Tata's new flagship SUV, the Hexa will be launched on January 16, 2017 and the pre-bookings start from November 1, 2016. Tata has put a lot of effort into this SUV and expects to give a tough competition to the Mahindra XUV500 and the Toyota Innova Crysta. It is likely to be priced in the range of Rs 12-16 lakh and will be offered in three variants – XE, XM and XT, which will further have different drivetrain options such as automatic (XMA, XTA) and four-wheel-drive (XT 4x4), making altogether six variants. Let's quickly walk you through each of them.
Standard features
Let us see what all features the Hexa offers as standard across its variant line-up because, unlike before, cars nowadays offer a lot of features as standard.
- Safety equipment: dual-front airbags with co-driver airbag deactivation, ABS (anti-lock braking system) with EBD (electronic brakeforce distribution) and all-around disc brakes, CSC (corner stability control), engine drag-torque control
- Exterior: projector headlamps, LED tail lamps, rear fog lamps, chrome plated twin exhausts, integrated rear spoiler and floating roof
- Interior: LED interior lamps, chrome door handles, metallic door sill plates with ‘Hexa’ branding, illuminated ignition slot, manual AC with second and third-row blowers with individual control, eight-way adjustable driver seat, second-row retractable window sunblinds, top cooled glove box, puddle lamp on all four doors and follow-me-home headlamps
- Infotainment system: ConnectNext non-touch-based unit with Bluetooth phone integration along with tuner, USB, AUX-in and iPod connectivity; six speaker system (four speakers + two tweeters)
- Supported apps: ConnextNext, NaviMaps, Juke-Car, Tata Smart Remote and Tata Smart Manual
Mechanicals
- The Hexa will come solely with a 2.2-litre VARICOR diesel engine (available in two states of tune)
- The base XE trim specs: 150PS @ 4000rpm, 320Nm @ 1700-2700rpm; five-speed manual
- The XM and XT trims specs: 156PS @ 4000rpm, 400Nm @ 1700-2700rpm; six-speed manual and automatic
XE
The XE is the entry-level variant in the Hexa’s line-up. It is decently loaded, but like most of the base models, cost-cutting (inside and outside) is relatively evident. The XE doesn’t come with any sort of chrome appliques to its exterior and the ORVMs and door handles are not body coloured.
- Apart from standard features, it comes with fabric upholstery and soft-touch dashboard with ‘Hexa’ branding
- Doesn’t feature the new twin-pod instrument panel like the higher trims and perhaps will feature the Aria’s instrument cluster. It has a monochrome MID (multi information display), which displays average and instantaneous fuel efficiencies, distance-to-empty, average speed, outside temperature and door ajar warning
- Rides on 235/70 cross-section R16 tyres on steel wheels
XM and XMA
The XM is the second model in its line-up and comes with two drivetrain options – manual (XM) and automatic (XMA). Apart from the additional goodies, it will borrow the XE’s standard features.
- Adds a little bit of chrome (inside-outside) compared to the XE, such as on the grille, gear-shift knob and on the twin-pod instrument cluster
- Comes with body coloured ORVMs and door handles
- The XM offers Super Drive Modes – Auto, Comfort and Rough Road (Dynamic is only available on the top-of-the-line XT and XT 4x4)
The twin-pod instrument cluster is offered with coloured MID screen and displays the current driving mode, gear shift indicator and service reminders along with all the information available in the XE’s unit
- Features a five-inch touch-based ConnectNext system with eight-speaker setup (four speakers and four tweeters) and additionally offers support for reverse parking sensors, USB/SD card input for video playback and image viewer, voice command recognition and SMS read-out
- Comes with customizable multi-coloured ambient lighting
- Like the Safari, the ORVMs are heated and it also comes with rear wash-wipe and defogger
- The XMA, being an automatic, additionally comes with HHC (hill hold control) and Sports mode
XT, XTA and XT 4x4
The XT is the range-topping model in the Hexa's line-up and can be had in three drivetrain options – XT (manual, 4x2), XTA (automatic, 4x2) and XTA 4x4 (manual, four-wheel-drive). And is the case with the previous trims, the XT range will borrow features from the XM along with additional ones.
Adds roof rails, chrome tailgate applique, front fog lamps and daytime running LEDs
The XT is available with an option of six or seven seating configuration, while the XTA and XT 4x4 are only available with the former
- Seats are upholstered in 'Benecke-Kaliko leather-feel' upholstery including door trims
- The XM’s ConnectNext unit is coupled to a 10-speaker JBL sound system featuring five speakers, four tweeters and a subwoofer in the XT range. Additionally, it also comes with a reverse parking camera
- Offers climate control, cruise control, automatic headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, power foldable ORVMs and smart USB charging
- The XT and XT 4x4 adds Dynamic mode along with the remaining driving modes – Auto, Comfort and Rough Road – of the XM
- The XT range comes with a total of six airbags (standard dual-front along with side and curtain airbags)
Additional safety equipment available in the XT and XT 4x4 include ESP (electronic Stability Program) with roll-over mitigation, traction control system, hydraulic brake assist, hill-hold control (also available in XTA) and HDC (hill descent control) 
Rides on 235/55 cross-section R19 tyres on machined-cut alloy wheels
Source: CarDekho.com
