Used car buying guide: Mahindra Marazzo

GOOD FOR: Refinement, Spacious cabin.

LOOK OUT FOR: Worn-out suspension, Premature clutch wear.

Mahindra launched the Marazzo in 2018 to slot in between the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga and the Toyota Innova, and to grab a slice of the MPV pie which has been dominated by the aforementioned duo. And although it didn’t set the sales chart on fire like Mahindra expected it to, the Marazzo still is a nicely rounded package that deserves to be considered as a used buy. But here’s what you need to know before you buy one.

The Marazzo was developed by the Mahindra North American Technical Centre (MNATC) in Michigan, USA, and it looks and feels vastly different from any Mahindra before it. It’s built on an all-new platform and it wears a design language that’s neat and contemporary.

The Marazzo is available with a solitary 1.5-litre, four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine that produces a peak power output of 123hp and 300Nm of torque. It is only available with a 6-speed manual gearbox, with no automatic option on offer. On our test cycle, the Marazzo, in Eco mode, returned respectable fuel efficiency figures of 12.5kpl in the city and 15.5kpl out on the highway.

The engine is very refined right from the get-go. There aren’t any vibrations to speak of, either through the pedals or the steering wheel. At low and moderate speeds, the refinement is remarkable, and it’s only when the motor is spun beyond 3,500rpm that it gets vocal. Wind and road noise are well contained, and the vibration-free, hushed and spacious cabin truly impresses. This makes it ideal for those long highway runs on the weekend with the family.

Driving the Marazzo can best be described as light and easy. The steering is light and so is the clutch, although the travel is long. The gear lever is a bit too tall and the throws are on the longer side, but here too, effort is minimal. So, driving in the city won’t be much of a hassle.

The Marazzo is available in four variants – M2, M4, M6 and M8. The bottom three variants get both 8- (second row bench) and 7-seater (second row captain’s seats) options, whereas the top trim was only available in the 7-seat configuration initially, with an 8-seater added later.

The range-topping M8 gets features like a 7.0-inch infotainment touchscreen with navigation, Android Auto, a reversing camera and parking sensors, 17-inch alloys, a rear wiper and washer, part-leather upholstery, rear air-con, climate control, projector headlamps with LED Daytime Running Lamps, and cruise control.

Safety kit like ABS, EBD, dual airbags, all-wheel disc brakes and ISOFIX child seat mounts is standard on all variants of the Marazzo.

It is advisable to opt for the top-spec M8 7-seater variant, as you get all the goodies and the captain’s seats make it ideal for someone who is chauffeur-driven. However, if you are on a budget, the mid-spec M6 variant is also decently equipped for most users.

The Marazzo is quite reliable, and seeing as it’s still on sale, sourcing spare parts won’t be a hassle either. The cost of service and parts too won’t burn a hole in your pocket. So, on the whole, a used Mahindra Marazzo will make for a good buy.

Buyer, beware…

Clutch Wear

Some owners have faced premature clutch wear from their Marazzo. It’s best to get the condition of the clutch and pressure plate inspected before you make the purchase.

Upholstery

Higher-spec M8 versions get a light cream leatherette upholstery which tends to get soiled easily over time. This will be difficult to keep clean, especially in a car that’s geared towards family use.

Suspension Wear

A Marazzo that’s a couple of years old will be susceptible to suspension wear, as a few owners have faced this. While on a test drive, notice if the suspension squeaks or crashes excessively, this is a sign of worn bushings.

Also worth knowing

A few owners have also complained about loss of power while driving in hilly regions with a full load, so that’s worth keeping in mind. Furthermore, Mahindra had announced a recall for 600 vehicles, which includes some Marazzos, manufactured at its Nashik plant between June 21 and July 2 this year, over suspicion of premature wear of engine parts due to contaminated fuel.

How much to spend

Rs 8 Lakh - Rs 11 Lakh

Buying a used Marazzo for anywhere between Rs 8 lakh - Rs 11 lakh, depending on the variant and seating configuration, is good value. The MPV didn’t sell in massive numbers, so getting the right one for you will take some looking, but the resale value isn’t high. Therefore, you can haggle to bring the asking price down.