HAD it not been for Mahindra’s lack of confidence in letting us comment on the Xylo, you would have read this review a month back. I was a bit apprehensive about the Xylo since the beginning. I don’t understand why it took Mahindra four long years to put the prototype into production. Either, it was completely flawed from the beginning and they were making it acceptable all this while or they were so futuristic and modern in their approach that they had to wait for the market to rise up to it. I hoped it was the latter that delayed the Xylo, but Mahindra’s less than prompt action in delivering a test drive vehicle was questionable; though not as questionable as the way the Xylo looked.
Mahindra engineers have tried to merge the looks of an SUV with an MUV and finally ended up with something in between. The side profile with large sized windows and distinctive kinks in the C and D pillars looks decent. The rear end looks bulky and van-like while the front end is a bit revolting. Agreed, MUVs aren’t designed for ramp walks, but this? And it comes from the same people who designed the macho looking Scorpio which I’m a huge fan of.
There are many youthful bits in the Xylo, the main one being its predilection to modern day ‘rock n roll’. That has nothing to do with an excellent music system on offer but the Xylo rocks and rolls like a boat in rough sea. Cornering is not among its strengths while braking is insecure with the wheels locking up easily and the rear end losing composure. Things are not helped by the fact that Mahindra is not offering ABS even as an option.
However none of this really matters. An MUV is all about carrying people in comfort and the Xylo does it remarkably well. The seven-seater version we drove had split seats in the middle row that are just as good as the front ones. Side and under-thigh support are terrific and makes the Innova’s middle row feel thin and flat. What surprised us even more was the rear seats that have decent legroom and a comfortable posture with adequate under-thigh support. The Innova in comparison has a lower hip point and less space all around. You even get a centre armrest that can be flipped down and large sized butterfly windows to provide a view of the world outside. I could sit there all day and get out to compete in a marathon. Gone are the days when the rear row was about torture for all except children.
The engine is a carry over from the Scorpio 2.6 CRDe. The effective stroke of the motor has been reduced and the displacement has been brought down to 2498 cc to facilitate tax sops in some export markets. Power peaks at 112 bhp and torque is 24 kgm. The low end response of this common rail diesel is amazing. It pulls well from low revs which make for good city driving and easy overtaking. The Xylo has more power than any of its competitors and still returned a commendable 12.3 kmpl in our road test. Thanks to the quality of cabin insulation, it feels very refined. The gearbox on the other hand wasn’t as good with shifts taking some effort and the long throw being imprecise. Ride quality issues that plagued Mahindras all the time are history now. The Xylo drove well over broken patches with only a mild thud from the suspension. Passengers do get tossed around because of the soft suspension, but things improve as speeds rise.
The overall dashboard design is odd and the material quality is quite average. But you do get a lot of equipment. There is a digital display on top of the dashboard that can tell you the average fuel consumption, the range, the average speed of the trip, the outside and inside temperatures, the relative humidity etc. It even shows you a picture of your favourite deity, from among the 40 with the dealer.
The claim that the ‘era of Sedans is over’ is a little on the ambitious side but for a big family on a budget, the Xylo is probably the best bet. The top end Xylo E8 gets a music system with USB support, foglamps, alloy wheels - none of which are present in the comparable Innova G4 that costs two lakh rupees more. With the basic version costing Rs.6.28 lakhs the Xylo is a lot of car for your money.
vivekvenugopal@epmltd.com