Tata Sumo Grande - Temerarious & Grand(e)

Looks

Enthralling and tantalizing, that’s how the Sumo Grande looks when viewed against her elder sister, Sumo. It’s like comparing Alexandra Paul and Angelina Jolie. The latter would be the choice of most and we can vouch for that. The Sumo was essentially just a handsome looking bread-box on wheels with straight lines and a large body. Despite regular design updates, the Sumo never really looked the part and, with time, fell in the crowd as just another machine. The Sumo Grande however has moved the game higher. Much higher.

Although the mechanicals are mostly identical to the good ‘ol trusty Sumo, the looks are drastically different. The front has an appealing snout manifested by an elegant bumper and square-ish headlamps that sit between the large and pronounced ‘V’ shaped grille. When viewed in profile, the Grande manages to look a little like the Mitsubishi Montero and if you look at it head-on from below, some images of the Land Rover flash past as well. Even the ‘Zephyr Green’ that our test-car was painted in, looks much like Land Rover’s green. The bonnet is comparatively short vis-à-vis Sumo but that too adds character to the Grande. The wheel arch completes the picture and flows well into the bumper endowing the front-end with a voluptuous and enticing look. It looks like Angelina Jolie’s pout – swollen yet ever-so-inviting. Be sure to attract eyeballs wherever you go in this machine.

The side profile isn’t something to shout about but the tapering window line does add a sporty character and carries the straight lines to the rear. We would have liked to see some side cladding to make it look like a pukka SUV, but Tata, it seems, had something else in mind. Moving behind, it really is a very smart sight. The spare tyre that is now mounted underneath the body could have been hooked on the tail gate itself to give it a more macho appeal, but even in the current form, accentuated by that chrome strip, it is quite a looker. And will you just look at those tail-lamps! The rear is the most visually captivating aspect of this ersatz and pretentious SUV. The fresh tail lamp design makes you salivate upon it. ‘Nuff said.

The Grande sits on a wheelbase of 2250mm which is quite a bit more than the original Sumo despite the overall length being a shade shorter. So this two-box machine gives you ample space inside to stretch your legs and you get a sense of airiness. Instantly when you climb inside the cabin, you notice that the talented horde of engineers that Tata has, have been at the helm of things to up the ante. The interior looks neat and attractive. Keeping in mind the price that it comes at, the Sumo Grande’s interior does actually have a good looking, self-effacing aura. I particularly like the steering wheel and the dials that sit in front of you. But it’s not a fairy tale all through as there are quite a few thwarting things.

Once you occupy that big, super comfy captain’s chair, you notice that the steering wheel is positioned a little towards the left. It does not sit directly in line of your sight. To notice this flaw, all you need to do is sit straight while your legs are parallel to each other. Observe now. The steering wheel will be a bit closer to your left thigh. To prove it further, lower the steering wheel and what you will notice is that the wheel touches your left thigh and is quite a bit away from the right one. This was not the only problem. The gear lever, although adding to the macho looks, is quite disenchantment. It is square in shape and that’s like holding the head of a life-size G.I. Joe toy to shift through the cogs. This gets even worse when you realize that the shift quality is quite bad as well. Wooly, hard and rubbery shifts make sure that you have quite an exercise.

Ergonomically, the interior does well. That fake wood which decorates the centre console looks like it is taken from the Safari and the integrated clock shouts aloud to prove it. The glove box is spacious enough to accommodate the imperative documents and the odd wallet etc while cup holders incorporated in the glove box are a useful and neat touch. Lots of cubby holes and storage compartments make sure that your loose change or other items are held in place while the rear passengers get dedicated cup holders. Though the door pockets at the front are bounteous, the ones at the rear could have been better. The rear air-con ducts are smartly integrated into the roof. A storage tray under the passenger seat is novel feature which will prove helpful when hiding away expensive stuff.

The look of the interior aside, plastic quality is typical Tata – nonsensical and much to be desired of. The rattles are quite audible and even the blower is loud when you put it at speed three. There was a squeak here, a rattle there, the rear seats were making a funny noise and for no apparent reason, our seatbelts kept getting jammed even when the car was not moving! And then is the design flaw which does not allow you to adjust the height of the seat when the door is closed. Not good. But then, something else overcame all these galling issues that we were faced with. What was that? I’ll tell you.

Once the air-con (which is damn good, if I may add) made the environment inside cool and comfortable, we started feeling nice. The overall comfort level is the reason for that. The super seats which offer the most accurate support at most essential places are particularly brilliant. The ones at front are more of a luxurious armchair with that perfectly placed arm rest letting you relax yourself after a hard time that you had shifting the gear. The second row is wide enough to seat three and offers high levels of under-thigh support while the reclining back rest keeps you happy and relaxed even on long-distance journeys.

When it comes to the last row, please allow me to be startled. I’ve been in many SUVs, some very expensive, but never have I experienced the last row of seats this comfortable. No, it is not as relaxing as the middle row, but it is supremely relaxing when compared against other cars. In other cars, you wouldn’t be able to fit in on the last row of seats, primarily because you have legs. This Sumo though, really is big inside and even fully grown up adults will find it easy to be seated on the last row in relative comfort over quite a good distance. The practicality is boosted by the split and completely folding middle row of seats as well as the tumbling and removable rearmost seats.