Force Gurkha
Force's short-wheelbase off-roader: a ladder-frame, four-seat SUV with a 2.6-litre diesel, a 5-speed manual and four-wheel drive with locking differentials at both ends. It suits buyers who want a serious trail machine and accept a basic, noisy, manual-only vehicle for daily use.
- Seating
- 4
- Engine
- 2596 cc
- Mileage
- Not published
- 140 PS, 320 Nm 2.6 diesel with a 5-speed manual
- 4x4 with low range is standard
- Manual diff locks on both axles
- 233 mm ground clearance and 700 mm wading depth
- Snorkel, LED headlamps and 18-inch alloys come as standard
- Tight 5.5 m turning radius
- Gurkha 3 Door₹16.25 lakh
There is only one version at ₹16.25 lakh. It is worth it if you will use the low range and diff locks often. For mostly city and highway driving, a Mahindra Thar or Maruti Suzuki Jimny is easier to live with.
- MG Hector₹12.14 – 20.00 lakh
- Kia Seltos₹11.25 – 21.82 lakh
- Tata Sierra₹11.49 – 21.59 lakh
Force Gurkha specifications
- Claimed mileageNot published
- Transmission5-speed manual
- Body typeSUV
- Fuel typeDiesel
- Engine2596 cc
- Seating capacity4
View all specifications
| Engines | 2.6 turbo diesel |
|---|---|
| Gearboxes | 5-speed manual |
| Power | 140 PS |
| Torque | 320 Nm |
| Claimed mileage | Not published |
| Seats | 4 |
| Length | 3965 mm |
| Width | 1865 mm |
| Height | 2080 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2400 mm |
| Ground clearance | 233 mm |
| Boot space | 500 litres |
| Fuel tank | 63.5 litres |
Force Gurkha variants: price and features
- Base variantGurkha
Gurkha 3 Door
₹16.25 lakhOn-road priceKey features- 4x4 with low range and electronic shift-on-the-fly
- Manual front and rear differential locks
- Air intake snorkel
Show all features
- 4x4 with low range and electronic shift-on-the-fly
- Manual front and rear differential locks
- Air intake snorkel
- Dual airbags, ABS and EBD
- 9-inch touchscreen and digital instrument cluster
- Tyre pressure monitoring
Our verdict on the Gurkha
The Gurkha is one of the most capable off-roaders you can buy new in India at this price. Locking differentials front and rear, a snorkel, 233 mm of clearance and short overhangs let it go where most SUVs turn back. The catch is everything else. There is no automatic and no petrol, only two airbags, and the cabin and refinement are basic. The 3 Door also costs more than many Mahindra Thar versions and Force's dealer and service network is much thinner than Mahindra's or Maruti Suzuki's. We would buy one only as a dedicated weekend trail vehicle, or if you live in hill country with poor roads. For a fun daily SUV, the Thar or the Jimny makes more sense.
Good things
- Locking differentials on both axles and low-range 4x4 as standard
- 233 mm ground clearance and a factory snorkel for deep water
- Short 3,965 mm body and 5.5 m turning radius help on narrow trails
- Simple, one-price line-up with the full off-road kit included
Could be better
- Manual only, diesel only, with no automatic option
- Only two airbags and a basic cabin for ₹16 lakh-plus
- Small service network compared with Mahindra and Maruti Suzuki
- Two side doors make the rear seats awkward to reach
Force Gurkha colours and photos
- Green
- Red
- White
- Black
Force Gurkha: a proper off-roader with few comforts
The Gurkha is Force Motors' answer to the Mahindra Thar. The current version was updated in 2024 with a more powerful 2.6-litre common-rail diesel, now rated at 140 PS and 320 Nm. Force says the engine is derived from a Mercedes-Benz design. It drives through a 5-speed manual and a transfer case with 2H, 4H and 4L, switched electrically by a knob. There is no automatic and no petrol.
Force sells the 3 Door in one fully loaded version at ₹16.25 lakh ex-showroom. It seats four, with two individual seats in the back. Standard kit includes LED headlamps, 18-inch alloys on all-terrain tyres, a 9-inch touchscreen, a digital instrument cluster, tyre pressure monitoring, cornering lamps, dual airbags and ABS with EBD. The air intake snorkel is fitted at the factory, not sold as an add-on.
Where the Gurkha stands out is hardware. It has a ladder-frame chassis, coil springs at all four corners, and manually locked differentials on both the front and rear axles. Force quotes 233 mm of ground clearance, 39 and 37 degree approach and departure angles, and 700 mm of water wading. Few vehicles at any price come this ready for hard trails.
Gurkha 3 Door or 5 Door?
The 5 Door costs ₹1.33 lakh more and adds two rear doors, a third row and a 425 mm longer wheelbase. It is the better family car. The 3 Door is shorter, turns tighter (5.5 m against 6.3 m) and is easier to place on narrow trails. Pick the 3 Door only if off-road agility matters more than access and space.
How does it compare with the Mahindra Thar?
The Thar offers petrol and diesel, automatic gearboxes and a far bigger service network, and many versions cost less. The Gurkha gives you locking differentials on both axles and a snorkel as standard. For serious trail use, the Gurkha is better equipped out of the box; for everything else, the Thar is easier to own.
What mileage will it give?
Force does not publish an official fuel economy figure for the Gurkha. Expect a heavy, boxy 4x4 with a 2.6-litre diesel to be thirsty in town. The 63.5-litre tank gives a useful range on long trips.
Is it safe for family use?
It has dual airbags, ABS with EBD, tyre pressure monitoring and speed-sensing door locks. It lacks the side and curtain airbags that many rivals at this price now offer. Treat it as a capable off-roader first and a family car second.
Gurkha vs rivals
| Spec | Force Gurkha₹16.25 lakh | MG Hector₹12.14 – 20.00 lakh | Kia Seltos₹11.25 – 21.82 lakh | Tata Sierra₹11.49 – 21.59 lakh | Kia Syros EV₹13.50 – 20.00 lakh |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Body | SUV | SUV | SUV | SUV | SUV |
| Fuel | Diesel | Petrol | Petrol, Diesel | Petrol, Diesel | Electric |
| Engines | 2.6 turbo diesel | 1.5 turbo petrol | 1.5 turbo, 1.5 petrol, 1.5 diesel | 1.5 petrol, 1.5 turbo petrol, 1.5 diesel | Single front electric motor, 42 kWh or 51.4 kWh battery |
| Power | 140 PS | 143 PS | 160 PS | 106 PS (1.5 petrol), 160 PS (1.5 turbo petrol), 118 PS (1.5 diesel) | 135 PS (42 kWh), 171 PS (51.4 kWh) |
| Gearbox | 5-speed manual | 6-speed manual, CVT | Manual, iMT, IVT, DCT, Automatic | 6-speed manual, 7-speed DCT, 6-speed automatic | Single-speed automatic |
| Mileage | — | 12.40–13.94 km/l | 17.0–20.7 km/l | 15.3-21.26 km/l | 443 km (42 kWh), 526 km (51.4 kWh) claimed |
| Seats | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Boot | 500 litres | 587 litres | 447 litres | 622 litres | 390 litres |
| Compare | Viewing | Gurkha vs Hector | Gurkha vs Seltos | Gurkha vs Sierra | Gurkha vs Syros EV |
Force Gurkha on-road price and EMI
Every state →- New Delhi₹19.32 lakh
- Mumbai₹19.61 lakh
- Bengaluru₹20.35 lakh
- Chennai₹20.21 lakh
- Kolkata₹18.91 lakh
- Bhopal₹19.24 lakh
Estimated for the cheapest and dearest variant we price: road tax, registration, FASTag and insurance. Own-damage insurance varies by insurer.
Gurkha EMI
₹27,303 a month
On ₹16.25 lakh ex-showroom, 20% down (₹3.25 lakh), 5 years at 9.5%. Total interest ₹3.38 lakh.
Loan or cash: which is smarter? →Force Gurkha owner reviews
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Force Gurkha FAQ
What is the price of the Force Gurkha in India?
The Force Gurkha costs ₹16.25 lakh ex-showroom, depending on the variant. The on-road price adds road tax, registration and insurance, which depend on your state.
Which fuel options does the Force Gurkha come with?
The Force Gurkha is sold with diesel power (2.6 turbo diesel).
How many people can the Force Gurkha seat?
The Force Gurkha is a 4-seater suv.
What is the length of the Force Gurkha?
The Force Gurkha is 3965 mm long, 1865 mm wide and 2080 mm tall, with a 2400 mm wheelbase.
How much boot space does the Force Gurkha have?
The Force Gurkha has 500 litres of boot space.
Does the Force Gurkha come with an automatic gearbox?
The Force Gurkha is offered with 5-speed manual gearboxes.
What is the ground clearance of the Force Gurkha?
The Force Gurkha has 233 mm of ground clearance.
Which Force Gurkha variant should I buy?
It depends on your budget and which features you will actually use. Book a 15-minute call with Smart4Wheels and we will tell you which variant is worth it for you, and which to skip.
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