On a recent trip to Rustenburg, I got assigned the newly updated Mahindra TUV300. The mission, a one year old birthday party. Now before we get started on judging my social life, I would like for us to concentrate on the TUV300 for bit. Getting acquainted with the Mahindra TUV300 was quite the experience, with 140km ahead of us, a paw patrol puzzle to deliver, and party pack to collect, we had sufficient time to really get see what the SUV had to offer.
The TUV300 is fitted with a new-look grille, front headlamps, and new lower front bumper, which kind of makes it pop a bit and so does the rear mounted spare wheel design. I know we won’t all agree on the looks of this car but I don’t think the Indian car maker was exactly gunning for Miss Universe in the design because there are other aspects of the car that are arguably the best thing about it. For instance, the suspension. The TUV300 survived the horrid North West bumps on the road, handled the rainy season with ease and perfectly housed three adults and a 4 year old comfortably. The acclaimed 7 seating theory was never tried and tested, seemed it would be uncomfortable and cramped to carry human beings on the two extra seats at the back, although when folded, create quite the satisfactory and much needed boot space.
The new T8 Model is fitted with Mahindra’s 1.5 mHawk turbo-diesel engine that features dual stage turbo charging and common rail direct injection for 73.5 kW of power at 3 750 rpm. The engine also delivers a healthy 240 Nm of torque between 1 600 rpm and 2 800 rpm, which is delivered to the driven wheels via a manual five speed gearbox. The N4 seemed didn’t seem intimidating at all as we could overtake the mining trucks at a healthy, lawful speed, plus at no point of the trip were we compelled to refuel the car, a bonus in my book.
Among the long list of standard features are power steering with steering mounted controls, an infotainment system with Bluetooth phone connectivity and a built-in Voice Messaging system, which really freaked me out at first when I hadn’t closed the car door properly; electric windows, air conditioning, height adjustment for the front driver seat, rear-mounted Intellipark parking assistance and electric windows.
In addition to the luxury features, safety is taken care of with dual front airbags, a proprietary hydro-formed safety cell with impact absorbing channels and side impact bars and ABS brakes with Cornering Brake Control (CBC) and Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD).
I am not going to try to convince you that the TUV300 is a good looking car, I am going to instead let you decide, looks over practicality, reasonable pricing, and fuel efficiency. I would definitely get myself the Lava Red because I would stand out, other available colours include; Diamond White, De Sat Silver and Sunset Orange.
Model & Pricing
- Mahindra TUV300 T8 model R254 999
