Design
The new Endeavour maintains its truck-like powerful exteriors enhanced with a new square grille and biggersmarter lamps.The idea is still to send lesser beings scurrying off the road. The macho looks combined with its huge wheels, massive ground clearance has its own set of loyal admirers. The SUV which looks like one unabashedly. If you are looking for curves and beauity, then this is not the car for you.
The tough exterior is contrasted by the luxurious interior. The two-toned dashboard looks good with hooded dials and green needles. The leather seats are absolutely plush and good looking.The seats move backward and forward with ease.
On the flip side, the manual antenna is shockingly archaic and “the carry-over from the old” the dash-mounted handbrake is difficult to operate.
Comfort
Ride quality has always been the bane of Endeavour riders. The new Endeavour with a superior suspension and longer leaf springs offers a smoother ride. It is still tough on the rear passengers, while going over road bumps. The leather seats are luxurious and comfortable enough, although a high floor amounts to wee bit lack of thigh support. The front and middle rows have plenty of legroom and headroom The third row is meant only for children and when in place amounts to very little boot space.
But once removed-which can be done very easily- there is plenty of luggage room.
A lot of functional bits like an array of cubbyholes, a mobile charger and large side pockets have been added. All three rows get AC vents of their own.
Engine and Transmission
The much-awaited CRDi engine takes the Endeavour light years ahead. Both the low and high performance have tremendously improved. At a healthy143bhp Endeavour is amazingly sprightly vehicle for its size. It showcases an impressive pulling power, and quick pick-up (0-100 kph in 13.89 seconds). The slight lack of low-end power makes city driving not so enjoyable. On the other hand, a lighter clutch and the new smoother five-speed transmission make highway cruising most pleasurable.
The much-refined engine is less noisy and does not sound like diesel. The mileage figures of 9.3 kpl (city driving) and 12.2 kpl (highway driving) are pretty good considering the size and weight of the vehicle. The fairly accurate and direct steering makes the turning around the bends easier. The turning circle is huge making parking a difficult exercise. Off-roader to the boot, the Endeavour with its high ground clearance and massive wheels is ready to take on any rough terrain you name. The 4WD version with a set of low range ratios and a limited slip differential is specially made for taking on mountain climbing.
Safety
With its high ground clearance, large wheels and a very large bonnet Endeavour is one of the safest cars onthe Indian roads Safety features like 2 airbags (dual-stage for the driver and co-passenger), collapsible steering, seat belt pre-tensioners and load limiters make the driver and passengers safer on board. Anti-lock Breaking System (ABS) that stops the brake from locking when braking suddenly. Electronic Breakforce Distribution (EBD) that automatically varies the amount of force applied to each of a vehicle's brakes, based on road conditions, speed, loading, etc. It applies more or less braking pressure to each wheel in order to maximize stopping power whilst maintaining steering control. With all of the above, Endeavour is now even safer than before.