The monsoon season has arrived in many regions of India, and while the rain reduces the warmth, it makes driving difficult. The roads become slicker, visibility decreases, and floods can strand you in minutes. Cars like hatchbacks and sedans (the most popular segments in the country) are not built to withstand harsh driving conditions and are frequently damaged by difficult terrain. However, a part of the market – the best off-road cars – can handle almost anything you can throw at them.
With travel limitations becoming progressively tighter, these off-road vehicles can assist us in taking a much-needed getaway within the country while adhering to the government’s rules and regulations. Here are some of the best off-road cars available in India right now.
Mahindra Thar
Best off Road Car
The Mahindra Thar, perhaps one of the best off-road vehicles manufactured by an Indian manufacturer, stands out for all the right reasons. The car’s appearance, performance, and durability make it one of the best automobiles to own in India.
Under the hood of this beast of a car is a 2.0L turbocharged petrol engine that produces 150PS and 300 Nm of torque on manual transmission and 150PS and 320 Nm of torque on automatic transmission, or a 2.2L diesel engine that produces 130PS and 300 Nm of torque.
The Thar is equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission as standard, but it is also available with a 6-speed automatic transmission. LED DRLs, halogen headlamps, air conditioning, a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connection, an instrument cluster with a digital MID, cruise control, and steering-mounted controls are among the features found on the new Thar.
The Thar has ABS with EBD, dual front airbags, parking sensors in the back, and a seatbelt reminder in the front for safety.
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Jeep Compass
When it comes to off-road vehicles, the Jeep Compass is unquestionably one of the best. As we all know, Jeep is famed for its dependability and drivability, and the Compass combines all of that with stunning beauty. The most recent model adds a slew of new features, specifications, and equipment, making it one of the greatest SUVs on the market today.
The Compass is powered by a 1.4L turbo-petrol engine that delivers 163 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque. A 6-speed manual or a 7-speed Dual-Clutch Automatic Transmission is available to go with this engine. The Compass also comes with a 2.0L diesel engine that produces 172 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque. A 6-speed manual transmission comes standard with the diesel engine; however, Jeep also offers a 9-speed automatic transmission.
The Compass has a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity. FCA’s UConnect 5 and connected car technology, wireless charging, ventilated front seats, powered tailgate, automatic air-conditioning, a 10.25-inch digital driver’s display, a 360-degree camera, and Electronic Parking Brake, among other features.
Electronic Stability Control, hill assist, six airbags, ISOFIX Child Seat Anchors, rollover mitigation, panic brake aid, and ABS with EBD are all included in the Jeep.
Toyota Fortuner
We’re all aware of Toyota’s offerings, and the Fortuner is a prime example of the company’s domination in the off-road market. The Toyota Fortuner is a car designed for long distances and all types of terrain, and it comes with two engine options.
One engine is a 2.8L turbo diesel with 177 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque, while the other is a 2.7L 4-cylinder petrol engine with 166 horsepower and 245 pound-feet of torque. The diesel variant comes standard with a 6-speed manual transmission, with a 6-speed automatic gearbox available as an option, which adds another 30 Nm of torque to the performance.
A 5-speed manual or automatic gearbox system is available in the petrol type. LED projector headlamps, LED DRLs, LED fog lamps, power-adjustable front seats, push-button ignition, automatic climate control, and cruise control are among the premium amenities available on the Fortuner.
The Fortuner is equipped with ABS with EBD, Vehicle Stability Control, 7 airbags, braking assist, and hill assist control for additional safety.
Ford Endeavour
Ford has long been known for producing some of the most dependable automobiles globally, and they have continued to do so in India. The Ford Endeavour may appear to be too large to be deemed an off-road vehicle, yet it delivers so much performance that it cannot be overlooked.
The huge SUV is powered by a 2.0 Turbo-diesel engine that produces 170PS and 420 Nm of torque and is BS VI-compliant. A novel 10-speed automatic transmission with 2-Wheel-Drive or All-Wheel-Drive capability is mated to the diesel engine.
In terms of features, the Endeavour is equipped with FordPass technology, which allows customers to operate services like live tracking, remote operations and access all vehicle information via a smartphone app. Semi-automatic parallel parking, interior noise reduction, climate control, and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility are other amenities.
Isuzu D-Max V-Cross
Pick-up trucks have seen a surprising spike in popularity in India, and the Isuzu D-Max has swiftly established itself as one of the best options available. TDespiteeing primarily a truck, the D-Max is incredibly adaptable and is frequently used as an off-road vehicle.
The D-Max is powered by a 1.9L diesel engine that produces 163PS and 360 Nm of torque. The D-Max is available with a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission, with 4X2 or 4X4 drivetrains.
Bi-LED projector headlights, LED tail lights, LED DRLs, cruise control, automatic air conditioning, 6-way electrically adjustable driver seat, steering-mounted controls, a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and shift-on-the-fly 4WD mode are all included in the latest model from Isuzu.
Also Read: 2WD vs 4WD vs AWD – Key Advantages & Disadvantages
With the D-Max, Isuzu hasn’t forgotten about safety, with up to six airbags, electronic stability control, parking sensors, traction control, and hill start/descent assist.
Force Gurkha
The Force Gurkha was first revealed at the 2020 Auto Expo and was intended to be released in July. However, the COVID-19 epidemic postponed the launch, and the business now plans to launch on October 2nd, 2021.
There isn’t much new to say about the much-discussed Gurkha, but there are a few tweaks that could appear when the vehicle ultimately enters dealerships. We already know that there will be new trendy LED DRLs around the headlights and that a single rear window will replace the previous model’s dual-pane setup. The 245/70 R16-inch alloy wheels on the new Gurkha are smaller than those on the Mahindra Thar.
A BS VI-compliant 2.6L diesel engine with 90 horsepower and 5-speed manual transmission will be standard on the Gurkha. The inside of the Gurkha gets a massive revamp, which is where the greater, more noticeable improvements are located.
A new dashboard with dual tones has been built for a more elegant look. To keep up with the latest standards, Force has added a touchscreen infotainment system. Finally, the Force Gurkha’s seating configuration has been altered, with two front-facing seats replacing the previous model’s side-facing seats in the back.
Jeep Wrangler
Jeep is a well-known off-road vehicle manufacturer. The Wrangler is even more remarkable than the Compass. A 2.0L turbo-petrol engine delivers 268 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque under the hood of the attractive Wrangler.
An 8-speed Torque Converter Automatic gearbox is mated to the engine. The Jeep Wrangler has four-wheel drive with low/high modes and differential locks on both axles, making navigating rugged terrain a breeze.
An 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, push-button start/stop, automated dual-zone temperature control, a twin analogue instrument cluster, ambient lighting, and LED headlamps are among the other amenities available on the Wrangler.
Hill descent control, Electronic Stability Control, and several airbags are included in the Wrangler’s safety features.
Mahindra Scorpio
The Mahindra Scorpio is one of the most well-known SUVs on the market, with a striking look, a powerful 2.2-litre diesel engine, and a capable AWD system that makes it a good off-roader. It can seat up to seven people and is the most affordable option in its price range.
Renault Duster
The Renault Duster is a capable SUV with a robust engine lineup. Furthermore, all the petrol and diesel engine options come with an optional automatic transmission, and the diesel version is also available with a capable All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) system. You’ll also get good dynamics and a butch look.
Tata Hexa
The Tata Hexa is a competitively priced off-roader with terrain response control and all-wheel drive that hasn’t done well in India. The SUV also has a roomy cabin, a powerful engine, AWD as an option, and a tough appearance. This SUV’s Borg Warner-sourced All Wheel Drive mechanicals make it an excellent choice for off-roading.
Tata Hexa has been discontinued, however, you can still buy it from the second-hand markets in India.
Honda CR-V
The Honda CR-V, a premium SUV with AWD, is another excellent option on our list. The CR-V isn’t quite as capable off-road as, say, the Toyota Fortuner. Still, it does offer the kind of ride comfort, and cabin ambience found on Audi models, making it a terrific buy for people looking for a premium SUV that can handle some off-roading.
Honda CR-V has been discontinued, however, you can still buy it from the second-hand markets in India.
We will keep updating this list with the best off-road cars you can buy in India. Bookmark this page and stay tuned!