Tata Aria 150ps vs. Mahindra XUV500 vs. Force One 4x4 : The premium Indian SUV's
There was a time when Ford, GM and Chrysler ruled the auto world. Their SUV's were a rage like no other. But now Indian carmakers have matured and their latest entrants are no slouch. With the fall of Hindustan Motors, and ICML and premier still trying to get their act togather, Force Motors (trax, gurkha fame) has taken the responsibility of leading the third frontier. It is time the country sits up and notices how the three makers will taken on the world's leading car makers. I intended to put up a different image but here is my respect to the HM ambassador that just died a silent death.
With the transformation of SUV's to softroaders, Indian car makers also saw a seachange in their shift of need for Softroaders in their lineups. Here are three of the top contenders
1. Tata Aria: Tata was a force to reckon with in the later half of the first decade of the 21st century. The newly launched Manza and Vista recieved rave reviews. Tata Nano was about to be launched to great fanfare and Hyundai was losing its 2nd rank to tata time and again. Tata had just conceptualised the Aria based on its corporate face found on the newly launched Manza and Vista.The risky MPV design, lack of attention to detail, and higher price meant the Aria bombed at the box office where xuv500 was raking in money. But tata motors is a fast learner and subsequent facelifts have seen the car recieve better quality, price cuts and a superbly tuned 150ps engine as recently as May 2014. The new car now makes more power than an XUV500 while giving similar fuel efficiency figures. With a strong marketing campaign and an Autobox, someone needs to tell tata head honchos that all is not lost.
Interiors : Space is the best feature on this Tata. While the wheel base is halfway between the Force One and XUV500, Aria has the best space management of all three rows and the frond and middle row are comfortable places to be. While the third row comfort is better than XUV500, it lacks behind the Force one. The quality of leather is excellent and the buttons and stalks feel equivalent to a 15 lac car. It is vastly understated how Tata has worked equally hard on the Aria as Mahindra has on the XUV500. For eg a person can walk into the cabin rather than climb into the cabin. This feature makes it a better option for family users.The cabin design is equally flamboyant but looks more mature compared to the xuv500. The force one is not even in comparison here. While the center console is beautiful and better looking than the XUV500 , the dashboard doesn't hold a candle. The ac is the best of the three and chills the cabin within minutes. The boot has better space with the third row up amongst the three cars.
Exteriors :
I've always been a fan of the Tata Aria's design. While many wrote it off as an expensive TATA that cannot be owned, the design never got its due. The New smoked headlamps look awesome giving the Aria road presence than before. The Long MPV stance does need some homework. The rear is more clean and better than both the Force One and XUV500 and the vehicle doesnt need extra bulges to look brawny. I do feel the D-pillar needs little surgery to look good. The side ORVMS are huge and offer excellent rear visibility while providing styling cues to the car. With a walk in design of the car, one doesnt need a running board here.
Engine: The VARICOR moniker might be new but the engine is question is still the same engine that we first found on the Safari and and the Tata Grande. Frequent upgrades mean that the engine is now extremely refined and comfortable to drive providing adequate power and good fuel efficiency figures. The Mark II gearbox feels slightly outdated in this regards and the constant vibrations are an issue. The engine is spirited but the extra weight is an issue pulling performance down.
Ride and Handling: For a spirited handling between the three cars mentioned here, Tata is most suited. The MPV stance helps here cutting a marginally on bodyroll and the stiff chassis hold on well. The new long wheelbase along with bigger tyres eats away potholes and bumps like nobody's business and the seats keep occupants comfortable. This car finds the best compromise of ride and handling which is easily visible for somebody who rides them consecutively. I would suggest tata to rework the the steering position and work on better steering feedback. Also please do add a dead pedal which is a necessity on such cars.
Features and kit
1. Navteq navigation system
2. Adapterra 4x4 system
3. Steering mounted Music, telephony and cruise control
4. Automatic wipers and headlamps
5. six airbags
6. ESP with TCS
7. ABS with EBD
8. Fully automatic climate control system
9. cruise control
10. 10 speaker JBL Harman Kardon system with 10 channel amp 360Watts
11. smoked headlights
12. Glovebox with chiller function
13. Leather upholstry
14. 6 inch lcd touchscreen
15. reverse park assist camera and sensors
16. stereo with USB bluetooth and dvd (?)
17. 60:40 Split seats and and folding third row.
18. 235/65 R17 wheels (alloys)
19. Multi Information display
20. Fog Lamps
21. Electric folding side mirrors
22. ORVM's with turn indicators
23. dual gas strut for bonnet (hood)
Numbers:
Wheelbase: 2850mm
Fuel Tank: 60 Litres
Ground clearance : 200mm
engine: 2.2 LTR VARICOR BSIV 150 bhp and 320nm of torque with 5-speed gearbox
Brakes: Disc brakes at front and at rear
Turning Radius : 5.6m
ARAI certified mileage of 15.05 kpl.
Suggestions:
Tata needs to give the car LED daytime running lights. It is a norm for todays car. Also the Car audio doesnt stream music via bluetooth. Also small knick knacks like backlit steering controls, keyring illumination and lounge lighting like the xuv500 are needed to fight competition heads on. Also, I have found tata cars to be mostly heavier than most competing cars and weight is an issue on performance.
2. Mahindra XUV500: The XUV500 has got the best sales response ever in the Indian market. The cheetah based design has won over the heart of every Indian. A very fluid design language which will age fast but is really eye catching today. The sales response is something that the legendary Tata Safari was never to gain. No surprise then if the new Scorpio refresh maybe based on the same design language. A new XUV500 sportz has just been launched along with Scorpio Sportz and even today this is the best value for money car.
Interiors
Space is good and interiors best amongst the three. But this is also the only car to have least amount of boot space. Part of the reason is the placement of the second row of seats to liberate more space for the second row. Hence while the second row of seats have plenty of space, the third row is where you would not want to be even compared to the Aria or the Force one. I for once feel that Mahindra XUV500 has the best designed console and dashboard of any UV's in the sub 20 lacs price bracket. But a better selection of colours are recommended. While the plum and beige options look funky, I am not sure if they are to everyone's taste. The console is full of gizmos to keep the co-driver occupied during the drive. The quality of the cabin is better than the other two cars and while Aria is able to keep up, The Force One has a lot of homework to do. The chunky steering wheel is the best of the three to hold and the cabin has oodles of soft touch material making the cabin feel premium. Rearward visibility is the worst of the lot and Force one wins in this area thanks to a better glass area. The lower compartment is also air cooled like many European sedans offer. Also a superb addition are the lounge lights which make the cabin a pleasant place to be. Nodoubt then that this is the biggest article for this car or the interiors for any car.
Exterior: The design on the XUV500 has been overdone to begin with. Hence while most Indian vehicles look slightly outdated at launch compared to international car models, the XUV looks in your face. Although, I am sure the designers at Mahindra will tone down the explicit elements over time as the platform matures. If one looks closely it is visible how The designers have kept elements like headlights and tail lights and the hood (bonnet) outlines pretty straight and the only games is played on the front and rear bumpers and fiber fenders (should have been metal). The Side ORVM'S offer good rear visibility. The tribal design on the tail lights make the plastics look untidy and I would suggest Mahindra removes it.
Engine: The engine is one of the strong points of this vehicle. It is robust and can take high speed driving all day long. But the latest varicor 150ps engine on Aria has taken the game forward in this regard and thee FMtech engine on the Force One is equally good. But XUV500 is the only car to have a six speed gearbox. This is an asset but only until Aria Automatic comes out. Of the three the gearbox slotting is the best on the xuv500 with a short throw. The Mhawk engine is good for 140bhp and 330nm of torque.
Ride and Handling
The Mahindra Scorpio was never a class leader when it came to handling, even after Lotus engineering UK put in their talents. The XUV500 then is light years ahead when it comes to the handling. But sadly it is not enough to keep up with the other two. The Force One does get brownie points for its wide and long foot print aided by lower ground clearance, but that puts The XUV500 ahead of the game because it only lacks the ride and handling game marginally but with higher ground clearance which is an asset for any SUV. The Latest Aria is just better than both XUV and Force One in both aspects
The vehicle is basically front wheel drive with a nexgen torque assist system which makes it an all wheel drive.Although I understand it is not as good as a proper 4x4, I will prefer not to comment on its capabilities.
Features and Kit
1. Led cabin lighting
2. Static bending projector lamps
3. 6-inch lcd touch screen
4. GPS navigation (mapmyindia)
5. Reverse park assist camera and sensors
6. leather upholstry.
7. LED light strip (mostly not DRL)
8. Stereo with USB and Bluetooth and DVD
9. Audio/ telephony and Cruise control options on steering wheel
10. Lounge lighting
11. 60:40 Split seats and and folding third row.
12. 235/65 17 tyres (alloys)
13. ABS with EBD
14. Dual Automatic Climate control HVAC
15. tyre tronics tpms
16. Multi Information display
17. Cruise control
18. Automatic wipers and headlamps
19 . Fog lamps
20. Roof Rails
21. six airbags
22. hill hold and hill decent control
23. ESP
24. Electric folding side mirrors
25. Side mirrors with turn indicators
26. Voice commands
27. Nexgen AWD sysyem.
28. center box with chiller funtion
Numbers
Wheelbase: 2700mm
Fuel Tank: 70 Litres
Ground clearance : 200mm
engine: 2.2 LTR Mhawk BSIV 140 bhp and 330nm of torque with 6-speed gearbox
Brakes: Disc brakes at front and at rear
Turning Radius : 5.6m
ARAI certified mileage of 15.1 kpl.
Suggestions
I would suggest upgrading to LED rear lamps for a more wilder effect. Also they need to remove the tribal designs on the tail lights. The long list of features is already there but Mahindra needs to work on making them run properly. Also the Engine needs a higher tune keeping the competition in sight. And since the Aria is coming with an Automatic, it is time Mahindra thinks of it too.
3. Force Motors One: The old mechanical package sourced from Daimler is strong on the assets for which Force One is using it. At 3025mm, the wheelbase is the longest of the three which gurantees acres of space in the cabin. The company has recently launched a 4x4 version and a cheaper EX version with its inhouse diesel engine. Sadly the names like Daimler-Benz from whom Force Motors sourced it chassis and engine and Lotus UK from whom they sourced handling inputs have not provided enough force to this vehicle.
It doesn't help anymore that the the company has only limited dealers and the ones it has appointed are not well known enough. What does is the fact that Force has fortunately copied a lesson from Tata Motors and has been quick in addressing issues within the product lifespan like Interior quality and extra kit. Appointing Amitabh Bachhan for the vehicle was a good move but Force has not been very efficient in making the marketing information visible in the market. The lack of features puts Force One more against the Safari Storme and the Scorpio which I will cover in the next article but the price and size puts it firmly against the new Aria and XUV500.
Interiors
The Cabin is light and airy and the best asset of the force one. The use of beige leather and metallic accents on the steering wheel give the Force the premium feel but the quality of plastics need to improve. The Aria and XUV500 both have better plastics. The dash has ample icons and can get confusing at times. The center dash looks outdated and the company should give climate control and navigation system as an option. The boot space is again best in class and owners will get space even with the third row up. The air conditioner is strong and can get you through the hottest summers but the huge cabin takes some time to cool. The audio supports Bluetooth and USB but lacks Navigation which is offered by both the Aria and XUV500. The cabin is well insulated from the outside world compared to XUV500 but the Aria does a better job at keep the occupants at peace. This is one car where the third row of seats provide most comfort. Make no mistake, it is still cramped but it is better than competition.
Exteriors
The designs sober lines help keep it competitive but Force needs to add a dash of flair on the exteriors and interiors to stay in the fight of xuv500 and Aria. The SUV does get Projector lamps and LED DRL's and external mirrors with turn indicators. but a Bull bar and a redesigned Front grille might do wonders. The car is imposing in size thanks to the unending length and gives Ford Endeavour a run for its money in terms of monstrosity.
Engine
The Daimler Benz sourced FMTECH engine is very refined and stays in the battle against the xuv500's engine but Tata's new Varicor has an edge in its new avatar in terms of driveability and NVH characteristics. The 139bhp engine is mated to a 5-speed gearbox and develops 321nm of torque. It is quiet and silent at idle albeit with the diesel gurgle present. Launch the car into first and there is some lag in the lower revs but the engine feels comfortable between 1500-4000 rpm. The gearbox is comfortable to use thankfully since the vehicle will require frequent gearshifts in the city. Also the steering has the right amount of heaviness and feedback which communicates the limitations and potential of the vehicle to the driver.
Ride and Handling
With inputs from Lotus, the car does perform well. Your family will be comfortable on any journey whether its a hill station or a ride to the beach on the road or off it. The ride on the force does have a slight edge over the new Aria.The mcpherson struts upfront, and multi-link suspension at the rear makes light work out of potholes and bumps. The softer setup works for Indian roads but shows its bad side in the handling department. The behemoth vehicle running on softer setup does tend to roll a lot.
The 4x4 option is now available but since I am not very good at offroading, this part has been left out. The vehicle does offer limited slip differential with electronic 4x4 shift on the fly mechanism.
Features and Kit
The Force One fully loaded EX comes with .
1. Leather upholstry
2. 245/70 R16 tyres (Alloy wheels)
3. Projector Headlamps
4. LED Daytime running lights.
5. Fog lamps
6. Side mirrors with Turn indicators.
7. Stereo with USB and Bluetooth
8 .ABS with EBD
9. Reverse Parking sensor
10. Cruise control.
11. Multi information display
12. 60:40 Split seats and reclining third row
13. Audio/ telephony and Cruise control options on steering wheel
14. Roof Rails
15. Borg Warner 4x4 shift on the fly
Numbers
Wheelbase: 3025mm
Fuel Tank: 70 Litres
Ground clearance : 145mm
engine: 2.2 LTR FMTECH BSIV 139 bhp and 320nm of torque with 5-speed gearbox
Brakes: Disc brakes at front and drum brakes at rear
Turning Radius : 6m
ARAI certified mileage of 11.6 kmpl
Suggestions: Include a Navigation system in the top end version alongwith climate control instead of a manual HVAC. This will add to the feature list and also improve the premium quotient of the cabin. Provide auto folding feature for the ORVM's. The Force One also loses out on Airbags although I have heard rumours of new version coming with airbags. LED taillights are a rage on newer cars and will add a touch of modernity to this aging vehicle. Also to keep up with competition wheels need to be upsized to 17 inch.
PS: The images are the copyright of the respective websites and their watermarks are left as proof.
With the transformation of SUV's to softroaders, Indian car makers also saw a seachange in their shift of need for Softroaders in their lineups. Here are three of the top contenders
1. Tata Aria: Tata was a force to reckon with in the later half of the first decade of the 21st century. The newly launched Manza and Vista recieved rave reviews. Tata Nano was about to be launched to great fanfare and Hyundai was losing its 2nd rank to tata time and again. Tata had just conceptualised the Aria based on its corporate face found on the newly launched Manza and Vista.The risky MPV design, lack of attention to detail, and higher price meant the Aria bombed at the box office where xuv500 was raking in money. But tata motors is a fast learner and subsequent facelifts have seen the car recieve better quality, price cuts and a superbly tuned 150ps engine as recently as May 2014. The new car now makes more power than an XUV500 while giving similar fuel efficiency figures. With a strong marketing campaign and an Autobox, someone needs to tell tata head honchos that all is not lost.
Interiors : Space is the best feature on this Tata. While the wheel base is halfway between the Force One and XUV500, Aria has the best space management of all three rows and the frond and middle row are comfortable places to be. While the third row comfort is better than XUV500, it lacks behind the Force one. The quality of leather is excellent and the buttons and stalks feel equivalent to a 15 lac car. It is vastly understated how Tata has worked equally hard on the Aria as Mahindra has on the XUV500. For eg a person can walk into the cabin rather than climb into the cabin. This feature makes it a better option for family users.The cabin design is equally flamboyant but looks more mature compared to the xuv500. The force one is not even in comparison here. While the center console is beautiful and better looking than the XUV500 , the dashboard doesn't hold a candle. The ac is the best of the three and chills the cabin within minutes. The boot has better space with the third row up amongst the three cars.
Exteriors :
I've always been a fan of the Tata Aria's design. While many wrote it off as an expensive TATA that cannot be owned, the design never got its due. The New smoked headlamps look awesome giving the Aria road presence than before. The Long MPV stance does need some homework. The rear is more clean and better than both the Force One and XUV500 and the vehicle doesnt need extra bulges to look brawny. I do feel the D-pillar needs little surgery to look good. The side ORVMS are huge and offer excellent rear visibility while providing styling cues to the car. With a walk in design of the car, one doesnt need a running board here.
Engine: The VARICOR moniker might be new but the engine is question is still the same engine that we first found on the Safari and and the Tata Grande. Frequent upgrades mean that the engine is now extremely refined and comfortable to drive providing adequate power and good fuel efficiency figures. The Mark II gearbox feels slightly outdated in this regards and the constant vibrations are an issue. The engine is spirited but the extra weight is an issue pulling performance down.
Ride and Handling: For a spirited handling between the three cars mentioned here, Tata is most suited. The MPV stance helps here cutting a marginally on bodyroll and the stiff chassis hold on well. The new long wheelbase along with bigger tyres eats away potholes and bumps like nobody's business and the seats keep occupants comfortable. This car finds the best compromise of ride and handling which is easily visible for somebody who rides them consecutively. I would suggest tata to rework the the steering position and work on better steering feedback. Also please do add a dead pedal which is a necessity on such cars.
Features and kit
1. Navteq navigation system
2. Adapterra 4x4 system
3. Steering mounted Music, telephony and cruise control
4. Automatic wipers and headlamps
5. six airbags
6. ESP with TCS
7. ABS with EBD
8. Fully automatic climate control system
9. cruise control
10. 10 speaker JBL Harman Kardon system with 10 channel amp 360Watts
11. smoked headlights
12. Glovebox with chiller function
13. Leather upholstry
14. 6 inch lcd touchscreen
15. reverse park assist camera and sensors
16. stereo with USB bluetooth and dvd (?)
17. 60:40 Split seats and and folding third row.
18. 235/65 R17 wheels (alloys)
19. Multi Information display
20. Fog Lamps
21. Electric folding side mirrors
22. ORVM's with turn indicators
23. dual gas strut for bonnet (hood)
Numbers:
Wheelbase: 2850mm
Fuel Tank: 60 Litres
Ground clearance : 200mm
engine: 2.2 LTR VARICOR BSIV 150 bhp and 320nm of torque with 5-speed gearbox
Brakes: Disc brakes at front and at rear
Turning Radius : 5.6m
ARAI certified mileage of 15.05 kpl.
Suggestions:
Tata needs to give the car LED daytime running lights. It is a norm for todays car. Also the Car audio doesnt stream music via bluetooth. Also small knick knacks like backlit steering controls, keyring illumination and lounge lighting like the xuv500 are needed to fight competition heads on. Also, I have found tata cars to be mostly heavier than most competing cars and weight is an issue on performance.
2. Mahindra XUV500: The XUV500 has got the best sales response ever in the Indian market. The cheetah based design has won over the heart of every Indian. A very fluid design language which will age fast but is really eye catching today. The sales response is something that the legendary Tata Safari was never to gain. No surprise then if the new Scorpio refresh maybe based on the same design language. A new XUV500 sportz has just been launched along with Scorpio Sportz and even today this is the best value for money car.
Interiors
Space is good and interiors best amongst the three. But this is also the only car to have least amount of boot space. Part of the reason is the placement of the second row of seats to liberate more space for the second row. Hence while the second row of seats have plenty of space, the third row is where you would not want to be even compared to the Aria or the Force one. I for once feel that Mahindra XUV500 has the best designed console and dashboard of any UV's in the sub 20 lacs price bracket. But a better selection of colours are recommended. While the plum and beige options look funky, I am not sure if they are to everyone's taste. The console is full of gizmos to keep the co-driver occupied during the drive. The quality of the cabin is better than the other two cars and while Aria is able to keep up, The Force One has a lot of homework to do. The chunky steering wheel is the best of the three to hold and the cabin has oodles of soft touch material making the cabin feel premium. Rearward visibility is the worst of the lot and Force one wins in this area thanks to a better glass area. The lower compartment is also air cooled like many European sedans offer. Also a superb addition are the lounge lights which make the cabin a pleasant place to be. Nodoubt then that this is the biggest article for this car or the interiors for any car.
Exterior: The design on the XUV500 has been overdone to begin with. Hence while most Indian vehicles look slightly outdated at launch compared to international car models, the XUV looks in your face. Although, I am sure the designers at Mahindra will tone down the explicit elements over time as the platform matures. If one looks closely it is visible how The designers have kept elements like headlights and tail lights and the hood (bonnet) outlines pretty straight and the only games is played on the front and rear bumpers and fiber fenders (should have been metal). The Side ORVM'S offer good rear visibility. The tribal design on the tail lights make the plastics look untidy and I would suggest Mahindra removes it.
Engine: The engine is one of the strong points of this vehicle. It is robust and can take high speed driving all day long. But the latest varicor 150ps engine on Aria has taken the game forward in this regard and thee FMtech engine on the Force One is equally good. But XUV500 is the only car to have a six speed gearbox. This is an asset but only until Aria Automatic comes out. Of the three the gearbox slotting is the best on the xuv500 with a short throw. The Mhawk engine is good for 140bhp and 330nm of torque.
Ride and Handling
The Mahindra Scorpio was never a class leader when it came to handling, even after Lotus engineering UK put in their talents. The XUV500 then is light years ahead when it comes to the handling. But sadly it is not enough to keep up with the other two. The Force One does get brownie points for its wide and long foot print aided by lower ground clearance, but that puts The XUV500 ahead of the game because it only lacks the ride and handling game marginally but with higher ground clearance which is an asset for any SUV. The Latest Aria is just better than both XUV and Force One in both aspects
The vehicle is basically front wheel drive with a nexgen torque assist system which makes it an all wheel drive.Although I understand it is not as good as a proper 4x4, I will prefer not to comment on its capabilities.
Features and Kit
1. Led cabin lighting
2. Static bending projector lamps
3. 6-inch lcd touch screen
4. GPS navigation (mapmyindia)
5. Reverse park assist camera and sensors
6. leather upholstry.
7. LED light strip (mostly not DRL)
8. Stereo with USB and Bluetooth and DVD
9. Audio/ telephony and Cruise control options on steering wheel
10. Lounge lighting
11. 60:40 Split seats and and folding third row.
12. 235/65 17 tyres (alloys)
13. ABS with EBD
14. Dual Automatic Climate control HVAC
15. tyre tronics tpms
16. Multi Information display
17. Cruise control
18. Automatic wipers and headlamps
19 . Fog lamps
20. Roof Rails
21. six airbags
22. hill hold and hill decent control
23. ESP
24. Electric folding side mirrors
25. Side mirrors with turn indicators
26. Voice commands
27. Nexgen AWD sysyem.
28. center box with chiller funtion
Numbers
Wheelbase: 2700mm
Fuel Tank: 70 Litres
Ground clearance : 200mm
engine: 2.2 LTR Mhawk BSIV 140 bhp and 330nm of torque with 6-speed gearbox
Brakes: Disc brakes at front and at rear
Turning Radius : 5.6m
ARAI certified mileage of 15.1 kpl.
Suggestions
I would suggest upgrading to LED rear lamps for a more wilder effect. Also they need to remove the tribal designs on the tail lights. The long list of features is already there but Mahindra needs to work on making them run properly. Also the Engine needs a higher tune keeping the competition in sight. And since the Aria is coming with an Automatic, it is time Mahindra thinks of it too.
3. Force Motors One: The old mechanical package sourced from Daimler is strong on the assets for which Force One is using it. At 3025mm, the wheelbase is the longest of the three which gurantees acres of space in the cabin. The company has recently launched a 4x4 version and a cheaper EX version with its inhouse diesel engine. Sadly the names like Daimler-Benz from whom Force Motors sourced it chassis and engine and Lotus UK from whom they sourced handling inputs have not provided enough force to this vehicle.
It doesn't help anymore that the the company has only limited dealers and the ones it has appointed are not well known enough. What does is the fact that Force has fortunately copied a lesson from Tata Motors and has been quick in addressing issues within the product lifespan like Interior quality and extra kit. Appointing Amitabh Bachhan for the vehicle was a good move but Force has not been very efficient in making the marketing information visible in the market. The lack of features puts Force One more against the Safari Storme and the Scorpio which I will cover in the next article but the price and size puts it firmly against the new Aria and XUV500.
Interiors
The Cabin is light and airy and the best asset of the force one. The use of beige leather and metallic accents on the steering wheel give the Force the premium feel but the quality of plastics need to improve. The Aria and XUV500 both have better plastics. The dash has ample icons and can get confusing at times. The center dash looks outdated and the company should give climate control and navigation system as an option. The boot space is again best in class and owners will get space even with the third row up. The air conditioner is strong and can get you through the hottest summers but the huge cabin takes some time to cool. The audio supports Bluetooth and USB but lacks Navigation which is offered by both the Aria and XUV500. The cabin is well insulated from the outside world compared to XUV500 but the Aria does a better job at keep the occupants at peace. This is one car where the third row of seats provide most comfort. Make no mistake, it is still cramped but it is better than competition.
The designs sober lines help keep it competitive but Force needs to add a dash of flair on the exteriors and interiors to stay in the fight of xuv500 and Aria. The SUV does get Projector lamps and LED DRL's and external mirrors with turn indicators. but a Bull bar and a redesigned Front grille might do wonders. The car is imposing in size thanks to the unending length and gives Ford Endeavour a run for its money in terms of monstrosity.
Engine
The Daimler Benz sourced FMTECH engine is very refined and stays in the battle against the xuv500's engine but Tata's new Varicor has an edge in its new avatar in terms of driveability and NVH characteristics. The 139bhp engine is mated to a 5-speed gearbox and develops 321nm of torque. It is quiet and silent at idle albeit with the diesel gurgle present. Launch the car into first and there is some lag in the lower revs but the engine feels comfortable between 1500-4000 rpm. The gearbox is comfortable to use thankfully since the vehicle will require frequent gearshifts in the city. Also the steering has the right amount of heaviness and feedback which communicates the limitations and potential of the vehicle to the driver.
Ride and Handling
With inputs from Lotus, the car does perform well. Your family will be comfortable on any journey whether its a hill station or a ride to the beach on the road or off it. The ride on the force does have a slight edge over the new Aria.The mcpherson struts upfront, and multi-link suspension at the rear makes light work out of potholes and bumps. The softer setup works for Indian roads but shows its bad side in the handling department. The behemoth vehicle running on softer setup does tend to roll a lot.
The 4x4 option is now available but since I am not very good at offroading, this part has been left out. The vehicle does offer limited slip differential with electronic 4x4 shift on the fly mechanism.
Features and Kit
The Force One fully loaded EX comes with .
1. Leather upholstry
2. 245/70 R16 tyres (Alloy wheels)
3. Projector Headlamps
4. LED Daytime running lights.
5. Fog lamps
6. Side mirrors with Turn indicators.
7. Stereo with USB and Bluetooth
8 .ABS with EBD
9. Reverse Parking sensor
10. Cruise control.
11. Multi information display
12. 60:40 Split seats and reclining third row
13. Audio/ telephony and Cruise control options on steering wheel
14. Roof Rails
15. Borg Warner 4x4 shift on the fly
Numbers
Wheelbase: 3025mm
Fuel Tank: 70 Litres
Ground clearance : 145mm
engine: 2.2 LTR FMTECH BSIV 139 bhp and 320nm of torque with 5-speed gearbox
Brakes: Disc brakes at front and drum brakes at rear
Turning Radius : 6m
ARAI certified mileage of 11.6 kmpl
Suggestions: Include a Navigation system in the top end version alongwith climate control instead of a manual HVAC. This will add to the feature list and also improve the premium quotient of the cabin. Provide auto folding feature for the ORVM's. The Force One also loses out on Airbags although I have heard rumours of new version coming with airbags. LED taillights are a rage on newer cars and will add a touch of modernity to this aging vehicle. Also to keep up with competition wheels need to be upsized to 17 inch.
PS: The images are the copyright of the respective websites and their watermarks are left as proof.
thanx a ton for the clean run on all the three SUVs.......having seen all three on road and the critical reviews....i would rate TATA ARIA the best of the three.....a desirable and practical machine......we need to change our mindset though
ReplyDelete