Production Models

With loads of practicality and impressive versatility, it's perhaps no surprise that MPVs have become a popular choice for families, both big and small. This latest entry hails from India, in the form of the Mahindra Xylo and the focus of this week's review.

If you're looking for a sizable MPV that won't break the bank, consider the Mahindra Xylo E8. With its upright proportions and lengthy dimensions, the Xylo offers room not just for passengers but also cargo. From the outside, the Xylo does not disguise the fact that it is an MPV and measuring in at over five meters long, it is one of the bigger cars in its segment. As bonus, the Xylo also has high ground clearance, making it an all-weather family shuttle.

Inside, the Xylo offers room for eight while offering an abundance of leg, knee and head room, even in the third row. Passengers will also appreciate air-conditioning on all seat rows, each with individual control. In the Xylo E8 models, each comes fully equipped with audio controls on the steering wheel, cruise control and a vehicle information display. Faux leather seats and wood-effect trim rounds up the cabin.

Powering the Xylo E8 is a four-cylinder, 2.2-liter M-Hawk turbodiesel engine. With the aid of a Variable Geometry Turbo, it puts out 120 PS and 280 Nm of torque. It then shifts via a five-speed manual and sends its power to the rear wheels.

Out on the open road, that M-Hawk turbodiesel pulls strong upon take off. Keep the revs low and it will also reward you with good fuel economy. Even in the city, the Xylo will still return over 10 kilometers per liter. The engine is happiest at the 40 to 80 km/h range. As for its ride, it is somewhere in between an SUV and a pickup truck. Not too harsh, but a little on the stiff side.

What the Xylo E8 offers is a tempting value proposition. At Php 940,000, it undercuts many rivals at this specification level. With rugged truck underpinnings, generous room inside and a price tag under one million pesos, Mahindra may be on to something here.

So there you have it, a different take on the rugged MPV. Even if Mahindra is a name unfamiliar to some, the Xylo E8 has more than enough credentials to lure buyers out of the usual choices. Affordable, rugged and spacious, it ticks all the right boxes, and more.