Friends:
Apologies for not able to get back on my experience with Sumo Grande since I got struck with a project which did not spare me the time required for this. Here is my brief report on the Sumo Grande. Please note I am a family (little big) man as well as an Auto enthusiast so my brief would be a mixture of two.
Model: Sumo Grande EX
Purchase Month/Year: May 2008
Exterior: This vehicle is definitely a head turner with its long wheel base and great ground clearance which has enhanced its stance so different from other SUVs. I had replaced the standard rims with Aura Alloys (all 5 wheels) which had completely changed its stance. The paint work is magnificent with its shine during all time of the day and night, at least it was with mineral red though Black looked a little sober. The front looks are majestic and rear has a clear neat look. Though I would have loved the spare wheel attached to the door (anyway it is side opening) like the regular SUVs. The head lamps are clear and good enough for long view though I would insist on an extra pair of flood lights on a sporty bull bar (another way to enhance its majestic looks). I was under the impression that fog lamps can be fitted extra at the Service Center but I heard otherwise from them (Chennai). Also the electrical Mirror adjustment and rear wiper/defogger (Safety Feature) cannot be fitted extra according to the Service Centre, a great disappointment. I was infact told that all these can be fitted after the purchase of EX or else I would have gone for the top end model.
Interior: Space, Space and Space and nothing else is what you would be impressed with once you get inside this beast. There are acres of space and seats wide enough to hold complete 8 adults with out any issues, though 3rd row may be slightly different from the second but the best in class incl Innova. The new beige color adds to the roomy feeling. Oh yeah the vehicle has a great head room and enough leg room as well which makes one very comfortable while traveling (I would say living J) long distances. Space for luggage is very limited and had to fix a roof carrier when traveling with family on long distances but then it will spoil the looks completely. Trying to get a detachable one! The plastics everywhere inside incl the dashboard is a great disappointment showing its cost reduction and cheapness more obvious. There are plenty of cubby holes inside and the plastics which comprises of these are so cheap that one soft drink holder (2 in 1) in the second row came off without much of use and effort in earlier days of ownership itself. Also the folding mechanism of the second row seats holds couple of plastic covers which had come off as well. Just FYI J. This car has three row Air Conditioning which does an amazing job (need not use the rear one mostly).
Performance: This is the crucial area for any vehicle and I have attempted to share what I felt after spending few initial months with this Beast. Start the engine and put it in the first gear...hear we go superb pick up even with full load of passengers. It just leaps forward and overtaking is just a breeze in second and third. The gear shifts are hard and not as smooth as you would like to be or in sedans but definitely can live with it. The clutches needs power from your legs too often esp in traffic a pain but again not bad enough to keep away. The Power steering is good at low speeds but then lacks feel and over responsive and vague in high speeds which means one need to be always in control and focused. Body Roll is very evident due to its tall stance so cornering is something which Grande doesn’t like. I attempted one and had to prematurely abort the attempt…good sense prevailed! Braking is very rubbery, though during the test drive it was better. One has to employ the pump braking technique (local slang), brake at regular intervals quickly to get the vehicle under control. I remember reading similar feedback in one of the forms (not sure whether it was mouthshut or Team-bhp). One dangerous behavior I observed during the recent monsoon in Chennai was while my Grande effortlessly waded through the deep waters, it completely did not respond to my braking initiative at low speeds once the water gets into the wheels. This may sound strange but I could not believe it. At speeds of 20 – 30 kms in water when I apply slight brake it just did not respond and took me further closer to the vehicle in front. I had to literally hard kick the brake and had to maintain safe distance from the vehicle in front. [/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT='Times New Roman']Now it’s the turn of ride quality. In highways with clear roads, its amazing comfort in which the Grande takes us but when it comes to negotiating potholes and bumps it just shakes everyone around inside. One need to literally crawl or go in steps when on the bumps or potholes otherwise a little throttle would displace the occupants. I even went to the extent of checking whether there was any suspension at all. No exaggeration but that’s how the vehicle handles the ups and downs. This is the condition with full compliment of 8 members inside the car. One shortcut I have employed to get some relief is to use the seat belts, this gives a feeling of being intact. But one thing its worth mentioning here is that this beast can take any amount of load with no hung back rear that you normally witness in Innova and Tavera, Just carries everyone effortlessly.
Impression: Excellent vehicle for someone looking for a SUV not with the luxury of high budget but with decent goodies and an alternative to Scorpio.
But if family travel is something that you are looking at, then this is not the best choice but the costly Innova (may be). Again Grande beats all in space and headroom.
Since I had my expectations straight and know that its TATA product, I did not have much of a disappointment. Learned to crawl over Bumps/Potholes and speed breakers to keep the family members intact inside and no blind high speeds but maintain a safe distance from other vehicles. Otherwise I am completely satisfied with the beast!
Please note one of our friends from Team-BHP community had already replaced the stock rear suspension with an ARC (Single Leaf Suspension) and gained 60% improvement on the ride quality. See the link below;
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/test-drives-initial-ownership-reports/37834-my-new-sumo-grande-edit-now-inside-outside-pics-car-8.html
I have attached couple of pictures of my Sweet Grande!
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3rd December 2008, 23:57
