Big SUVs, more popular as full-size SUVs, possess less utilitarian and more show-off appeal after ideally maligning in comparison to the road conditions of India. But however, since they have developed a taste of the most powerful machine the money can buy for cost of a D-segment sedan, they (SUVs) also galore a ‘take me anywhere’ feel out on the road. In addition, over the mindset of most car buyers in India, who are quite young, believes driving the SUV makes them feel better rather than sitting snug behind the steering of a sedan on the tarmac. As every second meter stretch of the road is riddled with crater-type potholes and speed-breakers touching the belly of sedan relenting it to suffer bruises and a hefty service bill for owners, driving a sedan also sound a bit tad and impractical.
In order, India has always remained invaded by one or the other forces, so people of the nation are more of the preference to avoid them by using an invading machine (SUV) itself that mimics a brave attitude and stud accents of our way of living. Hence, the said has craved as a major reason for the makers to be striking chunk of sales from the SUV body-type in this market. After the recent launch of Mitsubishi Pajero automatic for the price of Rs 23.55 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) the business became a bit tough for existing players of diesel automatic SUVs in 4×2 like, Toyota Fortuner, Ford Endeavour and Hyundai Santa Fe.
Engine
Nothing can better grunt-ify the rival than its powerful machine. The biggest in size – Ford Endeavour and Toyota Fortuner – are strapped by the 3.0-litre unit, but both of them produces the least amount of power (in comparison) at 154bhp (379Nm) and 169bhp (360Nm) respectively. The smallest Hyundai Santa Fe’s 2.2-litre units milk the maximum at 194bhp and 436Nm of torque. Amidst of all, Pajero’s 2.5-litre is good enough for 176bhp and 350Nm.
In the gauge of transmission, all the SUVs are mated to a 5-speed automatic, where only Hyundai makes an exception with the 6-speed automatic.
Dimension
Measuring them from all the angles, Endeavour surprisingly comes up with the maximum space between the front and rear wheels – wheelbase, as well as the overall length. However, all of them are more or less similar in the sizing, but the long length of Ford’s SUV makes ample of space for the rear passengers and luggage.
Overview
The max power of Santa Fe offers on-paper the speediest deal, whereas the Pajero isn’t bad either. With acres of spaces, sluggish Endeavour is designed to carry the maximum luggage and additional comfort for rear passengers. But as said in the start, the looks is what matters for the show-off SUVs appeal, Fortuner and Endeavour emerge as the best options to choose from. And they spruce commanding visuals with their beefy tyres. The remaining two offset them by overcoming on the power and handling aspect a lot.
So the choice is a bit precise, either to go for the hard-core off-road with chunks of metals, or just ply the tarmac easy for the most with the racy experience behind steering wheel.
