Test drive Mahindra KUV100 at SA

In May on a trip to India, I drove a diesel model. After driving 40km on the Mumbai highway, it was clear that a high-riding hatchback could frown in the SA passenger car market.

The first Mahindra KUV100 experience in South Africa was the “Sunset Orange” diesel model. It was equipped with a 1.2-liter turbo diesel engine with a moderate capacity of 57kW / 190Nm. The fuel consumption is 4.4l / 100km, but I don’t know exactly because there is no consumption gauge.

specification:

K6 + derivatives and later offer a 6-speaker sound system with Bluetooth connectivity to the Mahindra BlueSense app. It also includes a multifunction steering wheel and a refrigerated glove compartment.

Despite its low horsepower, the 3-cylinder engine was supplied in the same way as Mumbai and felt alive with a lot of torque between all five gears.

The gearbox really deserves all the praise. The shift is solid and accurate, but sadly the clutch pedal is down to the floor. It took me a while to get used to it, which is probably something Mahindra should rethink.

In that respect, the brake and clutch pedal arrangements are too close. If your feet are small, it’s okay or let your toddler drive.

Going on the gravel road showed an acceptable ride quality, but the height of the 1155kg KUV100 meant that the ride quality was quite bumpy, especially at speed. Wind noise while driving on the freeway can also improve build quality.

Although it is equipped with a 1.2-liter 3-cylinder engine (61kW / 115Nm), it does not choose a gasoline model. It’s lethargic and feels nothing compared to diesel. In 1st, 2nd and 3rd gear, the Bulls really struggled like they did at this year’s Super Rugby.

Is KUV Worth Buying? :

Mahindra claims that the KUV100 will compete with the Toyota Etios Cross, Renault Sandero Stepway, Suzuki Swift, Hyundai Grand i10, Kisui J2, Tatabolt and Ford Figo. Most of these cars are a difficult question because they have excellent commercial value, brand loyalty, better recognized build quality, and an established dealer network.

There is one area where the Mahindra KUV100 is superior to the others, it is in the price. The entry-level petrol model, which comes standard with air conditioning, electric windows, ABS and driver / passenger airbags, is slightly below the R150000.

I may have been a little reluctant to use the KUV100, but at the end of the launch I really warmed up to a diesel model. The price, equipment level, and overall driving experience left a good impression. Expect car makers to age like fine wine, not vinegar.

In conclusion, both diesel engines and gearboxes are more than enough, but the biggest concerns are pedal placement, clutches and wind noise. I’m not sure if South Africans are interested in the KUV100 yet, but it’s definitely worth mentioning. Even if the Mahindra KUV100 is not your tea, there are more Mahindra along the way.

* 3 year or 100,000 km warranty on all models, 3 year or 50,000 km service plan on K6 + and K8 derivatives (optional on K4 +).