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Upgraded from 2015 Creta to XUV700: Purchase & delivery experience

1st March 2024, 08:33 by Rahul Nagaraj

I did consider the new Creta facelift as well as the Jeep Compass 4x2, but decided against them.

BHPian NaveenKD recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Booking Date: 20-Jan-2024

Delivery Date: 04-Feb-2024

Decision Journey

I have been driving my Hyundai Creta Diesel Manual SXO for the past 8+ years which I purchased in 2015 when Creta was launched in Indian Market. When it was launched, only Manual came with Top Trim (6 airbags, All 4 Alloys & Larger entertainment system) while AT was introduced one spec lower.

Before this, I had a Suzuki Wagon R (2004-2010) and a Honda Jazz (2010-2015) both Petrol vehicles.

While Creta is still running fine with most of the visits to ASC only being for annual service (Changed all 4 tyres to Yokohama, Battery changed to Amaron and the A/C compressor had to be replaced), knee pain on my left kept convincing me that i have to switch to an AT

Was interested in Jeep Compass when the 4x2 was launched late last year with A/T. However, then, I was not sure if I needed to buy a new car.

What triggered this process was Hyundai teasing the Creta Facelift in early Jan with a launch date scheduled for 16 January. Had a quick discussion at home and since we liked our Creta and the new FL was expected to come with all creature comforts (based on recent Seltos), I pre-booked on 2nd day after Hyundai started receiving bookings.

Every day there used to be a YouTube leak on the exterior, interior etc. Finally, the Launch happened and got the prices from my dealer the same day it was quoted 26L for Dual Tone Diesel Automatic SXO. In the same week, I could make a short visit to the showroom and see the car in the flesh. While everyone was going gaga over interiors and mixed reactions on exteriors…for me exterior appeared very mature and to my liking while the interiors looked a bit rushed. The plastic reminded us of our 2005 Wagon R and we decided the same day that we would not pursue Creta FL.

I decided that if I am spending 26L, I better stretch and get a bigger car which will be upgraded both on features and size.

So I short-listed Tata Safari Accomplished+ Dark#, XUV 700 AXL 7 AWD and Jeep Compass 4x2 and started visiting the showrooms over the weekend.

The Safari dealer didn’t have any vehicle for a test drive (Demo vehicle breakdown) but confirmed he has a 2023 (Dec) top-end Dark# but he can’t offer any discount other than Insurance.

From there I travelled to Mahindra Showroom (knowing the long waiting periods), but I was surprised to know that they have two 2024 vehicles in transit - one White AX7L Diesel A/T and another Mid Night Black AX7 L AWD that can be offered since the customer who booked earlier are no more interested.

I requested them to hold both vehicles for 1 day and the next day I visited the Mahindra showroom with my family. My wife gave an immediate thumbs up for XUV and we took the first test drive. I was surprised by such a large vehicle, it drives like a hatchback. Dealer after some negotiation offered a 50K discount (note: while these were 2024 VIN models, they did not with ventilated seats) on both the vehicles with Insurance also reduced to around 80K. We booked a non-AWD AX7 L variant.

On Sunday night I got to know that Mahindra has promised that the new XUV 700 (with Ventilated seats) will be delivered in 12-14 weeks. Monday, I again called up the dealer and asked him to check and confirm if the vehicles in transit from the factory were with or without Ventilated seats. He confirmed that they are without ventilated seats. I informed him that he could release these vehicles and I would wait for a newer variant….while he sounded disappointed and also tried to scare me that delivery for new variants would happen only after 5-6 months, I insisted and he had to agree.

Knowing that there would be a delay, I went and took a test drive at Tata Safari. While I liked the vehicle very much, the dealer was not ready to negotiate a price and give me a Proforma invoice unless I booked the vehicle. He also informed us that from 1st Feb Tata is hiking prices and there is no price guarantee.

Then I moved to the Jeep showroom and met the SA with whom I was discussing, only over WhatsApp, since the launch of 4x2 A/T and took a Test drive. Very impressed and the size makes it perfect for city driving with crowded traffic like in Bangalore. But when I started discussing prices, the same story…” Discounts were offered in Dec for Vin 2023 vehicles, no discount on 2024 vehicles. Proforma invoice can be sent only after booking”. Also, the 2023 vehicles they had in stock were lower variants and I was particular about the end Model S.

A day later, When I was casually talking to my SA from Mahindra, he informed me that there is a 2024 AWD model with Ventilated seats in transit and he would check if the customer against whose name it is allocated is still interested.

In 20 mins he confirmed that the previous customer had sought another 3 months and given a go-ahead to release the vehicle to any other potential buyer. But the sad part was that the dealer informed me that the 50K discount that was offered was no longer available with the refreshed version.

Same time I see that Jeep dealer SA has sent many WhatsApp messages informing that there is one 2023 VIN white (but 2024 design) in transit. When I visited the showroom, I noticed that the white compass looks very good compared to the dull white compass (pre-2021/22) we see on the roads. Since he was always stating that he could offer good discounts on 2023 VIN models, I asked if he send a good price. If he had sent the price at that time with a discount, who knows I might have gone ahead with the Jeep Compass 4x2 White Model S. Instead he asked me to come to their showroom, make a booking with 25K and then he would discuss it with his manager and get me a good price.

I can understand that before launch when you do a pre-booking, you are taking a risk with the price. However, I did not like this approach with both Tata and Jeep dealers that they were asking to make the booking first to work out a good discount.

Finally, over the phone, I spoke to my Mahindra dealer SA’s manager and she offered a 10K discount. Quickly had a chat with my wife and confirmed back to the dealer.

With the Loan process, PDI etc …it was agreed that Sunday 04-Feb will be the delivery date. Someone who never thought of XUV700 because of the waiting periods ended up getting a vehicle with colour of choice, a variant of choice and a refreshed model in 15 days from the date of booking.

Posting a few pics taken during PDI (the first thing I checked was if ventilated seats and memory ORVM work). Will update the delivery experience in later posts.