Version Reviewed : EX 4x2
Purchased As : Used
Familiarity : Have driven a few thousands kilometres
Fuel Economy : 10.5 kpl
Good : Looks, Fuel economy, Space, Layout, Low engine revs, Cupholders, NO AIRBAGS
Bad : Frequent gearshifts, Paint chips on rear fenders, Lack of availability of Workshop Manuals
Full Review
Exterior
The exterior looks great. My Xenon keeps losing the screws that hold the wheel well liners. The road debris keep missing the mudflaps and chipping the rear wheel arches.
Interior(Features, Space & Comfort)
Love all the cupholders. The positioning of the air vents are great for heating your hands in winter. Placing of the jack, etc is good. The seatbelt mechanisms are sticky and that after only 115000km. Thankfully it has no airbags-two of my previous cars had problems with those. Analogue clock always visible-love it. Fuel gauge layout is weird.
Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox
The 2.2 litre engine has adequate power. The gearbox is notchy especially in first and reverse. As a matter of fact the linkage between the gearshift and gearbox on mine broke at 115000km. The clutch is very difficult to operate especially in city traffic. The low end power could be better.
Ride Quality & Handling
The ride quality is acceptable. The handling is better than expected.
Final Words
Fortunately for us in South Africa the 2.2 Xenon is a bargain compared to a similary aged Hilux, KB, etc.
Areas of improvement A lock on the tailgate would be nice. Standardisation of parts. When my indicator stalk failed the standard one would not fit as was the case with the gearlink. The low end power was addressed in the XT. Cannot afford one though. The fuel gauge can do with a more conventional layout.