|THE DEN|
There are almost too many SUVs on sale in India currently but very few are actually capable of being taken off-road. Let’s find out which car is best to be your next all terrain machine. In this article we talk about 5 of the most capable cars on the Indian roads. We have chosen cars in every budget from premium brands and their luxury SUVs to some budget options that offer similar capabilities.
Toyota Fortuner
When we talk about SUVs being sold in India we must talk about the Toyota Fortuner. The Toyota Fortuner Legender 4x4 is an extremely comfortable 7 seater that is capable of taking you off road and also has the road presence and style to be a great family car. Not only is it one of the favourite body-on- frame cars in India but it has never disappointed Toyota in sales as well. The Fortuner has always managed to stay on top beating its competition day in and day out.
The Fortuner Legender receives a completely new front design. The narrow 'grille' and deep air dam give it a more rakish appearance, making it look seriously alluring. The Legender is also given a two-tone paint job, which gives it a very pleasing appearance. At almost 50 lakhs it is no cheap car but it is an extremely reliable machine.
The Legender's cabin has a robust, built-to-last feel to it, and some materials have been upgraded. However, many of the plastics are still harsh, the button quality is mediocre, and the Fortuner lacks the key quality feel found on many of its competitors. Even if the interiors aren't spectacular, the car has enough functionality to get the job done and look decent while doing it.
On the inside, the Fortuner features two-tone seats, ambient lighting, an electronic rear-view mirror, wireless charging, a USB port in the back, and a kick sensor for opening the boot while your hands are full. There's also a larger 8-inch touchscreen with quick controls, connected technology, cooled seats, and Apple Car Play and Android Auto now come standard on the Fortuner.
The legender receives a 204hp engine that also produces 500Nm of torque, and it has a big impact on how the new Fortuner drives. The boost in power was obtained principally through the use of a more powerful variable nozzle turbo, which is now operated by an electric motor. Torque is now available at 1,600 rpm, and Toyota has enhanced airflow at higher engine speeds as well.
In addition, the engine is more responsive. Toyota has introduced a third drive mode to the Fortuner Legender, making it three instead of two. It now includes Eco, Normal, and Sport modes. Sport mode sharpens up engine reactions beautifully, and the six-speed gearbox is quick to respond and easy to manipulate with your right foot as well.
Land Rover Defender
The legendary defender is definitely the king of off-roaders and being on sale in India it is a car you must consider. If you need a luxury SUV that can take you to unexplored terrains and still feel as rugged as a rock, you shouldn’t look at anything else. It costs anywhere between 80 lakhs-1.22 Cr ex showroom and gives you a lot of kit for that price.
Its boxy body and retro accents take you back to the original from the 1950s, and blend with Land Rover's modern design language to create a smart and nostalgic look. The 2020 Land Rover Defender may appear to be a regular crossover, but it features real off-road skills and durable components that help it live up to its go-anywhere reputation. Durable cabin furnishings, as well as expensive materials and a slew of luxury features, are all standard on the Defender.
The Defender's interior straddles the line between premium and practical, with just enough design elements from the rest of the Land Rover series to make fans feel at ease. Exposed rivets in the door panels give the car a tough look, and a magnesium beam that runs the length of the dashboard isn't just for show—also it's functional. A trapezoidal expansion of the dashboard beneath the infotainment display houses the climate-control system and driving modes buttons and switches.
The Defender's dashboard features a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system that runs Land Rover's new Pivi Pro interface. Compared to the Touch Pro Duo interface found in the rest of the Land Rover lineup, the Defender's system uses a single touchscreen rather than two, has faster response times, and can handle over-the-air software updates for future releases. An in-dash navigation system, a six-speaker audio, and an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot are all standard, as are Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Meridian stereo systems with ten and fourteen speakers are available as options.
The Defender comes with a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine that produces 300PS and 400Nm. It comes with an 8-speed automatic transmission and Land Rover's all-wheel-drive technology. In addition, the Defender has 11.5 inches of ground clearance and can wade through 35.4 inches of water.
The external design is just stunning. It has an old-fashioned feel about it, but it is entirely current. For a rugged 4x4 SUV, the boxiness is ideal. It not only maximises carrying capacity, but it also aids in driving between obstructions because you can see where the bodywork begins and ends. The automobile is a terrific off-roader, and there is no competition on the Indian market that can match it.
Mercedes G Class
One of the most recognisable cars ever to be built, the Mercedes G Class SUV packs a ton of heritage with its name. The car is absolutely unbreakable and dwarfs everything on the road. This massive SUV comes with 3 differential locks and tons of other features that can take you off-road with ease and grace.
The Mercedes-Benz G-class is more than simply an expensive SUV for the rich and famous; it's an unmistakable off-road icon that lives up to its illustrious legacy. Without a strong frame, plenty of ground clearance, and three locking differentials, the G-wagen would be incomplete. But what truly completes this car is the squared off body with tank like safety.
A 2925 cc diesel engine is available in the Mercedes-Benz G- Class. A 9-speed automatic transmission is offered. The G-Class has a mileage of 8.13 kmpl depending on the version and fuel type, and a ground clearance of 241 mm. The engine has a power output of 281 bhp and a torque output of 600 Nm.
At higher speeds, the SUV's square and tall body generates a lot of wind noise, which didn't help the SUV feel quick through turns. Despite this, the G550's handling is more accurate than ever before, and the ride quality is composed on all but the most choppy surfaces. Mercedes also includes a low-range gear in every G-class, allowing it to tackle almost any terrain. When it's not transporting socialites, its capability, combined with generous ground clearance and a maximum towing capacity of 7000 pounds, makes it a valuable tool.
The cabin is all about luxury, with more space for people and goods than the previous generation, adding to the G-class’s off- road prowess. A 12.3-inch completely digital instrument display, heated front and rear seats with leather upholstery, a power-adjustable steering column, and three-zone automatic climate control are all included as standard features.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on the G-Wagon, as well as a Burmester music system with 15 speakers and 590 watts. A Wi-Fi hotspot or a rear-seat entertainment system are available as options for those who want to go above and beyond. So, if you're looking for the right balance of luxury and toughness, this feature-packed SUV might be your best bet. It's also the most expensive car you'd feel comfortable driving off- road, with a price tag of 1.64 crore ex-showroom.
Audi Q8
The Audi Q8 is the pinnacle of modern engineering with a breathtaking design, swooping roofline and tons of features. If hardcore of roading is not your cup of tea but you still want a decently capable off-roader than that take you where the roads don’t go, then this Quattro 4 wheel drive SUV might be the car for you.
The Audi Q8 for 2021 features one fewer row of seats and a lot more style than the three-row Q7 SUV on which it's based. The two-row Q8 sets off the company's line of ultimate crossovers with a coupe-like shape and bolder exterior.
The Q8 also offers an athletic and polished driving experience, similar to that of a car. Its interiors are well designed and robustly constructed, as one would expect from an Audi. The 2021 Q8 is best suited for consumers who choose sportiness, luxury, and style over cargo space. It seats fewer people and has less storage room than its three-row sister the Audi Q7.
Every Q8 comes with a turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 engine that produces 335 horsepower and 500 Nm of torque. It comes with a Quattro all-wheel drive system and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The transmission had mainly dutiful answers, but in Dynamic mode, which produces snappier responses, it and the engine work best together.
Audi has created a stylish and durable environment inside the Q8 in typical Audi way. The panels are expertly matched and the materials are of the highest quality. While the entry model lacks upscale options like four-zone climate control and a leather dashboard with contrast stitching, it does come with heated front seats and a panoramic sunroof as standard.
The Q8 is not only visually stunning, but it also boasts plenty of room for passengers. Despite its increased height, the driving posture remains sporty, and two adults may stretch out comfortably in the back. Despite having less cargo space than the three-row Q7, the two-row Q8 is nonetheless a viable vehicle. It is priced between 1.01-1.38 Cr ex-showroom.
BMW X7
The BMW X7 is a giant, with the space of a 7 series and the driving feel of a sports SUV it might be difficult to believe that this car can actually be capable off-road. Its all-wheel drive system begs to differ though. It demolishes every obstacle thrown at it and does that with ease. It also keeps your champagne cool while you take on these obstacles and that sets it apart from its competition.
The BMW X7 is the brand's largest people mover, and it exudes an undoubtedly sophisticated air while delivering remarkable performance. Three superb turbocharged engine options are hidden below the three-row SUV's borderline-bloated kidney grille.
There are two diesel engines available: a 3.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine with 265PS and 620Nm of torque, and a 3.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine with 394 horsepower and 760 Nm of torque. The 3.0-litre turbo-petrol engine with 340PS and 450Nm is the sole petrol engine offered in India. All six- cylinder engines are mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission that distributes power to all four wheels.
The huge BMW X7 has a luxurious and quiet cabin, as well as a plethora of luxury features and driver-assistance technology. Despite the fact that the inside is smaller than its façade suggests, it is nonetheless spacious enough for passengers to relax.
The X7's sumptuous interior is well-appointed, tech-packed, and spacious, drawing inspiration from the smaller BMW X5 SUV and the upmarket BMW 7-series sedan. Inside, heated front seats, a panoramic sunroof, a power-adjustable steering wheel, and ambient interior lighting are just a few of the luxurious features.
A fully digital gauge cluster and a huge 12.3-inch touchscreen that dominates the dashboard are standard on every X7. Its infotainment system is also controlled by a huge rotary knob on the centre console, as well as gimmicky gesture controls. A 10-speaker music system, Apple CarPlay compatibility, built-in navigation, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and wireless charging are included on all models. All of this is to be anticipated from a vehicle that costs between 1.15 and 1.74 crore ex-showroom.
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