Can the Mahindra Xylo pip the Toyota Innova to the post in the luxury van derby? OverDrive (March ’09) presents a head to head battle between these two luxury people-movers…

Design & Styling

If looks were the only thing that mattered, the Xylo would lose the war even before it stepped onto the battlefield. It’s really no contest where exterior styling is concerned, especially once you see just how sharp the face lifted Innova looks. All it takes for the Innova to win the first round is a cleaner, yet more aggressive face. Several aspects of the Xylo look too disconnected with little thought to harmony and flow. It’s a brick with soft rounded edges where the Innova looks more streamlined and aerodynamic. The Xylo also squats on terra firma very oddly. It’s shorter, wider and taller than the Innova but the wheelbase is longer and the track is narrower.

One climbs into the Xylo – in an Innova, one just slides in – and that sort of ease in ingress and egress counts for a lot. The interiors of the Innova too feel more soothing, especially the trim with the beige hues, pseudo wood inserts and quality plastic. Leg, knee, shoulder and headroom are all more generous in the Xylo. And each captain seat even gets its own armrest…however the Mahindra cabin looks more crowded and that’s because it has a dark colour scheme and every detail shouts for attention individually not as part of a whole.

Both the Xylo and the Innova have an exhaustive feature list with multiple seating arrangements that provide tremendous value. Both of them even come with multi information displays that provide myriad information including direction, fuel range and temperatures both inside and outside the passenger cabin. However the Xylo has a gear speed indicator which indicates the possibility of an automatic in the near future. In addition it also provides a more advanced audio system with USB, iPod, SD card and AUX compatibility, numerous cup and bottle holders and flip-up tables mounted on the seatback. However, only the Innova provides audio controls mounted on the steering wheel and air bags for both driver and passenger whose safety implications far outweigh any comfort features.

Ride & Handling

In the Xylo, Mahindra have advanced their thoughts and process by light years – the Xylo is dynamically so much better than the Scorpio exclaims OverDrive (March ’09)!

Both the Xylo and the Innova sport a body on frame layout, but it is the Innova which feels more rigid and durable. Both also sport independent suspension at the front but the Xylo finally dumps Mahindra’s time honoured leaf spring suspension at the rear. The Xylo may not inspire the same amount of confidence as the Innova, but it is stable in a straight line, composed if you don’t push it around corners too hard an despite its tall stance it will not buck and dive like the Scorpio under hard braking. On the other hand with its almost car like feel, several degrees lesser body roll, far more precise steering and better dynamics the Innova is as good as several sedans.

But the Xylo has a plusher ride while the Innova does feel stiffly sprung and breaks free of her line if driven over a pothole or bump. At higher speeds the Xylo feels just as stable as the Innova.

Both MUV’s use a combination of discs and drums yet the Xylo sports larger discs and drums for stopping power. However the lack of ABS shows and therefore the Innova which sports ABS has the clear advantage here. From 100kmph to absolute zero the Innova brakes in just 43.26 meters and takes 3.19 seconds while the Xylo does the same in 53.06 meters and 3.9 seconds. That is simply ABS showcasing its prowess over conventional braking systems and hopefully Mahindra should incorporate this safety measure in the Xylo soon.

Performance & Efficiency

Look at the spec sheet and its clear to see that both turbocharged common rail diesel engines displace 2.5litres. But the Toyota sports an over square bore stroke configuration, the Mahindra has an under square layout and this provides the Xylo with better torque characteristics (35Nm more) and also more power (11PS) than the Innova. While peak power in the Xylo is generated at 3800rpm, that’s 200rpm more than the Innova, peak torque is available much lower at 3000rpm. And thanks to the long stroke this engine also revs to a 6500rpm redline. This means that even at full clip the Xylo never feels strained or out of her comfort zone. Both engines are turbocharged but the turbine in the Xylo engine spooling up a bit earlier than the Innova which makes her responds quicker to throttle inputs.

The Innova on the contrary feels out of breath nearly half way through her power-band and takes on a gruff strained note as she approaches her 4500rpm redline, even in top gear. The transmission of the Innova however is far superior with precise shifts though at any given point in time it is the Xylo’s gearbox that feels more in tune with the engine and ideally matched to its power curve. Nevertheless Mahindra still need a lot more work before they can truly attain the slick shift quality of the Innova.

The gearing, well spread torque and a refined engine also helps the Xylo provide better fuel efficiency than the Innova. With an overall efficiency of 12.2kmpl compared to the Innova’s 11.4kmpl the Xylo can go an additional 50kms compared to the Innova’s 620km range on a full tank.

Verdict

For a few years now Toyota has completely dominated the MUV market with the Innova, enjoying a lion’s share of the pie. But finally Mahindra has made a vehicle to gnaw at the walls Toyota has built and threatens the Innova with dire consequence predicts OverDrive (March ’09).

This is not surprising as the Xylo is well engineered, comfortable, frugal, powerful more spacious and determined to capture the imagination of the MUV buyer. Look beyond the styling and there’s no denying the fact that the Xylo is a highly competent MUV.

On the other hand, the Innova is a fantastically built vehicle and like all other Toyota’s it is literally indestructible. Moreover with its new facelift, it certainly looks dapper. Its more composed around corners but the stiffer suspension means a harsher ride.

So who wins?

Shockingly, we have to admit that the Xylo has just perched itself a notch higher than the Innova. That a Mahindra product can stick it to an established and renowned manufacturer such as Toyota is undeniably a fantastic thing for Indian engineering. It’s a very slim margin but when you realize the fully loaded Xylo tested by OverDrive (March ’09) is nearly Rs.2 lakh cheaper than the closest Innova variant (GX) it becomes a no contest. The Innova is better engineered but so much better as to command a two lakh premium?

Plus the Innova’s engine is not as fuel efficient, quick or as refined as the Xylo. And so we have to conclude that in the here and now the Xylo presents a much stronger argument in its favour. It’s taken nearly three years for any manufacturer in India to post a credible alternative to the Innova and its Mahindra who’ve picked up the baton and is now first past the finish line.