Age is showing, but engine is going. Automatic disappoints.

SUMMARY: Great car, but if you're the person who always wants the newest toy in the shop, then look elsewhere. Does every job a car is supposed to, but dials, speedometer, and tech features are slightly outdated. As for the drive quality: The manual version is great, especially the 4x4, but the automatic leaves a LOT to be desired in terms of gear shifting, and is not at all suited for enthusiastic drivers or fast city driving. FULL REVIEW: This car, when released, was a beast. At the price point, with its rugged look and feel, spacious interior, and great colour choices, there was little to think about. But now, in 2018, I'm not sure I can say that it's the best option in the price bracket, because the car is still stuck in 2012. Honestly, in terms of function, it ticks all boxes. Interior is spacious, upholstery has withstood the test of my dogs multiple times, and seats offer comfortable physical support. Drivers will be disappointed if they're expecting state of the art technology, though. Lacklustre console and speedometer; when competitors are getting state of the art interfaces, keyless start and entry, and more, this car firmly roots itself in 2012 in terms of features offered. The manual model is great. Both manual and stickshift of this variant are equipped with 6 gears. The gears are great for city driving, with plenty of pickup in the low and midrange. The 6th gear really makes the highway driving better than it would have been with 5. So why only 3 stars? The real gripe is with the automatic gearbox. On ECO mode, it's literally like being driven by a grandmother who tries to get to the highest gear as soon as possible, and takes plenty of time to engage the clutch, slot the gear, and then disengage and hit the throttle. From the time the clutch is engaged till the time the gear actually changes, you will have enough time to prepare a coffee and drink it as well. On the other mode, while the gear shifts are at the right rpm, the actual process of shifting from one gear to another is painfully slow. Even in the manual mode, the actual shifting takes too long. I would change the gear faster with a clutch, any day. This definitely takes away from the joy of driving an automatic in this country. After having this car for a year and a few months, I have not noticed any major maintenance issues or any glaring problems. Service is very affordable, spares (though I haven't needed any) are all available. Conclusion : A sturdy car that does every job a car is supposed to do. In terms of features, it is not state of the art, and is clearly 5-6 years behind. The automatic gearbox is also disappointing. But if you want a stickshift 4x4 that will serve you well in the city and off road in terms of drive quality, and you're fine with a slightly aging interior, you will not be disappointed with this car in the slightest.