Test drive Mahindra KUV100 and XUV500: new players

First test of two new cars for the Bulgarian market

In principle, the public of the Old Continent was initially used to treat with some distrust the products of countries that Europeans considered exotic in terms of the cars created in them. In fact, when this bias is directed against a large number of copies of all kinds of popular models of famous brands, bright, pale, successful or unsuccessful, spewed out by famous and unknown Chinese companies, skepticism seems justified. However, to expect that a company that, figuratively speaking, previously was engaged in the production of outlets, plugs or, at best, air conditioners or refrigerators, from today until tomorrow, will make an impressive car with its own style is the least naive. Moreover, when the determining factor in creating a model is only profit, and all the know-how is expressed in copying solutions and forms created by other brands. However, the fact is that many big players in China are learning surprisingly quickly and in many ways are starting to catch up with their South Korean competitors in terms of product quality. So the Celestial Empire has yet to become an increasingly important factor in the automotive world, and there is no doubt about it.

India - Expect the Unexpected

Equally interesting is the case of models made in India, as the automotive industry has a solid tradition in the second most populous country in the world. Many of the world's most renowned manufacturers have their own manufacturing facilities in India and the quality of many of these companies is top notch. Suffice it to mention the models of the Indian division of Honda, or Maruti Suzuki, to illustrate the fact that some of the most reliable cars are actually made in this country. Local brands also boast a rich past and vibrant present, with Mahindra and Tata standing out among the traditional brands for the Indian market. Well, one cannot fail to mention the cult Ambassador of Hindustan, although, unfortunately for many, this is already in the past.

Mahindra is a manufacturer with over 70 years of history

In this case, we will talk about Mahindra. The history of the company has more than 70 years. Founded in 1947, the company has extensive experience in the design and manufacture of SUVs and various types of professional vehicles. An interesting fact in this regard is that Mahindra is currently the world leader in the production of tractors. Today, the brand has a wide range of models, 13 models in total, including those with a fully electric drive. Two of these models are already available on the Bulgarian market from the official brand importer in our country, Astreco Motors, since last autumn. We are talking about the most affordable crossover in Bulgaria - a small KUV100 with a starting price of BGN 22. And the seven-seat off-road model XUV490 with front or double drive, the prices for which, depending on the modification and equipment, range from 500 to 40 leva. . In the future, it is expected to expand the range of products in the domestic market.

KUV100 – small, agile and affordable

In essence, the KUV100 is a small class model, mounted only on stilts. For people who are looking for an inexpensive city car and appreciate a high seating position, the model is a pretty interesting alternative to some of the noticeably more expensive members of this class. With a body length of 3,70 meters and a width of less than 1,75 meters, the model is very compact, which, combined with excellent maneuverability and good visibility from the driver's seat, makes it convenient to enter the city stream. It can be assumed that comfortable long transitions are not the strengths of the model, and strong aerodynamic noise and sharp tapping of the antenna on the roof at speeds over 120 kilometers per hour act as a natural brake on the pursuit of high speed. The chassis setup is typical of a rough-road model, meaning it does a more than decent job of clearing out bumps of any kind. Needless to say, such a quality of the KUV100, as well as a large ground clearance, are huge pluses in favor of the model. The drive, which is entrusted to Mahindra's first-ever gasoline engine of its own production, deserves good words. Made mostly of aluminum alloy, the naturally aspirated 1,2-liter three-cylinder engine revs up and pulls surprisingly well. Undoubtedly, a well-thought-out five-speed transmission, controlled by a high-speed gear lever located on the center console, also contributes to pleasant dynamics.

XUV500 - spacious, off-road, up to seven seats

On the other hand, the XUV500 is one of the most popular SUV models in India. And objectively there is a reason for this - a car with a capacity of up to seven seats is impressive both on the road and on rough terrain. The driving experience is typical of a well-made old-school SUV - the model sits well on the road, rides comfortably, leans noticeably but not much in corners, and offers very good traction thanks to the dual transmission, offered for an additional fee of 5000 BGN. The drive is powered by a 2,2-liter turbodiesel, which we know from Ssangyong (the South Korean brand has been owned by Mahindra for several years). The self-igniting unit has a distinct diesel tone and delivers impressively powerful traction in almost all operating modes. The only real downside we can mention in terms of a temperamental and efficient drivetrain is the stubborn six-speed gearbox.

At its peak, the XUV500 comes with some pretty extravagant equipment, including leather upholstery and even a rear seat entertainment system with color screens integrated into the rear of the front headrests. Otherwise, the abundance of internal volume is standard for all modifications, so whoever cares more about the functionality and basic qualities of the car can achieve a much more reasonable price in the range of 45-50 leva.

We have yet to see how the public in our country will react to the products of the Indian giant Mahindra, but one thing is certain: market diversity is always important.

Text: Bozhan Boshnakov

Photo: Leonid Seliktar, Melania Yosifova, Mahindra