2019 Mahindra TUV300 Review
Car Tested: 2019 Mahindra TUV300; Road Test No. 1109; Test Location: Mumbai
Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 10.04 – 12.62 lakhs
Mahindra has updated its robust TUV300 with new looks and more features
Mahindra entered the sub-4-metre compact SUV race long before it became the rage with the Quanto. Essentially a chopped version of the Xylo with the ability to seat 7. Since then, the market has grown exponentially and Mahindra kept refreshing their compact SUV line-up every now and then. The TUV300 has fared relatively well in this hotly contested segment and with almost four years into the launch, Mahindra has given it an update. Does the update make the TUV300 an SUV to consider? We find out.
Motor Quest: Mahindra’s Quanto was the first mainstream compact SUV in India. It’s USP was that it could seat 7, thanks to the jump seats in the back. However, people perceived the Quanto as an outdated and unsophisticated product in front of more modern rivals like the Ford EcoSport. Mahindra revisited the concept with the TUV300 in 2015 and NuvoSport in 2016. The TUV300 has found decent takers, particularly in the rural parts of India. Now, Mahindra sells the TUV300 in two guises, a sub-4-metre 7 seater version and a longer 9-seater version.
The TUV300’s tall and quirky design looks out of shape
Exteriors – The updated Mahindra TUV300 looks the same save for the blackened grille, headlamps, black side cladding and wing mirrors, X-shaped spare wheel cover and clear tail lights. Other additions include a new ‘Highway Red’ paint shade and DRLs. All these changes are minor to really lift up the appearance of the car. It makes the TUV 300 look just that bit more urbane and sporty.
The design gives out a rugged and tough vibe
The TUV300 has received some cosmetic updates along with a new colour & DRLs
But the overall design still lacks the modernity we have come across expecting from compact SUVs. The profile is so tall, it makes the car look disproportionate. On the flip side, we felt the high bonnet adds a sense of robustness to the design and the wide, square hatch reminds us of some bigger SUVs. The styling isn’t to everyone’s tastes but the TUV300 does look way better than the older car.
The cabin feels well-built but has some rough edges
Interiors – The sidesteps come in handy because you have to haul yourself into the TUV300’s high cabin. The layout is surprisingly friendly. The changes are not extensive but what you’ll instantly notice is the addition of a new touch-screen infotainment system. The system has above-average resolution and is easy to use but misses out on the all-important Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity features. Sound quality from the speakers is pretty average too.
The large windows give the cabin an airy feel
Changes to the upholstery uplift the appeal of the cabin with a feel-good factor
The beige theme makes the cabin look upmarket. Gone is the fabric upholstery replaced by a more premium looking leatherette one. The front seats are supportive with decent adjustment. The view outside and around, as one would expect is stellar. It does feel like a proper high riding car. But some ergonomic issues remain. The window switches are on the centre and not on the doors. Accessing the AC controls which are placed way down the dashboard can be challenging when on the move. The quality of materials can be called above average for a car of this class and price. But there is a sense of durability to all the materials around.
Three people can seat comfortably in the second row
Second-row space is very generous. The headroom is superb and so is the legroom. The seats are wide and not contoured. This means you can fit three quite comfortably. However, the seat base is a bit too generous and shorter people will find themselves stretching their legs to get comfortable.
The last row is extremely cramped for adults
While the first and the second-row seats are very spacious, the third row is best used by small children or luggage
The last row boasts of jump seats. They are usable for extremely small journeys. Space is utterly cramped and placing two adults is close to impossible. The jump seats are best suited to kids but we won’t recommend that since there are no safety features like headrests and seatbelts and the seats are precariously close to the rear hatch. We recommend folding them away and using the space for storing luggage.
The diesel engine has great low-end punch
Performance – The Mahindra TUV300 facelift comes with the same engine as the older car but it is now offered only in the higher state of tune. The 1.5-litre, 3-cyl, diesel engine produces 100 HP and 240 Nm and it comes mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox and an automatic isn’t on offer. Crank the TUV, it’ll vibrate initially but then the vibrations settle down and it actually feels decently refined. The engine is noisy, yes, but again the clatter isn’t very annoying especially at low RPMs. Of course, when you push the gas and are nearing the higher spectrum of the RPM band, the clatter gets louder.
The manual gearbox is smooth and mated to a light clutch
The TUV300 is now offered only in the higher state of tune (100 HP)
Driveability from this diesel engine is pretty decent. In the city when you’re driving at low RPMs, the engine impresses with its low-end punch and eagerness to move forward. The mid-range is punchy too but only up to 3500 RPM because after that the engine feels unresponsive and power delivery is also tapered down even though the redline is well above 4500 RPM. People buying a TUV300 aren’t likely to gun it down the highways anyway, so most users shouldn’t really have a reason to complain here. The 5-speed gearbox has short ratios while the throws are long yet fairly smooth. The clutch has a long travel too but is thankfully light. The TUV fares very nicely on the fuel efficiency front and with its decently large fuel tank, don’t be surprised if you do 700 kms on a single tank of fuel. Mahindra is offering an engine start/stop system but it is a bit slow to respond and the car vibrates a lot while starting which itself creates a bitter feeling so we suggest it’s best to keep the ESS switched off.
The TUV300 feels rugged and sturdy on the worst of roads
Driving Dynamics – Nothing much has changed here, the 2019 Mahindra TUV300 drives the same as the older car. The suspension is very tough, can overcome poor roads with ease and feels pretty long-lasting but the ride quality isn’t something that this SUV can boast of. The ride does feel bouncy and on rough roads, there is a significant amount of vertical movement in the cabin. The car also doesn’t feel as stable as some other cars in this segment out on the highways. The steering doesn’t provide any sort of feedback and is pretty lifeless while the TUV has a fair amount of body roll too. As I mentioned earlier, not a car for enthusiasts but its target audience will definitely love its durability.
The TUV300 comes with dual airbags and ABS as standard
Safety and After Sales Service – We like how Mahindra has upped the safety game in the TUV300. Standard equipment includes dual airbags, ABS with EBD and ISOFIX anchorages in the second row. That is as good as any other compact SUV. Only if Mahindra had put forward facing last row seats complete with seatbelt and headrests. After-sales service and reliability are likely to be good given that it is a tough car.
The TUV300 has long-lasting feel to it
Verdict – The Mahindra TUV300 looks so much better than the older car and this change itself increases the car’s appeal ten-fold. The interiors also feel like a better place to be in and the equipment list is pretty good, covering almost all the essentials. Yes, the car does have some rough edges and inconsistency here and there like, for example, I was driving it down when it was pouring heavily in Mumbai and with the wipers set at full speed, I could feel some vibrations near the brake/clutch pedals. Nonetheless, the TUV300 is offered at a good price and this is why a lot of people wanting an entry-level SUV that can take a lot of abuse have been preferring this vehicle. In the longer run, I see the TUV as a very good replacement to the ageing Bolero and it is also a known fact that a lot of Bolero-owners have been upgrading to the TUV because the latter is a better package and offers more safety too.
Mahindra’s diesel engine offers very good efficiency
What’s Cool
* Styling is so much better than the older car
* Engine has good driveability and efficiency
* Comes with dual-airbags and ABS as standard
What’s Not So Cool
* Rear jump seats don’t have adequate safety
* Certain ergonomic issues in the cabin
* High speed stability could have been better
Alternatives: – Mahindra XUV300, Maruti Vitara Brezza, Ford EcoSport, Tata Nexon, Hyundai Venue, Honda WR-V
Every major manufacturer has a vehicle in this segment
Further Reading –
Mahindra TUV300 Plus Review
Mahindra TUV300 mHawk100 Review
Testers’ Note:
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