Tata Xenon (4x2) Test Drive by a Fiat driver

BlackPearl · 2nd March 2009, 21:00

awesome pics randeep. The best looking vehicle from tata needs wider wheels IMO. I am drooling at the pics.

swami · 2nd March 2009, 21:03

The Xenon is quite a looker and definitely exudes attitude. The good thing is that mechanically the car looks to be decent. Hopefully, TATA's will improve the plastics later.

Would also be interested in knowing how many Xenon's does TATA expect to sell per annum?

maddy42 · 2nd March 2009, 21:06

Well awesome review there from Steers friend;-) Good job.

Some serious disappointment in the tone but i guess over time you will learn to live with it. The first time i looked at the bolero i had the same feeling but then after like 2 years of seeing one i ended up convincing myself to buy one.
Good attempt by TATA for starters. Dont understand why you guys in TATA dont realise that you can make things look a lot better in the first version rather than upping it and offering a better looker later on

For people comparing the Xenon to Getaway well all i can say is the Getaway looks Pathetic in front of this. Trust me you wouldnt want to be seen in one. I prefer my LCV the swaraj mazda over the getaway:-)(Well that was pushing it but seriously the character of xenon in the looks dept from outside is way better)

4x4addict · 2nd March 2009, 22:52

Agree with Steer comments above. Tata brought out great vehicles like the Tata Sierra/Estate and then either fell asleep at the wheel or decided to focus on the Indica/Sumo and it's variants totally ignoring the premium UV market. They ignored the Safari for about 10 years giving it a bad perception in the market.

I am glad they are trying to undo the past and try to give Mahindra's some reall competition. The problem however is that it takes a very very long time to change peoples perceptions.

Tusker4x4 · 5th March 2009, 12:04

Great Review. I also test drove the Xenon in Ludhiana

I differ and concur on few points.
differ
1) Considering an Offroader it has all the comforts. So + for that.
2) Seats and the interiors are greay not the beigh in the plush cars. For me it is positive as the places I would take it the beigh one would be a liability.
3.) The Interiors were decent again as an ofroader view I drive a 540 so it was heaven for me :0))

Concur,

1) Plastic feel
2) Tyers had to be ATs or MTs
3) Badly needs a 4x4 (but this as I drove a 2x4 vechile)
4) Over priced. Ideal would have been 7 Lakhs for 2x4 and 7.60 for 4x4

On the whole a very good buy. If I had that kind of money.

Regds

Amit

benbsb29 · 5th March 2009, 12:45

The front end could definitely have looked a lot more aggressive. They have a good design, but some tweaks and the vehicle could look a lot more smashing. Nice chunky alloys are definitely required.

subache · 6th March 2009, 11:01

Hello guys!!

Yesterday I had a golden opportunity to test drive a Xenon! Was almost on my toes to get the glimpse of the so called 'lifestyle' vehicle!

But to my bad luck, it had got this - Name: Xenon Flat Tire.JPG
Views: 2759
Size: 92.1 KB

Name: Xenon Flat Tire.JPG
Views: 2759
Size: 92.1 KB

A flat Tire!! As it was on tubeless, it was not fully deflated but half way gone. So they assured to get back to us may be today again as it was already late evening yesterday.

Hopefully I need to wait for one more time to get a test drive. Will put forth my opinions as well.

agbenny · 13th March 2009, 11:45

Its a life style vehicle!

But will that be a big problem if Tata comes up with an SUV based on this same platform, look and feel? Not everyone need that load area.

I hope if there is one, it could be even better that Safari. What do you think?

drsk · 20th March 2009, 01:13

The looks dept., Xenon is just great. But, from what I have read, the interiors are a big let down.

The Tata strength is VFM. I hope they do not lose focus on that. Am stating this as I have read at couple of threads here where the people who TD the vehicle feel that this one is a bit over-priced. I believe that the interiors and the price was the reason for Sumo Grande not doing good in the market.

As for me, I am just waiting for the upgraded Safari. I hope they improve the interiors on it.

aaggoswami · 20th March 2009, 08:32

@Steeroid:
Ask your friend to test drive the vehicle with two adult humans and a kid, ask him to notice the ride quality. What your friend is looking forward to is a car that is comfortable along with 4 X 4 ability ( that is what I am able to make out from the post ). Now he also has considered Innova.
This car is going to disappoint him. The culture of pickups is not available in India, and this car is targetting luxury segment. But to admit the core fact, this car is crude pick up truck. A loud engine, poor plastics, etc are not the thing one will expect for Rs. 8-9 lakhs.
Considering that the suspension is built keeping in mind the pick up bed, it is bound to be stiff. With fewer passengers, expecting a change is ride quality is natural and this again will disappoint your friend. Ask him to look at safari or Scropio.

Torqy · 20th March 2009, 09:29

Looks good overall. Will look menacing with beefy tyres.

I don't understand why the passenger window sill had to rise. It would've looked better if it was at the same level as the driver side window and the loading bay. Looks like a bad habit picked from Korean / Japanese friends.

God, when will these designers learn about "Clean Design Lines"?

:(

Mpower · 20th March 2009, 17:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4x4addict

Agree with Steer comments above. Tata brought out great vehicles like the Tata Sierra/Estate and.

Estate was a disaster when it came to reliability. We owned one in the mid 90s and the car pretty much falls apart in 2 years.

4x4addict · 20th March 2009, 17:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mpower

Estate was a disaster when it came to reliability. We owned one in the mid 90s and the car pretty much falls apart in 2 years.

Quality wise, I would agree with you. But if you compare to the other indian options at that time, like the Amby or Premier 118 NE, etc, it was far better. Quality Control has always been a weak point for Tata.

himanshugoswami · 20th March 2009, 22:46

Saw one on the road a couple of days back, and the road presence of this beast is AMAZING!

it is really long and you really have to see it in traffic to appreciate its size and the way the traffic makes way for it is amazing.

the fit and finish at first glance also seemed to be of a fairly high order, but then, it was a moving vehicle that i saw, so that may be a bit deceptive.

Bouncer · 21st March 2009, 11:18

Today in the morning, I was having my cup of tea in my terrace and saw this mean black machine entering through our main gates. Was looking till it disappeared inside the complex. Ran down and after some search, found it parked in. Someone in my neighbourhood has bought it. Will catch the guy this weekend

.

For the time being here are the pics from my phonecam:

2nd March 2009, 21:00	#16
BlackPearl Team-BHP Support Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Calcutta/London Posts: 3,608 Thanked: 16,998 Times View My Garage	awesome pics randeep. The best looking vehicle from tata needs wider wheels IMO. I am drooling at the pics.
	() Thanks

2nd March 2009, 21:03	#17
swami BHPian Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 113 Thanked: 49 Times	The Xenon is quite a looker and definitely exudes attitude. The good thing is that mechanically the car looks to be decent. Hopefully, TATA's will improve the plastics later. Would also be interested in knowing how many Xenon's does TATA expect to sell per annum?
	() Thanks

2nd March 2009, 21:06	#18
maddy42 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Coorg Posts: 2,131 Thanked: 1,328 Times View My Garage	Well awesome review there from Steers friend;-) Good job. Some serious disappointment in the tone but i guess over time you will learn to live with it. The first time i looked at the bolero i had the same feeling but then after like 2 years of seeing one i ended up convincing myself to buy one. Good attempt by TATA for starters. Dont understand why you guys in TATA dont realise that you can make things look a lot better in the first version rather than upping it and offering a better looker later on For people comparing the Xenon to Getaway well all i can say is the Getaway looks Pathetic in front of this. Trust me you wouldnt want to be seen in one. I prefer my LCV the swaraj mazda over the getaway:-)(Well that was pushing it but seriously the character of xenon in the looks dept from outside is way better)
	() Thanks

2nd March 2009, 22:52	#19
4x4addict Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 4,483 Thanked: 4,532 Times View My Garage Infractions: 0/1 (5)	Agree with Steer comments above. Tata brought out great vehicles like the Tata Sierra/Estate and then either fell asleep at the wheel or decided to focus on the Indica/Sumo and it's variants totally ignoring the premium UV market. They ignored the Safari for about 10 years giving it a bad perception in the market. I am glad they are trying to undo the past and try to give Mahindra's some reall competition. The problem however is that it takes a very very long time to change peoples perceptions.
	() Thanks

5th March 2009, 12:04	#20
Tusker4x4 BHPian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: New delhi Posts: 190 Thanked: 3 Times	Great Review. I also test drove the Xenon in Ludhiana I differ and concur on few points. differ 1) Considering an Offroader it has all the comforts. So + for that. 2) Seats and the interiors are greay not the beigh in the plush cars. For me it is positive as the places I would take it the beigh one would be a liability. 3.) The Interiors were decent again as an ofroader view I drive a 540 so it was heaven for me :0)) Concur, 1) Plastic feel 2) Tyers had to be ATs or MTs 3) Badly needs a 4x4 (but this as I drove a 2x4 vechile) 4) Over priced. Ideal would have been 7 Lakhs for 2x4 and 7.60 for 4x4 On the whole a very good buy. If I had that kind of money. Regds Amit
	() Thanks

5th March 2009, 12:45	#21
benbsb29 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Brisbane Posts: 9,969 Thanked: 13,231 Times View My Garage	The front end could definitely have looked a lot more aggressive. They have a good design, but some tweaks and the vehicle could look a lot more smashing. Nice chunky alloys are definitely required.
	() Thanks

6th March 2009, 11:01	#22
subache Newbie Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Mysore Posts: 11 Thanked: 0 Times	Hello guys!! Yesterday I had a golden opportunity to test drive a Xenon! Was almost on my toes to get the glimpse of the so called 'lifestyle' vehicle! But to my bad luck, it had got this - A flat Tire!! As it was on tubeless, it was not fully deflated but half way gone. So they assured to get back to us may be today again as it was already late evening yesterday. Hopefully I need to wait for one more time to get a test drive. Will put forth my opinions as well.
	() Thanks

13th March 2009, 11:45	#23
agbenny Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: TN38 Posts: 1,069 Thanked: 276 Times	Its a life style vehicle! But will that be a big problem if Tata comes up with an SUV based on this same platform, look and feel? Not everyone need that load area. I hope if there is one, it could be even better that Safari. What do you think?
	() Thanks

20th March 2009, 01:13	#24
drsk BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 181 Thanked: 62 Times	The looks dept., Xenon is just great. But, from what I have read, the interiors are a big let down. The Tata strength is VFM. I hope they do not lose focus on that. Am stating this as I have read at couple of threads here where the people who TD the vehicle feel that this one is a bit over-priced. I believe that the interiors and the price was the reason for Sumo Grande not doing good in the market. As for me, I am just waiting for the upgraded Safari. I hope they improve the interiors on it.
	() Thanks

20th March 2009, 08:32	#25
aaggoswami Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Vadodara Posts: 4,982 Thanked: 2,931 Times	@Steeroid: Ask your friend to test drive the vehicle with two adult humans and a kid, ask him to notice the ride quality. What your friend is looking forward to is a car that is comfortable along with 4 X 4 ability ( that is what I am able to make out from the post ). Now he also has considered Innova. This car is going to disappoint him. The culture of pickups is not available in India, and this car is targetting luxury segment. But to admit the core fact, this car is crude pick up truck. A loud engine, poor plastics, etc are not the thing one will expect for Rs. 8-9 lakhs. Considering that the suspension is built keeping in mind the pick up bed, it is bound to be stiff. With fewer passengers, expecting a change is ride quality is natural and this again will disappoint your friend. Ask him to look at safari or Scropio.
	() Thanks

20th March 2009, 09:29	#26
Torqy BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 966 Thanked: 244 Times	Looks good overall. Will look menacing with beefy tyres. I don't understand why the passenger window sill had to rise. It would've looked better if it was at the same level as the driver side window and the loading bay. Looks like a bad habit picked from Korean / Japanese friends. God, when will these designers learn about "Clean Design Lines"? :(
	() Thanks

20th March 2009, 22:46	#29
himanshugoswami Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: !!!! Posts: 2,303 Thanked: 2,619 Times	Saw one on the road a couple of days back, and the road presence of this beast is AMAZING! it is really long and you really have to see it in traffic to appreciate its size and the way the traffic makes way for it is amazing. the fit and finish at first glance also seemed to be of a fairly high order, but then, it was a moving vehicle that i saw, so that may be a bit deceptive.
	() Thanks

21st March 2009, 11:18	#30
Bouncer BHPian Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Pune Posts: 336 Thanked: 163 Times View My Garage	Xenon in my residential complex Today in the morning, I was having my cup of tea in my terrace and saw this mean black machine entering through our main gates. Was looking till it disappeared inside the complex. Ran down and after some search, found it parked in. Someone in my neighbourhood has bought it. Will catch the guy this weekend . For the time being here are the pics from my phonecam: Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks