KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- The Gurkha 5 door comes with manual differential locks and shift-on-the-fly.
- The diesel is less powerful than the Thar Roxx.
- No automatic or petrol option on offer.
The Force Gurkha has been around for quite a while, and it has now received a substantial update. This update also sees the introduction of the Force Gurkha 5 Door, which obviously gets bigger dimensions and also comes with a new equipment list; the same as its smaller 3 door sibling does.
We shall now take a quick look some highlights of the Gurkha 5 door, but before that, make sure to join the 91Wheels WhatsApp Group community of petrolheads to never miss out on any updates from the automotive world!
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A Slight Bump Up In Power
The Gurkha 5 door shares the 2.6-litre turbo-diesel engine with its smaller 3 door sibling. This engine has now been updated and it has been given a significant bump up in terms of output. The 2.6-litre diesel now produces 138bhp and 320Nm of torque, which is 49.3bhp and 70Nm higher than before.
However, those looking for an automatic transmission may not be pleased, as the Gurkha comes with a 5-speed manual only. There is no petrol option available either.
Variants Available: The Gurkha 5 door, much like the 3 door, is available in one variant only.
Competitor Check: The Mahindra Thar Roxx gives you the option to choose between a 2.0-litre petrol and a 2.2-litre diesel, while the Maruti Suzuki Jimny comes solely with a 1.5-litre petrol.
Important Feature Additions
The interiors of the Gurkha continue to look and feel as utilitarian as it did ever since its launch in 2021. However, Force Motors has made some major additions to the equipment list. These include a 9-inch infotainment touch screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a new digital cluster, cornering lights, follow-me headlights, and a tyre pressure monitoring system.
Competitor Check: Unlike the Gurkha, the Thar Roxx and the Jimny are available in multiple variants. In fact, the Thar Roxx is the only one to get an ADAS suite among its rivals, and the Jimny also gets considerably more equipment.
Bigger Dimensions
The Gurkha 5-door variant boasts a wheelbase stretched by 425mm compared to the 3-door model, accommodating the additional second-row. The overall length of the 5-door Gurkha grows by 425mm as well, and it sits 15mm taller than its 3-door counterpart.
However, maneuverability takes a slight hit with the 5-door's 6.3m turning radius compared to the 3-door's 5.5m. Both variants receive an upgrade in the shoe department, sporting new 18-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels in 255/65 R18 tyres, replacing the previous 16-inch wheels.
Competitor Check: At 4486mm, the Thar Roxx is longer than the Gurkha five door, and it also gets a longer wheelbase at 2850mm. Meanwhile, the Jimny is considerably smaller and gets a shorter wheelbase than the other two cars.
Price And Value Quotient
The Gurkha 5 door comes in just one variant, and it is priced at Rs 18.00 lakh (ex-showroom). Here's how the Gurkha 5-door stacks up against its competitors.
| Criteria | Force Gurkha 5 door | Mahindra Thar Roxx | Maruti Suzuki Jimny |
| Engine | 2.6-litre turbo-diesel | 2.0-litre, turbo-petrol 2.2-litre, turbo-diesel | 1.5-litre, nat-asp petrol |
| Power & Torque | 138bhp & 320Nm | Petrol: 150 bhp (low-spec), 160 bhp (high-spec), 330Nm (MT), 380Nm (AT) Diesel: 152 bhp (RWD), 170 bhp (4x4), 330Nm, 380Nm (4x4 AT) | 103bhp and 134Nm |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual | 6-speed manual, 6-speed torque-converter automatic | 5-speed manual, 4-speed torque-converter automatic |
| Off-road tech | Manual differential locks, shift-on-the-fly | Brake locking differential, an electric front axle disconnect system, electric locking differential, smart crawling, intelli-turn, terrain modes | Brake limited slip differential, full-width rigid axles, hill-hold assist, hill-descent control |
| Features | 9-inch touch screen, smartphone connectivity, a new digital cluster, follow-me headlights, cornering lights, snorkel, tyre-pressure monitoring system, rear wiper | Level-2 ADAS, sunroof, 10.25-inch HD touch screen, in-built navigation, automatic A/C, four drive modes, smart crawling, intell-turn, cruise control, cooled glovebox, 360-degree camera, Harman-Kardon sound system | Headlamp washers, cruise control, climate control, wireless smartphone connectivity, automatic headlamps |
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Verdict
Since the arrival of the Thar Roxx, the Gurkha 5 door has had its task cut out. The Gurkha 5 door may cover the basics in terms of off-roading kit, but the Thar Roxx simply outperforms the Gurkha in all aspects, be it the powertrain, dimensions, or even the features list. The Gurkha also does not offer an automatic transmission option either, and that may further put off a few buyers.
