The Xylo has a powerful diesel motor and acres of space – just the kind of workhorse needed at the AutoCar office (May ’09). The Xylo has been with AutoCar since January ’09 and over this period has covered over 1700km. this includes a lot of time spent in the confines of Mumbai city and also out-of-town jaunts over weekends.

Reports AutoCar testers – the engine has opened up and has done pretty well, despite some heavy-foot driving in the initial kilometers. We like the fact that one can quickly make gaps in traffic thanks to the responsive engine which gives it an extra edge in the city. It also has the legs on the highway, which means maintaining three digit speeds all day is stress free.

The large windows give the cabin an airy feel and the view of the countryside at speed is much like what you’d get during a long-distance train journey. The fact that the seats are supremely comfortable and you’ve got enough legroom to stretch out, even in the third row, only furthers the Xylo’s appeal.

But there are some complaints as well. The Xylo has a soft suspension set-up – bumps are well rounded at low speed, but once the Xylo picks up pace it doesn’t feel as solid as it should. The ride is bouncy and there’s a lot of body roll in corners as well and it’s not uncommon for rear passengers to complain. The engine certainly has the kick, but the chassis just doesn’t want to play ball. Another problem that comes up is that the Xylo doesn’t have much boot space to begin with and the fact that the third row cannot be removed seriously hampers practicality and limits the amount you can cram into the back of the MPV.

Apart from these issues, the Xylo has mostly been impressive. So have the fuel economy figures, despite some pedal-to-the-metal action on the Expressway. AutoCar (May ’09) has regularly managed to get 12.2kpl out on the highway.

In a nutshell, the Xylo might not impress you at first sight but its core value of being a spacious tourer that’s loaded with equipment at a good price will certainly win your heart.