Ashok Leyland Stile LE 8 Seater (Diesel)

The Ashok Leyland Stile LE 8 Seater (Diesel) is a minivan that was launched in India in July 2013, primarily targeting fleet operators, taxi services, and rural markets. It is essentially a rebadged version of the Nissan Evalia but with several key improvements. The vehicle features a 1.5-liter inline-4 cylinder turbo-intercooled diesel engine producing 75 PS of power and 185 Nm of torque, paired with a 5-speed manual transmission. The Stile offers a spacious interior with the option for either a bench seat or captain chairs in the second row, and it includes features like sliding rear doors with openable windows and dedicated blowers for the second row. While the interior is Spartan and lacks some modern amenities, it is built to last and provides ample space for passengers and cargo. The Stile also handles well, with a light steering and a comfortable ride, making it a solid choice for those needing a practical and efficient MPV.

The Ashok Leyland Stile LE 8 Seater (Diesel) is a practical and robust offering, particularly suited for fleet operators and those in rural areas. While it may not appeal to the average urban car buyer due to its utilitarian design, it makes up for this with its spacious interior, comfortable ride, and efficient engine. The Stile addresses some of the shortcomings of its predecessor, the Nissan Evalia, such as the addition of sliding rear doors with openable windows and the option for captain chairs in the second row. However, it lacks some of the fancier features found in other MPVs, which might be a drawback for some buyers. Overall, its a great value for money, especially considering its affordable price and the practicality it offers.

Despite its robust engineering and spacious design, the Stile LE 8 Seater failed to attract significant consumer interest, leading to its discontinuation. The vehicle was primarily aimed at fleet operators and commercial users rather than individual buyers. I believe targeting the right market segment could have made a difference.

Ashok Leyland had plans to introduce a CNG variant of the Stile, but it never materialized due to low demand for the diesel version. The production of the Stile was halted in May 2015. This decision was likely due to the vehicles failure to gain significant market traction.

The Stile LE 8 Seater is known for its spacious interior, with sliding second-row seats that help optimize legroom and space for the third row. However, the third row is bolted to the floor, which affects the boot space. Despite this, the vehicles ride quality is commendable, especially over rough surfaces.

The vehicles interior, while functional, lacks some modern amenities like ABS, EBD, airbags, and a reversing camera. However, it does come with a dedicated blower and sliding windows for the second row, which are useful features. I think the lack of safety features was a significant oversight.

The Stile LE 8 Seaters fuel efficiency was a highlight, with Ashok Leyland claiming an ARAI-certified fuel efficiency of 19.5 kilometers per liter. This was part of the companys effort to optimize the vehicle for various driving conditions.

The Ashok Leyland Stile LE 8 Seater (Diesel) was priced competitively in the Indian market, with the base LS trim starting at around Rs 7.49 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) when it was launched. The top-end LX variant was priced at approximately Rs 9.5 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). On-road prices would have varied depending on the state and local taxes, but you could expect to add around Rs 1-2 lakh to the ex-showroom price. This pricing made the Stile an attractive option for those looking for a budget-friendly MPV with good space and fuel efficiency. Although production has ceased, understanding its pricing helps in evaluating its value proposition.

The Ashok Leyland Stile LE 8 Seater (Diesel) boasts an impressive ARAI mileage of 19.5 kmpl, which is quite competitive in its segment. This fuel efficiency is a result of the detuned 1.5-liter K9K diesel engine, which prioritizes mileage over raw power. In real-world conditions, you can expect mileage to be close to this figure, making it a cost-effective choice for long-term ownership, especially for those concerned about running costs.