Re: “Thunderbolt” Mahindra XUV5OO Detailed Review (4 Years Report)
My replies in BOLD or as quoted in between.
but if we do a fair comparison, I would compare the Duster AWD or XUV AWD to Fortuner 4x4 or Endeavour 3.2 AT all of which have these electronics.
It will still be unfair. We are comparing products that are priced twice or thrice of the duster. Different customer segments. Different Body types. Different a lot.
nice pictures - Ecosport and XUV joining the pajeros!
reading the above surely sounds like there was a lot of fun!
Thank you sir. Glad you liked.
It wasn't, farmers do more off roading in their Alto during harvesting of sugarcane or wheat. Any front wheel drive car which has enough GC, can do this much or even more off roading. Dare I say, I did more than this in a Tata Tiago diesel and it was fun too. Technique and momentum matters more than anything else. You may be knowing the Chilla road of Haridwar, I crossed around 1.5 feet deep water there (The surface under the water matters for even 600 mm depth), driven in sand and gravel, and have a pic of raised rear wheel too - like the one BHVM has shared with a pic highlighting it as 'wow'. All in a Tata Tiago with that puny 1.05l diesel engine.
Why do you need a Tagio or alto for that? Infact, Why do you even need 4 wheels for it?
We daily observe what Village idiots do with their 3/4 wheeler Rolling junkyards like paggio APE or some Quirky Mahindra models. And they do that with having a dozen or more people onboard.
Do they have 100+ BHP engine with decent torque? No.
Do they have High profile wheels with Lift kit? No. Scooter size tyres at best.
Do they have and Recovery equipment? Muscle power, Thats all.
But what they DO have is overconfidence. Any driving sense is absent by long shot. It all depends on how big a safety bubble one has. Psychologically. Now APE Rikshaw or RFC modified Gurkha, Both will do as driven, and as long as laws of Physics allow it.
I remember one incident when a fellow Idiot filled too many gunny bags in this 3 wheeler. And at the next speed breaker, it went nose up like a NASA rocket. The occupants got thrown out like a catapult. and they were still laughing like Idiots.
That said, the surface was tractable, BHVM needed to dare it. If the surface under the water was having enough of the grip compromising ingredients, then Pajero Sport AT would have been doing it with a rope attached to a 4x4 outside.
My Friends asked why I did not take river crossing. When I explained them about Air intake, everyone said it was a wise thing. Who knows that day we would've spoiled the trip for whole convoy and put Admins/leaders under tension.
Hence, get your planned 4x4 and go out to try it out.
Aye Aye Saar.
Off-roading gurus like you only can accomplish such feats because my mind, as a novice, would have started calculating the risks of crossing 450mm of standing water which means calculating the what-if scenarios like water can enter through doors as the vehicle is designed to pass less than 200mm standing water test, 75% tyres are down in water so what grip levels are left, 50% engine is in water so what damages to sensors, exhaust completely under water and probably intake is on the edge too if not already under water, radiator fan cutting through water, etc.
I am on AG with this one. We are family men with Huge safety bubbles. Infact I am looking forward when Vipul gets Married and we will have a level playing ground again.![[;)]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Wink.gif "Wink [;)]")
If the XUV (FWD) is as capable as a Pajero Sport in 4H mode, is it required at all? My question is still unanswered.
Sir I heard you're selling Pajero To replace it with an XUV W10. Only then you'll get the correct answer.
I totally agree with BHVM on his opinions about merits and shortcomings of XUV. His observations are spot on.Cant comment on pajero and its family,and their ofroad prowess,as I have never driven one.But if ever I get my hands on one,my first and foremost worry would be ,WHERE WILL I GET THE SERVICE????and what about the procurement of spares?? With XUV I do not have to worry at all. 95% of the public(including me)have not spent on xuv for offroading.It serves it purpose on the myriads of highways,broken or well laid,all over India.I dont know about pajero,but I had my fun on most of the open stretches,including YEE. XUV is real fast there,by any standards.And for that purpose,wandering over all of India,fast and in comfort,XUV leaves its competetors behind,far... behind.
1> Thanks for the Generous Doses of “Thumbs Up” and encouragement. I was waiting for your comment to show up.
Some excellent discussions over here too-
http://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/car-shopper/28946-bitten-4x4-bug-now-i-want-one.html
2> My Thoughts about service of Mitsu do echo with you, as you can read in above link.
3>Agreed that XUV will probably see less than 0.5% of its Life (in KM) for intended/ Concious off roading.
4> I believe XUV has no competition with respect to High speed crusing on south of 50 lacs in India. (considering Body type, Space, Seating capacity etc)
I disagree. Having extensively driven XUV of a family member and owning the Aria, fast and comfort don't go together with XUV unless you are driving strictly on 4-laners or roads with undulations less than 2 inches which cannot be pre-conditions while wandering over all of India. In my opinion, for absolute comfort while maintaining higher trip average speeds on mix roads, nothing beats the Aria (current Hexa) or Storme, not even the Pajero Sport.
Enough of OT talks, let BHVM continue with his ownership review
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1> It depends on how COMFORT is defined.
If comfort is Roughhousing over bad roads, Small potholes, Nothing beats the Safari. And I mean old safari Dicor Not storme. The magic carpet ride as I always say.
And for people who have careless driving styles like Not slowing down for speedbreakers etc, Things like Hexa/Aria may be it.
But Comfort also means NOT throwing around passengers at 150+. Masking speed like no Other. XUV is right at home here. But the Biggest comfort that XUV has is “Comfort of Mind” when doing high speeds.
I have read, Heard, Observed upfront and experienced first hand-
* The way XUV can swerve to avoid obstacles/Idiots at 150+
* The way XUV can brake from 175 to ZERO in a stright line
* The way it masks speed when going 140, but feels like 100 in cabin.
* I do not remember any SUV in this segment, Comes with rollover-mitigation and such advanced forms of TCS, ESP and EBD-ABS. And It has been coming since 2011.
* And the GRACE at which it does all of above and more.
Infact, Me and my Friends/Relatives have had expriences that if-
We would be driving any other SUV like Pajero, Fortuner etc, What would one hear will be just screeches, Screams and Laughter of death gods.
Check the quoted paragraph in Image from one of the competing reputed forums (attached)
2> I do not mind my thread getting hijacked at all. Infact , thats the spirit of an open forum.
P.s- I am not encouraging anyone to try out High speeds on the highway or try reckless driving.
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