Get Lost in the Wilderness

In my Mahindra Thar review, I wrote that it was “for everyone with a thirst for adventure”. But then what does that make the Force Gurkha? An SUV that is not only a more capable off-roader than the Thar, but will be the one to come to the Thar’s rescue when  it gets itself stuck on rougher terrain. Sure, the Force Gurkha doesn’t have the features that the Thar does. In fact, it doesn’t even have the features an entry level hatchback does. But what it does have, is character. Oodles and oodles of character. It is a jeep that will go toe-to-toe with the Thar when the going gets tough, and then leave the Thar behind when it gets tougher. A vehicle that can not only tackle the roughest terrain, but will wholeheartedly welcome the muck into its cabin. What makes the Gurkha such a niche choice, and yet such a special car? Let’s find out in our Force Gurkha review.

Force Gurkha Pros and Cons 

Force Gurkha Exterior Design 

The Force Gurkha's exterior design is a celebration of rugged, utilitarian aesthetics that perfectly align with its off-road prowess. It's a vehicle that appears most at home smeared in mud in the heart of a forest. The round headlamps, complemented by LED DRLs, exude a smart and functional look. Its boxy, old-school design radiates a robust and macho aura, emphasising its true-blue off-road credentials.

The presence of a snorkel, jutting out assertively, leaves no room for doubt—this vehicle means business and laughs at river crossings. Remarkably, the Gurkha carries minimal branding, with only its name gracing the front. Turn signals placed on the bonnet add to its unique charm.

In the side profile, the Gurkha appears compact, thanks to its short wheelbase, promising excellent approach and departure angles for tackling challenging terrain. The 16-inch wheels wrapped in all-terrain tyres further underline its off-road prowess. The doors emit a satisfying thud when closed, echoing the vehicle's robust build.

The Gurkha's design continues to impress with a large rear window, a two-door configuration that exudes a smart and adventurous persona, and pronounced wheel arches that facilitate ample suspension travel when conquering rough terrain. The rear design is equally thoughtful, featuring a spare tyre mounted at the back, a sturdy ladder for roof rack access, and functional fog lamps embedded in the bumper. Altogether, the Force Gurkha's exterior design is a compelling visual declaration that irresistibly beckons adventure and off-road escapades.

Force Gurkha Interiors 

The interior of the Force Gurkha stays true to its utilitarian ethos, with a no-frills, functional approach. It embraces simplicity and ruggedness, making it well-suited for off-road adventures. Two captain seats in the rear, accessible from the tailgate, offer practicality, although rear AC vents are notably absent. However, ample headroom in the rear ensures a comfortable experience.

Moving to the front dash, it exudes a stark and basic demeanour, featuring analogue controls and hard plastics throughout. This simplicity is intentional, allowing occupants to embrace the dirt and rough conditions without worry. Luxury is not on the menu here, unless you consider USB ports a luxurious touch, although given its price point, some buyers might expect more.

Two cup holders in the middle serve their purpose but are set back, requiring a bit of a stretch to access. In essence, the Gurkha prioritises function over form, catering to those who seek a rugged and practical interior for their off-road escapades. If you're in the market for a feature-rich cabin, you may need to explore other options, as even the Mahindra Thar, which is already considered minimalist, feels comparatively more feature-loaded in this context.

Force Gurkha Comfort 

The Force Gurkha caters to driver comfort with its high seating position, complemented by a steering wheel that offers both rake and reach adjustments. This flexibility makes it easy to find a commanding seating position, particularly beneficial for off-road excursions where visibility is key.

However, in terms of instrumentation and comfort, the Gurkha keeps it very simplistic. The dashboard features analogue dials with only one small digital information display in the middle. While this setup serves its purpose, it lacks the modernity and sophistication found in many contemporary vehicles.

The fabric seats are comfortable enough for the intended purpose, but they may leave some occupants wanting for better thigh support. Despite its simplicity, the Gurkha prioritises functionality, ensuring that the driver can comfortably navigate challenging terrains while maintaining a good vantage point.

Force Gurkha Performance and Handling

The Force Gurkha boasts impressive performance credentials, primarily driven by its robust 2.6-litre diesel engine producing 90 bhp and a substantial 250 Nm of torque. Mated to a 5-speed manual transmission, this powertrain isn’t much when driving on tarmac, but is a force to be reckoned with when off-roading.

The Force Gurkha truly shines as an off-roader. It navigates rough terrains and obstacles with remarkable ease, rarely requiring a slowdown even for speed bumps. In fact, the Gurkha's off-road prowess is exemplified by its use as a recovery vehicle for the Rain Forest Challenge, underscoring its capabilities.

On the road, the Gurkha maintains a comfortable cruising speed at around 80 km/h. Beyond this threshold, it may feel somewhat unsettled. However, the vehicle offers a light clutch and smooth gear shifts, surprising given its rugged nature. It proves quite drivable in urban settings, despite being designed for the more challenging terrains.

While some body roll and ride quality are to be expected due to its ladder-on-frame chassis, it performs better than anticipated, especially when tackling bumps. Nonetheless, it's advisable not to push the limits when cornering at high speeds.

Despite its shortcomings, the Gurkha instils a sense of dominance on the road, and its generous ground clearance of 205 mm enables it to tackle a wide range of obstacles with ease. In the realm of off-roading, this vehicle stands tall, often putting more expensive 4x4 SUVs to shame with its sheer capability and prowess.

Force Gurkha Key specifications 

Force Gurkha Safety Features

Safety features in the Force Gurkha are fairly basic, in alignment with its no-nonsense, rugged character. Typically, buyers of this vehicle prioritise its off-road prowess over advanced safety technologies. Nevertheless, the Gurkha does include essential safety elements, such as dual front airbags, offering fundamental protection for the driver and front passenger. The presence of a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) contributes to tire health and safe driving, while the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) prevents wheel lockup during abrupt stops, enhancing steering control. Lastly, the Gurkha incorporates Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and a Differential Lock (Diff Lock), adding to its capabilities in challenging terrains. 

Force Gurkha Technology and Infotainment

The tech offerings in the Force Gurkha lean towards simplicity. The system features four speakers, which provide adequate audio quality for the intended purpose.

The 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system serves as a functional interface, offering connectivity options like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. These features enhance the driving experience by allowing smartphone integration for navigation, music, and hands-free communication. The Gurkha keeps it basic with manual air conditioning. Unfortunately, there are no rear vents, so rear passengers may feel the heat on warmer excursions.

Is the Force Gurkha for you?

Yes. Even if you don’t have an urge to venture into the great outdoors, the Gurkha will make you want to. Don’t make this your daily driver and only car, obviously. But whether you’re having a midlife crisis or someone looking to up their cool quotient while driving into the office parking lot, the Gurkha will do just fine on both fronts. It’s a basic, special, and old-school car, and they just don’t make them like this anymore. It does what it needs to, and not much else. And what it does, it does very well.