Mahindra Ssangyong Rexton RX5

Rexton RX5 Review

Mahindra and Mahindra had bought 70% stakes of Ssangyong in 2010. And now, the firm has finally brought in the first Ssangyong product into the Indian car market. The new Mahindra Ssangyong Rexton RX5 has finally been launched in the Indian car bazaar. This was first revealed at the 11th Auto Expo held in New Delhi in January, where it managed to grab a lot of eye balls. Now that the official launch has been done, the car is gaining a lot of positive response from the critic as well as from the consumers. However, the direct competition coming from the new Tata safari Storme SUV is a major tension for the Rexton SUV. Nonetheless, Mahindra and Ssangyong has made Rexton best suited for the Indian consumers and with numerous high class features and strong diesel engine, it will not fail at any point. Under the hood, 2.0 litre of in-line five cylinder turbo diesel engine is making the SUV proud. The 155PS of power and 360Nm of maximum torque produced by the engine takes the performance of the car to a notch higher. The interiors are loaded with all kinds of high class features, ranging from CD player with Bluetooth and USB interface, multi-functional steering wheel, power windows, AC with rear AC vents and so on. Overal l, Mahindra Ssangyong Rexton turns out to be an impressive SUV, which has been priced competitively.

Exteriors

The exteriors of the freshly launched Rexton RX5 SUV could be summed up with two words- bold and beautiful. This one is a complete package that showcases opulent craftsmanship. The elegance and sophistication oozes out from every angle, specially the front façade. The front here comes with good-looking grille and sharply done headlamps. The bonnet is sporty and will surely attract you in first glance. Fog lamps are positioned on the either sides of the bumper that add on more charm to the look of the car. Coming to the side profile, the roof rails are very sporty, while the rear profile is complemented by its stylish tail lights. The rear spoiler has a character of its own. On the whole, the car is a superb combination of style and sophistication, which makes it a heartthrob in the SUV segment .

Interiors

The freshly launched 2012 Mahindra Ssangyong Rexton RX5 SUV is well-resourced with fine interiors. The refreshing style combined with elegance give a perfect definition to the interiors of Rexton. In the front cabin, you will notice, wonderfully lit tachometer with central panel designed with sheer grace. On the other hand, the information cluster comes with many warning lights and other information warnings. The steering wheel is multifunctional and is wrapped in leather to enhance the grip for the driver. The finishing done of the central panel, audio system and gear knob is done with finesse. The high quality leather upholstery for the seats is just spectacular. Therefore, one thing is for sure, which is that the lavish interiors of Mahindra Rexton will leave in complete awe.

Comfort Features

The comfort features of Mahindra Rexton SUV  RX5 are quite nice. The ample of legroom and headroom for the passengers would give them highest level of comfort and relaxation during their ride. The sufficient amount of luggage storage space will make no error during your long road trips. The headrests and armrests in Mahindra Ssangyong Rexton are comfortable. On the other hand, the SUV does offer some luxury features as well. The electric sunroof adds on lavishness to the car, while the automatic climate control and rear AC vents make the interiors very cool and relaxing. The power steering wheel, power windows, adjustable front seats, vanity mirror, audio system and others are other comfort features present in the SUV.

Engine

The new Mahindra Ssangyong Rexton SUV RX5 has finally been launched in the Indian car market. The major highlighting features of the car are the engine under the hood. The 2.0 litre of e-XDi 200 diesel engine here would not only perform well on the road , but is also extremely fuel efficient. The diesel run mill here is capable of producing 162bhp @ 4000 rpm and 340Nm torque at a range of 1800-3250rpm. What is further interesting is that the five speed automatic transmission that is coupled with the engine, which is borrowed from Mercedes Benz.  The acceleration and pickup of the car is also quite thrilling. The top speed of 175-180kmph with strength of going from 0-100kmph in 13-14 seconds makes it a clear winner. In India , people give high weight-age to the fuel economy delivered by a car, and keeping this point in mind, the Mahindra Ssangyong Rexton SUV, doesn’t let down. The mileage figures on the city roads comes around to be of 12.4kmpl . Achieving these figures from a premium SUV surely makes it very promising and performing.

Braking and Handling

The SUVs by Mahindra are famous for its swift and easy handling and the new Mahindra Ssangyong Rexton RX5 SUV is no different. This one comes with an electric power steering, which makes the handling as easy as cakewalk.  The transmission here is smooth and quite up-to-the mark . The commendable suspension system further enhanced the handling of the car. The double wishbones on the front with multi-link connection type suspension on the rear are ideal. On the other hand, the brakes are pretty fine and give a complete control in driver’s hands.

Safety Features

The new Mahindra Ssangyong Rexton SUV is loaded with number of safety features. The car comes with anti-lock braking system, electronic brake force distribution system, traction control, parking sensors, collision avoidance system, electronic stability program, tire pressure monitoring system and the list is very long. Furthermore, SUV also comes with engine immobilizer, hill descent control and airbags for the driver and front co-passenger. The Xenon headlamps on the front facilitate better visibility of the road at night.

Pros  

Sporty and bold looks, international interiors, plenty of safety features.

Cons  

Price a bit high