Mahindra pickup finally gets reviewed.

[sindows]

I don't know why but I love the looks of it. It looks so military and if they made it 70% bigger, it would be one of the meanest looking vehicles on the road.

 

[thedarkwolf]

I like the looks too. It looks industrial the way a truck should look.

 

[postmortemIA]

terrible interior; outdated about 15 years.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: postmortemIA
terrible interior; outdated about 15 years.

still pretty nice for what is meant to be a work truck

 

[waffleironhead]

If the price lowers a bit, I would consider one.

 

[Squisher]

The interior looks cramped even by Ranger, S10 standards.

 

[mwmorph]

1. Ugly. There's no 2 ways around it, just ugly.

2. Interior fit, finish, materials, quality and whatnot all seems lower than even the worst of the work trucks. The Chevy Silverado, the oldest 1/4 ton truck's $19,375 work truck interior looks so much, better comparing them is like the difference between Hillary Clinton and Carla Bruni. Comparing it with the newer $21k F150 and $22k ram is even worse. Even the $15k base Tacoma's interior is better. For $22k this is a joke.

You may say what's the point of a nice interior? 2 words, build quality. It's not industrial, it's not robust, the quality and workmanship on this vehicle is just purely shoddy. It reminds me of a last century Kia Rio.

Also, the interior is a big part of how you interface with the car. If you spend 100k miles in something, it should at least not look like it can fall apart at any moment.

This is a 22k pick up fighting in a 16-18k market. It's got diesel going for it. It'll probably have some nice towing numbers but really, I don't see it working out until it is revised for version 2, with a more attractive exterior, interior befitting something this decade and a price that is actually competitive. A diesel is nice and all ,but not worth a $4-6k premium.

 

[LTC8K6]

A Ranger can actually tow more, it looks like.

The Mahindra has a higher payload, if you believe the numbers.

But who in the US regularly carries a ton in a small pickup? If you are doing that regularly, you don't use a small pickup.

Will the Mahindra with a ton on board get any better fuel ecnomy than a full size pickup truck with a ton on board? How will the Mahindra perform with that payload as compared to the big diesels or V8's?

 

[ja1484]

Originally posted by: mwmorph
Even the $15k base Tacoma's interior is better. For $22k this is a joke.

You think that's the bottom line on interiors, you should see the inside of a base Colorado or Canyon.

Domestic full-size trucks are excellent trucks, but domestic mid-size entries are a joke. The Dakota is the only respectable one, even though it's overpriced.

 

[brblx]

i've been inside a colorado, and i don't think it's any worse than that mahindra.

and this is coming from someone who puts the corvette's interior on the level of a kia rio (well, to be fair, the kia actually has less squeaks and rattles).

 

[mwmorph]

Originally posted by: ja1484

Originally posted by: mwmorph
Even the $15k base Tacoma's interior is better. For $22k this is a joke.

You think that's the bottom line on interiors, you should see the inside of a base Colorado or Canyon.

Domestic full-size trucks are excellent trucks, but domestic mid-size entries are a joke. The Dakota is the only respectable one, even though it's overpriced.

Well I've seen the Colorado and the Ranger and yes, they are comparable. The Chevy/Ford have smaller seam lines and detailing, so they get the edge, but it's not a massive increase. The difference there is that the base price of those trucks is 16/17k. Again, it really does beg the question, is a 2.2L diesel worth $5-6k for you?

Logically, I see ti as this. It costs 6k more than a ranger (ok lets say 4k with some options), it will be less refined, unproven reliability, questionable build quality and nicer mpg numbers?

It can work, I hope it does, but they've overshot the all important price bracket by leaps and bounds.

This is not a bad truck, most of these things can be overlooked. Companies do not buy trucks based on interiors, but a) reliability has o be there and b) so does the price. They've priced themselves out of the work truck market and with the lower quality and ugliness, built themselves out of the personal truck market.

I see it as a very niche product, not likely to set any of the truck manufacturers' hair on fire.

 

[ja1484]

Originally posted by: mwmorph

Originally posted by: ja1484

Originally posted by: mwmorph
Even the $15k base Tacoma's interior is better. For $22k this is a joke.

You think that's the bottom line on interiors, you should see the inside of a base Colorado or Canyon.

Domestic full-size trucks are excellent trucks, but domestic mid-size entries are a joke. The Dakota is the only respectable one, even though it's overpriced.

Well I've seen the Colorado and the Ranger and yes, they are comparable. The Chevy/Ford have smaller seam lines and detailing, so they get the edge, but it's not a massive increase. The difference there is that the base price of those trucks is 16/17k. Again, it really does beg the question, is a 2.2L diesel worth $5-6k for you?

Logically, I see ti as this. It costs 6k more than a ranger (ok lets say 4k with some options), it will be less refined, unproven reliability, questionable build quality and nicer mpg numbers?

It can work, I hope it does, but they've overshot the all important price bracket by leaps and bounds.

This is not a bad truck, most of these things can be overlooked. Companies do not buy trucks based on interiors, but a) reliability has o be there and b) so does the price. They've priced themselves out of the work truck market and with the lower quality and ugliness, built themselves out of the personal truck market.

I see it as a very niche product, not likely to set any of the truck manufacturers' hair on fire.

Oh I agree 100%...this thing is an even bigger joke than the domestic mid-sizes. When you can get a base Tacoma that will never ever die or a Frontier that is very impressive for low-20s, there's no excuse for buying one of these Mahindras.

 

[Pliablemoose]

For $22K for a standard cab, it's not long for the US market.

You can buy a work truck from any of the major manufacturers that will kick it's ass as far as fit & finish, and as far as the real MPG, if it's geared like I think it is, there's no way it'll crack 25 mpg highway, especially with those aerodynamics.

Much as I want to like it, I think it'll tank, especially at that price.

 

[Mermaidman]

LOLz, 21 MPG highway.
http://mahindraplanet.blogspot.com/2011/02/disappointing-epa-fuel-economy-data-for.html

 

[jlee]

LOLz, 21 MPG highway.
http://mahindraplanet.blogspot.com/2011/02/disappointing-epa-fuel-economy-data-for.html

Ouch.

 

[punjabiplaya]

lol yeah I saw that. I guess Mahindra doesn't know the right people in the EPA to pay off yet. (JOKE)

 

[Mermaidman]

lol yeah I saw that. I guess Mahindra doesn't know the right people in the EPA to pay off yet. (JOKE)

Actually, isn't bribery an accepted way of life in India? So the truth may not be too far off!

 

[Bignate603]

Wow, with those fuel economy numbers there's no way that will be a success here.

 

[desy]

Gets nowhere near 30, another link
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2011/02/mahindras-30mpg-fiction/
19/21

 

[punjabiplaya]

Actually, isn't bribery an accepted way of life in India? So the truth may not be too far off!

And it's not here? not defending, because that's how it is there, but as long as there are humans with power, there will be bribes - location/culture/religion/anything else doesn't matter.

 

[Throckmorton]

I can't get past the sloppy styling. Why didn't they just go with a utilitarian design like the Toyota Landcruiser trucks?
The bed looks like it's sagging.

 

[Bartman39]

You do know why that cab is that tall...? For the Turban`s...!

That MPG is sick for a small as that little motor is...:thumbsdown: Heck my 400+ cui Diesel gets 19-20mpg and its not even tuned for all out milage and my truck weighs right at 7000lbs...

Time for beloved patriot to go back to the drawing board and quit smoking his imported Jamaican crap...


But just did notice the center piece of the grill sorta looks like a Cobra...? (might be the lack of sleep...?)

 

[punjabiplaya]

That's still busted ass EPA rating. My car's rated 18/25, I average 27. And I floor it up every on-ramp.

The turban's what?

 

[PhoKingGuy]

I knew as soon as this was announced it wasn't ready for global consumption. Guess I was right, lol.

 

[GasX]

The pictures make it look like a well maintained or restored 70's vehicle...