KUV100 vs Dzire Comparison
Mahindra KUV100 vs Maruti-Suzuki Dzire
Comparison
Overall, the Dzire diesel AMT automatic is
definitely our pick of this test. The extra 60,000 Rs. of outlay over the
manual is not just for the automatic but for the extra features of the ZDi
automatic variant (worth around 50,000 Rs.) over the VDi manual variant. This
translates into a difference of just 10,000 Rs. over a usage of 5 to 7 years
giving the automatic far better value-for-money than the manual. Even the Dzire
manual-diesel is a much better alternative than the KUV100 and works out to be
40,000 Rs. than the diesel KUV100 in terms of Total Cost of Ownership, thus
negating the KUV100’s feature content advantage. If you are specifically
looking for a petrol car then the, Dzire manual-petrol is our pick of this
bunch. Firstly it is 70,000 Rs. cheaper in terms of Total Cost of Ownership
compared to the KUV100 and secondly it is more refined, reliable, dynamically
superior and has much better performance than the KUV100 as well.
Pricing & Features: The most popular Dzire
diesel ‘VDi’ variant, retails for 6.95 Lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), which is just
11,000 Rs. more than KUV100’s ‘K8’ diesel variant costing 6.84 Lakh. However, the
KUV100 has way more features than the equivalent Dzire as given below, which
cost 50,000 Rs. if bought as accessories. (Dzire’s petrol ‘VXi’ variant costs 5.98
Lakh, which is identical to KUV100 ‘K8’ petrol’s cost of 5.99 Lakh. Dzire
petrol-automatic’s ‘VXi’ variant costs 6.77 Lakh & diesel-automatic’s ‘ZDi’
variant costs 8.40 Lakh)
Common Features: ABS, AC, Power Steering,
Power Windows, Central Locking, Keyless Entry, Electrically Adjustable Mirrors,
Fog Lamps
Extra Features in KUV100 (K8): Airbags-2,
Parking Sensors, Stereo: FM, USB, Aux, Bluetooth + 4 Speakers & 2 Tweeters,
Steering Wheel Switches, LED DRLs, Driver’s Seat Height Adjust, Alloys, Rear
Defogger
Extra Features in Dzire (VDi): Electrically
Folding Mirrors
Performance & Drivability:
Petrol: Dzire’s K12 engine is far superior
to Mahindra’s very first effort at making a petrol engine. Suzuki’s decades of
experience at making petrol engines over Mahindra has translated into a far
more refined and free revving engine compared to the one inside the KUV100. Dzire’s
performance is noticeably better across the rev-range and thus is far better to
drive, be it in the city or on the highway. Dzire is also available with a
conventional 4-speed automatic gearbox, which makes it easy to drive around
town, but its an age old unit which saps the Dzire’s performance as well as its
efficiency.
Power (PS@rpm): KUV100 – 82@5500, Dzire –
84.3@6000
Torque (Nm@rpm): KUV100 - 115@3500, Dzire –
115@4000
Kerb Weight (kg): KUV100 – 1075*, Dzire –
965
Power to Weight Ratio (PS/ton): KUV100 – 76,
Dzire – 88
Torque to Weight Ratio (Nm/ton): KUV100 –
107, Dzire – 120
Diesel: When it comes to diesels, Mahindra
has delivered its best effort at engine development with the new 3-cylinder,
1200cc unit powering the KUV100. It has better drivability than the Dzire
around town, with lesser turbo lag than the Dzire. Dzire does have an edge in
outright acceleration, but by a very small margin thanks to its lighter kerb
weight. The diesel Dzire is now offered with the fantastic 5-speed AMT automatic
gearbox making it just perfect for city commutes. Having employed the
cutting-edge AMT technology, it even delivers just as much performance and efficiency
as the manual version.
Power (PS@rpm): KUV100 – 77@3750, Dzire –
75@4000
Torque (Nm@rpm): KUV100 – 190@1750-2250, Dzire
– 190@2000
Kerb Weight (kg): KUV100 – 1175*, Dzire –
1055
Power to Weight Ratio (PS/ton): KUV100 –
66, Dzire - 71
Torque to Weight Ratio (Nm/ton): KUV100 –
162, Dzire - 180
Fuel Efficiency:
Petrol: In our real world tests, the manual
Dzire was almost 2 kmpl more efficient than the KUV100, while the automatic
Dzire was 1 kmpl less efficient than the KUV100.
ARAI Mileage (kmpl): KUV100 (manual) –
18.15, Dzire (manual) – 20.85, Dzire (automatic) – 18.5
Fuel Cost for 75,000 km (Lakh): KUV100
(manual) – 3.80, Dzire (manual) – 3.30, Dzire (automatic) – 3.72
Diesel: In our back to back tests, the manual
as well as the automatic Dzires were consistently 1 kmpl more efficient than
the KUV100.
ARAI Mileage (kmpl): KUV100 (manual) – 25.32,
Dzire – (manual & automatic) – 26.59
Fuel Cost for 75,000 km (Lakh): KUV100
(manual) – 2.29, Dzire (manual & automatic) – 2.17
Space & Comfort: Dzire is bigger in
length than the KUV100, while the KUV100 is taller in height. KUV’s tall stance
liberates more space for the passengers by facilitating a higher hip point.
This results in better under thigh support especially for the rear passengers
as well as easier ingress-egress. KUV100 has a bigger 243 liter boot, which is
just about adequate for weekend getaways, while the Dzire’s 350 litre boot is
capacious enough even for longer journeys. The Dzire also has a noticeable
advantage in terms of the quality and fit-finish of the interiors. As for the
KUV100’s front bench seat, it is more of a gimmick, but might come handy in
some rare cases where you may need to carry an extra passenger for small
distances.
Length (mm): KUV100 – 3675, Dzire – 3995
Width (mm): KUV100 – 1715, Dzire – 1695
Height (mm): KUV100 – 1655, Dzire – 1555
Ride Quality & Handling: Both cars are
as different as chalk and cheese when it comes to dynamics. The KUV100 is chalk
and the Dzire is cheese. Firstly, both cars have identical ground clearance, so
KUV100 has no better off-road ability than the Dzire. However, it has a much
more comfortable ride, especially at low speeds over broken surfaces compared
to the Dzire’s overtly stiff suspension setup. But the KUV100 is a damp squib
around the curves. It has immense body roll and a dull, lifeless steering rack
which is devoid of any feel or feedback whatsoever. The Dzire on the other hand
is a joy to pilot around the bends. It has a quick steering coupled with a
responsive chassis and body roll has been kept well under control.
Ground Clearance (mm): KUV100 – 170, Dzire
– 170
Tyre Size: KUV100 – 185/65R14, Dzire - 185/65R15
(ZXi/ZDi), 165/80R14 (LXi/VXi/LDi/VDi)
Reliability and After Sales Service: Maruti’s
legendary reputation at providing country’s best After Sales Service via its
2000+ touch points is no secret. Mahindra on the other hand was competing in
the utility vehicle market thus far and had come out on top amongst its
competitors in the segment. But it still has a long way to go to fulfill the
sky high expectations of the passenger car customer. On top of that, Mahindra
has had a history of teething troubles in its new launches, which does not bode
well for the KUV100 given that not only is it a grounds up new vehicle, but it
is also powered by two brand new petrol and diesel powertrains. It is best to
adopt a wait and watch policy for six months before you put your hard earned
cash on a KUV100, not that we recommend it anyways.
Resale after 5 to 7 years est. (Lakh): Dzire
is bound to depreciate much lesser than the KUV100 after a usage of 5 to 7 years,
thanks to better durability and Maruti’s hassle-free Service Support compared
to Mahindra.
KUV100 (Diesel manual) – 3.76, Dzire
(Diesel manual) – 4.17, Dzire (Diesel automatic) – 5.04
KUV100 (Petrol manual) – 3.23, Dzire
(Petrol manual) – 3.44, Dzire (Diesel automatic) – 3.72
Total Cost of Ownership (in Lakh): (Vehicle
Price + Fuel Cost – Resale Value)
KUV100 (diesel manual) – 5.37, Dzire VDi (diesel
manual) – 4.96, Dzire ZDi (diesel automatic) – 5.54
KUV100 (petrol manual) – 6.55, Dzire
(petrol manual) – 5.84, Dzire (petrol automatic) – 6.77
Verdict: The Dzire
diesel AMT automatic is definitely our pick of this test. The extra 60,000 Rs.
of outlay over the manual is not just for the automatic but for the extra
features of the ZDi automatic variant (worth around 50,000 Rs.) over the VDi
manual variant. This translates into a difference of just 10,000 Rs. over a
usage of 5 to 7 years giving the automatic far better value-for-money than the
manual. Even the Dzire manual-diesel is a much better alternative than the
KUV100 and works out to be 40,000 Rs. than the diesel KUV100 in terms of Total
Cost of Ownership, thus negating the KUV100’s feature content advantage. If you
are specifically looking for a petrol car then the, Dzire manual-petrol is our
pick of this bunch. Firstly it is 70,000 Rs. cheaper in terms of Total Cost of
Ownership compared to the KUV100 and secondly it is more refined, reliable, dynamically
superior and has much better performance than the KUV100 as well.
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