Just Picked Up a XYLO

Just picked up a Xylo Java Brown E8.

I hated this vehicle for the looks but it has slowly grown on me now. This vehicle was mostly bought for its practicality rather than the looks. It’s a great value for money car and every rupee is well spent on this MPV.

We went in for the 8-seater version just to accommodate more people. For the price it is offered and the features available, it is totally outstanding.

Features:

1. Puddle lamps on all doors
2. Map pockets and bottle holders
3. Light in the glove box
4. Dual light on the vanity mirror
5. Lots of space and multiple bottle holders spread all over the car
6. Sunglasses holder
7. Front and rear fog lamps
8. Wiper wash front and rear
9. Defogger
10. Locker under driver seat
11. Electric ORVMS
12. ABS brakes
13. Digital info display showing mileage, distance to empty, compass, alarm, clock, humidity and temp, date etc
14. Front and rear seat combine to become a business class seat
15. Alloys with tubeless tyres
16. Lumbar support
17. 2din music system
18. A/C hi & lo option
19. All washer/fog lights etc integrated into both stalks attached on the steering wheel
20. 20 sec head light delay after key is removed in the night
21. Key less entry with lights coming on when car unlock is activated
22. Immobilizer
23. All three rows have A/C vents and reading lamps
24. Extra charging socket
25. Flight trays
26. Combination of front and rear seats to become business class seats
27. Arm rests for all seats with height adjust on the front
28. Steering height adjust
29. Seat height adjust
30. Reverse sensors

The day I took delivery of the car, I made these changes:

• Fitted a rear spoiler and changed the rubber immediately to Yoko 235/70 R15
• Added 3M film all round and on the wind screen and door visors
• Put a set of Softx floor mats

Interiors

The Java brown comes with Black interiors and not beige as offered in a couple of the other colors. I prefer the black because beige doesn't look that good. Plastic quality is not great; the door opening stalks are made of very flimsy plastic and look cheap. I did not like the gear knob and the steering as it’s a bit to chunky.

The quality of the upholstery is ok nothing much to complain here. Overall, the vehicle feels very airy and roomy cause of the large windows. It has loads of leg room which I loved. I am 6’3 and with the front seats pushed all the way back with me driving and with a 6-footer behind me he does not have to struggle at all. There is loads of leg room in the last row of seats too and I was pretty amazed that even I would fit in with the relative ease and sit there for quite some time without me getting annoyed. ;)

Luggage space is very limited after the 3rd row same as in Scorpio 8-seater, but there is quite a bit of space under the 3rd row of seats to shove your luggage in.

The day we took delivery, we left to kerela and covered a total of 1500 km approx in 2 days. The interiors are a pleasure for the driver and passengers and there is hardly any fatigue felt.

I just fell in love with the Xylo. :D

Drive feel and handling

This vehicle has a very linear power delivery and does not have the booming pick up of the Scorpio, the gear ratios are well matted for city and highway driving and the turbo lag is hardly noticeable.

Once on the highway, this machine is a mile cruncher. I did a top speed of 125km/hr max and did not push further.

It overall returned a mileage of approx 13km/ltr. I think that is pretty reasonable for a brand new machine and it will improve with time and service.

The suspension is beautiful and with its 15 inch tyres soaks up lot of the bumps thrown at it with ease. Now, I have had the a Scorpio with the leaf spring set up and the difference is huge. This ride quality is far better than the Scorpio’s.

Now some scary bits:

• The pillar is thick and does obstruct your vision quite a bit on winding roads. It is a cause for concern and you need to tread with a bit of caution here.
• When you’re trying look out at an intersection, the pillar is not well placed.
• The rear wind shield is a bit too small and makes it a little difficult for your reversing moves. However, you can get used to this over time.
• Straight line stability is good and feels OK but at higher speeds (above 100km), the concerning makes you pretty uncomfortable.
• There is body roll but a lot lot better than the Scorpio.

Driving position is nice and tall, and gives you a good command over the road. And over all, the seats are in an inclined fashion.

Over all, it is a good package and I am enjoying this vehicle.