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2024 Force Gurkha Review: Friendlier Fiery Little Mountain Fighter
Force Motors is an automaker best known for its vans like the Tempo, Trax, Traveller, and Urbania and for assembling vehicles and engines in India for Mercedes.
But back in 2008, the Pune-based firm decided to venture into the world of rugged SUVs with a mean little 3-door unit called the Gurkha. Over the years, the rugged Force Gurkha has emerged as a real alternative to the Mahindra Thar among India's rugged SUV enthusiast community.
So when Force Motors decided to make a 5-door version of the Gurkha, we were raring to get behind its wheel. So here are our thoughts after a few hours behind the wheel of the new 2024 Force Gurkha in Goa.
2024 Force Gurkha Review: Design & Features - Little Tweaks Make Big Changes
The new Gurkha may have sprouted a second set of doors on its sides, but in terms of its looks, this is the same SUV that we first saw back in 2021. It still has those G-Wagen-inspired looks albeit with a few tweaks that make it a whole lot better than the SUV that arrived three years back.
So let's take a look at these changes, shall we. At the front, the Gurkha sports a new set of all LED headlights with integrated circular DRLs. The lights flank a two-section grille which bears the Gurkha nametag. On the front bumper sit cornering lights for that extra lighting boost in the dark.
At the side, the ever-present snorkel air intake continues to draw eyeballs as do the new snazzy 18-inch alloy wheels that are shod in all-terrain (255/65 R18) tyres. However, the big story is the extra door on each side which has meant that the wheelbase has grown by a fair bit compared to the 3-door Gurkha.
So what does the extra wheelbase length mean for those inside? Well, the 5-door Gurkha can seat a total of seven people including the driver compared to its three-door sibling that only seats four with its twin rows of captain seats.
Force has sent the second row of captain seats into the rear section of the SUV with the middle row of passengers now seated three abreast on a bench. And while the space inside is usable for most occupants (taller persons will struggle a bit for knee room and will not be happy behind the wheel), the seats are quite comfortable to live with.
Where the new Gurkha really has changed is in the kit offered in the cabin. The touchscreen infotainment screen in the centre has grown to 9 inches and it supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Behind the tilt and telescopic adjustable steering wheel is another display that gives you all the details you need about the Gurkha from the speed to the available fuel levels to the tyre pressures (from the TPMS system).
Look down the central tunnel and that's where the other big change on the interior becomes visible. Instead of the second gear stick for the transfer case, you get a dial that allows drivers to electronically shift between 2 High, 4 Low and 4 High on the fly.
In terms of safety equipment, the new Force Gurkha gets two airbags as standard along with ABS and EBD and also gets a TPMS system that is connected to the driver's display.
2024 Force Gurkha Review: Specs & Dimensions - Big Bump Up
Where the 5-door Gurkha has changed quite a bit are the numbers on the spec sheet. The new 5-door Gurkha is longer than its 3-door sibling by quite a bit, all of which has gone into the space between the axles. The 5-door version is also slightly taller than its smaller sibling.
The new 5-door Gurkha is 4,390mm long, 1,865mm wide and 2,095mm tall with a 2,825mm long wheelbase. In comparison, the 3-door Gurkha is 3,965mm long, 1,865mm wide and 2,080mm tall with a 2,400mm long wheelbase.
The 3-door Gurkha is about 15mm shorter and 425mm shorter in length compared to its new larger sibling which also means that the newer version of the SUV is a bit bulkier at 3,125kg (GVW) compared to the three-door's 2,800kg. Another area where the 5-door is affected adversely is the turning radius, which is 0.8 metres longer at 6.3 metres.
Under the bonnet, both versions of the Gurkha benefit from a more potent Mercedes-sourced 2.6-litre OM616 turbodiesel engine that produces 138bhp at 3,200rpm and 320Nm of peak torque between 1,400 and 2,600rpm.
The power and torque numbers from the OM616 Mercedes engine are up by quite a bit with power rising by nearly 49bhp while the torque output is up by 70Nm. The engine is still paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox and four-wheel drive.
2024 Force Gurkha Review: Driving Impressions - Still The Off-Piste Monster
On the go, the new Gurkha does show the extra bump up in power but the added weight of the new 5-door variant and the absurdly low redline of 3,500rpm mean that on the road, the newest version of this SUV is not what you would call an overtaking specialist.
The acceleration is somewhat decent for a bulky three-ton behemoth but if you want to reach high speeds quickly, this isn't the SUV for you.
On the go, the steering feels rather light and the softly sprung suspension setup makes taking sharp turns a rather wobbly affair thanks to the massive amounts of body roll.
However, all that goes to the back of your mind when you get off the dark tarmac and onto the earthy trails of the great outdoors. The Gurkha was built first and foremost as an off-roader and this is the environment where it shines.
Be it big bumps and ruts, the high ground clearance (233mm), live front (independent) and rear (rigid) axles along with the coil spring suspension and all-terrain tyres mean that the Gurkha is a tough beast to beat off-piste.
2024 Force Gurkha Review: Final Thoughts & Verdict - Fiery Little Mountain Fighter Gets Friendlier
Force Motors has made the Gurkha a little more practical by adding an extra set of doors as it looks to beat off competition from the Maruti Suzuki Jimny and the upcoming 5-door Mahindra Thar, but don't for a moment think that the Gurkha has lost its soul.
If you want something to deal with Mother Nature at her toughest, the Gurkha is still the mountain fighter for you. Add in the extra doors and seats, along with the added oomph under the bonnet, and well you can now share the Gurkha off-roading experience with your family (and most probably scare them in the process).
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