Mahindra TUV300 photo gallery

The rugged face has the Jeep-like upright chrome grille, headlamps inspired by the Bolero, and a huge air dam.

The blacked-out D-pillars, raked-back B- and C-pillars and thick shoulder line add some character to the boxy flank.

The 15-inch alloys wear fat 75-profile tyres.

The mHawk80 engine is related to both the Quanto’s 1.5-litre three-cylinder unit, and the Scorpio’s 2.2-litre, four-cylinder motor.

1.5-litre, three-cylinder diesel makes 82.8bhp and 23.4kgm. It also uses a twin-scroll turbocharger and a dual-mass flywheel.

The fact that it's a compact, ladder-frame SUV, is the TUV's USP.

The dashboard puts textures, glossy black and matte silver plastic to good use.

Storage place over the centre console is a little shallow.

The hooded instrument binnacle with chrome rings and digital info display looks smart.

The power window switches mounted near the handbrake are borrowed from the Scorpio.

The doors have soft, cushioned arm rests and grab handles that look nice.

A bigger glove box would have been better.