Mahindra launches TUV300 compact SUV at killer price point of Rs 6.90 lakh

Mahindra has launched its highly anticipated TUV300 compact SUV which is set to take on the likes of the Ford EcoSport, at a starting price of Rs 6.90 lakh (ex-showroom, Pune).

Mahindra's highly anticipated new entrant in the compact SUV segment called the TUV300 has finally been launched. The TUV300 is the company's first ground-up attempt at creating a sub-four-metre utility vehicle. Despite there being a hint of the Bolero at the front, Mahindra has clarified that the TUV does not replace the Bolero, which has been one of Mahindra’s top sellers and is much loved in rural India.

The TUV, instead, will target urban consumers and to up its game, Mahindra has made a substantial effort at making the cabin as comfortable and well-equipped as possible. Despite the effort made to make it a cushy city car, officials have categorically stated that the TUV is not a soft-roader, but is instead an aggressively designed utility vehicle.

Watch: Say hello to Mahindra's new TUV300

The TUV300 comes in a seven-seat configuration with two jump seats facing each other, located behind the second row. The new mHawk Series 80 engine is placed longitudinally, and is a highly updated version of the Quanto's 1.5-litre diesel motor with a dual-stage twin scroll turbocharger unit and dual-mass flywheel added to it; just two of the many improvements made by Mahindra’s engineering department.

Performance figures are to the tune of 85PS of power with a maximum torque of 230Nm. In terms of fuel consumption, the TUV300 boasts of an ARAI claimed 18.49km/l although daily use figures can only be discovered upon further testing. By using the Quanto’s 3-cylinder diesel engine, the TUV300 has been categorized as a small car and a result of the lower rate of excise duty levied on it, comes with a highly competitive price tag.

In Pictures: Here's what the new Mahindra SUV looks like

The TUV300 has been launched in a two-wheel-drive layout, but company insiders suggest that a four-wheel-drive version is theoretically possible on the new third generation body-on-ladder chassis platform used by Mahindra which is extremely crash-worthy and has high torsional stiffness and durability. The car is available with a five-speed manual transmission gearbox with an autoSHIFT AMT gearbox on offer as well. In order to increase efficiency and reduce emissions, the TUV300 receives the same Start-Stop Micro-Hybrid technology present on the Scorpio and XUV500. The SUV also gets an Eco mode to further improve its economy.

Watch: Quick review of Mahindra's new TUV300 compact SUV

Mahindra has also paid a lot of attention to safety when designing the TUV300. Driver and passenger side airbags are offered as an extra across the entire range of variants whereas EBD and ABS come as standard with Corner Brake Control (CBC) added to maintain the driver-intended path during braking while turning. Other safety features include an automatic door locking system, well researched crumple zones, a toughened high strength steel body shell for better impact protection, hydro-formed crush tips that collapse on impact and strong side intrusion beams.

The TUV300 stands 184mm off the ground on Ceat Czar urban-use tyres. In terms of suspension design, the TUV comes with Cushion Suspension Technology with anti-roll bars. The front wheels get twin wishbone coil springs paired with a stabilizer bar while the rear gets a multi-link setup. The mini-SUV’s boxy, battle tank inspired styling was created with inputs from Italian design-house Pininfarina and features a high bonnet line, ridiculously short front and rear overhangs (which is a good thing!) and a sloping roofline with an inclined, blacked out B-Pillar. The swept back, static bending headlamps are wholly integrated units that lie on either side of a Jeep Cherokee-inspired five-toothed grille indicative of Mahindra’s current style language. The lights are also equipped with Follow Me Home and Lead Me to the Vehicle technology. The rear end looks quite similar to that of the Quanto, especially the tail-gate mounted spare wheel with cover which has remained identical. The most noticeable difference is the vertically stacked tail light unit which replaces the Christmas tree lights present on the Quanto. The interiors are quite roomy with ample space for your legs, shoulders and head with an adequate boot space of 384 litres which can be increased to 720 litres by folding the seats.

Also Read: 5 things you need to know about the Mahindra TUV300​

In an interview with ZEEGNITION’s Editor-in-chief, Adil Jal Darukhanawala, at the 2015 SIAM Convention, Exectutive Director of Mahindra Pawan Goenka stated, ”It is aggressively designed, which not everyone will fall in love with but we want enough people to love this design and say ‘this is what I want.’ We are not looking to sell a million of them but we want people who are passionate about true SUVs to come and want to buy it.”

Watch: Here's what the new Mahindra TUV300 looks like on the inside​

The TUV300 enters a hotly competitive segment with current stalwarts like the Ford EcoSport and Renault Duster already having to face competition from newcomers Hyundai Creta and Maruti-Suzuki S-Cross. As a result, the Indian SUV manufacturer really did have its work cut out to make its cabin appealing to the more discerning urban consumer. And it’s safe to say that they’ve done a tremendous job. The beige and black dual-tone dashboard with chrome finishes and metal accents looks excellent with high levels of fit and finish and the quality of plastics used is top notch. The hexagonal centre bezel and piano black central fascia include an intelligent 2-DIN navigation-equipped infotainment system with Mahindra’s BlueSense mobile application integrated with the system. BlueSense, which was first launched with the XUV500, allows users to control the audio system and also gives current readings of the car’s tyre pressure, air conditioning status, engine alerts, etc. The infotainment system offers standard connectivity to BlueTooth, USB and AUX enabled devices with audio and telephony controls available on the steering wheel which feels really good in-hand especially given the SUV’s commanding seating position. The car also comes equipped with a Voice Messaging System, Brake Energy Regeneration and Intellipark Reverse Assist. A minor annoyance is the location of the power window switches as they’ve been placed in the central console, near the gearbox rather than on the doors.

Watch: Mahindra TUV300 exterior walkaround

With the TUV300, Mahindra seems to have ticked all the right boxes. Let’s wait and see how the market reacts to its unique design especially considering the company’s previous foray in the small SUV market with the Quanto didn’t go too well. The TUV300 will be available in three basic trim levels namely T4, T6 and T8, the prices of which are mentioned below. Stay tuned for our detailed first drive review.