2024 Force Gurkha 5-Door Review: Thar, Beware!

GOA (Anirban Mitra): The revered 4x4x4 badge returns. Ask what’s new. Force Motors has launched the 5-door version of Gurkha, which now comes with a more powerful diesel engine, and boasts better off-road highlights. We traveled to Goa to test drive the new 5-door version. Here’s how it went.

Gurkha has been in the market for a long time. Built on a ladder-on-frame chassis, the Gurkha is equipped with a low-range transfer case, slip differential for both axles, air intake snorkel and excellent dimensions to navigate unscathed. Fifteen years, and yet the Force Gurkha enjoys limited success, largely due to an underwhelming engine, coarse interiors and lack of brand awareness. Will it turn around in times to come?

We enjoyed a few laps of Gurkha on an artificial off-road track. It was a cakewalk. Mark my words, the Gurkha is far more capable than a set of inclines, articulation pits and a slalom we encountered. In my limited time with the updated Gurkha, the single biggest takeaway for me was the engine. A whopping 55% jump in power, the difference is noticeable on the tarmac. Engineers have changed the cylinder heads, injectors and other internal components, and all of it is visible as you nudge the accelerator. The SUV weighs close to three tonnes, and the engine didn’t break a sweat in breaching triple-digit on the speedometer. The power-assisted hydraulic steering still feels rudimentary, and often vague during quick manoeuvres. The engine is paired with a 5-speed manual transmission, the gear ratios of which have been tweaked to allow seamless delivery of greater power to the wheels.

Talking about the wheels, the Gurkha looks more wholesome than before, thanks to a larger set of alloys. The Gurkha is shod with all-terrain tyres from CEAT and rides on 18-inch alloys. The front suspension internals are also redesigned, which along with bigger tyres scale up the ground clearance. It stands at a massive 233 millimetres. Pair that with a 39-degree approach and 37-degree departure angle, the Gurkha dismisses large boulders and undulations with a smile.

Gurkha’s arrival in a 5-door guise in a fresh take. It appears identical to the 3-door, albeit with 425 mm of additional wheelbase for accommodating an extra row of seats. The seats are big and cushiony, however, lack support of any sort. I fear the passengers will also feel excessive body roll due to the high seating. Third-row captain seats are comfortable when used occasionally.

The touchscreen infotainment is new. The 9-inch unit, however, appears to be an afterthought. The response is abysmal, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto operate via screen mirroring. The AC controls are manual, and its cooling is impressive. The towering view from the driver’s seat is brilliant. The newly added reverse camera will assist parking in tight confines.

Can you live with a Force Gurkha is a question worth Rs 20 lakh? Definitely, you can. If you are an adventure seeker, unafraid to carve roads for others, Gurkha will smartly drive into your garage. Passion aside, Gurkha’s ability to be a daily driver in mundane urban traffic is still a challenge, which I’m sure, you would consider during a test drive.