Mahindra Genio 2017 pricing and spec confirmed

Mahindra has released its updated Genio range, with the ute adding a Euro 5-compliant diesel engine and increasing its starting price by $1000, to $21,990 drive-away.

There is only one model grade for the single and dual-cab body styles, both of which feature an Australian-made alloy tray as standard, and four-wheel drive variants have been dropped.

The dual-cab version is priced at $25,490 driveaway.

All Genio models feature an Australian-made alloy tray as standard.

The Indian automotive giant’s revised 2.2-litre 'mHAWK' turbocharged four-cylinder diesel powerplant continues to produce 88kW of power and 280Nm of torque, paired with a five-speed manual gearbox (exclusively).

As well as cleaner tailpipe emissions, the tweaked engine has reduced fuel consumption figures on the combined cycle test, with the single-cab claiming 7.5 litres per 100 kilometres, while the dual-cab is thirstier at 8.1L/100km.

These respective fuel savings of 0.4L/100km and 0.5L/100km are partly thanks to the addition of an idle-stop system.

The single-cab, which dominates Australian Genio sales with an 82 per cent share, offers a 1.2-tonne payload and can lug two standard pallets in its 2700mm-long tray.

Alternatively, the dual-cab provides a 1.1-tonne payload and a 1950mm-long tray, with both trays measuring 1777mm wide. The Genio has a braked towing capacity of 1.8 tonnes.

Mahindra says the Genio’s tall cab design allows a higher seating position without impacting tray height, and creates extra storage space underneath and behind its seats compared to most utes.

Standard equipment includes air-conditioning, cruise control, multi-function steering wheel, CD player with AM/FM radio and SD card storage, individual fold-down armrests, under-seat storage, remote central locking, electric windows and power steering.

On the inside there is a multi-function steering wheel, CD player with AM/FM radio and SD card storage.

Safety features extend to frontal airbags, anti-lock brakes, Bosch 'Generation 9' electronic stability and traction control, hill-holder and the newly added hill descent control with roll-over mitigation.

Bluetooth phone connectivity is a $250 dealer-fit accessory, as are a steel tow bar ($750), alloy wheels ($650) and floor mats ($99). Metallic paint is a no-cost option.

The Genio comes with a three-year/100,000km factory warranty, as well as three years of roadside assistance.

ANCAP is yet to rate the Genio and has not had Mahindra provide any vehicles to test, nor has the Australasian crash-test authority purchased any itself.

Insufficient ground clearance, small wheels unfit for legitimate off-road work and a front hub design that favoured more expensive alloys led to the decision to drop all Genio 4x4 variants.

According to a Mahindra spokesperson, the company will shift its 4x4 focus to its best-selling model, the Pik-Up, which will soon be heavily revised, including a six-speed automatic transmission option next year.

There are currently 40 Mahindra dealerships in Australia, while the brand is aiming to increase that number to 50 by April.

2017 Mahindra Genio driveaway pricing

Mahindra Genio 4x2 single-cab chassis – manual – $21,990
Mahindra Genio 4x2 dual-cab chassis – manual – $25,490

Is the updated Mahindra Genio cheap and cheerful enough to light up the sales charts? Tell us what you think in the comments below.