Mahindra Xylo E8 (Old)

The Xylo uses the tried-and-tested CRDe engine that debuted in the Scorpio in 2005 but it’s been re-badged the mEagle in the latest Mahindra. Along with the new name, there are some hardware upgrades such as hydraulic valve adjusters, an automatic belt tensioner and a recalibrated ECU to help adjust for he smaller swept volume. It doesn’t have the immediate response or the linear power delivery of the Innova but instead there’s a wave-like surge that rapidly builds up. This is not a free-revving diesel and it sounds rough and strained when extended. The terrific mid-range never leaves you shortchanged for grunt, even with a full load. The Xylo is remarkably quick for its size and clocked 0-100kph comfortably below 15 seconds. Despite the least favourable power-to-weight ratio, it’s significantly quicker than the Innova (17.5 seconds) and pips the Scorpio mHawk too. The punchy power delivery and reworked gear ratios play a key role here. As a result, the Xylo is a strong cruiser and can gobble up highways with ease. Find the right road and the Xylo will gallop to hit 161kph.   In town, the gearing ensures that you don’t need to change gears constantly; the shift is lighter than the Scorpio’s but it still baulks and you need to be precise while slotting gears. Fuel efficiency is critical for MPVs, especially since many of them will eventually find their way into the taxi market and here again, the Xylo didn’t fare too badly, returning a figure of 10 kilometres per litre in the city and 13.3kpl on the highway, which is about the norm for a large people mover.