No longer just a truck but a proper SUV

The new Endeavour is more upmarket than earlier versions and is a good mix of luxury, performance and practicality

FORD TASTED a fair amount of success with the first-gen Endeavour a decade ago. The concept of a big, brawny SUV worked in its favour initially and it sold well until the competition (specifically the Toyota Fortuner) came along and made the Endeavour look a little rough around the edges. Now, 13 years later, Ford has a new-generation car ready for sale. The new car is a huge leap forward over the old one, full of modern conveniences and some of the latest tech. It even has a more comfortable and luxurious interior. But is it good enough to give the Fortuner sleepless nights?

IT’S GOT THE LOOK

The new Endeavour is a large, seven-seat SUV built around a traditional ladder frame for strength. On the one hand, the four-wheel-drive version has the ability to flatten boulders and clamber over all sorts of terrain, but on the other, it’s also good at ferrying up to seven passengers around our bustling cities without too much of a compromise on comfort. This is because it blends new technology with old-world ruggedness like no other car in its class.

The design, for example, is pretty contemporary. The huge trapezoidal chrome grille up front sets the tone while the sculpted bonnet, Led-lined headlights a n d a w i n d - screen that’s steeply raked gives it an air of modernity. Other highlights include a stylised vent behind the front fender, huge wheel arches that make even the 18-inch tyres seem rather small and a bar of chrome across the tailgate that succeeds in making the rear of this big SUV look quite upmarket. The new Endeavour sheds the tailgatemounted spare wheel which is now placed under the chassis. The top Titanium trim features a powered tailgate, usually seen on more upmarket SUVS. In terms of size, the Endeavour is even larger than before and this gargantuan SUV has road presence like no other.

This time round, Ford is offering two diesel options for the new Endeavour. A base 2.2-litre four-cylinder and a bigger 3.2-litre five-cylinder diesel; both mated

to a six-speed automatic gearbox. A six-speed manual gearbox is on offer on the 2.2 litre version as is fourwheel drive.

SIZE: XXL

Inside, the new Endeavour is clearly more upmarket than earlier versions. The cabin features top-quality materials and elegant use of chrome and metal finishes. The leather-covered dash with its double stitched piping elevates the look of the cabin. Adding to the plush feel are the integrated touchscreen and beautifully crafted steering wheel. The instrument cluster has a big speedometer in the centre flanked by twin screens which display a hoard of functions such as a digital tachometer, driving modes etc. Other bits that lift the overall ambience include customisable cabin lighting, supple leather seats and chrome-ringed cup holders. On the Titanium trim, you get the latest version of Ford’s trademark SYNC infotainment system which, in addition to providing Bluetooth connectivity and streaming, also recognises voice commands. It’s a practical cabin too, with plenty of space for daily items and also, as it is an off-roader, there are grab handles all over. There are flaws, though. The touchscreen functionality could have been smoother and the bottom half of the dash seems to be made with lower quality materials.

And there is no compromise on comfort and space. The driver’s seat is electrically operated and provides great lateral support. Finding the right driving position is easy and there’s plenty of room, even for drivers with larger frames. In the second row, there is an abundance of legroom. And even in the third row, the seats are nice and big and can be reclined. That said, getting in here is cumbersome, there isn’t too much room and being low-set, you sit in a knees-up position which isn’t comfy on long drives. The third-row seats, however, can be folded electrically at the touch of a button; another neat feature.

NIMBLE HULK

The first thing you notice as you get off the line is the effortless and light electric steering. And for a car that weighs over two tonnes, the Endeavour is shockingly easy to manoeuvre . The 2.2-litre engine is the quick to respond, producing 158bhp and 38kgm of pulling power. It also feels more relaxed at speed and the difference between the two engines is not really noticeable. That said, the 197bhp, 48kgm 3.2-litre unit is distinctly quicker against a stopwatch. It is slow at picking up speed but is deceptively quick once it gets going, even on a light throttle. Press your right foot deeper and the Endeavour really takes off, the car can sprint to 100kph in a respectable 11.33 seconds. This places it right in between the slower Fortuner and the faster Trailblazer. However, the 3.2 does sound quite strained when pushed hard despite the fact that Ford uses noise cancellation (playing opposing sounds through the speakers) to keep out engine noise. The bigger disappointment though, is the gearbox. The six-speed automatic finds it really difficult to keep up with the engine and is often slow to react. The Triptronic function which allows manual intervention does improve things though.

The suspension takes pretty much anything our roads can throw up. There is a bit of vertical movement over bad roads and this is mostly felt when seated in the rear but it’s not much, as only the larger bumps filter in. All four-wheel-drive versions get a high-tech Range Rover-like Terrain Management System. You can choose from Normal, Snow/gravel/ Grass, Sand and Rock; and the car chooses the best engine, gearbox and traction control settings. There’s also the 800mm deep water wading capability. Safety is taken good care of with curve and roll stability control , blind spot warning, lane departure warning and seven airbags.

A NEW BEGINNING

The new Endeavour is clearly aiming for the top. It is the most modern among the traditional SUVS and has the most luxurious interiors. The new steering and suspension make it a surprisingly easy drive. It is also likely to be high on value for money. Prices are expected to start around the ₹20-lakh mark for the 2.2 litre 4x2 manual and stretch to around ₹30 lakh for the top-end 3.2-litre 4x4 automatic Titanium. What really makes it worth waiting for is the fact that it delivers a unique mix of performance, luxury and practicality. And with so many versions and options available, it’s more than likely you’ll find the right one for you.