Some Retrospection on the occasion of completing 5months with orange cheetah.
Looking at the AT launch of XUV5OO, I was wondering if it would have been a good decision to wait. After all it's just 5 months since I bought this car. There have been two important things I did consider and rejected but at times I am asked this question.
1. AWD - Am I missing the AWD feature?
For the past 12K+ Kms and 5 months, not even once I needed AWD support or had a nail-biting situation. But I am considering seriously doing Leh or similar circuit sooner than later. Reading J.Ravi's experience on those gravel roads, I feel may be I should have considered AWD. But then again only time will tell if this is really a showstopper. Because many have done Leh with FWD XUV5OO already. So why not me?
2. AT?
My running so far has been 95% on highways and 5% inside city. Although I use car for home-work commute its not a big deal to hold onto the clutch/brake for a mere 25-30 mins drive (with traffic, else distance is only 6 Kms!).
So my two cents as advice to people who are looking to buy XUV5OO - if your budget allows, you should go for AWD. I wouldn't confidently say so for AT unless you do a lot of city drive too.
There have been many features in the car that I haven't used much. For example - Lounge lighting, Middle Row and Rear Row power sockets, So called Laptop storage in the glove box, reading lights on middle row, last row AC, Hill Descent Control, BlueSense App (blame it to iPhone app being unstable I use). I have also noticed that on highways too, I like to keep driving myself without use of Cruise Control. I have used it few times and it's a great support when the leg starts paining on non-stop drives, but mostly stays unused. So XUV even though is loaded with so many gizmos and electronics, not everything is put to full use so far in my case.
And then there are things that are hyper-used! Sunroof and Rear hatch door is I think the most frequently used thing other than driver side door
Similar to these there are other things that are used extensively so far - Navigation/ Infotainment, Bluetooth Phone, Driver Seat adjustment controls, rear view parking camera, Rain Sensing Wipers, Automatic Headlights.
The journey so far has been very fulfilling. It's evident in my excitement of keeping this thread updated as well as those miles munched so far! Every morning I look at the car and feel good about getting into it to drive! Never scared of any niggles. It's different thing that car has not faced any major niggles worth mentioning *touchwood*.
And this is all great satisfaction in the ownership so far.
Live young, live free