Tata Xenon 4x4 Road Test Drive Review

[Zinam]

• Car Tested: Tata Xenon XT
• Variant: EX 4x4
• Fuel Type: Diesel
• Price: Rs.8,58,222
• Official Website: Click Here

The Xenon



Tata Xenon is a completely different vehicle from the ones which we see in our regular life, Its not any small hatchback which you can easily park anywhere nor its a sedan which you and we can take to our offices or to attend those parties. The Xenon belongs to a totally different family which is known as "Pick-Up Truck", This stylish pick-up truck has all designs and muscles of a SUV as well as the huge playground space which a "Truck" should offer.

Tata Motors has introduced Xenon to target the different niche, Its for those people who like week-end getaways with their family and luggage or the ones who have to frequently visit their farm houses, Even some business men can make a good use of this vehicle.

The Automotive India Team took the Xenon out from Tata Factory to find out whether this car is really what those Advertisements claim or just another common Pick-Up Truck in India?

 

[Zinam]

Exteriors Looks, Design & Styling





Way ahead from predecessor 207 Di, The Xenon surely has some muscles and the style of SUV, At the first glance from front you may even mistake it as Sumo Grande, Which our team recently tested.

From the front angle Xenon doesn't looks any smaller than a monster truck, Those wide ventilated grills are painted in black which go well with rest of the body and headlamps somewhat have cues from his brother, Grande. However quite un-fortunate that the Xenon is not available with Xenon Lamps. The dual split grill bumpers, Coupled with underchasis bumper gaurd provide a rugged look to this Utility Vehicle.

Thanks to the rear doors which makes side profile of Xenon much more lengthier than dual cab version (Not Available in India) and this could definetly prove to be cumbersome in the city drive about.

Being a UV, Tata hasn't cared much to give Xenons some curves and lines here and there, so the side portion remains plain. However, The Wheel arches bulge out of the body to form big proportions.

Stepping onto the rear side, You suddenly notice some efforts by Tata Motors to give it an urban design, The car which we got for Road Test had a reverse camera integrated in the rear bumper which for sure proved to be very useful while reversing. Tail Lamps of xenon are small for vehicle's size but neatly designed and looked like the shrinker version of ones Mahindra-Renault Logan sports.

A a Pick-Up Truck, Xenon has big rear door to load and un-load your goods and luggage, It opens in a convenient manner which forms a flat bed to perform this task.

 

[Zinam]

Interiors Luxury & Comfort





Peep inside the Tata Xenon and again you notice some parts taken from Sumo Grande, The Steering Wheel For Example. Tata prefers to call xenon's interiors as "Charcoal Black" colored which are not to our taste. They are too boxy and plasticky because of which cabin loses its ergnomics.

The instrument cluster behind steering is decent looking and modern which looks nice when lit up at night. Power window controls are located in the center console, Near the Gearshift which makes quite difficult to operate them because we have been used to the driver's side buttons.




Let the storage space be of acres on outside but story is different inside Xenon, You may find less of storage space except cupholders and Glove box in the cabin. However Those door pockets are big enough to carry your map book and an energy drink cane.

Since the cabin is hatchback like, Air Conditioner system proves to be powerful, but those seats are something which wouldn't make you feel most comfortable around. Shoulder room, Leg room & Head room is compressed and the back seats are straight rather than inclined position due to cab.

Note: There is no Audio System Available in Xenon, Even in the top-end model.



Engine & Transmission



Xenon has leased the diesel mills from Tata's Safari, A 2.2 litre DICOR(Direct Injection Common Rail) Engine. Xenon produces the same output of 140bhp with 320Nm of torque.

The engine is really noisy and vibration can be easily felt, The steering wheel is pretty tight at low speeds, but manuavers in highway with ease. Gear box is of xenon is another thing shared from Grande, The same "G-76, Synchromesh with Overdrive" does the duty in xenon.

Note that the Gear knob is plasticky and may slip out sometime from your hands, The gears are bit difficult to slot in & the level of refinement is not really upto the mark.

 

[Zinam]

Drive Handling & Performance

The Turbo Lag is significant in Xenon. Turbo kicks in at 2000 RPM which makes city driving a boon. Xenon has 200mm of Ground Clearance which is enough to take up most of the badest terrains.

Xenon has an Independent, Double Wishbone with Coil Springs at front & Parabolic Leaf springs at the rear. Being a pick-up truck, The ride comfort is not what you should expect from Xenon. This UV is rock stable at high speed and cornerning is easy with the tight and precise steering.

On the Braking Part, Front wheels are equipped with Ventilated Discs with Twin Pot caliper and Rear ones come with Drums, Braking is one of the downside of Xenon, and what say more when Tata can't provide ABS in a vehicle of this size.

Safety & Fuel Efficiency

This Monster with 2.2 DICOR engine will fetch no more than 8 kmpl in City Driving and at highways you can expect 11kmpl.
Considering the 65 litres tank you need not search for Fuel stations nearby, It should offer you promising 600Kms in a strech.

 

[Zinam]

What We Liked in Xenon?

• Huge Looks & Nice Design for a Pick-Up Truck
• Torquey Engine
• Acres Of Space
• High mounted Seats
• Good Handling
• Alloy Wheels as standard

What We Dis-Liked in Xenon?

• Noisy Engine
• Seat Comfort
• Not-So-Good Braking
• Transmission is not upto mark
• No Audio System, Even in Top End.
• Lack of ABS

The Automotive India Ratings


Design & Quality -

(3.5/5)
Comfort Levels -

(2.5/5)
Performance -

(3/5)
Ride Quality -

(2.5/5)
Handling -

(3.5/5)
Fuel Efficiency -

(3/5)
Safety -

(3/5)
Value For Money -

(3.5/5)

The Automotive India's Verdict

However, There is not so much demand of this segment in our country, We found the Xenon to be most stylish pick-up truck in country yet. Tata Xenon directly competes with the Mahindra Getaway which is basically a pick-up version of Mahindra Scorpio but the story with xenon is different, You may sometime find few clues from Sumo grande but over all body structure of Xenon is self made.
Tata has priced this pick-up on slightly higher side but if you are keen on some work with show-off, You wouldn't mind paying that amount.

 

[Zinam]

Variants and Pricing

• EX 4x2 - Rs.7,62,327
• EX 4x4 - Rs.8,58,222

(Ex.Showroom New Delhi, Taxes Apply)


Color Choices

• Silver
• Red
• Black
• White

Optional Accessories Available

• Front Nudge Guard
• Roof Rack
• Boot Lid Cover
• Bed Liner
• Canopy
• Aluminium Side Steps
• Chrome Rear Bumper
• Roll Bar
• Hood Deflector (It was in the car we tested)

Quick Tech. Summary

Engine:
2179 cc, 2.2 Litre, 16valve DOHC DiCOR producing 140PS@ 4000RPM and Max. Torque of 320NM @ 1700-2700 RPM

Transmission:
5 Speed Manual


Suspension:

• Front

Independent, Double Wishbone with Coil Springs

• Rear

Parabolic Leaf springs


Brakes:

• Front

Discs

• Rear

Drums

Wheels:

Alloys Wheels as Standard.


Dimensions:

• Length - 5125mm
• Width - 1860mm
• Height -1833mm
• Wheel Base -3150mm
• Ground Clearance - 200mm
• Kerb Weight - 1900 Kgs
• Fuel Tank - 65 Litres

From Where To Bring Home a Tata Xenon XT?

Impressed with our report and Tata Xenon XT? The Automotive India will help you to locate the dealers in your Area.

New Delhi
A-ONE MOTORS
KANCHANJUNGA BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, 18, BARAKHAMBA ROAD
Pincode : 110001

Mumbai
WASAN MOTORS LTD.
3 & 4, PEARL MANSION, 91, MAHARSHI KARVE MARGE, NEAR KALA NIKETAN, MARINE LINES
Pincode : 400020

Kolkata
LEXUS MOTORS LTD.
209, A.J.C. BOSE ROAD
Pincode : 700017

Chennai
CONCORDE MOTORS (INDIA) LTD.
GLAXO, NO. 39, VELACHERY ROAD, GUINDY

Living in some other location? Contact Us and our team will help you to locate a dealer or take advice to choose a right car for yourself! Also, When enquiring from a dealer, Please mention "www.The Automotive India.com" and help us to spread the word!

Once you've bought the car, We're still here to assist you. Post your queries in our forums and many members out there will be happy to help you.


Credits:
Road Test & Photography : Adam Aniz (Zinam)
Text & Format : Vibhor Tyagi (350Z)

(C) 2009-2010, The Automotive India(www.theautomotiveindia.com), All Rights Reserved. Don't copy this article without owner/author's written permission.

 

[350Z]

Report Added.

Note: The posts are re-arranged. Actual date the Tata XenonXT Test Driven was 22nd November 2009.


Drive Safe,
350Z

 

[RSM]

This review was really unexpected.
Again, Great work Zinam and 350 .

I don't find this on road. But sure this is a useful vehicle. This might be a good replacement for Tata Sieara.

 

[Akash]

Good report Zinam. about Xenon,Its a good looking beast.

 

[type-r]

WOW!!
i was surely not expecting this!
good report
it didnt even sell here in bkk

 

[raj_5004]

Zinam strikes back again! now he is habituated to give good TDs!

just 1 query:

The Turbo Lag is significant in Xenon. Turbo kicks in at 2000 RPM which makes city driving a boon.

the parts marked in bold is contrary. what did you exactly mean? city driving is a chore?

 

[Crazy cat]

Nice review zinam. I too never expected review of Xenon, not even in my dreams.

What is that black colored thing on top of bonnet? it spoils the looks. I wish TATA concentrated more on the proportions and price.

 

[Neil.Bhujbal]

WOW!!
i was surely not expecting this!

+ 1

Anyways. Great job again zinam.
It seriously takes lots of efforts to put down your feelings towards things & you do it perfectly.

 

[napster]

Good job again zinam
I personally would go for this vehicle some day. I like the way it looks and performs. It has a pretty refined engine compared to any of the vehicles in its class IMO.

 

[350Z]

Nice review zinam. I too never expected review of Xenon, not even in my dreams.

What is that black colored thing on top of bonnet? it spoils the looks. I wish TATA concentrated more on the proportions and price.

Hi Crazy Cat,
That "thing" on bonnet is an optional accessory called ad Hood Deflector, It helps to keep away the mud and dust when trying Off-Roading with this vehicle, Me too didn't liked it though. You can read more accessories available for Xenon in Post No.6.

Drive Safe,
350Z