Ford is offering the new Endeavour in India with two diesel engine
options. We tested the 3.2-litre powered variant recently and came out
quite impressed with its strong performance. Now it’s time for us to
test the 2.2-litre version. The latter is the more popular engine of
the two because of its desirable price positioning. Let’s find out how
capable the smaller engine is to haul this big brute. We took it to
Goa from Mumbai in varying traffic and road conditions to get the
proper feel of this American SUV on Indian soil.
DESIGN AND STYLING
The Ford Ranger pick-up platform underpins the all-new Ford Endeavour
- This is a ladder -on-frame construction and has its inherent
strengths of durability and ruggedness. It doesn’t have a jazzy
styling but looks premium. The Ford Endeavour 2016 reminds you of the
classic American muscle trucks. It comes with a new trapezoidal front
grille which has horizontal slats. Then there are projector headlamps
with LED DRLs, a roof-mounted rear spoiler and 18-inch alloy wheels.
An Endeavour branded chrome strip runs across the tailgate between the
tail lamp clusters. This makes it look premium.
The Ford Endeavour 2016 is rugged and sleek. This SUV is 4892mm long
and has a ground clearance of 225mm. This allows the Ford Endeavour
2016 to tackle any kind of terrain with ease. The menacing road
presence and massive size can make the weak tremble. This makes the
Ford Endeavour 2016 stand out in a crowd.
CABIN
Step inside and you’ll be happy to note that the vast exterior
dimensions have liberated good interior room, and with it has also
come a much plusher feel. The dashboard top is covered in
double-stitched leather and feels nice to touch, although lower down
in the cabin, you’ll find some bits that seem low-rent for the price.
The Titanium variants get a nice 8-inch touchscreen with Ford’s latest
infotainment system, called Sync 2. In addition to providing Bluetooth
connectivity and streaming music, it also uniquely allows for voice
commands, and a valet mode that can shut off the display when you are
handing over the car to someone else, protecting any personal data you
might have stored in the system.
The touchscreen system is flanked by two large air-con vents and on
top of the glovebox is a nice, chunky, satin-finished plastic strip.
The steering wheel feels great to hold and is well designed, but has a
few too many buttons on it. There are two hi-res information screens
in the instrument panel that sit on either side of a central
speedometer. The one on the right is the car-and-driver interface,
while the one on the left is a display for the audio functions. The
centre console looks nice and simple, with not too many buttons except
the AC and audio controls. Below this there are multiple power sockets
followed by a nice cavity to store odds and ends. Just ahead of the
gearknob, there are buttons to control the park assist, traction
control system and a dial for the off-road controls. This rotary dial
operates Ford’s Terrain Management system. There’s space behind the
gearlever with two rubberised cup holders and all the doors get bottle
holders too.
Sink into the large, powered driving seat and finding a good driving
position is quite easy. You immediately realise the new car is much
wider on the inside than the earlier one and there’s an abundance of
legroom in the second row too – the seats, though a touch too low, are
quite comfortable with good cushioning. Headroom is not too great on
variants equipped with the panoramic sunroof though. The third row,
however, isn’t quite spacious enough for adults – you are sat low,
it’s cramped for kneeroom and headroom, and access is quite a chore.
The ability to slide the second row forward does at least afford some
relief, making it possible to use the last row occasionally over short
distances. Impressively, the third row is powered, and can be folded
away at the touch of a button, but even with them in place, luggage
room is not too bad. Fold them away though, and space is properly
impressive. Unlike the previous Endeavour, the boot opens via a hatch,
not a door, and it’s powered. This also means the spare wheel has had
to be moved to beneath the car.
ENGINE AND PERFORMANCE
The model we test drove was the 3.2L TDCi with a 6-speed automatic
gearbox. On paper, the engine might seem a bit less powerful than may
be required for a behemoth like the Ford Endeavour. But with more than
adequate torque available through the rev-band, the new model doesn’t
seem weak or lumbering on the road. There is a healthy 470Nm of torque
available, though this peak level is generated within a small
rpm-range of between 1,750 to 2,000 rpm. As a result, the 3.2L TDCi
has a punchy and strong mid-range, and the sub-1,500 rpm acceleration
cycle feeling a bit more laboured. Idling rpm-level is at about 900
rpm. Its performance on the road is brisk and the torque converter
gearbox is often what seems to be the part of the powertrain that
needs to better match the engine. The new Endeavour has excellent
stopping power despite the fact that it is shod with MRF Wanderer
All-Terrain tyres.
The other engine on offer is the 2.2L TDCi, which puts out a peak
power of 160PS and peak torque of 385Nm. This variant is also offered
with the option of a 6-speed manual gearbox. Both the engine models
are offered with 4X4 variants. With an electric locking rear
differential and an All Terrain Management System, the new Endeavour’s
4X4 capability is quite significant. Capable of shifting on-the-fly
with the rotary selector and with a water-wading capability of 800mm,
the Endeavour is built to get off the road on an expedition or maybe
even stay on it during the monsoons!
RIDE AND HANDLING
I was also impressed with the Endeavour’s dynamics, despite its bulk
and the superb ride quality. Expectedly, there’s body roll and at
times the MRF tyres make you feel like they’re having trouble pulling
the heft through, but there’s a confident feel to the SUV. The
steering wheel even offers a precise feel, which aids confidence. The
ride quality though is brilliant, as there isn’t much lateral movement
and the suspension soaks in bump, potholes and a lot more very well.
SAFETY
The Ford Endeavour 2.2 comes with all the safety kit offered with the
3.2, except driver knee airbag and hill descent control. Otherwise it
comes with six airbags – dual front airbags, side airbags and curtain
airbags. ABS with EBD is there of course, standard with electronic
stability programme and traction control system. The new Ford
Endeavour is being offered with 2 year/1,00,000 km warranty and 24×7
roadside assistance with optional extended warranty. Ford has had a
bumpy ride in India previously with buyers’ unsatisfactory perception
towards their after sales service. However, the American carmaker now
promises much better service experience and has come a long way in
terms of network pan India.
BOTTOMLINE
While this new 2016 Endeavour is unarguably leagues better than what
it replaces, Ford India aren’t really looking to outdo themselves. As
a matter of fact, the brand is vying for the entry-level full-size
luxury SUV crown and the new Endeavour is more than capable for the
task. It not only looks the part but also drives well. And more
importantly for fans of the old Endeavour, it still comes with genuine
off-road credentials.
Ford Endeavour Ex Showroom Price in New Delhi ranges from 23,91,200/- (Endeavour 2.2L 4X2 AT Trend) to 29,59,000/- (Endeavour 3.2L AWD AT Titanium) .Ford Endeavour has 3 Variants of Diesel are available in India. Ford Endeavour comes in 6 colours, namely Diamond White,Golden Bronze,Moondust Silver,Panther Black,Smoke Grey,Sunset Red.