Mahindra's 30-mpg diesel-powered Pik-Up gets driven
by Jonathon Ramsey on Aug 27th 2009 at 3:42PM 
Mike Levine over at PickupTrucks.com got a chance to drive the Mahindra Pik-Up regular cab with a 7-foot bed and lived to say rather good things about it. He drove the 2.5-liter diesel spec that is a generation behind what we'll get here, so actual driving impressions are moot.
The real story was the impressive discoveries tempered by the mild question marks: the diesel sounds good, shifting into third is a bit tricky; visibility is fantastic but the interior is a bit tight; the bed is good for swallowing loads, but the external tie-downs and styling are a little dated.
And with commendable NVH in its favor, Levine rated the Pik-Up "a truck that could function as a daily driver as well as a workhorse." We're not sure we'd want to test the 5,000-pound towing capacity, but as The Little Truck That Could, it sounds like it's all right. Follow the link to read all about it.
[Source: PickupTrucks.com]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Alex 3:53PM (8/27/2009)
I am very much looking forward to this truck.
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JZeke 10:47AM (8/28/2009)
+1
Pokey 3:54PM (8/27/2009)
I'm sorry, but I just cannot get past how ugly this thing is. I am sure it serves it's purpose well, but it just looks so very homely.
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Shiftright 4:15PM (8/27/2009)
Ditto. It looks so stupidly dorky...
Farmboy 5:26PM (8/27/2009)
It's like a Tacoma and a Commanche got it on.
Nellydesign 5:57PM (8/27/2009)
I'm just glad that the Indians can apparently build a Toyota pick-up from 25 years ago.
JDM Life 7:16PM (8/27/2009)
Looks like a truck you would find in a old Chinese movie......
marcus.posey12 4:00PM (8/27/2009)
it's like the prius of trucks.
Which makes it even worse
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tommy 4:06PM (8/27/2009)
Look at the bed, Pre bent frame?
Aeromax 4:00PM (8/27/2009)
I kinda like it. But 22 grand? I thought it was going to be more like 13-15k.
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nrb 4:20PM (8/27/2009)
A lot of people thought that and I don't know where they got it from. Reality says this is a crude version of the Ranger with a diesel engine and it costs a lot more than a Ranger. It's a truck that serves a purpose, but it's not what people hyped it up to be. Most things aren't.
I'm also a little confused that such a tough and torquey truck tows less than a properly equipped Ranger. The payload claims are impressive however.
Aeromax 4:33PM (8/27/2009)
I'd find this pretty damn attractive for around 15k, I mean it's made in India for pete's sake- they have NO market penetration for anything automotive here. A tiny diesel pickup is a great thing.
But I don't see anyone buying this over, say, a tried and true Tacoma which starts at 15k.
David 4:02PM (8/27/2009)
(Does his best Butt Head laugh) Uh-huh-huh-huh-huh....."swallowing loads".
Styling a bit dated? The cab reminds me of an early '80's Mazda, before it got attractive. Boy I hope it's going to be cheap.
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PJ 11:53PM (8/27/2009)
LOL
*applause*
Sean 4:01PM (8/27/2009)
DIESEL and it only gets 30mpg?
My dad's S10 gets 30mpg.
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bssplayr 4:02PM (8/27/2009)
I'll second the 'man, that thing is ugly' comment. The styling doesn't make sense, and actually make it look like the frame is bent.
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MeiSooHaityu 4:04PM (8/27/2009)
I read the review, it seems like a pretty competent truck (if not quirky in some of its execution). I'm kind of suprised how much it cost (starting around $22,000). I thought it would be more around $16,000 or $18,000.
I think for that cost, I would rather spend a bit more and have a Ford Ranger. A ranger would be a far more refined and proven vehicle.
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Arumage 4:08PM (8/27/2009)
Especially since Ford has resisted making any major changes to the Ranger in the last 10 years or so. :)
InFiNiTTI 4:21PM (8/27/2009)
Arumage 4:08PM (8/27/2009)
"Especially since Ford has resisted making any major changes to the Ranger in the last 10 years or so. :) "
What are you talking about ? There is a 2010 Ranger. http://www.egmcartech.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/2010_ford_ranger_image_003.jpg
Ken Stamper 5:25PM (8/27/2009)
@InFiNiTTI
That's not the same Ranger we get for the US market... Ours is about 20 years old