మహీంద్రా KUV 100 mFALCON D75 K8

All new micro SUV from Mahindra family is now the talk of the town. The Mahindra KUV100 series joins the catalog of the company's trademark utility vehicles. The build and the design of this vehicle is hard to overlook. With a decent price tag and bold looks this 'Kool Utility Vehicle' immediately set a competition for the market hotcakes like Hyundai Grand i10 and Maruti Swift. Released in seven versions and seven attractive colors, the Young KUV comes with both petrol and diesel engines and is available in both 5 and 6 seater. Moving forward let's get to know the detailed report of this latest addition.

Pros:

1. Uncompromisable comfort is the key for this “Kompact vehicle”.

2. Fuel economy is rather impressive.

Cons:

1. Calling it as SUV, this new eye-turner with 170 mm ground clearance questions the handling and practicality of the ride.

2. Not enough leg room for taller individuals.

Standout Features:

1. The design element of the KUV is appealing. But what catches the eye is the Micro Hybrid technology which proves to be more advantageous in packed roads.

2. An infotainment system with 3.5-inch display along with all necessary connectivity features.

Overview:

Mahindra KUV100 mFALCON D75 K8 is the top-spec variant in its series that comes with a new and impressive crossbreed finish. This is a six seater variant with 3 + 3 seating arrangement. The release of this Young SUV gave a sure hit for the combination of utility vehicle in a hatchback sizing. Never compromising in the performance, Mahindra introduced its in-house engine family, mFALCON, delivering 25.32 kmpl mileage for the diesel engine. This youngest Utility vehicle gets the bold looks of an SUV and stylish finishing of a premium automobile.

Exteriors:

Never the one who compromises in style, this all new KUV100 is an eye-turner. This compact crossover with its unique finish gathered many younger audiences around it. The all bling-bling look for the new KUV comes from its clamshell bonnet. Noticing the fascia of the automobile one never fails to observe the sharp and sleek grille and wraparound like headlights. Headlights are a highlight of the total appearance. The dual tone look of the younger beast is yet another striking design element. The contrasting silver lining over the fog lamps gives a neat view. Its side profile gathers your attention with its compact yet attractive creases. The door handles embedded in the C-pillar bring the real joy of the style for this latest road drive. The rugged look for the sporty product comes from over the taillight crease which resembles an eyebrow. The beauty of the compact structure comes from the overdid side profile. Its rear profile has a conventional hatchback appeal, but the dual tone rear bumper completes its overall sporty appeal.

Interiors:

Glossy black and light gray interiors take your ride to the next level. The stylish dashboard with piano black inserts will definitely bring the bling to the interiors. Clean and well organized center console is yet another attraction for this 6 seater variant. With all the climate controls and gearbox controls mounted on it, this well organized dashboard extension gives a sharp design to the cabin. Coming to the seating, this 6 seater has 3+3 seating arrangement, wherein the center seat in first row can be folded for convenience. The positive turn in terms of comfort comes from the center seat. With two cup holders and a hand-rest, this foldable center seat has its share for abundant comfort. Storage is yet another centerpiece of the defined design of the high-end variant 6 seater. Foldable passenger seat will give access to more storage space. However, with thick C-pillar, the legroom in the rear feels overly cramped. Now the better part of the interiors is the expandable 243 liters boot that shuts up all its rivals.

Performance:

The newly developed mFALCON D75 1.2-litre oil-burner is indeed a good performer on roads. The wow feature of this diesel engine is the power. It churns out 77bhp of maximum power at just 3750 rpm, while yielding a hammering torque of 190Nm between 1750 to 2250 rpm. This motor comprises of 4-cylinders making a total displacement capacity of 1198 CC. Whats more interesting in the performance of this diesel engine is very minimal turbo lag. The smooth and precise gearbox shift is another impressive factor. The drivability on city roads is lively, but on open roads, it runs out of breath. Coming to the fuel efficiency, this motor helps KUV100 to generate a whooping 25.32 kmpl mileage helping it to be a tough competitor in its class.

Ride and Handling:

We felt really surprised with the handling traits of this micro SUV, as the driving quality is impressive and remains predictable. It has an efficient suspension system comprising an independent McPherson strut with dual path mounts for front and semi-independent twist beam suspension at rear. In addition to this, coil springs and hydraulic gas charged shock absorbers on both front and rear axle promises a jerk-free driving experience.

Safety:

The manufacturer has worked on this variant's safety levels without compromising at any corner. Compared to other base trims, this high end variant incorporates all the sophisticated security details in every nook. It also gets segment's first ISOFIX child seat mounts for the rear seats. There are other essential features including automatic hazard lamps dual airbags, Anti-lock Braking System with Electronic Brake-force Distribution, Child safety locks and speed sensing door locks are additional safety features that promises to make your ride protected. Anti-theft security alarm is yet another needed feature that helps to safeguard the SUV from unauthorized access. Besides, collapsible steering column is another significant feature that takes the safety standards to the next level.

Verdict:

In all honesty, this 6 seater K8 variant certainly makes for a good purchase. Attractive features, unparalleled performance and exquisite safety and comfort proportions will make this machine even more desirable. Outweighing all the shortcomings this latest release from Mahindra sets a tough competition for many market legends. However, if you are more concerned about the cabin space, then going for the likes of Swift would be a right choice.