Mahindra PikUp 2018 Review

What’s it all about?

As an emerging brand Down Under, Mahindra is something of an unknown when viewed against familiar Japanese and European marques.

But the Indian company's Indian-built PikUp ute and XUV500 SUV ranges continue to make strides among budget-savvy buyers – especially on the light commercial side of the equation.

Presenting as a cost-effective and no-nonsense alternative to traditional market players, the Mahindra PikUp is updated for 2018.

Freshened interior and (less polarising) exterior styling, a new six-speed manual transmission (up from five) and a reworked 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine head the charge, but an automatic version won’t eventuate until next year.

A five-year/100,000km warranty and roadside assistance package signals Mahindra’s confidence in its product and service intervals have increased to 12 months or 15,000km.

Trade and agricultural operators will no doubt appreciate the Mahindra PikUp’s 210mm ground clearance, 2500kg braked towing capacity and 1200kg payload, ditto the inclusion of a dual-range transfer case, Eaton mechanical-locking rear differential, and hill-descent control on four-wheel drive variants.

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How much will it cost?

Undercutting 4x4 single-cab competitors such as the Isuzu MU-X (from $34,800) and Mitsubishi Triton (from $32,500) considerably, the Mahindra PikUp on test retails from just $26,990 (plus on-road costs).

The list price includes 16-inch steel wheels with 245/75 tyres, air-conditioning, cloth upholstery, front and rear fog-lights, and an AM/FM radio with Bluetooth connectivity and a single-CD player.

A choice of aluminium and steel trays are available, as is a steel bull bar, fibreglass snorkel, carpet floor mats and canvas seat covers.

The revised Mahindra PikUp range also includes anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution, driver and passenger airbags, electronic stability control and roll-over mitigation. Head restraints and lap-sash seatbelts are included for both occupants.

At the time of publication the 2018 Mahindra PikUp – which is sold as the Scorpio Getaway in some markets – had not been assessed under the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP). The previous model scored a sub-standard three-star result when tested back in 2012.

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Why should/shouldn’t I buy it?

The most noticeable improvement – and one I note with some qualification, having spent considerable time in the predecessor – is engine performance.

Jumping 15kW/50Nm, Mahinda’s 2.2-litre mHawk diesel mill makes usable torque lower in the rev range (-200rpm to 1600-2800rpm), with a more linear spread of power through to its 4000rpm peak.

Running on road with up to 450kg on board, the Mahindra PikUp was responsive to throttle input and happy to keep pace with busy traffic.

A light, positive gearshift action and well-assisted and progressive clutch aids in provoking decent performance from the engine; the only downside is a little clatter under load – and a reverse lock-out that never properly prevents an accidental grab of the opposite gear.

There are a few omissions, however, that make life with the Mahindra PikUp tough going. For example, there’s no A-pillar grab handle to aid entry into the cab and, once inside, the long seat cushion can prevent some drivers from relating properly to their primary controls.

The steering assistance, too, is unusual in that it resists any input beyond that required for a gentle lane change, and in roundabouts and sharp bends is quite heavy, almost as if the alignment’s toe-in is set to exaggerate straight-line stability, and not aid mid-corner response.

That said, the firm double-wishbone and torsion-bar front-end and leaf-sprung rear-end do support the body well when cornering at highway speeds.

In wet and dry conditions the Mahindra PikUp held its own in bends, but is easily unsettled by mid-corner bumps. The dampers never truly quell the harsh ride, resulting in a ‘pogo stick’ action that’s uncomfortable at best.

We also missed having a centre control bin, clock, cruise control, steering wheel controls, trip computer and outside temperature gauge.

The (single) washer also didn’t deliver enough water to properly clear the windscreen, and we found the build quality – including some rather disconcerting ‘hard knocks’ from the front-end – and strong odour of acrid plastic in the cabin most unsettling.

Headlight performance, however, was exceptional on both low and high beam.

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When is it available in Australia?

The newly revised Mahindra PikUp went on sale locally in December 2017. Its arrival coincided with the release of the 2018 XUV500 seven-seat SUV, which is now offered with a petrol engine and optional six-speed automatic transmission.

Mahindra Automotive Australia says it hopes to grow acceptance of its range locally and believes it can achieve a place in the top 30 brands sold here by the end of 2018.

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Who will it appeal to?

To our eyes the Mahindra PikUp is the kind of workhorse ute that will best suit trade and agricultural buyers, rather than recreational four-wheel drivers or mixed-use operators.

The limited list of creature comforts, coarse ride quality and questionable ergonomics are better aimed at the tool-of-trade buyer who better appreciates rugged, no-frills trucks of this kind.

It’s also a vehicle aimed squarely at new buyers on a budget – and considering it’s less than half the price of an equivalent 78 Series Toyota LandCruiser ute (from $65,240), makes a lot of sense for those seeking to operate the vehicle as a depreciating asset in the shorter-term.

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Where does it fit?

The closest match to the Mahindra PikUp in terms of size and feel at the wheel would have to be the now-defunct Land Rover Defender 110 pick-up; though any single-cab ‘fourbie’ -- or indeed the Toyota LandCruiser 78 Series -- are likely candidates for consumer cross-reference.

Realistically, however, the Mahindra is a closer rival for basic utes from China and India, including the Great Wall Steed, Foton Tunland, JMC Vigus and Tata Xenon in terms of price and perceived value. See below for links to our reviews on those models.

The Mahindra Pik-Up Single-Cab 4x4 measures 5195mm in length, 1820mm wide and is 1915mm high. It tips the scale at 1940kg (kerb) with a GVW of 3150kg. The tray fitted to our test vehicle is 1530mm long by 1520mm wide and 550mm deep.

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So, what do we think?

Although some aspects of the Mahindra PikUp are noticeably improved, there are more that are evidently still a work in progress.

In defence of the PikUp is a price point that obviously means one’s expectations should be lower than they might be for a stalwart Japanese or European offering. When you factor in a price tag that’s still better than that of many second-hand utes, the Mahindra represents solid value.

Given the improvements made to the PikUp in a relatively short time, the ambitious Indian brand is heading in the right direction quickly.

We expect the next-generation PikUp due by 2020 – based on an all-new platform and promising five-star safety – to bring an even bigger step change, without sacrificing its reputation for no-nonsense value.

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How much does the Mahindra PikUp Single-Cab 4x4 cost?

Price: $26,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 103kW/330Nm
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Fuel: 8.6L/100km (ADR Combined), 10.1L/100km (as tested)
CO2: N/A
Safety Rating: Three-star ANCAP (2012)