Mahindra KUV100 NXT

Mahindra KUV100 NXT facelift has been finally launched in India today at a starting price of Rs 4.39 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The updated KUV100 NXT is still offered in in four variants - K2, K4, K6, and K8 with + (plus) options from the former three and the top-end K8 model is now priced at Rs 7.33 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) for the diesel variant. Though technically it's still a hatchback, Mahindra continues to call it its smallest SUV. Having said that, the car continues to rival with the likes of, Maruti Suzuki Ignis and the Hyundai Grand i10

Mahindra KUV100 NXT Exterior

The Mahindra KUV100 NXT is a sub-four-metre car and measures in at 3,700 mm in length, 1735 mm in width and 1655 mm in height high. Compared to one of the closest rivals, the Maruti Suzuki Swift, the KUV100 NXT lags in terms of length, but leads in other parameters like width and height. Design as mentioned in the beginning is inspired from the much bigger XUV500. Mahindra have crafted the front profile assertively with most of the attention paid to the bumper. The front fascia of the KUV100 NXT gets a very lean radiator grille with vertically placed chrome finished fillets. The pulled back head lamps are wide from front and get tapered towards the end almost covering the hood length. Black plastic cladding is draped all around the KUV100 NXT to give it that SUV-ish feel. The rectangular shaped fog lamps in front are tucked well within the black cladding. The overall look of the SUV is enhanced by this thick black cladding that lends KUV100 NXT the much requisite butch front profile. The Mahindra KUV100 NXT’s side profile is marked by the square wheel arches and sharp creases emerging from the A-pillar and tail lights among others. The grab handle for the back door is mounted on the rear quarter glass. The rear does bear some resemblance to the Hyundai Grand i10, but the designers at Mahindra have tried to make it as unique as possible. The rear cladding features chrome finished fog lamps and side skirts. Rear gets an integrated spoiler atop, captivatingly designed tail lamps and a very sharp line running over tail lights which is stretched until the wheel arches. Rear profile appears more like a hatchback which could be a put off for the SUV. 

Mahindra KUV100 NXT Interior 

Mahindra offers the KUV100 NXT in a dual tone interior scheme. The cabin is dominated by grey with black colour splashed on the centre console, steering wheel, dashboard and door pads. You’ll also see the KUV100 NXT get a tinge of silver around the centre console and steering wheel which brings prominence to the styling inside. The long rectangular centre console gets dash-mounted ac vents on the top followed by touch-screen and vertically aligned temperature dials on the left side. The right side of the console gets a mounted gear knob saving on the space. A glove box is placed on the passenger side for storage purpose. The 3+3 seating arrangement inside makes it the first vehicle to get six-seat layout. It’s possible only because of the way Mahindra has positioned the gear lever. It’s like what we’ve seen in the Hyundai i10, but Mahindra has managed to make use of the space that is saved because of this.  An additional bench is fitted in front of the gear lever which, though old school, works to Mahindra’s advantage and there is also an option for five-seat layout except for the K2 and K2+ variants. Boot space is 243 litres which can be expanded to 473 litres. 

KUV100 NXT Engine Specifications & Transmission

Under the hood, there is no change in the Mahindra KUV100 facelift as it continues to be powered by the same 1.2-litre all-aluminum mFalcon G80 3-cylinder petrol motor that produces 82bhp of power and 114Nm of torque. Whereas, the oil burner will be a 1.2-litre 3-cylinder turbocharged common-rail diesel engine, named the mFalcon D75, which develops 77bhp along with 190Nm of torque.

Mahindra KUV100 NXT Features

Mahindra has spared no expense to make the KUV100 NXT stand out amongst the crowd and which is why you see it filled to the brim with features. Among the various features incorporated outside and inside here are a few notable ones worth a mention. On the outside the KUV100 NXT gets follow me home head lamps and lead me to home head lamps, head lights height adjuster, rear wiper, rear defogger and manually adjustable ORVMs. The cabin gets a 12V power outlet, door pockets, 1 litre bottle holder in all doors, interiors rear view mirror, rear parcel tray, LED interior lamp etc. 

Mahindra KUV100 NXT Prices

Mahindra KUV100 NXT Performance & Mileage

The new petrol engine on the KUV100 NXT is silent and is capable of delivering 17.45 kmpl and the ARAI rated fuel economy for diesel engine is 23.04kmpl. On the performance front, the petrol-powered version may not withstand competition as it isn’t promising enough as Mahindra would have wished. It essentially lacks a bit of punch which is required from a petrol. The diesel engine on the other hand is better, as it’s torquier and picks momentum at higher speeds which makes it fun to drive and enjoyable too. The 5-speed manual transmission on the KUV100 NXT slots in well and this helps in easing your stress in stop/start traffic conditions. 

Mahindra KUV100 NXT Accessories and Infotainment

Mahindra has made sure that the cabin of the KUV100 NXT is the best place for anyone who sits in it, which is why there is an infotainment system with 3.5-inch display screen with in-built driver information system, Bluetooth audio & handsfree call, USB, AUX. Steering mounted controls for audio and phone controls is yet another significant feature packed inside the KUV100 NXT. Mahindra’s BLUE SENSE app compatibility and four speakers/2 tweeters sum up the infotainment related features on board. 

Mahindra KUV100 NXT Braking and Handling

The Mahindra KUV100 NXT is a small car but needs all the stopping power it can get which is why braking duties are handled by disc brakes in front and drum brakes at rear. Vital braking features like anti-lock-braking system and electronic brakefroce distribution are standard across the KUV100 NXT variants. Handling is mediocre but not crisp and suspension set up is absorbent which means that the KUV100 NXT can absorb the shock from all the potholes that it encounters on the road, providing the occupants with a smooth ride. 

Mahindra KUV100 NXT Dimensions: 

Mahindra KUV100 NXT Safety and Security

The Mahindra KUV100 NXT comes available with dual airbags on the plus variants in the entry and mid-level along with the range topping variant. Other safety features available on the KUV100 NXT are child safety locks on the rear doors, anti-slip clips for driver side door mats, ISOFIX child seat mount on rear seat, engine immobiliser, anti-theft security alarm, automatic hazard warning lamps on crash and speed sensing automatic door locks. 

Mahindra KUV100 NXT Comfort and Convenience

The KUV100 NXT comes with a string of comfort features aboard which includes air-conditioning with heater function, electric power steering with tiltable function, fabric seat covers in higher variants and vinyl upholstered seats in base trims, fabric inserted door trims, height adjuster for driver’s seat, foldable rear seat, armrest in front and rear, headrests and adjustable front row headrests. Mahindra has also managed to pack the KUV100 NXT with features like power windows at the front/rear, central locking, remote keyless entry, cooled glove-box, storage space under co-driver seat, removable storage bin with handles under co-driver seat,
 

Mahindra KUV100 NXT Wheels and Tyres

The Mahindra KUV100 NXT gets partial wheel caps on the base trim, while the rest of the range gets full wheel caps save for the top-spec variant which features alloy wheels. Tubeless radial tyres measuring 185/60 R15 are fitted in front and back across model series. 

Mahindra KUV100 NXT Competition

Sitting below TUV300, the KUV100 NXT is priced aggressively and rival vehicles tagged under the hatchback category in the same range across segments. That said, the potential rivals KUV100 NXT will face off include the Maruti Suzuki Swift hatchback, the Hyundai Grand i10, Maruti’s viable AMT equipped hatchback Celerio. Besides, the vehicle will also compete with the Maruti’s Ignis and the Tata Tiago both of which have been receiving a fair amount of attention lately.