Ashok Leyland Stile Review: Mileage, Price, Features & Photos

By Ganesh

Nissan Evalia MPV proved to be a poor performer. One way to give a push to the unpopular platform was with the launch of a low cost model and Ashok Leyland's Stile MPV has been given that responsibility. The Stile is a badge engineered, stripped out Evalia, with a starting price that is INR 1.2 lakhs less than the latter.

Price & Variants
Available in three variants - LE, LS & LX - Ashok Leyland (AL) Stile starts at INR 7.49 lakhs for the base trim. The top of the line LX trim has been priced at INR 9.29 lakhs (all prices, ex-showroom, Delhi). The MPV can be ordered in both 5, 7 and 8 seater configurations.

Engine & Transmission
All three variants are available with only one engine as of now, the 1.5 liter K9K diesel unit. The engine generates 75 HP and 185 Nm of torque and is mated to a 5 speed manual transmission turning the front wheels. It is to be noted that the ‘DIET' engine, as AL calls it, has been detuned, thus producing 10 HP and 15 Nm torque less than the Evalia. A CNG engine variant has been confirmed, but a time frame has not been provided. A positive aspect of engine detuning is that the Stile delivers 19.5 Kmpl fuel economy, a slight improvement over the Evalia.

Features
To further differentiate the Stile from the Evalia several standard amenities from the Evalia have been discarded. These include, ABS, EBD, airbags, adjustable ORVM and stereo. Not even the top spec LX variant gets these.

On the other hand, power steering, tilt adjustable steering and air-conditioner are standard even on the base LE variant. This shows AL is trying to sell the Stile to taxi operators. To this the LS variant adds central locking, front power windows, rear passenger air-con blower column and body coloured bumpers. Lastly, the top of the line LX variant provides a few passenger amenities such as fabric seat covers and silver finished center console.

Improvements over Evalia
AL has taken this opportunity to make a few improvements in the Stile which were are missing in the Evalia. One of them is the passenger cabin aircon column. The other is covered glove box. The most significant one, however, are the sliding windows (the Evalia has outdated butterfly windows, one of the reasons for the MPVs failure).

Ashok Leyland is manufactured in the same production line as the Nissan Evalia at the Oragadam plant neat Chennai.

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Article Published On: Tuesday, October 8, 2013, 11:06 [IST]
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