Good driving & handling, engine performance, great suspensions

Let me first clarify that this review is based only on test drive,it could be seen as initial impressions.

Exterior I dont have problems with the looks of this car. I like to be different most of the time and this car does look different. There is a lot written about its boxy looks but I find the rear of this car resembling to an SUV. Front looks more or less like new Verito, it does look like a sedan from front. Look may not be head turner for most but still less road presence of this car creates attraction for bypassers.

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort) Interior is simple and not very plush. I like the dash board for being less cluttered and not too many buttons, knobs, screens etc on it. Carbon fibre looks nice but it could have been applied on to steering and on the interior sides of the doors. Space is great, best in class, no doubt about it. When you are inside either on driving seat or as passanger you feel as you are sitting in a Sedan. Comfort in the back seat is great, and I would give it a preference for the sake of my family. Seat material could have been littel better and upholstry could be more premium. I read few reviews and it was mentioned that the central console for music system and AC etc was little lower and driver has to remove the eyes from road to operate it, however I didnt feel so. Consol is easily accessible.

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox Engine performed as described in most reviews. Turbolag was negligible. Gear shift was smooth. My 20 Kms drive was not enough to judge fuel economy so I would not pass any comment on it. But engine didnt feel underpowered. Clutch is very light and before one removes foot from accelator pedal, as soon as left foot touches clutch it gets into action and that causes vibration in clutch pedal and awkward sound. NVH levels are OK not troublesome.

Ride Quality & Handling My height is average but I had a 6ft tall friend to accompany me while driving the car and my 5yrs old daughter. I crossed 80 Km/h once and touched 100 Km/h during test drive and either me or others sitting inside didnt feel that car was cruising at 100 Km speed. Car seems very heavy and hence car felt very stable on road. I would rate ride quality very premium with this car. It infuses a lot of confidence while driving. I didnt feel steering very heavy, it was heavier than most of the cars which I drove (mostly alto K10, Accent). But still it was possible to drive with one hand in most conditions. Turning radius of this car is bigger than any car in this class and that is a matter of concern in congested places. I did deliberately drive on totally hopeless road, in a stretch of 1 Km there was hardly any road left and we passed through it with ease and very less bumpy feel inside and that showed suspensions are good and heavy body of car doesnt rebounce much to give jerks to the passangers.

Final Words As I said it was a test ride and it did impress me. I am planning to get this one in Deewali time.

The thing I didnt like is, no offer of any extra goodies and discount either from manufacturer or dealer on this car. I dont know why Mahindra is not keen to push this car's sales. But they are definitely not aggressive in marketing and nor in pricing policy. Otherwise this car is awesome. For me its a Sedan in hatch's look, and that is what appeals me. Good driving & handling, engine performance, great suspensions are major plus points of this car.

Areas of improvement Safety (air-bag), more luxury features on dash board, height adjustments  of seat and tilt steering could add to its appel.

Comfort, space, robustness, driveability, looksLack of second air-bag, no bluetooth in music system,