he new and attractive Sumo Grande Mark II definitely scores higher than its predecessor, says Ashish Masih
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Spot the difference? Look at the new Sumo and it’s hard to point out the variations from the earlier car immediately.
On the outside, there’s not too much to distinguish the improved car. You get a bit of chrome on the grille, indicators on the outside mirrors and a chrome-lined rub strip on the doors to give the slabby sides some relief and definition.
You also get special steel wheels that are designed to look like alloys; they actually look quite swell from a distance. Also, the Sumo tag is tucked aside and the new model will simply be known as the Grande Mark II — an acknowledgement that the utilitarian Sumo brand didn’t quite cut it with aspirational car buyers.
However, once you step into the cabin, you’ll immediately notice the much-nicer quality of the upholstery. Gone is the hard feeling of the plastics, which now offer a better ‘soft-touch’ feel. The central console comes in a matte black finish, which gels well with the beige theme of the cabin. And the beige colour itself lends an air of roominess to the already roomy interior.
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One big improvement in the cabin is the new steering wheel, which has been borrowed from the Indica Vista. It is smaller than the earlier unit and much easier and better to hold. The smaller unit also ensures that access to the indicator stalk is more convenient than before. Also, the stereo now gets an iPod port, a big convenience in this day and age.
Overall, quality feels better too. The door handles have a solid feel to them and the seats offer better cushioning as well. The middle row can now be moved in an easier, spring-loaded action, which is much more convenient.
But sadly Tata Motors has paid very little attention to the panel gaps, which are an eyesore in an otherwise fine cabin. Also, the plastic quality on some of the parts is poor and well below that of rivals.
Where the Grande scores points is in the passenger comfort zone. All three rows have generous space, especially the third row, which feels the most comfortable in its class. However, it can sit only two due to the raised central hump. Though the Mahindra Xylo still has the edge on overall comfort, the new Sumo comes close.
Another glaring ergonomic issue is the oddly placed clutch pedal. It is offset to the left by a huge margin, leaving no space to rest your left foot. Oddly enough, there is no dead pedal either.
However, other Sumo virtues remain. Ride quality is still very good, thanks to the upgraded suspension, which offers a cushioned and very damped ride. There is still a fair amount of body roll, though. Push the car into a corner and you’ll immediately notice its generous girth.
No changes have been made to the engine and the 2.2 DiCOR motor, shared with the Safari, stays under the hood. It provides good amounts of power above the 2000rpm mark. But there is massive improvement required for the gearbox. It is vague to shift and has a long rubbery throw, which is a huge disappointment.
On the whole, the Grande Mark II is a major improvement over the earlier model and offers a credible alternative to the Xylo. But then, it doesn’t come close to the Toyota Innova — it still isn’t Grande enough.
SPEC CHECK
tata sumo grande mark ii
Price: Rs 7.66 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai)
L/W/H: 4421/1780/1940mm
Wheel base: 2250mm
Ground clearance: 180mm
Engine: 4-cyls inline, 2179cc, common-rail, direct-injection, turbodiesel/ front, longitudinal, RWD
Power: 118bhp at 4000rpm
Torque: 25.4kgm at 1500-3000rpm
Gearbox: Five-speed manual
Brakes (F/R): Ventilated discs/ drums
