Force Gurkha Review

• Published On: 31 January 2018
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Does this specialised 4X4 off-roader have substance or is it just a looker?

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The Gurkha manufactured by Force Motors can get you out of any mess, and we’re serious. Where most SUVs get stuck, this SUV shines.

When it comes to its appearance, it sure does manage to look tough. The G-Wagen-inspired lines and flat panels are great. And completely kitted out, this the three-door SUV with its longish wheelbase, flared wheel arches and wide stance has a rugged air to it. This car was fitted with a range of accessories – a roof-mounted shovel, an axe and a declaration that it’s ‘Built for War’. Also, it comes with a hard-top roof. The Gurkha is built on a ladder-frame chassis and comes with an independent front suspension.

The interiors are a bit disappointing. While everything is functional, the front seats are reasonably comfortable and there is even a small tachometer – that’s it. You kind of feel like you’re sitting in something assembled by a bus maker. Quality, fit and finish are quite poor, and the rear has seats that face each other, a roof-mounted handle that you can easily whack your head onto and no seat belts!

Ride is good, even on bad roads and the Gurkha is actually fun to drive quickly over bad roads. For everyday driving, this needs work – the engine is loud, controls like the gear lever need more than a little effort and performance from the 85hp engine is average. But, this SUV was designed to get over roads that tractors and off-road trucks can drive over – it can handle a regular off-road course with ease, most of the time you don’t even need the four-wheel drive. The Gurkha is in its element crossing ravines and climbing up steep embankments. The no-nonsense SUV comes with manually lockable differentials on both front and rear axles. Engaging the diff locks is a bit of a task but once you do, you get incredible low-speed off-road ability. The engine could have done with some more power though. The SUV also comes with a flood-ready factory-fit snorkel.

The Gurkha is a hardcore and focused off-road machine, but it doesn’t score well on comfort and value. And at ₹10.23 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), it’s more expensive than the Thar. But if you want to tackle some really difficult terrain - the Gurkha is the SUV you need.