Mahindra have launched their compact crossover, the KUV100 in India with an attractive price tag. The KUV100 is available in 7 variants: K2 & K2+, K4 & K4+, K6 & K6+ and K8 with both petrol and diesel engine options. The USP for the KUV100 is its SUV-ish looks, rugged feel and the optional seating capacity of six passengers which gives it an edge over its rivals. Interestingly, while the KUV100 is a crossover, Mahindra have priced and positioned to target everyday hatchbacks like the Swift and the Grand i10. It’s a disruptive move, and the Indian UV maker has set the proverbial cat among the pigeons with the introduction.
You can read our test-track review of the new KUV100 petrol and diesel here, and our road test of the KUV100 petrol by clicking here.
While there are a lot of intangibles involved in this comparo, including the looks, and feel, which is a very subjective matter, we can still compare the three products for their specs, price and other measurable parameters. We compare this new compact crossover against its direct rivals in terms of pricing, the Maruti Suzuki Swift and Hyundai Grand i10, in a tech-spec comparison to find out which vehicle represents more value on paper. Let’s get going with the diesel variants first
| Specification | Mahindra KUV100 | Maruti Swift | Hyundai Grand i10 |
| Engine | |||
| Displacement | 1198 cc | 1248cc | 1120cc |
| Engine Type | Inline 3-cylinder mFalcon D75, Turbocharger with Intercooler, CRDi | Inline 4-cylinder, DDis diesel engine CRDi | Inline 3-cylinder, 2nd Gen. 1.1 U2 CRDi |
| Max Power (bhp@rpm) | 77 bhp @ 3750 RPM | 74 bhp @ 4000 RPM | 70 bhp @ 4000 RPM |
| Max Torque (Nm@rpm) | 190 Nm @ 1750-2250 RPM | 190 Nm @ 2000 RPM | 160 Nm @ 1500-2750 RPM |
| ARAI certified fuel economy | 25.32 kmpl | 25.2 kmpl | 24 kmpl |
| Gearbox | 5 Gears Manual | 5 Gears Manual | 5 Gears Manual |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length | 3675 mm | 3850 mm | 3765 mm |
| Width | 1705 mm (excluding ORVMs) 1715 (with door side cladding) |
1695 mm | 1660 mm |
| Height | 1635 mm
1665 mm (with roof rails) |
1530 mm | 1520 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2385 mm | 2430 mm | 2425 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 170 mm | 170 mm | 165 mm |
| Seating Capacity | 6 / 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Bootspace | 243 litres | 204 litres | 256 litres |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 35 litres | 42 litres | 43 litres |
| Brakes and Suspension | |||
| Front Brake | Disc | Ventilated Disc | Disc |
| Rear Brake | Drum | Drum | Drum |
| Suspension Front | Independent McPherson Strut with Dual Path Mounts, Coil Spring and Hydraulic Gas Charged Shock Absorber | McPherson strut | McPherson Strut |
| Suspension Rear | Semi-Independent Twist Beam with Coil Spring and Hydraulic Gas Charged Shock Absorber | Torsion Beam | Coupled Torsion Beam Axle |
| Minimum Turning Radius | 5.05 metres | 4.8 metres | 4.8 metres |
| Wheels | Steel wheels ( up to K6+)
Alloy Wheels ( K8 ) |
Steel(LDi,VDi)
Alloy(ZDi) |
Steel Wheels (up to Sportz)
Alloy Wheels (Asta only) |
| Front Tyres | 185 / 65 R14 Tubeless Radials | LDi, VDi: 165/80R14
ZDi:185/65R15 |
165/65 R14 Tubeless |
| Rear Tyres | 185 / 65 R14 Tubeless Radials | LDi, VDi: 165/80R14
ZDi:185/65R15 |
165/65 R14 Tubeless |
| Price (INR – ex-showroom Delhi) | Rs 5.22 – 6.76 lakh (ex-showroom Pune) | Rs 5.84 – 7.29 lakh | Rs 5.63 – 6.81 lakh |
The oil burner on the KUV100 doesn’t have the biggest displacement yet delivers the most number of horses among the three. The KUV 1198 cc inline 3-cylinder mFalcon engine delivers 77 bhp of power while the Maruti Swift, with a slightly bigger engine, puts out 74 bhp. The Hyundai Grand i10 delivers 70 bhp. The torque figure of the KUV100 too is at par with the Maruti Swift at 190 Nm while the Grand i10 puts out a slightly lower figure of 160 Nm.
The ARAI certified fuel economy of the KUV100 is rated at 25.32 kmpl while the Maruti Swift delivers 25.2 kms to a litre of diesel. The Grand i10 has a ARAI certified fuel economy of 24 kmpl. The boot space in the KUV100 isn’t the biggest out there but still stands at a healthy 243 litres. The Grand i10 has a boot space of 256 litres while the Maruti Swift can hold 204 litres of luggage.
Petrol Variants
| Specifications | Mahindra KUV100 | Maruti Swift | Hyundai Grand i10 |
| Engine | |||
| Displacement | 1198 cc | 1197 cc | 1197 cc |
| Engine Type | Inline 3-cylinder mFalcon G80, Multi Point Fuel Injection (MPFI) with Dual Variable Valve Timing | Inline 4-cylinder, K-Series Petrol engine with VVT | Inline four Kappa Dual VTVT |
| Max Power (bhp@rpm) | 82 bhp @ 5500 RPM | 84 bhp @ 4000 RPM | 83 bhp @ 6,000 RPM |
| Max Torque (Nm@rpm) | 115 Nm @ 3500-3600 RPM | 115 Nm @ 2000 RPM | 113 Nm @ 4000 RPM |
| ARAI certified fuel economy | 18.15 kmpl | 20.4 kmpl | 18.9 kmpl |
| Gearbox | 5 Speed Manual | 5 Speed Manual | 5 Speed Manual
4 Speed Automatic |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length | 3675 mm | 3850 mm | 3765 mm |
| Width | 1705 mm (excluding ORVMs)
1715 (with door side cladding) |
1695 mm | 1660 mm |
| Height | 1635 mm
1665 mm (with roof rails) |
1530 mm | 1520 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2385 mm | 2430 mm | 2425 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 170 mm | 170 mm | 165 mm |
| Seating Capacity | 6 / 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Bootspace | 243 litres | 204 litres | 256 litres |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 35 litres | 42 litres | 43 litres |
| Brakes and Suspension | |||
| Front Brake | Disc | Ventilated Disc | Disc |
| Rear Brake | Drum | Drum | Drum |
| Suspension Front | Independent McPherson Strut with Dual Path Mounts, Coil Spring and Hydraulic Gas Charged Shock Absorber | MacPherson strut | McPherson Strut |
| Suspension Rear | Semi-Independent Twist Beam with Coil Spring and Hydraulic Gas Charged Shock Absorber | Torsion Beam | Coupled Torsion Beam Axle |
| Minimum Turning Radius | 5.05 metres | 4.8 metres | 4.8 metres |
| Wheels | Steel wheels ( up to K6+)
Alloy Wheels ( K8 ) |
Steel(LDi,VDi)
Alloy(ZDi) |
Steel Wheels (up to Sportz)
Alloy Wheels (Asta only) |
| Front Tyres | 185 / 65 R14 Tubeless Radials | LDi, VDi: 165/80R14
ZDi:185/65R15 |
165/65 R14 Tubeless |
| Rear Tyres | 185 / 65 R14 Tubeless Radials | LDi, VDi: 165/80R14
ZDi:185/65R15 |
165/65 R14 Tubeless |
| Price (INR – ex-showroom Delhi) | Rs 4.42 – 5.91 (ex-showroom Pune) | Rs 4.68 – 6.27 lakh | Rs 4.80 – 6.41 lakh |
The petrol variants of all the three products in this comparison have the same displacement and the performance numbers aren’t too different either. The Maruti Swift makes the maximum power among the three with output numbers standing at 84 bhp and 115 Nm. The Grand i10 makes 83 bhp of power and 113 Nm of torque while the KUV100 makes 82 bhp of power and 115 Nm of torque. Fuel economy figures for the KUV100, Swift and Grand i10 stand at 18.15 kmpl, 20.4 kmpl and 18.9 kmpl respectively.
The KUV100, in both petrol and diesel, comes at a highly competitive prices. Club with that the healthy fuel economy and we have one of the most value for money mainstream products in the Indian market today. Would you buy the KUV100 over its regulation hatchback rivals? Why? Why not? Share your views with us through the comments section below.