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Ford's Thunder has arrived.

A Review by Sushrut Babhulkar on Ford Endeavour 3.0 Thunder+ 4x4
06 March, 2008


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Overall
Pros : Fantastic Macho looks,
Cons : Plastic is bad, more wooden touch will give a better feel
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I aquired my Ford Endeavour Thunder Plus after toilling a lot over so many SUV's.I being a doctor had opportunity to have driven manu SUV's in Europe all over and in USA too.After my comeback to India ther wasn't a single Motor company who had looked at this segment.Only conventional Jeep kind of vehicles were available and I personally doubt very much if any dedicated research is been put in to ensure passenger safety.
I evaluated very critically New Tata Safari( 2.2),Honda CRV ( new,2008),Mitsubishi Pajero.All these three vehicles as they kind of fit into each other price range wise and also specifications wise.I was also observing How Ford Company behaves in terms of offering more models to Indian Market.Ford Endevour, then new Endeavour 2.5 and now 3 litre Thunder plus.
I drove my first 125 kms in Thunder Plus and take my word for it ...its a powertrain, an absolute beast on & off road, tremendous driveability, very stable on turnings.Its the coming of Hummer to India.I highly recommend it to all enthusiasts and go for 4 wheel drive.You may use it sparingly but, its good to know you have 4 wheel drive in store with you.


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24 Comment(s) on this Review

  1. on 25 Mar, 2008 at 12:51 PM Sunny

    Hi, thats a nice comment though. Do u think tata safari 2.2 can be compared with Endeavour?? which one is much better .. scorpio or the new safari???

  2. on 26 Mar, 2008 at 07:53 AM Sushrut Babhulkar (Nagpur)

    Tata new safari is better than the new scorpio.Is a personal opinion. Scorpio looks macho, sporty but poor off roading ability.Nice in city.Good turning radius but I will vote for Safari ! And yes you are right Endeavour ( THunder Plus especially ) has no comparison in the class. I sated it only for the sake of comparison for the new buyers.

  3. on 31 Mar, 2008 at 10:16 PM Sameer Chavan

    very good safty and havy duty in suv seagment. good performance and good comfort seating aregments.

  4. on 24 Apr, 2008 at 02:13 PM Narayana Pai (Bangalore)

    Hi Sushrut,

    I haven't personally driven the endeavor, but I read a lot about the bad ride. I wanted to know your first hand information on how bad the ride is, especially in the second row.

    Regards
    Narayana

  5. on 27 Apr, 2008 at 10:32 AM Jeet

    Hi Sushrut,
    I am also planning to buy Endeavor Thunder..But how does it fare against Captiva?Also compared to European and American SUVs,is this SUV upto that standards?

  6. on 27 Apr, 2008 at 12:38 PM Sushrut Babhulkar (Nagpur)

    Dear Narayana & Jeet,
    Some problem definately is there about ride quality in thrid row of seat,but,its ability to glide on rough terrrain and offroading ablity far outweighs everything else. Captiva is also a good vehicle , but too small.Certainly a good option if you r going to be a significantly higher city rider too.But if you r looking at more of highway driving, mountain riding, offroading...endevour especially thunder is unbeatable. Yes it is comparable to Euro & US standards.

  7. on 12 May, 2008 at 01:52 PM Sanjay Patil

    I was not able to make my mind in between 2.5 and 3.0 ltr, but after reading Sushrut Babhulkar's feed back sure I am going for Thunder

  8. on 12 May, 2008 at 01:57 PM Sanjay Patil

    Dear Sushrut,
    Can you tell me about the fuel consumption of Thunder ? Is it very high compared to 2.5 ltr ?

  9. on 26 May, 2008 at 09:53 PM Rajiv Malhotra (New Delhi)

    Hi Sushrut,
    I have narrowed down to the Nissan X-trail / Endeavour Thunder. Did you compare the X-Trail as well. Am looking for absolute performance and style; size is not important. Thanks. Rajiv

  10. on 27 May, 2008 at 07:45 AM Sushrut Babhulkar (Nagpur)

    Sanjay, Fuel consumption of Thunder though not as good as 2.5....its almost there.On a long drive , outside city it gave me around 12 kms for a Turbo Diesel.So the road was good.I used a refined diesel.At the same time city driving has never been more than 9- 10 kms.But thats ok for the amount of power I get.
    Nissan X-trail.Its again a great vehicle with low ground clearance, pathetic fuel consumption,lesser power for more money.I would still put my money on Thunder versus X-trail.

  11. on 06 Jul, 2008 at 01:21 AM Pankaj Gupta

    Hi Sushrut, others
    I am planning to buy an SUV and not decided between Thunder and Pajero. The Pajero is supposed to have less power but better ride. Any experience with both the vehicles ?
    Pankaj

  12. on 07 Jul, 2008 at 07:20 AM Sushrut Babhulkar (Nagpur)

    Pankaj, Pajero ....big name.But no modification in engine, type of fuel delivery, etc. THunder is a constant improvement in technology over the Ford Ranger truck.Well suited to Indian Environment , road conditions etc.Go for it !

  13. on 16 Jul, 2008 at 07:59 PM Manoj Mp

    HI, I am looking for a SUV too, and have pondered many weeks over this,Pajero is dated, Xtrail too expensive, Grand vitara cheap, but runs on petrol, Captiva not four wheel drive, Land cruiser Prado and the others like Audi Quattro much beyond reach.. Sigh.. a good SUV lover is in pain... Seems like I need to test drive the Endeavour. Sushrut, thanks!

  14. on 10 Aug, 2008 at 09:40 AM Mathew.S

    Thunder+ a value for money SUV,its the best SUV in India.I have driven a 4X4 Endeavour(2007)for 1 lakh kms in 12mon's in all possible terrains, before switching to Thunder+. After waiting for a 2month delivery period I feel today I cannot compare to Pajero(old wine in new bottle), vitara/Captiva/CRV(softroaders...disguised to be SUV's),VWToureg/AudiQ7/PorcheCayanne/Merc-M/BMW-X(can never to bought to be taken offroad)..but if u hav extra money go for Montero and if not then go for TataSafari.

  15. on 11 Aug, 2008 at 08:14 AM Sushrut Babhulkar (Nagpur)

    I guess with time, more people getting into Thunder Plus mode....it will beat all SUV's available in the market today hands down. I suggest understanding one's need though.If you are not a serious off-roader one may opt for a lesser version too.

  16. on 16 Aug, 2008 at 04:04 PM Radhika

    I need to travel 16 + 16 kms everyday from home to office and back. All year round roads aew bad. Constant digging and holes everywhere.
    With this background, is it advisable to buy a Endeavour-Thunder? Ride quality is important to me. Is it possible to get a good ride quality in a true SUV ? Or should we go for a soft roader ? Will a soft roader give a nice ride quality on roads full of holes and pot holes? help please , my back hurts.

  17. on 18 Aug, 2008 at 09:29 AM Sushrut Babhulkar (Nagpur)

    Radhika, I am myself an orthopedic surgeon ( check on google !) and I can assure...Ford THunder is a good ride quality.Especially while off roading.Ofcourse you dont expect to get a Mercedes quality ride.But considering your road condition, demand of more hours of travel I guess this is your best option.Also this is the only vehicle with fantastic ground clearance...also jumping ability on pot holes.For your back ofcourse you need to take additional care though !!!!!

  18. on 18 Aug, 2008 at 05:37 PM Sushrut Babhulkar (Nagpur)

    Radhika why I dont know my name has come anonymous...it is Dr Sushrut Babhulkar.

  19. on 19 Aug, 2008 at 11:25 PM Shankar_S004

    Hi,I am planning to buy a SUV,though i was opting for CRV becoz of honda..now since thunder plus is launched planning 2 go for tat but few people are advicing to wait for Toyota Fortuner,a bit confused though..cant wait to get an SUV.Please advice.

  20. on 19 Aug, 2008 at 11:27 PM Shankar.S.Menon

    Hi,I am planning to buy a SUV,though i was opting for CRV becoz of honda..now since thunder plus is launched planning 2 go for tat but few people are advicing to wait for Toyota Fortuner,a bit confused though..cant wait to get an SUV.Please advice.

  21. on 20 Aug, 2008 at 05:30 AM Sushrut Babhulkar (Nagpur)

    Shankar,
    If you are confused & can really wait.....let toyota fortuner come. It is smaller in size, powerful, good off roader.But its Indian reports are not yet out.They matter as we have to have vehicle for our Indian conditions. I am sure though Thunder Plus would win hands down ! ! Sushrut.

  22. on 20 Aug, 2008 at 05:25 PM Shankar.S.Menon

    Hi,Actually i cant wwait anymore.The only thing i want additional in an SUV is cruise control,if i wait and Toyota Fortuner comes without cruise control my wait will be a big loss.So better i gofor Ford Thunder Plus.Thanks for the reply yaar.One more thing i need to know is how is the handling and ride in City drive?apart from the parking space problem?I have a Honda accord so i think the length wont be that much of a problem.But still,please advice.

  23. on 21 Aug, 2008 at 08:07 AM Sushrut Babhulkar (Nagpur)

    Dear Shankar,
    I think City ride is not the issue.Its comfy. Of course again not as smooth as Accord or Merc or BMW.Its true test is off roading.But again if you have a BIG family....its a great vehicle.In fact, I have personally ended up using it more to carry my family around while going for long drives or a movie. THird row is a boon.THough again not very comfortable for adults to sit there. RIde is bumpy on roads full of speed breakers.Neverthless, my strong recommendation.......Go for it !

  24. on 21 Aug, 2008 at 09:49 AM Shankar.S.Menon

    Dear Sushrut,
    Thanks a lot for the advice will be goin 4 thunder plus for sure.

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