How does the Ashok Leyland Dost Plus LE perform in hilly terrain as compared to other competitors?
Often, the performance of light commercial vehicles in hilly areas makes or breaks their utility for many businesses. The 1.5L TDCR engine powering the Ashok Leyland Dost Plus LE is said to ensure superior performance in such conditions. However, when it comes to the real world hilly driving, how does it actually perform when compared to the likes of Tata Intra V30, Mahindra Supro, or even the Maruti Suzuki Super Carry? Engine power, torque delivery, gear ratios and overall vehicle stability are all factors that determine how well a vehicle can climb a hill. Now let’s see how drivers who drive mountainous routes see the Dost Plus LE.
I have driven both the Dost Plus LE and the Tata Intra V30 in the Nilgiris and I have to say that the Dost Plus LE has a slight edge. On steep inclines, it feels to deliver torque more consistently.
Eh, I'm not too impressed. I took my Dost Plus LE fully loaded to Mussoorie and it had a hard time on some of the steeper sections. I had to downshift more often than I would like.
It's decent, but not exceptional. However, on twisty hill roads, the Mahindra Supro feels a bit more confident. Compared to the Dost's steering, it does feel a tad vague.
I believe it is a matter of driving technique. However, if you keep the Dost Plus LE in the right RPM range, it can outclimb many of its competitors on hilly terrain. It’s just a matter of knowing how to work with its power band.
I was surprised by the Dost Plus LE on my trips to Ooty. Power is not just about power, it is also how it is delivered. The gear ratios seem to be well suited for hill climbing, more than my old Maruti Super Carry.
I will go against the grain and say that I prefer my old Mahindra Supro for hill driving. On paper, the Dost Plus LE has more power, but for some reason the Supro feels more confidence inspiring when it comes to tackling tricky mountain roads.
It's a mixed bag. The Dost Plus LE is good on moderate inclines. It is a bit breathless on really steep stuff, especially with a full load. I wish they would provide a more powerful engine option for use in the hilly region.
The hill king in its class, for my money, is the Dost Plus LE. It has been driven extensively in the Western Ghats and has never failed me. The main thing is to make sure you get the maintenance done regularly and that makes a huge difference in hilly performance!
Based on my experience, the Dost Plus LE is very close to the numbers that are claimed. In mixed driving conditions, I am constantly getting around 18-19 kmpl which is not bad at all for a loaded LCV.
Honestly, I'm a bit disappointed. Ashok Leyland’s claims seemed too good to be true and that they were. Not even with a light load am I nearing 15 kmpl on my city runs.
You drive it all. By maintaining a steady speed, and avoiding harsh accelerations I have managed to squeeze out over 20 kmpl on highway runs. However, mileage is lower in the city, but is still decent.
It gets good fuel efficiency, but nowhere near as good as they advertise. In my courier business, I am getting around 16-17 kmpl which is OK but I had expected more from the hype.
I guess it would depend on the terrain. On flat highways, I'm getting excellent mileage, nearly as good as the claimed figures. However, it decreases significantly in hilly areas or in heavy traffic. Still better than my old vehicle though.
Having been obsessive about tracking fuel costs, I can say the Dost Plus LE is pretty efficient. I am not quite hitting the advertised numbers but close enough that I am satisfied with my purchase.
It’s quite fuel efficient, but it is not easy. Regular maintenance, proper tire inflation and smooth driving have made all the difference I've found. If I slack off on these, the mileage drops by quite a bit.
The fuel efficiency is actually quite good for the payload I’m carrying. It's not quite the numbers that were advertised, but close enough that I'm not complaining.
Come on, no vehicle ever achieves the advertised fuel efficiency in the wild. However, the Dost Plus LE is closer than most. I’m getting about 90% of the claimed figure, which in my book is pretty good.
I have mixed feelings about it. Some trips I am surprised at how little fuel it uses. I’m scratching my head on others wondering where all the diesel went. All in all, I would say it is efficient but not miracles.
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