A GOOD ENDEAVOUR

Interiors
Inside too, it is more or less the same compared to the existing model and remains one of the roomiest in the country. The only notable exception is the DVD system which makes a debut in the Thunder. The dashboard is bland and devoid of any excitement, while the plastic quality is not extraordinary either. The two-tone interiors don’t set the hearts racing, but this SUV was never so much about luxury or comfort as sheer performance and power. For the rest, the Honda CR-V and Chevy Captiva retain the edge. One of Endeavour’s biggest drawbacks—no parking sensors— continues in the Thunder. It is baffling how the biggest car on roads still does not have parking sensors, which also come in handy while negotiating peak traffic.

Engine and Powertrain
The Endeavour’s USP has always been power, and the Thunder gets a new dash with its larger engine. It now provides a 9 per cent increase in maximum power output and a 15 per cent increase in torque over the 2.5-litre version. The top speed, as in Toyota Prado, has been restricted to 160 kmph, but the Thunder takes less time to reach there and is more stable. The maximum torque comes in at a relatively higher 3,500 rpm compared to 3,200 rpm in the 2.5-litre version, but the difference is barely noticeable. The drive continues to be as adventurous and though the gearbox, accelerator and clutch pedals are a little hard, they go with the overall look of the vehicle. The drive is only hyphenated off the road. The high ground clearance serves the car well and the 4*4 drive, which has to be selected manually, is very effective.

Fuel Economy
Anyone who aspires for an Endeavour, does do it for its fuel efficiency. Because of their sheer size and capabilties, the SUVs are infamous as gas guzzlers the world over. The Thunder is no exception, though it is not the worst of the lot. In our short drive, the car gave a mileage of 8-10 kmpl, which is slightly better than the CR-V, though a tad less than its 2.5-litre sibling. The fact that it is a diesel vehicle also helps.

The Verdict
The Endeavour is the leader in the mid-range SUVs in the country and has outsmarted the CR-V for the past few months now. It’s incomparable as far as its off-roading capabilities and rugged looks go, and is a delight on the highways. In the city, one could face a problem while negotiating traffic and in the parking lots. The SUV takes up as much as three times the space of a small car. Still, it offers a fresh dash of raw power with not much difference in price, and but for the speed governor, the car should have easily crossed the 200 kmph barrier. At Rs 17.32 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), the SUV just got a little more attractive.