SA LAUNCH: Mahindra KUV100
By: Jason Woosey
Mahindra wants a slice of the budget car market, and rather than churn out some trying-to-be-cute hatchback that's just going to get lost in a sea of other wannabe adorables, the Indian manufacturer has done things the Mahindra way. Sort of.
Mahindra is an SUV company and while creating a proper 4x4 wouldn't be feasible at the lower end of the market, it has essentially created a tall hatch that's attempting to look like an SUV. Kind of like most modern SUVs come to think of it, only smaller.
Sure, the wheel wells, and the wheels in them, should be a lot bigger and not all of the styling details are necessarily going to win universal praise here but let's bear in mind that it is trying to fit a lot of car into a small space and it is relatively cheap by crossover standards, starting at R149 995.
Mahindra SA states very clearly that it's targeting traditional compact hatchback buyers with the KUV100, and that it hopes to tempt them by combining the affordability and manoeuvrability of a small hatch, with rugged looks and a higher stance - the newcomer having a 170mm ground clearance.
Petrol or diesel power
You can only have it as a front-wheel drive, but there is a choice between petrol and diesel power, both being three-cylinder units displacing 1.2-litres and mated to a five-speed manual gearbox. The newly-designed normally aspirated petrol engine is rated at 61kW and 115Nm while its turbodiesel cousin is good for 57kW and 190Nm.
The compact crossover seats up to five adults, according to Mahindra, and is available in three trim grades: K4, K6 and K8.
The entry-level K4 has a focus on affordability so don't expect all the bells and whistles, but it does pack standard air conditioning, power steering with tilt adjustment, electric windows, key-operated central locking, dual front airbags and ABS brakes.
You don't get a sound system in the cheapest model, but the mid-range K6 adds this, along with Bluetooth, on-board computer and steering-mounted controls. The K6 also gains piano black cabin inlays, mood lighting, height-adjustable driver's seat, remote central locking and electric mirrors. In addition to that the flagship K8 gets alloy wheels, idle-stop and fog lamps.
All are sold with a three-year/100 000km warranty and a service plan is optional.
KUV100 PRICES
1.2 petrol K4+ - 61kW/115Nm - R149 995
1.2 petrol K6+ - 61kW/115Nm - R169 995
1.2 diesel K6+ - 57kW/190Nm - R187 995
1.2 petrol K8 - 61kW/115Nm - R179 995
1.2 diesel K8 - 57kW/190Nm - R197 995
ALTERNATIVES
GWM M4 1.5 - 77kW/138Nm - R189 900
Renault Sandero Stepway - 66kW/135Nm - R187 900
Toyota Etios Cross 1.5 Xs - 66kW/132Nm - R186 100