The Mahindra KUV100 was launched in January 2015 and marked the company’s entry into a segment which it had never entered – the hatchback segment. However, Mahindra made a bold claim at the start that this was its smallest offering in the sub-4 metre SUV segment as the car was positioned right below the TUV300 and even the NuvoSport. Priced between Rs. 4.58 lakh to Rs. 7.35 lakh, the KUV100 is the most affordable offering from the Mahindra stable. Mahindra has priced the KUV100 aggressively as it has to take on well-established rivals in this segment. Though there are many choices in this segment, none of the carmakers thought of bringing out a small SUV-styled car which had the looks and carried the aspirational value that the young buyers hoped for. With KUV100, Mahindra eyes acquiring the kind of niche ‘Maruti Alto 800’ has carved in the mini hatchback segment. But does it have the potential to be the ace in this newly found segment. Frankly with all the limelight on it and being the only promising model, the KUV100 stands a fair chance to excel. Featuring the same monocoque chassis as XUV500, the KUV100 borrows some design and styling cues with the older brother. Mahindra offers the car in a 5 or 6 seat options which will come into use in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. Mahindra has packed the KUV100 with a number of features and some of them are even first in segment. Mahindra has also worked hard to offer the KUV100 in both the petrol and the diesel units derived from the mFlacon family of engines. What Mahindra has got bang on target is the price of the car which is one reason why the company has done well when it comes to the sales of this car. 

Mahindra KUV100 Exterior

The Mahindra KUV100 is a sub-four-metre car and measures in at 3,675 mm in length, 1715 mm in width and 1655 mm in height high. Compared to one of the closest rivals, the Maruti Suzuki Swift, the KUV100 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 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 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 the much requisite butch front profile. The Mahindra KUV100’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 Interior 

Mahindra offers the KUV100 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 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 Engine Specifications and Transmission

Mahindra has housed two new engines in the line-up borrowed from the newly developed mFalcon engine family. The KUV100 is the first car from the Mahindra stable to get a petrol engine and this is one engine that the company has built ground up. Mahindra’s first petrol model employs the new 1.2 litre three-cylinder petrol engine producing maximum power of 82 bhp at 5,500rpm and 11.73kgm torque between 3,500 to 3,600rpm. Diesel engine is a 1.2 litre, three-cylinder, powertrain offering 77bhp at 3,750rpm and 19.37kgm of torque between 1,750 to 2,250rpm. Power is directed to front wheels via a five-speed manual gearbox. Sadly, there’s no automatic transmission available on the KUV100 yet but we expect it to get it soon. 

Mahindra KUV100 Features

Mahindra has spared no expense to make the KUV100 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 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 Performance and Mileage

The new petrol engine on the KUV100 is silent and is capable of delivering 18.15 kmpl and the ARAI rated fuel economy for diesel engine is 25.32kmpl. 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 slots in well and this helps in easing your stress in stop/start traffic conditions. 

Mahindra KUV100 Accessories and Infotainment

Mahindra has made sure that the cabin of the KUV100 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. Mahindra’s BLUE SENSE app compatibility and four speakers/2 tweeters sum up the infotainment related features on board. 

Mahindra KUV100 Braking and Handling

The Mahindra KUV100 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 variants. Handling is mediocre but not crisp and suspension set up is absorbent which means that the KUV100 can absorb the shock from all the potholes that it encounters on the road, providing the occupants with a smooth ride. 

Mahindra KUV100 Dimensions: 

Mahindra KUV100 Safety and Security

The Mahindra KUV100 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 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 Comfort and Convenience

The KUV100 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 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 Wheels and Tyres

The Mahindra KUV100 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 185/65 R14 are fitted in front and back across model series. 

Mahindra KUV100 Competition

Sitting below TUV300, the KUV100 is priced aggressively and rival vehicles tagged under the hatchback category in the same range across segments. That said, the potential rivals KUV100 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.

Upcoming Models are the Thar 5 Door, XUV.e8, eKUV100, BE.05, XUV900, XUV.e9 and BE.07