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EXPERT RATING
8.0

Likes

  • Cheap light commercial
  • Impressive heritage in India
  • Good value

Dislikes

  • Less impressive heritage in Australia
  • Questionable safety
  • Rough dynamics

Long sections of the road between Mumbai and Tata's impressive plant at Pune, about 160km away, are more brutal than any track likely to be found in Australia. But the purpose-built Indian vehicles cope without trouble, indicating that the Tata Xenon utes soon to arrive in Oz could be among the toughest of their kind.

PRICE

The one-tonners are robust machines, built for India's comparatively awful roads, but they're also stylish, well-finished and the Fusion Automotive distributors say they will be priced below their Japanese rivals and slightly above the new breeds from China. Prices will be announced when they land in October, but think $20 to 30K, depending on cab choice and 4x2 or 4x4 configuration.

EQUIPMENT

The Xenon is one of the better-looking utes and comes with a fair bit of kit, including ABS with EBD, Bluetooth, air con, power windows and mirrors, an adjustable steering and a neat, uncluttered dash. But there's no cruise control or option of automatic transmission.

Extra stuff, from late this year, will include a hill holder, traction control and electronic stability control. And prettying it up will be easy, probably via dealer-fitted alloys, decals, spotties and the like. The five-speed gearbox is a goodie, the power steering is typical ute and seating and visibility were fine, as were the paint and fit and finish.

What Australia needs to realise is that Tata is no johnny-come-lately outfit. It is an up to date company that has been building vehicles for decades and Oz has somehow managed to become the last place on the planet to become aware of the brand.

THE DRIVE 

A few runs on the test track at Pune, which has a surface like Australia's highways, showed the 110kW/320Nm turbo-diesel had lots of pace, stability and was commendably quiet. Tata has state-of-the-art facilities at its vast Pune plant, among them a division specialising in noise reduction.

VERDICT

The Xenon has the looks, the muscle and the reputation. Final price will be the deciding factor.

Tata Xenon ute

Price: $20 to 30K
Engine: 2.2-litre 4-cylinder, 110kW/320Nm
Transmission: 5-speed manual, 4x2 and 4x4

Tata Xenon 2013: (4X4)

Safety Rating
Engine Type Diesel Turbo 4, 2.2L
Fuel Type Diesel
Fuel Efficiency 8.5L/100km (combined)
Seating 5
Price From $7,370 - $10,340

Range and Specs

Vehicle Specs Price*
(4X2) 2.2L, Diesel, 5 SPEED MANUAL $7,700 - $10,890
(4X4) 2.2L, Diesel, 5 SPEED MANUAL $7,370 - $10,340
Premium (4x4) 2.2L, Diesel, 5 SPEED MANUAL $8,470 - $11,990
See all 2013 Tata Xenon in the Range
*Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price
Bill Buys
Contributing Journalist
Bull Buys is a former CarsGuide contributor, and specialises in motorsport.
About Author
Disclaimer: The pricing information shown in the editorial content (Review Prices) is to be used as a guide only and is based on information provided to Carsguide Autotrader Media Solutions Pty Ltd (Carsguide) both by third party sources and the car manufacturer at the time of publication. The Review Prices were correct at the time of publication. Carsguide does not warrant or represent that the information is accurate, reliable, complete, current or suitable for any particular purpose. You should not use or rely upon this information without conducting an independent assessment and valuation of the vehicle.

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