Mahindra is at the top of the hill when it comes to the entry-level SUV and UV segments. What with all generations of the Scorpio and the Bolero bringing in massive sales, the brand has effectively managed to fend off competition for years. The compact crossover segment, on the other hand, has proved to be quite challenging for Mahindra, following the Quanto’s poor sales run. That said, the brand is having another crack at it with the new NuvoSport. Here’s a closer look at this freshly launched product.
Unlike the rest of the exterior, the front-end is fully new and features the signature Mahindra grille design and a large bonnet scoop. Also seen here are the oddly positioned daytime running lights.
The 16-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels do their bit in lifting up the overall street presence. They are covered in 215-section MRF Wanderers.
Like in the TUV300, there are Eco and Power modes to suit different driving conditions. The NuvoSport also gets stop/start feature for improved efficiency under city driving conditions.
The instrument cluster is one of the few new design bits inside the cabin. The dials feature chrome surrounds and are quite easy to read.
The old Quanto was sold as a manual only, but the NuvoSport is being offered in both manual and AMT guise. The latter option would prove to be popular among those who mostly drive in the city.
The NuvoSport is the widest and the tallest in its class but comfortable only for the first and second row occupants. The tiny, side facing seats in the third row are only good for really short journeys.
As one would expect, Mahindra is offering a lot of standard equipment. Seen here is the 6.2-inch touchscreen Infotainment system with Bluetooth connectivity and lots more.
The NuvoSport packs in a 1.5-litre turbocharged diesel engine that delivers 100bhp of power and 240Nm of torque. The latter figure is the highest in this segment. Also, no petrol engine option for now.
The 7-seater cabin is quite flexible, with 60:40 split for the rear seats. Additionally, the second row of seats can be reclined to a certain angle for better comfort over longer journeys.
Like in the old Quanto, the rear-end is highlighted by the tailgate mounted spare wheel. What’s new for the NuvoSport is the rear spoiler, plastic cladding and the clear lens taillights.
