Founded in 1932, Force Motors has shaped India’s public transport for both public transport and utility vehicles in India way before SUVs became fashionable. From the Tempo and Matador to the Trax and Traveller, the brand has always put function above finesse. Today, Force Motors cars sit in a unique position. They do not compete with mass market SUVs or feature-heavy MPVs. Instead, they are concerned with mechanical honesty, ruggedness and long-term dependability.
In India Force is best known for two things. First, it is the largest van manufacturer in the country, dominating staff transport, school buses and tourist fleets. Second, it is the only Indian brand which offers a factory-built 4x4 SUV with front and rear locking differentials at this price point. Engineering partnerships with Mercedes-Benz and BMW provide credibility, especially because Force produces engines for both brands in India.
Ownership is practical as opposed to premium. The service network is broad in the commercial centres but spotty in the urban retail experience. Long-term ownership costs remain low because of the simplicity of the mechanicals and resale is also good in niche areas where durability is more important than brand image.
Force's passenger lineup is small but purpose-built and each model is tuned for a specific role. Apart from Gurkha and Urbania, which are the core models, you may also find Trax, but the availability is quite limited in urban areas.
| Model | Mileage | Engine & Output | Ex-Showroom Price |
| Force Gurkha (3-Door) | 9.5 kmpl | 2.6L diesel, 138 bhp, 320 Nm | ₹15.95 Lakh |
| Force Gurkha (5-Door) | 9.5 kmpl | 2.6L diesel, 138 bhp, 320 Nm | ₹17.27 Lakh |
| Force Urbania | 11 kmpl | 2.6L diesel, 114 bhp, 350 Nm | ₹26.34 – 31.83 Lakh |
Force Motors bases its lineup on usage rather than segments, which is why its products feel so different from mainstream cars.
Off-road SUVs
The Gurkha range aims at serious off-road users. Both 3-door and 5-door are available with 4x4 hardware, manual differential locks and a snorkel. This is not an urban lifestyle SUV. It is designed for trails, water crossing and broken terrain.
High-capacity MUVs
Trax-based models are reliable people movers suited to rural and semi-urban India. Seating layouts, ground clearance and torque delivery are optimised for load and not comfort.
Premium Shared Mobility
The Urbania is Force's move towards modern passenger transport. Its monocoque construction, safer cabin and highway stability make it suitable for corporate and tourist use where comfort and image are important.
Force vehicles are designed to be long-lasting, not to make an impression at first glance. The Gurkha has a heavy-duty, torsionally strong ladder frame chassis, which is ideal for off-road stress. Panels are thick, paint is utilitarian, and corrosion protection is designed for long rural use.
Interiors remain basic on most models. The Gurkha's cabin is made of hard plastics, but has better ergonomics and usable switchgear. Urbania takes a step ahead with a cleaner dashboard, improved NVH control and seating comfort. The focus of technology is functional. Touchscreens are for basic smartphone connectivity and the interfaces are simple. The standout features are mechanical: locking differentials, low-range gearing and high water-wading ability. Safety improvements can be seen in Urbania, although the brand still trails the mainstream SUVs in active safety tech.
All existing Force Motors cars are based on a single, Mercedes-sourced 2.6-litre diesel engine, tuned differently according to application. In the Gurkha, the engine delivers 138 bhp with 320 Nm with a focus on driving torque at low speeds for creeping off-road conditions. In Urbania, the same block is retuned to provide 350 Nm to give improved highway cruising and load carrying capability.
There are no petrol, hybrid or EV options in the personal vehicle lineup yet. This diesel-only strategy limits the appeal in urban markets but maintains the reliability of the strategy in remote usage, where the quality of fuel and service support varies.
Force keeps transmissions simple and currently, there is no automatic gearbox available.
Owning a Force car is more about practicality than polish.
Service & Maintenance Costs
Routine servicing is cheap because of simple mechanics. Parts are durable and widely available in the commercial market, but urban dealership experience varies from location to location.
Reliability & Durability
Force vehicles are known to survive abuse. The engine and drivetrain are not overstressed, which makes them suitable for long-term ownership use on poor roads.
Resale Value
Resale is good in niche segments. Gurkha retains value in the off-road market, while Trax and Traveller platforms have consistent demand in the rural and fleet market.
Force is growing cautiously with a focus on capability.
Following GST rationalisation, most Force Motors cars are now attracting a lower 18 per cent GST instead of 28 per cent plus cess. This has made the price of Force cars much lower, particularly for Urbania and Traveller-based models. For commercial buyers, Input Tax Credit further reduces the ownership cost, thereby making Force vehicles financially attractive for fleet usage.
Choosing the right Force car is entirely dependent upon how you intend to use it, whether that is off-road exploring, moving large groups or running a premium transport business.
Force Gurkha
Best for people who are buying the car for off-road use and who need mechanical strength rather than top-notch comfort. Suitable for trails, rural use and enthusiasts who want factory-fitted 4x4 hardware.
Force Gurkha 5-Door
Adds family usability to the Gurkha formula. Works if you want one vehicle that you can use for both daily driving and serious off-road use.
Force Urbania
Ideal for premium fleet operators and large families who need space, safety and highway comfort over SUV styling.
Force vehicles make sense for buyers who value durability, mechanical honesty and space over refinement. A Force car is not made to compete with feature-rich urban SUVs. It is constructed to handle harsh roads, load and long service cycles and that strength is its biggest forte.
There are compromises that cannot be avoided. Interiors are basic, automatic options are absent and the dealership experience is functional at best. If you are looking for family usability, refinement and latest features, then other alternatives will be much better suited for your use case. Still, for off-roaders, rural users and commercial operators, Force Motors cars provide exactly what they promise. If purpose is more important than polish, Force car price in India is hard to beat.
Yes. Force Motors Ltd is an Indian company, headquartered in Pune. It was founded in 1958 and manufactures vehicles such as the Gurkha and Trax Cruiser in India.
The Force Trax Cruiser is the most affordable, priced at ₹13.83 lakh (ex-showroom).
Force cars price start from ₹13.83 lakh for Trax Cruiser and range to ₹18 lakh for Gurkha 5-door ex-showroom.
Yes. Force uses Mercedes-derived engines, like the FM 2.6 diesel, in models such as the Traveller and Gurkha.
Force Motors has a long legacy and strong engine partnerships with Mercedes, BMW, and Rolls Royce. But its SUVs lack modern interiors, making them niche but dependable.
Force Motors itself manufactures the FM 2.6 diesel engine, derived from Mercedes OM616 motor. It is produced in Pune.
The Force Gurkha failed to sell in great numbers because of being a niche product. It appeals only to those who need a hardcore off-roader and don’t mind absence of luxury features, comfort and a wide service network.
Force sells Travellin in various seating configurations. The exact prices vary based on the variant, but they around ₹19.9 lakh ex-showroom.
Yes. The Force Gurkha is built in India by Force Motors. It was first launched in 2008. It uses an Indian-made Mercedes-derived diesel engine.
When considering buying second hand Force Motors cars, pick options like used Force Motors Gurkha , second hand Force Motors Citiline, used Force Motors Force One etc that are known for their durability and long-term reliability, especially when you buy pre-inspected options from a trusted platform.