At last a Tata you can desire to own
HEX APPEAL As a statement of intent from a manufacturer hellbent on changing its image, the Hexa works superbly and despite being one of the mostexpensive cars from the Tatas, this may be the first you really want to have
It’s been a long time coming but the Tata Hexa is finally here. Bookings will open in November and deliveries will commence in January 2017. At one level, the Hexa is Tata Motors’ new flagship aimed squarely at the Mahindra XUV500 but at a larger level, this is the model Tata Motors is banking on to reshape the brand’s perception. No doubt, the success of the Tiago has given the Tata badge a bit of a boost but the Hexa will have to please a far more demanding set of premium car buyers. Is the Hexa upto the task?
BREAK FROM THE PAST
The Hexa is based on the Aria platform and that’s no bad thing as it gets the benefit of a ‘hydroformed’ ladder chassis that is rigid and tough. Other than in side profile, where the carryover roof and glasshouse is obvious, there isn’t much of a visual link to the Aria - every body panel is new. Where the Aria’s part SUV-part MPV design seemed lost in translation, the Hexa makes a much bolder impression. Tata won’t go so far as to call the Hexa an SUV, but that’s clearly the look it has gone for. There are lots SUV design cues, like the black cladding that runs around the car and well chiseled angular details on the body.
The chunky clamshell bonnet, upright grille (nicely detailed with hexagons) and stretched-back headlamps gel really well. Adding the desired dose of aggression without looking overdone is the stylish front bumper that houses a large central air dam and comes embellished with attractive daytime-running LED lights. The 19-inch wheels are the largest in class but amidst the vast body they look a bit sunken in which spoils the stance a bit.
A STEP UP
It’s quite a step up into the Hexa’s high-set cabin, but once inside you’ll have to remind yourself you are in a Tata. What you get are some of the best seats in the business and crucially a level of quality you would find hard to associate with past Tata cars. The carmaker’s investment in getting the look and feel right has reaped rewards because the cabin scores brilliantly on perceived quality. Right from the knitted roof lining and contrast stitching on the leather seats to the brushed aluminium effect on the side air-con vents and knurled finish on the climate control knobs, there’s a certain premiumness to just about everything. Tata has even gone to the extent of giving the door locks a textured finish! At places, however, panel gaps are larger than warranted but the black theme ensures they don’t necessarily stand out. Given how in-car connectivity and entertainment have been areas of focus at Tata for a while now, it’s a bit disappointing to know the Hexa shares its infotainment system with the cheaper Bolt and Zest. The 5.0-inch touchscreen looks small in the big expanse of the cabin. Functionality-wise, though, Tata has packed the system with features including downloadable mobile apps for offline navigation, jukebox (songs from multiple phones can be added to a playlist on a primary synced phone), remote control for the audio system, vehicle service and the owner’s manual.
The 10-peaker JBL sound system finetuned specifically for the Hexa, delivers immense power and clarity for all three rows of seats. And to set the tone, there eight-colour configurable ambient lighting too! You also get cruise control, auto headlamps and wipers and a reverse camera. The only thing missing is a sun-roof.
The well-shaped, richly finished and very supportive seats are one of the highlights on the Hexa. Their multi-density foam offers just the right amount of cushioning, which means you can spend hours in them and emerge fresh. The Hexa’s high driving position gives a commanding view out, but the thick A-pillar does hamper visibility, especially at crossroads. Drivers will like the sight of the full-colour 3.5-inch multi-info display between the speedo and tacho and will also take readily to the quality of touch points like the steering, window buttons and switchgear.
As for the middle row, there’s lots of space on offer but if you want front seatlike comfort in the back, it’s the captain chair option you should go for. Pull-out sunblinds for the large windows and aircon vents on side pillars and centre tunnel ensure a good level of pampering. The middle-row bench on the seven- seat version is very nice too and the relatively flat contours allow for a third person to fit in comfortably. However, access to the last row of seat is a bit cumbersome – the captain chairs don’t fold fully, while the 60:40 split bench requires effort to tumble. Once in the back, even if you’re of average height, you’ll find the space totally useable. The seating position is surprisingly nice as third rows go and there is reasonable room too. Just that it’s not a space for tall people.
MASS TRANSPORT
The Hexa’s 2,179cc diesel engine makes a healthy 156hp and 400Nm of torque (hence the ‘400’ in the engine name), but the figures are not so impressive when you account for the fact that the motor also has to lug 2.2-tonnes plus of Tata. The engine can be mated to a new six-speed manual gearbox as well as a six-speed automatic transmission that sends power solely to the rear axle.
The big surprise was the automatic transmission, which was surprisingly responsive and mated to an equally responsive engine, made the heavy Hexa feel light on its feet. The engine delivers a nice, linear spread of power and the gear shifts are very smooth and fluid.
After the automatic, the manual Hexa is isn’t as nice to drive. The issues, really, are centred around the gearbox and clutch. The gearshifts feels rubbery and needs a lot of effort whilst the clutch action is not progressive making it hard to modulate at slow speeds.
Also, with the clutch pedal in place, there’s no room for a dead pedal in the narrow footwell, and that’s another issue on long drives.
The Hexa is a large vehicle and feels its size in tight city confines. The steering calls for much effort at low speeds and U-turns require pre-planning. But the experience does get far nicer as speeds build and the roads open up. The hydraulically assisted steering gives a good sense of control on the highway and stability is really good. The brakes which feel a bit wooden and like bite could be a touch sharper. The car can get unwieldy on a twisty road and doesn’t like quick changes in direction and its sheer height means physics will always be against it. Where the Hexa really shines is in the area of ride quality. It smothers all bumps and potholes and the ride is pretty plush and extremely comfortable. It is easily the best riding vehicle in its segment.
T-HEX
As a statement of intent from a manufacturer hell-bent on changing its image, the Hexa works superbly. Attractive on the outside, well appointed on the inside and feature-loaded, the Hexa strikes a chord on many levels. The big Tata performs well as a premium people mover though we’d pass on the manual gearbox version and go for the auto instead. It’s not got the off-road hardware but as an everyday vehicle it’s easily the better pick. We expect prices for the Hexa to be in the region of ₹12.5-18 lakh which is expensive as Tatas go, but you get your money’s worth. High on desirability, this could be the first Tata car you really want to have.