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That’s my story of an upgrade! Can’t hide my joy in getting upgraded from Figo TDCi to XUV7OO!

My 2012 Figo TDCi has clocked 1L km and drives like a dream! Still on the original clutch and key fob batteries! Couldn’t agree more – Figo is an overengineered car. She has Ford DNA. Tough build, superb chassis, big car feel, hydraulic steering to die for, composed ride and excellent dynamics. Being the first car “bought” by me, it’s very close to my heart. I will keep her to the glory and never trade in.

Technically I don’t need it! So, can be termed an “itch”! We are a family of 3, with parents joining in occasionally, Figo serves the purpose. She has aged well. 10 yr old diesel car started playing tricks with my mind. I was always in two minds and just kept test driving cars I liked. Denial is the most predictable of all human responses. Until I test drove XUV petrol, prophecy was solved (Am I too much into Matrix’ Neo-Architect’s conversation?), and I immediately booked the car! Inexorably I knew this is the car I want to upgrade to. Nothing came close to it.

My better half is a CA. And if you know, it's very difficult to convince a CA to spend 30L on a depreciating asset! But I did the herculean task. Probably she has given up on me!

Well, nothing specific but I wanted an upgrade in every sense – power, space, sophistication, safety, features and confidence in the brand are here to stay. I have two Figos – the one I drive and another which I bought for my father in 2017 - 1.5 ltr petrol DCT. No regrets but don’t want to add another abandoned child to the garage. Budget set was 30L. And yes – petrol only, justifies my running which is less than 8000 kms per year, keeps me at bay from DPF issues and erratic government bans on diesels. Plus, I already have my Figo.

Electric cars are on my mind but as of today, even after spending a crore does not solve the range anxiety problem. Even if there is charging infra, charging times are higher. Can't imagine sticking in unexpected highway traffic jams in an electric car. It's best suited for city drives.

This uncertainty is going to stay for the next few years. More you delay your purchase more you think to wait for electric cars and infra to come up. Which is why, quickly I took the plunge!

Cars I test drove (no offence meant to any car owners. Below are my perceptions).

And then XUV happened! It just pulled the right strings when I saw her on the road. Looks majestic in every color.

My 6 yr old daughter is so excited after she got to know the XUV has skyroof, it can brake on its own before collision, can steer on its own to keep in the lane, she can take a nap at the rearmost seats, it can seat 7, has big touchscreen etc. She already made plans with her cousin to go on a road trip! This is what we all admire! Don’t we? Cars bring people together.

I went for XUV's test drive on a weekend after it was launched. There was a long wait period for taking a 2 km test drive! Especially for diesel automatic models. Petrol manual was available without any waiting, so I chose to go ahead with it. Car looked good in person; interiors felt cohesive. Test ride was short, but I felt the 200 horses under the hood, instant response to the pedal. NVH was excellent too. Gearbox was sure slotting and clutch was light. It has a commanding view from the driver’s seat. I was impressed with the space on offer, the 360 camera, adaptive cruise control, sound system, sunroof, camera feeds while you switch on indicators, split touchscreen etc. I knew this is the car I have been waiting for – a true upgrade in every sense.

Went for another test drive after 2-3 weeks. This time took my wife, and we test drove petrol automatic. Auto box is quick to respond, wife insisted we buy automatic so that she can drive it occasionally. Though I intend to use this car on highways and really don’t need an automatic, chose one for the convenience it offered.

After much deliberation booked AX7 automatic in diamond white via Mahindra’s online booking on 18th Dec 2021. Didn’t feel L variant is good enough to spend another lakh. And AX5 lacked many features which I wanted – ADAS, TPMS, adaptive cruise control etc.

Delivery date showed May-June 2023! I read it multiple times to make sure it's 2023 and not 2022! Expressed my discontentment with my SA Vishal. He tried to console me stating I will get it much earlier than promised. Anyways I was not in hurry to get a new car, I decided to wait. Also thought initial niggles will be ironed out by the time I get delivery. In the back of my mind, I knew I will get it earlier, I was expecting Diwali 2022.

The taxing wait period started. After I booked it, I incessantly kept on checking its status on the Mahindra website. Whenever I read people saying their delivery dates were preponed, I rushed and checked mine only to get disappointed! But then I realized there is no point in being a lunatic! I checked TBHP’s official review multiple times, went through every post. Checked YouTube videos on XUV petrol. And then I started getting cold feet on booking a petrol automatic. While I was realistic in expecting FE from this engine, I never imagined it to be as low as 5-7kmpl. Mind had 9-10 kmpl cut off. People were getting anything from 8-12 kmpl which relieved me a bit. Many times, I thought I should book a diesel. But then thorough thinking scrapped that thought. Diesel won’t match Petrol’s refinement. That 200 bhp figure had everything going for it. For 8000 or lesser kms per year, I certainly won’t need a diesel. Decided not to get too fussy on FE and instead enjoy this car – what I am buying it for!

And one fine day – 17th March, SA calls and tells me my XUV has been allotted! I was at my workplace, I jumped in my seat like a kid! Everyone around could see my excitement and happiness! Effectively my AX7 petrol automatic XUV got allotted in 3 months! Well done Mahindra!

Price break-up given by dealer:

Thanks to TBHP, I knew RSA is already included in the standard warranty. I was also aware of spare key and swipe indicators not being delivered.

I politely asked SA about the insurance amount being much higher. Usual tactics of buying insurance from outside won’t work in case of a claim. I politely said the same insurance I will get which has a tie-up with the dealership. And he knew, I am not going to budge. He agreed on buying outside insurance of my choice. I didn’t opt for optional accessories except for mud flaps, 3D mats, touch screen guard and car cover. This brought down my total OTR to 24,25,000. I am no good at negotiations or haggling. Couldn’t make the dealer throw some freebies.

I bought Tata AIG insurance - 16,40,000 IDV with below add-ons at Rs 66,888

I know the IDV is on the lower side, but I chose it to save on the insurance premium amount. I don’t see a point in keeping IDV higher when I have an RTI cover. Also, as confirmed by my insurance agent, IDV can be increased in subsequent years if I wish to.

I opted for Bank of Baroda for an 18L car loan. My CIBIL being 803, got the lowest floating ROI of 7.05%. Did PDI, didn’t have time to check everything as per TBHP checklist. But decoded VIN – it’s Jan 2022 manufactured car. ODO had 36 kms. MRF tyres showed 5221 stamp indicating Dec 2021 manufacturing. Checked for any paint damages but couldn’t see much as car was dusty. Sat in, fired her up! Checked AC, music system, sunroof etc. Pleasantly surprised to see my car had a spare key and swiping indicators.

On the auspicious day of Gudhi Padwa, 2nd April, brought my XUV home! I received the registration number on 26th Mar itself. The dealer was pushing me to take early delivery. But I decided to wait till 2nd April. There were 80 deliveries planned that day. As a result, there was no cake cutting or feature explanation. All dealer staff was busy, my car wasn’t cleaned properly, let aside polish, it had some stain on the passenger side leather dashboard, some minor pen marks on the body. I had anticipated this so didn’t bother much. All those marks got removed in the subsequent wash. We all went around 11.30PM, I was handed over documents which included invoices, tax paid receipts, payment receipts, booklet, and keys. Dealer had arranged garland, and coconut. After breaking the coconut, and clicking pics, we were good to go. I handed over a gift and some sweets to my SA.

XUV had a good amount of fuel left – DTE showed 100 kms. We went to the temple to seek the almighty’s blessings and returned home. Called it a day.

Odo while compiling this review: 1000kms including highways, ghats, city traffic.

Things which should have been better:

Lack of some features - No drive modes when diesel gets it, no ventilated seats, no sports mode with paddle shifters etc. • At this price point it should get full-size spare alloy wheel • Seats should have more under-thigh support • Some door handle remains flipped occasionally even after on move • Heavy bonnet requires hydraulic struts which are missing • A bit more boot space when 7 seats are up • Third row seat recline is possible only via the boot. Not cool! • Alexa takes 5-10 mins to activate after the vehicle starts • Vodafone e-sim is unreliable affecting Alexa and other features requiring internet

I was promised a software version update with Android auto-activation and home visit for a features demo within 2-3 days post-delivery. Received a call from dealer’s customer care executive, asking for delivery feedback, SA knowledge, vehicle cleanliness etc. Though I had a few things to say, I ignored and rated them 9/10.

As KYC was not done, Adrenox app showed KYC pending. I observed AESB (auto emergency braking) is off, and the option was disabled in ICE at the time of delivery. KYC was done on 4th April, I was able to log in to Adrenox app, and could see the option activated in my car. Adrenox app is supercool. It has a lot of information and remote controls for the car.

On 5th April I went to service center to update the software. It took some 45 mins-1 hr. Post which android auto was enabled in my car. This entire 1 hr car’s engine was idling.

The demo happened on 13th April. It was quick. Alexa wasn’t responding. He disconnected -ve battery terminal for 5 mins and then reconnected. It did trouble because of network and issues. Signed out of the account and reconnected Alexa. It started working. Hope this never repeats. He was not clear on for how many years Adrenox subscription is free.

Received personal WhatsApp ping from dealer’s GM, giving all necessary contacts including himself. Nice gesture!

The taillights look good, especially during the night with swiping indicators. It looks like a jet on top and its mirror image below it.

Slot to keep mobile while charging

Close look at seat cover leather. Seat cooling is sorely missed!

The gaps where dashboard meets door

Top view of the glovebox. It's cooled to the extent that it damped my notes in the wallet.

View from the middle row

Sunroof lives up to its name

Fingers crossed for niggle free ownership!

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