Quote:
Originally Posted by rkbharat As of now SX4 is taking me places, add to it more GC, good ramp clearance, 4WD, good shoes and it will do all I am looking for. SX4 is a pure delight and happy experience, and the expectations are much higher now. I just can not wait for weeks and months for spare parts :( |
If you are happy with SX4 and just AWD and some more GC is what you are looking for, then XUV500 or any other AWD Monocoque is the stuff you are looking for. AWD system works as it should, provides extra traction and gives me enough confidence to take me to places i do not bother with other 2wd vehicles.
For a Crossover- Approach angle is good(Thanks to CRV like angled bumper), Ramp breakover angle is excellent and Departure angle is decent. If you plan to do something more extreme you will have modify some of the plastics below front bumper, all else looks good, this is the case with most other Crossovers.
You might miss Low range though, electronics like Hill start assist and Hill Descent control try to make for it in few of the situations. I would have preferred a shorter first gear for better speed control.
AT tires are tough to find, but they do exist.
Quote:
I am looking for something which can take lots of beating and Abuse, can seat 4 people comfortably, a very good ground clearance, have to be comfortable inside for all those four people, including modern digital comforts, having a 4WD is must, basically a good capability to clear heavy slush, snow and bad roads. I am not going to throw it off-road, but it should clear anything under limits, if asked.
|
The question is how extreme do you want to go? For taking extreme abuse and stuff, with top grade reliability you should be looking at either the Fortuner or Pajero. But there is a compromise in every SUV type you pick, with these Chassis based SUVs you will compromise on Safety, Highway manners, Ride quality at speed, FE etc, to gain Better offroading performance and ability to take abuse.
Another Vehicle i have in mind for you is soon to be launched Duster 4wd. It sure would be expensive for what it will offer but will tick most other requirements, except seating comfort. I do find seating in Duster uncomfortable, for my size the front seats are smallish and i find fixed rear seats with limited space a bother for long Ladakh type journeys(5 of us travelled to Jaisalmer in a Duster and most of the time we were busy fighting for space). If you can live with the seating setup and weird ergonomics(and cost cutting everywhere) this is the vehicle you are looking for.
Something like this-
Source:
http://www.google.co.in/imgres?hl=en...4&tx=153&ty=55
Yeti is another brilliant car, if you drive it properly once, you might never forget it. GC and Support is not as good, but it is the perfect Sx4 replacement, if you dont want to go extreme.
Quote:
Initially for short expedition in India, but there is something in mind across Asia.
I am also inclined of picking up a used Suzuki GV, get it modified, like custom shock, suspension, raise it few inches, performance kit, get a good AT tyres, A snorkel (not really a must), A winch (again not sure),
|
Outlander is another crossover that is available for very tempting prices in Used car market, but Ground clearance is a concern with this one.
If you wish to modify the SUV with stuff like Winch and Snorkel, do not look at anything without Chassis. For SUVs like Fortuner, Endeavour or Pajero, the list of modification possibilities is endless, with good availability of quality parts. Everything from Lift kits to Diff locks is available. And only these Japs(Endy is a Jap under the skin!) can promise you the Bulletproof reliability you might be dreaming of.
About the Grand Vitara, Samurai and Sudev know more than anyone else on the forum, they'll be able to guide you better. I hope you have read Samurai's thread on skid plates for GV. Finding a good used Grand Vitara 2.4 will be tough, 2.0 is weak and equally thirsty.
Quote:
I had Rexton in mind but, the scary support experience keeps me away from it
|
You might not like Rexton's suspension, on highways there is annoying amount of constant vertical movement but off the road it is in the league of Fortuners and Pajeros.
But do you really need to go that extreme? If occasional Snow, Ice and Slush is what you are expecting to encounter, any tech laden crossover like XUV or Duster 4wd with Traction control and AWD will be more than capable.