Spec comparo: Mahindra KUV100 vs Maruti Wagon R vs Maruti Celerio vs Hyundai Grand i10

Mahindra's KUV100 has finally been rolled out at Rs 4.42 lakh, ex-Pune and is available in seven variants. The KUV100 is the smallest SUV in Mahindra's portfolio. However, Mahindra's new SUV will be roughing it out against some popular hatchbacks. Considering how aggressively Mahindra has priced the KUV100, it will compete against Maruti Suzuki Wagon R, Maruti Suzuki Celerio and the Hyundai Grand i10. Here's a look at how these rivals compare against each other on paper.

Apart from the Maruti Suzuki WagonR, all other cars offer buyers the option of petrol and diesel engines. Among the petrol variants, the Hyundai Grand i10's unit is the most powerful at 83PS while the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R's petrol mill makes 67PS. The Maruti Suzuki Celerio, Wagon R and the Mahindra KUV100 get a three-cylinder configuration while the Grand i10 gets a four-cylinder engine.

Amongst the diesel variants, the KUV100 with 77PS is the most powerful of the lot while the Grand i10's unit makes 6PS less. The Maruti Suzuki Celerio gets the smallest diesel engine which makes 48PS of power.

On the economy front, the Maruti Celerio petrol variant is the most frugal in this bunch with an ARAI rating of 23.1kmpl. The Hyundai Grand i10 and the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R both get an ARAI rating of 18.9kmpl. The Mahindra KUV100 falls short in this department with a rating of 18.15kmpl.

Just like its petrol sibling, the Celerio diesel too is the most efficient with an ARAI rating of 27.62kmpl. With a rating of 25.32kmpl, the KUV100 diesel occupies second place while the Grand i10 comes in third.

In terms of dimensions, the Maruti Celerio and the Grand i10 get an identical wheelbase of 2425mm. The Wagon R's wheelbase is 15mm more than that of the KUV100 which has the least at 2385mm. At 3765mm, the Grand i10 is the longest in this bunch while the KUV100 is the widest. Unsurprisingly, it's the Wagon R that is the tallest.

In terms of design, Mahindra has given the KUV100 a unique styling to attract younger buyers. The signature grille looks sleek while the clamshell bonnet gives it an upmarket appearance. Another unique bit is the headlamps which wraparound the entire front fender. The cabin is quite nice with a smartly designed dashboard and relatively uncluttered centre console.

The Grand i10 looks modern with it's nicely sculpted bumper while the short stance gives it a sporty character. The fit and finish and the quality of cabin materials is impressive. There's great attention to detail and all knobs and buttons have a positive feel. It also comes equipped with a long list of features.

The Wagon R has been on sale for over a decade and Maruti has kept on introducing updated versions. Although the basic shape remains unchanged, it continues to be one of the highest selling cars in our market. The tallboy design ensures there's an ample amount of headroom while the small footprint makes it an easy to drive car. The dashboard gets functional design but quality of materials isn't great.

In comparison to the KUV100, the Celerio has a simple design but is pleasing to look at. The cabin gets a smart looking centre console unit but is a letdown in terms of quality.

Mahindra has the priced the KUV100 aggressively with the range starting at Rs 4.45 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). However, the Maruti Celerio range starts at an attractive price of Rs 3.97 lakh. In comparison, the Wagon R retails from Rs 4.03 lakh onwards while the Grand i10 is the most expensive with prices starting from Rs 4.69 lakh.