The 2020 SsangYong Tivoli has been launched in the UK and it packs a slew of new engines. Why is this important? Because, in India, we know it as the Mahindra XUV300.
Though the Mahindra XUV300 is a, let’s say, curated version for India, made in India and made for India, in terms of the sub-four-metre size and equipment level on offer. The 2020 SsangYong Tivoli is priced from £13,995 (Rs 12.8 lakh) in the UK and it’s got some interesting changes.
The exterior front and rear styling has been tweaked and there’s a new interior fascia ‘cluster’ along with new infotainment systems including an 8.0-inch Smart Audio system, USB port, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a rear camera. Top variants also get a 10.25-inch LCD smart instrument cluster. Safety-wise, all trim levels in the UK have a minimum of six airbags and electronic safety features including Front Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Automatic Emergency Breaking (AEB), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR), Front Vehicle Start Alert (FVSA), Driver Attention Alert (DAA), Emergency Stop System (ESS), Safety Distance Alert (SDA); now you know why their prices start where ours end.
The big news is that 2020 SsangYong Tivoli packs the new range of T-GDi-T (turbo gasoline direct injection) engines that Mahindra had showcased earlier and that means we have the juicy details.
First is the new 1.2-litre T-GDi petrol engine. The three-cylinder engine displaces 1,197 cc and produces a peak 128 hp at 5,000 rpm with a substantial peak torque of 230 Nm available between 1,750 and 3,500 rpm. In the 2020 SsangYong Tivoli in the UK, it’s paired with a six-speed manual transmission.
The second engine is the larger 1.5-litre T-GDi petrol engine. This is a four-cylinder engine displacing 1,497 cc. It produces a healthier 163 hp at 5,500 rpm and hefty maximum torque of 280 Nm available across a healthy spread: 1,500 to 4,000 rpm. The 2020 SsangYong Tivoli gets this engine paired to an automatic transmission. We expect to see this engine in the upcoming new Mahindra Scorpio as well.
Finally, there’s the big one. The upgraded 1.6-litre turbo-diesel engine. The 1,597-cc, four-cylinder unit makes a usable 136 hp at 4,000 rpm and peak torque of 324 Nm between 1,500 and 2,500 rpm. The 2020 SsangYong Tivoli doesn’t have to deal with displacement limitations to qualify as a small car, however, the Mahindra XUV300 does. Though, it’s safe to say the 1.5-litre turbo-diesel engine did a fine job and managed 200 Nm/litre of specific torque either way.
Backed by a comprehensive seven-year/150,000-mile (240,000+km) warranty, the 2020 SsangYong Tivoli should be a commendable all-round compact SUV with smart driving technology, digital interface, advanced safety technology, and a wide range of design choices, both inside and out.
Also read: Mahindra XUV300 v Rivals
