| The sports utility vehicle (SUV) segment is easily one of the hottest segments in car mart with every auto-maker worth its salt queuing up for a piece of the action.
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| Essentially an European/Japanese concept, SUVs may not be the most practical vehicle for Indian roads due to their sheer length and breadth.
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| These roomy cars, some bigger than tenements in Mumbai, definitely demand their share of space on the already bustling roads. Not to be confused with the no-frills people movers like the Tata Sumo, Toyota Qualis or the yet to be launched Chevrolet Tavera, SUVs straddle various price points between Rs 6.5 lakh to Rs 33 lakh.
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| Since it is still a niche market in India, most foreign car-makers have opted for the completely built unit (CBU) route to bring in their vehicles.
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| With everybody from the Koreans to the Japs to the very-desi Mahindras lining up to sell their big dreams, SUV-lovers are spoiled for choice. So in a world populated with so many wheels how does one make that crucial choice? Lets a take a look at how these vehicles stack up:
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| Mahindra Scorpio (Rs 6.5 to 7 lakh) --Nobody understands the Indian consumer like an Indian car maker and the Mahindras have reaffirmed that faith with a totally Indianised version of an SUV.
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| Powered by a 109 bhp engine the car also comes in a 4X4 version. Though the it does not come equipped with passenger car-like dynamics, motoring enthusiasts swear that at its pricing the Scorpio is a great buy.
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Tata Safari Petrol (Rs 9.4-10.4 lakh)
Fitted with a more powerful 135 bhp engine, the petrol Safari is touted to be an equally powerful cart both on-road as well as off-road. The main complaint about the car has been its lack of contemporary styling which is visible even when compared with an Indian cousin like the Scorpio.
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Honda CR-V (Rs 14.5 lakh)
The Honda CR-V is very much a city car that can take on the pot-hole ridden Indian roads easily but is not raring the hit the mud on rally terrain. The car exudes an almost perfect SUV image and comes equipped with Honda’s super successful (138 bhp) i-VTEC engine.
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Hyundai Terracan (Rs 18.5-19.7 lakh)
This is one pricey set of wheels, a good deal more expensive than the others priced in the Rs 14 lakh range. Besides the hefty price tag, its cramped interiors are not much of a hit with car-lovers.
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| But Terracan scores in the power department with its 148bhp, common-rail direct engine (CRDi) that even leaves a Mitsubishi Pajero looking deficient.
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Chevrolet Forester (Rs 12.5-13 lakh)
This baby takes to the dirt like it laps up the roads. Forester is a tough car which is blessed with unconventional looks but if you are the kind that is not hung up on beauty then look no further. The price tag is an added bonus.
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Ford Endeavour (Rs 13.5-14 lakh)
Last in but also the largest at this price positioning. Endeavour also has the distinction of being one of the only ‘foreign’ SUVs assembled locally. Though its a bit rusty on the technology front and comes with a 121bhp engine, the Endeavour rides equally well on tarmac and mud.
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Suzuki Grand Vitara (Rs 17.5 lakh)
Its V6 engine is enough to make most people weak in the knees. A total powerhouse, the Vitara is an able off-roader but is better off hauling family around town.
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Mitsubishi Pajero 2.8 & 3.2 ( Rs 18-22 lakh and Rs 33 lakh)
The 2.8 is an old warhorse and still quite a status symbol while the 3.2 is a state-of-the-art, super powerful and very luxurious. Both vehicles are great off-roaders but the price-tags can raise eyebrows to dangerous levels. |
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