Ford Endeavour

Ford Endeavour got a complete overhaul in 2015 with the new generation of the popular SUV hitting the Indian market. It was initially launched with six variants but is currently offered in three. The prices for the big American SUV start from Rs 26.05 lakh and go up to Rs 32.8 lakh. All prices are ex-showroom India. It comes with a choice of two diesel engines. One is a 2.2-litre 4-cylinder unit making 160PS of max power and 385Nm of peak torque. The other is a 3.2-litre 5-cylinder engine making 200PS of max power and 470Nm of peak torque. Both engines are mated to the same 6-speed dual clutch transmission. The 2.2-litre engine comes with rear-wheel-drive only while the 3.2-litre engine is available with 4-wheel-drive only. SYNC3 infotainment system is standard across the range, the Sunroof however, is available with the Titanium variants only.

The Ford Endeavour nameplate received a complete overhaul in 2015 with the launch of the new generation SUV in the Indian market. While it was initially available in six variants, the Endeavour is currently offered in three. The prices for the big American SUV start from Rs 26.05 lakh and go up to Rs 32.8 lakh. All prices are ex-showroom India.

Exterior and Interior

The Ford Endeavour looks the way an American SUV should. It is massive and imposing. You get a large front grille that is true to Ford’s design language but still looks apt for this massive car. The headlights too get a very detailed daytime running light and projector package and even on the whole the design looks very aggressive which bodes well for the car. The side profile has a few well placed design cues like the engine badge on the front fender and the large chunky door handles. The 18-inch wheels, finished in a grey and polished finish combination tie up the design well. Plus, the flared where arches add to the muscular character of the car. At the rear, you get a all LED tail lamps that look smart and a large chrome strip with the name embossed across it. The front and rear bumper also get a very useful and well styled set of scuff plates which have been finished in a shade of matte silver.

The cabin of the new Endeavour shares nothing with the old one. Everything in the Endeavour is brand new. The dashboard is rather upright and everything on it, from the AC vents to the instrument cluster to the SYNC3 infotainment screen, is quite big. The lower part of the dashboard gets basic controls for the audio and the climate control system. You also get two 12-volt adapters and two USB slots that can be used to charge your phone, iPad, etc. The cabin is upholstered in beige leather and soft-touch materials and is very spacious overall. The driver’s seat is electrically adjustable while the middle row seats are soft, supportive and reclineable,. The third row too can be used by adults. On the larger 3.2-litre engine version, the last row of seats can be folded up or down at the touch of a button which makes storing things really easy. The variants with the larger engine also get an electronic tailgate mechanism. The top-of-the-line variant also gets a large panoramic roof and sunroof.

Specifications

The Ford Endeavor comes with a choice of two diesel engines. One is a 2.2-litre 4-cylinder unit that produces 160PS of max power and 385Nm of peak torque. The other is a 3.2-litre, 5-cylinder engine that churns out 200PS of max power and 470Nm of peak torque. Both engines are mated to the same 6-speed dual clutch automatic transmission. The 2.2-litre engine comes with rear-wheel-drive only while the 3.2-litre engine drives all four wheels. It gets disc brakes all around along with 18-inch wheels adorned with 265 section dual purpose tyres.

Variants

The Ford Endeavour is available in three variants - 2.2 Trend, 2.2 Titanium and 3.2 Titanium. The 3.2-litre engine is available with the Titanium variant and 4WD only. In terms of equipment, even the base variant is pretty well equipped with Ford’s SYNC3 infotainment system with sat nav, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. An 8-way adjustable driver’s seat, dual-zone climate control, power tailgate, reversing camera, cruise control, dual airbags, ABS with EBD and rain sensing wipers are all part of the standard package as well. Features exclusive to the 3.2 Titanium variant include heated ORVMs, semi-auto parallel park assist, power-folding third row, hill descent control and the terrain management system, which is a part of the 4WD system.

Competitors

Toyota Fortuner: The Fortuner is still an old-school, ladder-frame SUV but is easier to live with thanks to the improved kit list. There are more premium alternatives available but it makes a strong case for itself as a reliable, practical and capable machine. Plus, chances are you’ll get half of your money back when you part ways with it.

Isuzu mu-X: It’s not the most feature-loaded SUV of the lot but is a good option for someone looking for a no-frills 7-seat SUV at a more affordable price than the Fortuner or Endeavour. It is plenty capable off-road too.

Skoda Kodiaq: The Skoda Kodiaq couples the opulence of a luxury sedan with SUV-like capabilities. The Kodiaq is far from a hardcore off-roader but makes a strong case for itself as a premium and feature-loaded 7-seat SUV. It is an easy-going upmarket SUV for the whole family that also gets all-wheel drive for the occasional sticky or slushy situation.

Volkswagen Tiguan: A well-loaded, premium crossover for five. While it may not be the first alternative on a Fortuner/Endeavour’s buyer’s radar, it’s more than ideal for the urban jungle.

ZigSays

The Endeavour is a very capable machine and a large SUV with an imposing road presence rivalled only the Toyota Fortuner. But where the Endeavour shines when compared to its arch-nemesis is its off-road capability. Anyone who ranks luxury and off-road capability above all else should definitely consider the Ford Endeavour.