with flared wheel arches and a set of sporty twin 6-spoke alloy wheels. The KUV100 also gets body coloured bumpers, electrically adjustable ORVMs, door handles along with chrome inserts on the grille, roof rails and roof-mounted antenna along with front door puddle lamps.
(Features May Vary Depending on Variants)
Also Read: 9 Things To Know About Mahindra KUV 100
Mahindra KUV100 - Interior Features
Now when we talk about the interiors of the Mahindra KUV100, we cannot ignore the fact that it is unlike any other sub-compact SUV or hatchback in the market for that matter. Instead of the standard 2+3 seating configuration the KUV100 comes with bench seats both at the front and rear with 6-seat configuration. Moreover, the gear-lever has been infused with the dashboard, while the pull type handbrake lever placed at the base of the centre console. This means the Mahindra might market it as a six-seater, which if you as us is not a very wise idea considering its target group.
As for the feature offerings, you'll find a front & rear arm rests, illuminated key-hole, all 4 power windows, Piano Black centre console, Driver Seat Height Adjustment, multi-functional steering wheel, cooled glove box, sun glass holder, silver accented air vents, 4 Speaker + 2 Tweeter Infotainment system and drive two modes - Power and Eco along with the company's Micro Hybrid technology.
(Features May Vary Depending on Variants)
Mahindra KUV100 - Safety Offering
As far as safety is concerned, the Mahindra KUV100 offers some of the best-in-class features like ABS and EBD as standard across all variants, driver and passenger airbags and engine immobilizer.
Also Read: Mahindra KUV100 Review
Mahindra KUV100 - Engines
Coming to the engine options, the Mahindra KUV100 is powered by an all-new mFalcon range of petrol and diesel engines - mFalcon G80 and mFalcon D75 respectively. While we have seen Mahindra come out with many diesel units, what we have not seen is a petrol engine, which has been introduced now for the KUV100. Now there are two reasons why the mFalcon G80 is the most important part of the Mahindra KUV100 - first it is the first ground-up petrol engine developed by Mahindra in house in India, and second it is also the lightest engine in its segment made up of an all-aluminium body. According to Mahindra, the new 1.2-litre petrol engine uses advanced technologies that offer high power density and fuel efficiency with power figures clocked at 82 bhp and 114 Nm of peak torque.
On the other hand the all new oil burner - mFalcon D75, is a 1.2-litre turbocharged common rail diesel engine. The motor has been built with similar advance technologies at the petrol unit, which makes it is capable of producing 77bhp and a peak torque of 190Nm. Moreover it gets a BS IV emission rating, while both the engines will come mated to a 5-speed manual transmission with no current plans for an AMT unit.
Additionally, Mahindra is also developing a 1.5-litre unit for the mFalcon engine series that will probably power its mid-sized SUVs in future.
Mahindra KUV100 - Competition and Price
Presently, the Mahindra KUV100 doesn't have a direct competitor in India and will largely compete in the hatchback and crossover segment with cars like Maruti Suzuki Wagon R, Hyundai Grand i10 and probably even the i20 Active. That being said, Maruti Suzuki India is currently gearing up to launch the all-new Ignis suv-4meter compact crossover-SUV, which is a more suitable competitor for the KUV100. (Read Specs Comparison: Mahindra KUV100 vs Rivals)
As for the price, the Mahindra KUV100 comes in the Rs. 4.42 - 6.76 lakh range (ex-showroom, Pune).
