Chevrolet Tavera Neo 3 MPV launched, starting at Rs.8.25 lakh!

General Motors (GM) India has launched the BS-IV compliant Chevrolet Tavera Neo 3 MPV in the price range of Rs. 8.25 lakh – 10.25 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi. The BS-III compliant Tavera will continue to be offered in the price range of Rs. 6.72 lakh – 7.66 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

The Tavera BS-IV version is powered by a 2-litre TCDi engine that puts out 105.3 bhp of power and 263.7 Nm of torque. The BS-III version is powered by a 2.5-litre engine that churns out 78.9 bhp of power and 186 Nm of torque.

The front of the new Tavera has a typically Chevrolet bow-tie grille as seen on the Cruze and the Beat. The headlamp cluster gets clear lens treatment and integrated side-swept turn indicators. The front bumper has also been redesigned and now features round fog lamps along with a sporty mesh grille. The side profile remains largely unchanged while at the rear the new Tavera gets clear lens treatment for the tail lamp cluster.

On the inside, the Tavera Neo 3 gets a dual cockpit design like other Chevrolet cars, a 3-spoke steering wheel, new door trims and blue illumination for the refreshed instrument cluster. The rest of the interiors are same as the outgoing model.

Variants and Prices

The Tavera is offered in four variants: Neo 3, Neo 3 Max, Neo 3 LS and Neo 3 LT in both BSIV and BSIII variants. The Neo 3 variant comes only with manual steering and no AC while the Neo 3 Max gets AC. The Neo 3 LS variant is available with captain seats while the top-end variant LT gets   middle & third row AC vents, dual tone exteriors, alloy wheels and leather upholstery as well.

The Tavera is offered with five different seating options: 7 seater (2+3+2), 7 seater with captain seats (2+2+3), 8 seater (2+3+3), 9 seater (2+3+4) and 10 seater (3+3+4). The Neo 3 and Neo 3 Max are available only in 10 seater and 7 seater option. The Neo 3 LS is available in 7 seater, 7 seater with captain seats and 10 seater options. The top-end variant, Neo 3 LT, is available only in 8 seater and 9 seater options.

Chevrolet Tavera Neo 3 versus Mahindra Xylo

The Tavera Neo 3 offers slightly more boot space comes in 10 seater configuration while the Xylo has small boot space and comes with 8 seater configuration only. Hence large family buyers looking for more seats will likely find the Tavera attractive. On the flip side, the Tavera Neo is less spacious when compared with the Xylo, especially in terms of legroom and headroom.

Looks wise, the Tavera Neo 3 despite the facelift changes still looks old school while the upcoming Xylo facelift to be launched of February 8^th looks modern and also has a bold road presence. Features wise, the Xylo has an edge over the Tavera Neo 3.

With regard to pricing, the Xylo comes in four variants: D2, E4, E6 and E8 in the price range of Rs.7.24 lakh – 9.46 lakh while the Tavera Neo 3 BS-IV is priced in the range of Rs. 8.25 lakh – 10.25 lakh. Since, both the MPVs are priced in similar range, there is no outright winner.

The Xylo thus has a slight edge over the Tavera in terms of pricing. The Xylo comes with optional Airbags and ABS which the Tavera Neo 3 doesn’t offer. Hence, buyers who are more concerned about safety will likely prefer the Xylo.

Chevrolet Tavera Neo 3 vs. Toyota Innova

The Innova is the MPV segment leader, thanks to its car-like drivability, good quality interiors, reliability and long term durability. The Innova also leads in terms of creature comforts and entertainment features which the Tavera lacks.

The Tavera Neo 3 also lacks the premium appeal that Innova has. Like the Xylo, the Innova is offered only in 7 or 8 seat configuration while the Tavera Neo 3 comes in 7, 8, 9 and 10 seater configuration thus giving more choice to the customers.

Performance wise, the Tavera’s engine puts out slightly more power (6 bhp) and significantly more torque (67 Nm) than the Innova’s engine. However, only a proper road test will prove which MPV drives better than the other.

Price-wise, the Tavera Neo 3 is cheaper than the Innova but lacks safety features such as Airbags and ABS offered in the Innova. The base variant of Tavera Neo3 is offered at Rs. 62,000 lower than the base variant of Innova.

Similarly the Neo 3 LS 7 seater is Rs. 1.55 lakh cheaper than the Innova 2.5 G 7 seater while the Neo 3 LT 7 (C) seater is Rs. 1 lakh cheaper than the Innova 2.5 GX which has driver airbag.