New Tata Sumo

The Tata Sumo has been enjoying its position in the MUV market since 1994. It had stiff competition with the Toyota Qualis and now competes with Chevrolet Tavera. The discontinuation of Qualis to launch the Toyota Innova proved advantageous to Tata Sumo. The Sumo has seen a series of changes in terms of refinement in this decade. It has been the favourite choice for cab owners, as it is rugged and affordable.

The new Sumo Victa has been portrayed as a family lifestyle vehicle, but in fact is a carry over of the old Sumo, with some cosmetic changes. The Sumo comes in nine Victa variants: CX 10/7 Str, DI CX 7/9/10 Str, DI EX 7/9 Str, DI GX 7/9 Str, DI LX 7/9 Str, EX 10/7Str, GX 7 Str, GX TC 7 Str, and LX 10/7 Str. All variants, except the Victa DI variants, are powered by a 2-litre Inline-4 diesel engine. The GX and GX TC variants get a 2-litre turbocharged diesel engine that generates 89 bhp. The Victa DI variants get a 3-litre turbocharged diesel engine. Refinement, both internal and external, is evident across the variants. Tata's latest three variants under the 'Sumo Grande' category are LX, EX and GX available in 2-seater, 7-seater and 8-seater configurations. Sumo Grande boasts of a powerful 2.2-L direct injection common rail (DICOR) engine.

The Sumo is powered by a 2.0L Inline-4 diesel engine that pumps out 67 bhp @ 4,500 rpm and makes 117.5 Nm of torque @ 2,500 rpm. The Sumo Victa GX Turbo variant is fed by a turbocharger to deliver 89 bhp @ 4,300 rpm while making 186 Nm of torque @ 2,500 rpm. This is a considerable gain in terms of power as compared to the non-turbo engines. The non-turbo engine is underpowered due to the vehicle weighing 2,500 kgs.

Under the hood of the Sumo Victa DI variants is a heady 3.0L diesel engine, which cranks out 69 bhp@3000 rpm and 223 Nm of torque @1600 to 2200 rpm. All the engines are connected to the rear wheel and power is regulated by a 5-speed manual transmission. Gear shifting is not impressive as compared to that of its competitors; powertrain also needs refinement. The powerful 2.2-L Direct Injection COmmon Rail (DICOR) engine delivers 118 bhp of power and is linked to a 5-speed manual transmission. As the Grande variants are built with a large wheelbase of 2550 mm, they offer more spacious interiors with adequate legroom for comfortable travelling.

The Sumo gets an independent suspension with coil spring and anti-roll bar in the front and leaf spring at the rear. Shocks are dampened by hydraulic double acting dampers. It fairs well on rough roads as well as city roads but is not a true off-roader. The body is rugged but the fittings are not like those of a modern vehicle. There is visible body roll while harsh breaking and tight cornering. The MUV's brakes are excellent. Thus, it is an apt choice for commercial transport.

Though not substantial, there is a moderate change in the Sumo's looks; however, its bulky styling is still evident. The exterior fit and finish are not up to the mark; it suits the profile of a commercial vehicle but not that of a luxury family MUV. The front grille, headlamps and taillamps have been re-designed with some interesting side cladding and jazzy decals. The front of the newly launched Grande is adorned by large clear lens headlights, huge bumpers, elegant alloy wheels and a stylish grille.

The interiors of the Sumo are quite upscale as compared to those of its earlier models. The brushed silver trim on the midnight black console looks pretty smart. The console and the instrument gauges are uncluttered and easy to read. The steering wheel is borrowed from the Indigo and the power controls from the Indica. Seats are comfortable and supportive but inadequate legroom still persists. For more cargo space, the third row seating space has to be compromised with. The AC ducts on the roof for all three rows do a good job. The PVC spare tyre cover adds some beauty to the MUV; not to forget the alloy wheels, which are an excellent option to get that sporty feels. The new Grande has a roomy beige coloured interior that features 3-row seating and an impressive list of comfort and convenience features to increase the level of comfort. Also standard are stain resistant upholstery, power steering, power windows, tilt adjustable steering wheel, and height adjustable driver's seat.