Sumo Grande First Impressions

SumitB · 22nd February 2008, 12:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkdas

And hence the Safari LX is gonna cost you 33K extra soon.

If I remember correctly, when the new 2.2 Safari was released, there was talk by the dealers that the prices were introductory. After that, I don't recall any price rise for the Safari.

Kontoo · 22nd February 2008, 12:44

Damn good looking vehicle and a damn cool website. The rear could have been a little muscular though.

Steeroid · 22nd February 2008, 13:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by SumitB

If I remember correctly, when the new 2.2 Safari was released, there was talk by the dealers that the prices were introductory. After that, I don't recall any price rise for the Safari.

The Safari 2.2 displayed at the Auto Expo looked quite different on the inside compared to the regular 2.2/3,0 and the tata officials did mention something vaguely about 'newer version' which will be released soon.

Perhaps it was meant to come with the Grande launch?

undead · 22nd February 2008, 13:17

this Sumo is great. Looks spacious for this price and top end model costing at 7.57 Ex-showroom , seems TaTa has got a product on the dot . Congrats TATA..

HappyWheels · 22nd February 2008, 13:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steeroid

The Safari 2.2 displayed at the Auto Expo looked quite different on the inside compared to the regular 2.2/3,0 and the tata officials did mention something vaguely about 'newer version' which will be released soon.

Perhaps it was meant to come with the Grande launch?

Now that would be a good thing. this will also give them a good reason for a price increase.

Murugan · 23rd February 2008, 08:09

Here is a nice video of the TATA Sumo Grande on YouTube:

YouTube - Tata Sumo Grande

I know it has been posted elsewhere; but just for completion (so that members do not need to search elsewhere) - here is the official web site:

Home

The above site also has an e-brochure as an exe file (not in pdf format). Its an electronic copy of the same brochure available at TATA dealers. As of now this website (strangely) has no link from the tatamotors website.

I am not personally too concerned about taxi image etc as long as the vehicle is good. As a member pointed out - even Mercs are available as Taxis in India and abroad.

No doubt it is competition to the Safari, Tavera, Scorpio and even the Innova. I am one potential (pearl white) Safari EX buyer who was stopped in the tracks by the stunning looks and exqusite creature comforts (reclining 2nd row seats, rear AC vents, front facing 3rd row seats etc) of the Grande. To me the Safari misses out on reclining 2nd row and the front facing 3rd row seating comfort, the Tavera has an uninspiring (very poor acceleration), noisy drive, the Scorpio is too bouncy and the Innova has a (personally_ unacceptable look. If the reviews of the Grande are good and my test drive confirms it I will definitely plump for the Sumo Grande.

sudhirlp · 23rd February 2008, 20:16

Did a quick mini test drive for about 1 km. The gears were very notchy. Infact, that's the only thing that's kinda putting me off. I had postponed my purchase of SX4 at 2007 year end / 2008 year beginning just 'cos I saw the Grande (via TBHP) and then the Youtube, then AutoExpo.

Will take a longer TD later and weigh my options. Currently, wait period in Chennai is anywhere between 4-6 weeks (supposedly). And even without the prices announced, booking is going on with a deposit of Rs.1.Lac !!

venkat79 · 23rd February 2008, 21:07

I had a chance to see Sumo Grande in Concorde showrooms in Bangalore. Only one version is available right now - Sumo Grande GX.

To describe in one word, it is an 'amazing' package for an on road price of 8.78 lacs.

The dealer told me that it gives a mileage of 12 km in city without A/C.
Already 10 have been booked with this dealer. This is going to be a Scorpio beater. The dealer jokingly & informally said that it is going to eat even into Safari sales. He feels that it will not go for Taxi and it is completely different from Sumo.

All the 3 rows are very comfortable for seating and interiors look definitely better than scorpio. The A/C vents on the roofs are awesome.

I had a test drive and it was pretty decent. There were some pickup issues with 2nd gear but overrall it was really good.

kiren · 24th February 2008, 09:29

I got to TD the Grande at Fortune-Thane. Only GX is available. Ex-mumbai - Rs.8.65L on road.
Gears are Hard. They claim a mileage of 16 under test conditions. Interiors Fit & finish is very plastic. Carrying luggage with 8 people will be an issue as a carrier cannot be fixed as per the dealer. NO ABS.
Overall i am a bit dissapointed but will wait and watch whether to go for an HAWK or Grande. As i find Hawk a bit expensive without any other versions.

abhinav.gupta88 · 24th February 2008, 16:37

I saw one standing near my house. Orange Colour. Will Get Pictures soon

LLL · 24th February 2008, 17:36

I think Tatas are missing out a trick to make Grande unbeatable...

they should offer AT, AT+Cruise Control, ABS and Airbags as value packages on every grande variant.

A Grande EX+ABS+Airbags will make a safe drive for most of folks. A Grande LX+AT+CC will make a perfect cheap SUV for long highway drives and b-2-b city runs.

Jr Godzilla · 24th February 2008, 17:40

i feel grande will kill safari. safari anyway looks dated.

with new look, new engine 2.2 same in safari it really does not make sense in buying a safari unless a person is 4x4 oriented (to get some kind of offroad) or simply snob value.

looks good!!!

rajneeesh · 24th February 2008, 17:42

Went to Automobile Sterling in Noida to have a look at the vehicle. It would rate a very highly but for the traditional Tata weakness, i.e plastic quality. The plastic quality, fitment and texture is much worse than an Indica. Straight lines, poor grain of the materials and a complete lack of imagination as far as the layout and detailing is concerned. The gear lever switches and ac vents feel pathetic.

It is a vehicle I would buy the day Tata improvs the quality of the interiors but they seem to be going from bad to worse.

narayan · 24th February 2008, 17:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by rajneeesh

Went to Automobile Sterling in Noida to have a look at the vehicle. It would rate a very highly but for the traditional Tata weakness, i.e plastic quality. The plastic quality, fitment and texture is much worse than an Indica. Straight lines, poor grain of the materials and a complete lack of imagination as far as the layout and detailing is concerned. The gear lever switches and ac vents feel pathetic.

It is a vehicle I would buy the day Tata improvs the quality of the interiors but they seem to be going from bad to worse.

now with some of you guys who saw the vehicle saying interiors are bad...
i wonder what TATA is trying to do with this vehicle ? if they are targetting individual buyers, the quality of interiors is going to be a turn off...

does this come with the same engine as safari ? and in same state of tune ?

if only interiors were good, it would have been a good scorpio alternative/

LLL · 24th February 2008, 17:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by rajneeesh

Went to Automobile Sterling in Noida to have a look at the vehicle. It would rate a very highly but for the traditional Tata weakness, i.e plastic quality. The plastic quality, fitment and texture is much worse than an Indica. Straight lines, poor grain of the materials and a complete lack of imagination as far as the layout and detailing is concerned. The gear lever switches and ac vents feel pathetic.

It is a vehicle I would buy the day Tata improvs the quality of the interiors but they seem to be going from bad to worse.

how is the external paint job, fit and finish, quality of body metal?

22nd February 2008, 12:44	#47
Kontoo BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 114 Thanked: 52 Times	Damn good looking vehicle and a damn cool website. The rear could have been a little muscular though.
	() Thanks

22nd February 2008, 13:17	#49
undead Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Bhavani - Komarapalayam Posts: 1,194 Thanked: 179 Times	this Sumo is great. Looks spacious for this price and top end model costing at 7.57 Ex-showroom , seems TaTa has got a product on the dot . Congrats TATA..
	() Thanks

23rd February 2008, 20:16	#52
sudhirlp BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Chennai Posts: 80 Thanked: 0 Times	Did a quick mini test drive for about 1 km. The gears were very notchy. Infact, that's the only thing that's kinda putting me off. I had postponed my purchase of SX4 at 2007 year end / 2008 year beginning just 'cos I saw the Grande (via TBHP) and then the Youtube, then AutoExpo. Will take a longer TD later and weigh my options. Currently, wait period in Chennai is anywhere between 4-6 weeks (supposedly). And even without the prices announced, booking is going on with a deposit of Rs.1.Lac !!
	() Thanks

23rd February 2008, 21:07	#53
venkat79 Newbie Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 6 Thanked: 0 Times	Sumo Grande - Test Drive Bangalore I had a chance to see Sumo Grande in Concorde showrooms in Bangalore. Only one version is available right now - Sumo Grande GX. To describe in one word, it is an 'amazing' package for an on road price of 8.78 lacs. The dealer told me that it gives a mileage of 12 km in city without A/C. Already 10 have been booked with this dealer. This is going to be a Scorpio beater. The dealer jokingly & informally said that it is going to eat even into Safari sales. He feels that it will not go for Taxi and it is completely different from Sumo. All the 3 rows are very comfortable for seating and interiors look definitely better than scorpio. The A/C vents on the roofs are awesome. I had a test drive and it was pretty decent. There were some pickup issues with 2nd gear but overrall it was really good.
	() Thanks

24th February 2008, 09:29	#54
kiren BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: mumbai Posts: 454 Thanked: 33 Times	I got to TD the Grande at Fortune-Thane. Only GX is available. Ex-mumbai - Rs.8.65L on road. Gears are Hard. They claim a mileage of 16 under test conditions. Interiors Fit & finish is very plastic. Carrying luggage with 8 people will be an issue as a carrier cannot be fixed as per the dealer. NO ABS. Overall i am a bit dissapointed but will wait and watch whether to go for an HAWK or Grande. As i find Hawk a bit expensive without any other versions.
	() Thanks

24th February 2008, 16:37	#55
abhinav.gupta88 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Delhi , India Posts: 4,092 Thanked: 341 Times View My Garage	I saw one standing near my house. Orange Colour. Will Get Pictures soon
	() Thanks

24th February 2008, 17:36	#56
LLL BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Delhi Posts: 636 Thanked: 2 Times	I think Tatas are missing out a trick to make Grande unbeatable... they should offer AT, AT+Cruise Control, ABS and Airbags as value packages on every grande variant. A Grande EX+ABS+Airbags will make a safe drive for most of folks. A Grande LX+AT+CC will make a perfect cheap SUV for long highway drives and b-2-b city runs.
	() Thanks

24th February 2008, 17:40	#57
Jr Godzilla BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: pune Posts: 269 Thanked: 151 Times View My Garage	i feel grande will kill safari. safari anyway looks dated. with new look, new engine 2.2 same in safari it really does not make sense in buying a safari unless a person is 4x4 oriented (to get some kind of offroad) or simply snob value. looks good!!!
	() Thanks

24th February 2008, 17:42	#58
rajneeesh Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: noida Posts: 1,118 Thanked: 557 Times	Went to Automobile Sterling in Noida to have a look at the vehicle. It would rate a very highly but for the traditional Tata weakness, i.e plastic quality. The plastic quality, fitment and texture is much worse than an Indica. Straight lines, poor grain of the materials and a complete lack of imagination as far as the layout and detailing is concerned. The gear lever switches and ac vents feel pathetic. It is a vehicle I would buy the day Tata improvs the quality of the interiors but they seem to be going from bad to worse.
	() Thanks