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The ride is bouncy and there’s a lot of vertical movement of passengers
Driving Dynamics – Driving dynamics and Mahindra TUV300 don’t go hand in hand and that is quite evident by the way this MUV feels. The steering is very heavy, lacks in feedback and instills poor confidence in the driver at high speeds on the highway. Body roll is just too much so sudden lane changes aren’t really confidence inspiring. There doesn’t seem to be any improvement in ride quality and it still feels very bouncy at low speeds while at high speeds it gets better. However, the suspension feels robust and it has the ability to take a lot of abuse. That, along with the ladder frame chassis makes the TUV300 Plus a very tough car. Braking performance is just about average and the pedal has a spongey feeling to it.
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The Honda BR-V is a better people mover than the TUV300 Plus
Verdict – The Mahindra TUV300 Plus is priced very attractively and can easily seat 7-8 people depending on the size of the passengers. It also comes with a very good engine. However, it has some flaws like its poor fit & finish and the ride quality which can’t be called plush. It makes sense if you don’t mind compromising on these qualities for the want of a rugged MUV but if you prefer better driving dynamics, more feel-good factor and an overall urban car, you should consider the Honda BR-V which is priced just a bit more than the TUV300 Plus.
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Leg space in the second row is a bit limited
What’s Cool
* mHawk engine is known for its durability
* Can fit in as many as 9 people
* Pricing is competitive
* The car is quite abuse-friendly
What’s Not So Cool
* Heavy steering wheel makes the driving experience tiring
* Third row has side facing seats with no seatbelts
* Ride is still quite bouncy
Alternatives: Maruti Ertiga, Honda BR-V, Renault Lodgy
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Will the TUV300 Plus bring in significant sales?
Testers’ Note:
“The TUV300 was a decent car when it was under 4-metres in length, as soon as Mahindra added 400 mm to its derriere, the design turned from tough to lazy. This namesake 9-seater has no real advantage of the added length as the last row isn’t for humans. However, the benefit of the bigger 2.2-litre engine is immediately apparent and the only reason why one will ever consider the Plus over the regular model.” – Faisal Khan, Editor in Chief, MotorBeam.
“I recently drove the regular TUV300 at the Mahindra Monsoon Rally. While it is well equipped and has a SUVish stance for good road presence, the ride quality is quite bouncy. Same is the case with the TUV300 Plus. However, the longer length has made it much more practical and spacious and it looks quite sizeable now.” – Aariz Rizvi, Assistant Editor, MotorBeam.
Further Reading –
Road Trip To Bhutan In A Mahindra TUV300
Mahindra TUV300 Plus Pros & Cons – English
Mahindra TUV300 Plus Pros & Cons – Hindi
Mahindra TUV300 mHawk100 Review
Mahindra TUV300 Review
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