Mahindra has launched its new prototype in India; Mahindra KUV100 NXT. Bookings were started from 18th January with a starting price of 4.39 lacs Indian rupees. It is available in five following variants: K2, K2+, K4+, K6+ and K8 with the price ending up to 7.33 lacs for diesel variant. On the other hand Maruti Suzuki launched its Baleno in the very next week on 28th January with a price starting from 5.45 lacs Indian rupees and ending up to 8.77 lacs Indian rupees for diesel variant. Both of these cars are giving a major competition to each other and there has been a real rivalry situation for both of these companies because both of the cars are giving their best facilities to the customers within a very economic price range. We will compare both of the cars in this article in detail to check features, specifications, pros and cons of both so you can decide which car you should buy.
Mahindra KUV100 NXT Features and Specifications
- Engine type is MFalcon G80 with multi point fuel injection.
- 1198 CC displacement.
- Three number of cylinders in the engine.
- It produces a power of eighty two bhp at 550 rpm.
- It generates a torque of 115 Nm at 3500 to 3600 rpm.
- Drive train is four wheel drive.
- It is 3700 millimeter in length, 1735 millimeter in width and 1655 millimeter in height.
- Ground clearance is 170 millimeter.
- It is a five door car with seating capacity of six persons.
- Transmission type is manual.
- Wheels are made of steel with central cap and tubeless radials tyres.
- Front brakes are drum while back brakes are drum type.
- Front suspension is McPherson strut and rear suspension is semi independent twist beam.
- It gives a mileage of 17.45 kilometers per liter.
- Fuel tank capacity is 35 liters.
- Power steering is present.
- It provides full security by giving air bags on front and back, ABS system, Brake assistance, hill assistance drive, central locking, child lock safety, power locking of doors, engine immobilizer and much more.
- Air conditioner and heating system is available.
- Rear view camera for parking, cruise control, keyless entry, climate control system, front and rear fog lights are available.
- Seat belt warning and low fuel warning alarms.
- Infotainment system includes music system, CD player, speakers, USB , Bluetooth connection
- Price starting from 5.27 lacs Indian rupees.
Maruti Suzuki Baleno Specifications and Features
- Engine type is 1.2 liter VLT petrol in petrol variant.
- 1197 CC displacement.
- Four number of cylinders in engine.
- It produces a power of eighty three bhp at 6000 rpm.
- It generates a torque of 115 Nm at 4000 rpm.
- Drive train is four wheel drive.
- It is 3995 millimeters in length, 1745 millimeters in width and 1510 millimeters in height.
- Ground clearance is 170 millimeters.
- There are five number of door and the seating capacity is for five persons.
- Transmission type is manual.
- Steel wheel with central cap and tubeless tyres.
- Front brakes are disc and back brakes are drum in type.
- Front suspension is McPherson Strut and back suspension is torsion beam.
- It gives a mileage of 21.40 kilometers per liter and has the fuel tank capacity of thirty seven liters.
- Power steering.
- Safety and security includes all features like air bags for front and back, ABS, brake assistance, hill assistance, traction control, central locking, child lock and many more.
- Heating and air conditioning system is available.
- Back view camera, cruise control, keyless entry, climate control, large cup holders are available.
- Front and back fog lights.
- Seat belt warning, low fuel warning, door ajar warning alarms.
- Infotainment system includes music system, CD player, speakers, USB and Bluetooth connection.
- Price starting from 6.17 lacs Indian rupees.
Differences between Maruti Suzuki Baleno and Mahindra KUV 100 NXT:
After enlightening the features of both cars now we will discuss the major differences in both. Starting from engine type both of them have different types with three numbers of cylinders in KUV100 and four numbers of cylinders in Baleno. Mahindra can speed up from zero to hundred kilometers per hour in 14.5 seconds while Baleno can reach the same limit in 12.36 seconds. Thus Baleno can cover more mileage that is 21.4 kilometers per liter than KUV100 whose mileage is 18.15 kilometers per liter. Top speed for both the cars is 180 kilometer per hour. Rear suspension for both the cars differs in types. Wheel size of Baleno (15 inches) is slightly larger than KUV100 (14 inches). Interior theme for KUV100 is grey in color and black doors while Baleno has black and blue interior theme.KUV100 is more spacious than Baleno giving a seating capacity for six persons. Fuel capacity of Baleno is 37 liters that is larger than KUV100 that has a fuel capacity of 35 liters. Baleno is quite different with LED back combination lamp, body colored handles of door, A+b+c pillar blackout. Both cars have body colored bumpers.KUV100 has central control arm rest that is not present in Baleno. It also has gear shift indicator which is not available in Baleno. Baleno has a built in antenna for radio frequency. It has four numbers of speakers making entertainment louder, No parking sensors are available in KUV100. KUV100 has day and night rear view mirror not available in Baleno.
Drawbacks of Maruti Suzuki Baleno
 After discussing the best features it provides, we will have a look on some advance features, it lacks. The exterior of the car is not that much angular but curvy giving a muscular and bold European look. Back seats are shorter and are not much spacious making it difficult for long journeys. It lacks touch screen entertainment system. It is lighter in weight that decreases the solidity of the car. Showrooms for the booking are very limited that decreases the number of customers reaching them. Automatic transmission is not available in it.
Drawbacks of Mahindra KUV100
Design of the car is a bit bold with front being a bit rounded and bumper is inserted inside that can destroy it completely even a slight hit from the back. Wheels are small as compared to its SUV design. Noise, Harshness and vibrations are slightly higher. Roof rails attachment is not firm and it seems it would fall on you. The six seater option will cost you an extra six thousand rupees. Fuel tank capacity is a bit smaller in size and the mileage it is giving gets less. Petrol variant does not give you a pleasant long drive.
Conclusion
On basis of price, people will prefer Mahindra KUV100 but Baleno has many more attractions to be preferred on Mahindra. It gives you good fuel efficiency, good mileage, a larger fuel tank capacity but baleno is longer than Mahindra in dimensions and shorter in height and width which may be disliked by some customers. Comparing from looks Mahindra is more attractive than Baleno so some people will prefer it on the basis of looks but one should select the car by taking into account all the features and specifications rather than just looks and low price. By spending slightly large money you can get more reliable and durable prototype.