Mahindra’s entry-level offering, the KUV100, has been unable to garner interest prompting the carmaker to update it within two years of its launch. While the powertrains remain the same, the KUV seems to have undergone a sea of changes to make it relevant to the Indian car market and will be called the KUV100 NXT.
The Mahindra KUV100 claims to be the smallest SUV and its body-lines and creases have been tweaked to accentuate the brawn. The bumpers, both fore and aft, have been redone to add more muscle. The headlamps and tail lamps have also been reworked with those in the back getting a clear lens design. The KUV NXT will be offered in both single and dual exterior paint scheme options for a more modern image.
With its brawny looks aided by the faux bash-plate in the front, roof-rails and flared wheel arches, the Mahindra KUV100 NXT plans to entice car buyers in the same segment as the Maruti Ignis, the Hyundai Grandi10 and other compact cars. It will be offered in a six-seater configuration as standard and the five-seater will be made to order. Also, the number of trims have been reduced to 10 viz. K2+, K4+, K6+, K8 and K8+ with petrol and diesel options.
Under the surface, the suspension design has been altered to provide more travel both in the front and the back which should help improve its ride quality. The engine mounts have also been strengthened to dampen the engine vibrations which should in turn improve the NVH levels of the KUV NXT. The new three-cylinder engines have also been tuned to deliver a slightly better fuel economy.
Inside, the KUV100 now features a touchscreen display for the first time. The 8-inch infotainment system is compatible with Bluetooth, USB and auxiliary inputs and will get steering mounted audio controls, also a first for the KUV. It also will get remote-operated boot-lid, electrically folding wing mirrors, rear parking sensors and a reworked multi0information display in the instrument console.
