Charlie’s Genio Schools Them All

Home maintenance and school groundsman Charlie Howlett based in Strathpine, QLD reckons his Mahindra Genio could teach the other tradesman’s utes a lesson.

A carpenter by trade, sixty-four-year-old Charlie is also a boat-builder who, in his spare time runs his own house maintenance business. So when it came time to buy a new Ute, he needed one that could cope with any test.

Once he compared the specs of the 2014 model Mahindra Genio, Charlie could see the writing on the blackboard.

“I’m always carrying timber and all sorts of stuff,” says Charlie,” doing my maintenance on weekends and that, and I’m over the moon with it.”

Initially Charlie just couldn’t go past the price, but he was also quick to notice Genio’s impressive list of standard features that moved it to the head of the class.

“A 2.2 diesel for that price was what stopped me at first, but then it was the room – the standard 2.7 tray against the standard 2.4 of the rest. That 300 mm makes all the difference, and it’s a huge amount of space. I’ve got two boxes on it, and I’ve got another 2 toolboxes at home but I don’t need to carry them because of the room on this tray, it’s unreal.

“I’ve got a big net over the top, and I’ve made my own H frame for the back of it.”

“It’s the first diesel truck I’ve ever owned,” says Charlie. “It’s bloody smooth through the gears, and it drives well. To sit there at idle is no vibration, no shake, no nothing. It’s a very smooth engine.”

“I can’t believe the fuel economy, I went from Caboolture to Wondai where my Dad is, and back, which is 434 km, and I didn’t even get down to half a tank. I reckon driving it steady on a long trip, you’d be looking at around 1000 kays. It’s unbelievable.”

The mHAWK 2.2 turbo diesel is a joint development between Mahindra and Austrian diesel powertrain engineering specialists, AVL that happily lugs a payload of 1.2 tonne with economy and style.

The Genio frequently draws praise for its plush and spacious cabin packed with useful features, such as the large drawer under the driver’s seat for storing paperwork or logbooks. With steering mounted controls for the stereo & cruise control, Electric mirrors & windows and air-conditioning all standard and dual airbags.

Charlie was quick to notice these attributes: “There are terrific cabin features, and everything is easy to get at – even the cup holders – and it’s so roomy, if it wasn’t for the seats you could walk straight through it!”

Generous allocation of space is an ongoing theme with the Genio, with large map pockets in both doors, convenient space behind the seats, and ample head and leg room.

“To drive it, you’re set up high and you see everything around you, and it’s so roomy, if it wasn’t for the seats you could walk straight through it!

“There are terrific cabin features, and everything is easy to get at, even the cup holders!

“My brother is a builder on the south side and he’s got a popular brand ute, but when he went up to Wondai with me he was very, very impressed.

“I even let him drive – I don’t normally do that, but he was impressed.

“It handles lovely, the steering is light, I can’t say enough about it. I’ve had the 10,000 km service on it, and it’s no worries at all.

“I’m very pleased. And I’d definitely buy another one, if I lived long enough – because this thing is going to last me for years. The way I drive, this thing is going to outlive me.

All Mahindra Vehicles feature a 3 year / 100,000 kilometre warranty with 3 year roadside assist

Speak to your nearest dealer today to book a test drive in a new Mahindra Genio 1300 696 244