Sporting a freshened front end and a bit of a booty tuck, the Mahindra TUV300 continues to offer good levels of specification at respectable prices.

The revised version is initially availableonly  in the top specification T8 model at R254 999.

The most dramatic updates are visible from the front, where the TUV300 is fitted with a new-look grille, front headlamps, and new lower front bumper.

The grille is perhaps the boldest interpretation of Mahindra’s five-slot grille, with wide chrome-lined slats topped with a chrome lining and bold Mahindra grille. The headlamps have also been redesigned with a fresh carbon-black finish to merge with the black-and-chrome grille.

On the lower bumper, the air inlet has been widened and Mahindra has added two squared-off fog lamps as standard. These lamps and the new front scuff plate are finished in a metallic grey.

The dark motif is repeated on the sides, where the TUV300 now has muscular black side cladding between the squared off wheel arches.

At the rear, Mahindra has redesigned the rear-mounted spare wheel cover to feature a stylish X-design and have added a sporty rear spoiler as standard.

Other features, such as the high-mounted stop lamp, alloy wheels, electrically adjusted and colour coded rear-view mirrors and high ground clearance remain standard.

Inside the TUV300, the rugged interior theme remains, albeit with new silver detailing around the air vents and main controls. The interior is a product of Mahindra’s own designers and the team from the design house Pininfarina, which is part of the Mahindra group.

Among the of standard features are power steering with steering mounted controls, an infotainment system with Bluetooth phone connectivity and an in-built Voice Messaging system, power windows, air-conditioning, height adjustment for the front driver seat and rear-mounted Intellipark parking assistance.

In addition to the luxury features, safety is taken care of with dual front crash bags, a proprietary hydro-formed safety cell with impact absorbing channels and side impact bars and anti-lock brakes with Cornering Brake Control (CBC) and Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD).

The TUV300 shares its mechanical platform with the Mahindra Scorpio, has seating for seven occupants, rear-wheel drive and a ladder frame chassis.

Fitted to this ladder frame is Mahindra’s 1,5-litre mHawk turbo-diesel engine. In the TUV300, this engine features dual stage turbo charging and common rail direct injection for 73,5 kW of power at 3 750 r/min. The engine also delivers 240 Nm of torque between 1 600 r/min and 2 800 r/min, which is delivered to the driven wheels via a manual five speed gearbox.

The TUV300 is sold with a five-year / 90 000 km service plan and 3 year / 100 000 km comprehensive mechanical warranty and Roadside Assistance Service. Services, after the initial 10 000 km lubrication service, is done every 20 000 km.

Four colours are available at launch, namely Lava Red, Diamond White, De Sat Silver and Sunset Orange.