Ford Endeavour is better known as Ford Everest in other parts of the world. Maybe because of its inheritance from the Ford Ranger Pickup truck, this SUV feels more truck-like. It’s massive, mature, rugged and definitely male :).
The exterior of the Endeavour is identifiably Ford and undeniably a sight snatcher. This picture perfect bison has a very striking appearance with bold chrome grills, bright clear lens headlamps and round mould indicators fitting right on the high raised face. The back with vertical lights and a covered Stephney though looks simple has an attitude.
The duel tone color with a silver gray lower body looks great, and goes well with the mighty tyres and the crafted alloy wheels. In all it looks like how an SUV should, yet not as sophisticated as the Honda CRV or the Chevy (Subaru) Forester.
The inside too is neatly done. The console is well detailed but lacks charm and old dash and needs some rethinking. He’s a tall man and will let you get in and out of him at ease. The head room and leg room is great in the front and the second row, but the third row makes the knee fold a little bit, actually, more than a little bit :). It’s good only for kids or luggage.
He’s got all the leather for an SUV, but has he got the muscle? I took a test drive and this is how I felt,
The 2.5 Litre, 111 BHP Turbo Diesel engine might look decent but for a vehicle of this size, it’s definitely underpowered. The acceleration is not great as it takes a whooping 20 seconds to reach the first three digit speed, hm… really slow for an SUV that cost in 7 digits. The ride quality is quite good, the suspension is great on the road, and it glides over pot holes. The 4X2 city version is easy to maneuver despite its size. The high seating and huge bonnet give you the King-of-the-road feeling. As of the 4X4 off-roader, it still is not perfect. The shift from the two-wheel to four-wheel drive cannot be done on the fly, the vehicle needs to stop to change. Our home made Safari has this option.
The obvious problem Endeavour has would be its parking. It’s tough to park, to take a U-turn or even reverse through a narrow lane.
He’s massive but still not that thirsty. Surprisingly the Endeavour gives a decent 7.5kmpl in city and 11kmpl on the highways. Its large tank assures a long journey before a refill.
Finally, the Endeavour is typically a made-up pickup truck, but who said truck can’t look pretty? The vehicle is not powerful enough to match it size, and parking is a pain. But the better side is a good ride feeler, good space, good mileage and a decent off-road driving, that the Endeavour offers. The 4X2 is a better bet as the 4X4 needs more refinement and bites more into your pocket. With SUVs like the Safari in the market, it’s going to make the Endeavour run for every rupee.
