Tata Sumo Gold GX - An Ownership Review

[TwinStar]

Any plans for alloys?

I checked with a couple of folks on alloys - my friendly sales advisor @ Concorde Motors, my neighborhood Michellin dealer. Both of them discouraged me from upgrading until 40K Kms - by which time my tyres would have worn out.

The primary reason being, that the 215/75/R15 dimensions are pretty decent for the Sumo. New alloys & new tyres would set me back by Rs 50-60 K or so.

To be honest, I do ogle at the 235/70/R15 Yokohoma Geolandar A/T on ChangeMyTyre- India

For now, I am holding off on the alloys.

 

[sudharshang]

Fantastic and honest review Twinstar !

Does the top end model have Airbags and ABS?

I would have considered this beast and Bolero, if they had released these upgrades in 2011

 

[Ambylovers]

Hi,
Color Scheme is very nice. If you fit matching alloys, SUMO looks very good.
It will take the taxi image out.

 

[Tornado]

Congratulations, twinstar.
Nice to read that T badge won over T badge.

Biggest advantage for you is TATA owned TASS near your home. I too get my car serviced there.

One suggestion - get the interiors wrapped in leather or velvet once the stock one start looking older, And I'm sure none of the family member would recall anything about the innova.


Yes, the Tamihini bad patches, WIP /diversions at NH4 are places where you will always feel that money is well spent. .

OT- May I know reason behind your TAI handle.? Are you father of Twins?

 

[TwinStar]

Fantastic and honest review Twinstar !

Does the top end model have Airbags and ABS?

I would have considered this beast and Bolero, if they had released these upgrades in 2011

Unfortunately, no Airbags or ABS. I believe these should be provided as optional - at extra cost.

 

[TwinStar]

One suggestion - get the interiors wrapped in leather or velvet once the stock one start looking older, And I'm sure none of the family member would recall anything about the innova.

Yes - the current plan is to go for stitched imitation leather seats for 7200/- - all 9 seats.

Yes, the Tamihini bad patches, WIP /diversions at NH4 are places where you will always feel that money is well spent. .

After I bought the truck, I did a couple of weekend excursions in the hills (forts) and ghats (Tamhini & Varandha)-- and I agree, the rides were smoother than the Hyundai i10, etc. I am planning a Malshej ghat, Bhandardara trip later this weekend.

 

[konkantrip]

Yes - the current plan is to go for stitched imitation leather seats for 7200/- - all 9 seats.

Have you thougth of towel seats. The other day saw a white towel seat covers in a sumo and they we really giving a royal look to the vehicle also they are washable and easy to maintain

 

[Tornado]

Turkish towel type, almost 1to 1.5 inch thick from top notch 'elegant' brand should cost approx 3.5 K. You can buy 2 sets in that budget and can wash them in washing machine at home and replace them alternatively whenever car is given for interior cleaning. White colour would compleme nt the grey exteriors nicely. Google Image Result for http://2.imimg.com/data2/II/WN/MY-4024071/towel-super-soft-white-500x500.jpg

The leather @9k, won't be genuine. It must be artificial leather.
It causes lot of sweating in summer and remains too cold in winter.

 

[IndicaDLS2002]

Yes - the current plan is to go for stitched imitation leather seats for 7200/- - all 9 seats.

Yep thats a good idea, at least in my opinion even if there are hot summers because you can use the AC to beat that. The towel stuff will get very dirty very soon & will need washing very often & as a result will not last very long.

 

[rayal]

hai twinstar,
i suggest to go for seat covers with sporty color combination
further go for alloys n with them Yokozuna looks great!
once again i appreciate for writing exhaustive ownership review
do post pictures in different angles

 

[KALINGA]

Yes - the current plan is to go for stitched imitation leather seats for 7200/- - all 9 seats.


After I bought the truck, I did a couple of weekend excursions in the hills (forts) and ghats (Tamhini & Varandha)-- and I agree, the rides were smoother than the Hyundai i10, etc. I am planning a Malshej ghat, Bhandardara trip later this weekend.

Could you please post some interior pics .
Many things have been changed from the old model.
BTW...what is the KMPL now?
With AC on, is there any effect on power?

 

[TwinStar]

Could you please post some interior pics .
Many things have been changed from the old model.
BTW...what is the KMPL now?
With AC on, is there any effect on power?

I will post some interior pics soon. If you can - please take a test drive and check the interiors for yourself.

Overall, I am happy with the fuel efficiency. This is not an area of concern to me. Over the last 3-4 weeks I have driven about 2500 Kms - 700 Kms of these in the city and the remaining over highways and hills. I get about 12 kmpl in the city and about 17 Kmpl on the highways. A single tank is contains 65 litres of diesel and I have not had an opportunity to test the mileage exclusively across highways or the city. The numbers above are based on my rough estimates & observations. Earlier, my i10 was giving me about 13 kmpl in the city - and since switching over to this beast - I can say that my commute costs have actually decreased. Given the narrowing gap between petrol & diesel prices - I am not sure how long this will hold.

There is no impact on the power with the AC on on straight roads or on steep inclines - climbing up.

I hope this helps.

 

[TwinStar]

Initial Ownership Review

• Distance Covered – 2512 Kms over 5 weeks
• City Commute - 660 Kms
• Outside City Trips – 1852 Kms

Trips made

1. Everyday work commute – 15 kms each way – 30 Kms everyday
2. Pune – Satara – Kaas – Bamnoli – Sajjangad - Kolhapur – Panhalgad – Pavan Khind – Kolhapur – Pune
3. Pune – Varandha Ghat – Mahad – Raigad Fort – Tamhini Ghat – Pune
4. Pune – Narayangaon – Bhandardara – Ratanwadi - Igatpuri – Sinnar – Pune

City Driving

1. Smooth Spot – 3rd gear – 1500 rpm – average speed 35 – 60 Km/hr & 4th gear – 1500 rpm – average speed – 60 – 80 Km/hr
2. Brakes are average – as compared to Hyundai i10 & Alto k10. I wonder if the brakes need to be replaced with a better spec-ed replacement.
3. The beast does not induce confidence while handling sharp curves @ 50 Km/hr. I think a wider profile of 235/70/R15 will help.
4. Easy car like handling is a boon. Power steering is smooth. Gear Shifts are effortless.
5. Parking into my narrow lot is a breeze. Need to reverse over 2 K turns.

Highway Driving

1. Smooth Spot – 5th gear – 90-100 kms/hr
2. Overtaking is not a problem but has to be some what planned unlike the Alto K10. I guess this has got to do with the bhp/ton (power to weight) ratio.
3. I have not driven over 100 kms/hr. At 100 Kms/hr, the beast is at 1700-1800 rpm. I think the beast can go upto 120-140 km/hr - easy. The red band is at 3000 rpm.
4. On patchy roads, like Tamhini ghat stretch, handling is fantastic – the suspension is very soft and the beast was able to handle anything you threw at it.
5. Wipers are excellent & no complaints – even in pouring heavy rains.
6. Rear Wiper has only one speed – medium fast.
7. Speakers could be better. Stock OEM speakers in Hyundai i10 are much better.
8. AC is very efficient. Rear vents are powerful too. No impact on power, when both ACs are on.
9. Speakers could be better. Stock OEM speakers in Hyundai i10 are much better.
10. USB slot on music system is very useful

In the Hills

1. Sweet Spot - Steep Inclines – 2nd gear – 1500 rpm – 20 kms/hr. Around the hills – 3rd gear – 35-55 km/hr
2. The Sumo can climb steep inclines very very easily with all 9 seats occupied
3. Easy car like handling is a boon. Power steering is smooth. Gear Shifts are effortless.

Niggles that need to be fixed at my next visit to the service center

• Driver side seat belt gets stuck – sometimes
• The fog light button gets stuck – sometimes

Service Center Experience - 1st free servicing @ 1700 Kms done. Excellent experience at Concorde Motors. Prior appointment was made. Car checked-in at 9 AM and work done at 1:30 PM.

Next scheduled service is at 15000 Kms or 12 months - which ever is earlier. However, I plan to change the oil and oil filter @ 7500 kms instead of 15K Kms – given my non city driving, the dusty roads & not to mention the driving in the hills.

 

[TwinStar]

Here are some photos from these trips.

Raigad Fort - Shivaji's Mausoleum


Raigad Fort - Market Place


Amruteshwar Temple - Ratangad - Bhandardara


Amruteshwar Temple - Ratangad - Bhandardara


Konkan Kada @ Bhandardara


Hydroelectric Power Station - Level 2 @ Bhandardara


View from the Raigad Ropeway


Inside the Raigad Fort from a distance


Panhalagad - just after the main entrance


Panhalagad - Sunday Market


Shivsagar Lake - Bamnoli


Kaas Plateau - Flowers had not completely bloomed then. I expect them to be in full bloom in the week of 28 Sept 2013.


A young trader at the Panhala Sunday Bazaar


Slightly OT - All photos were taken by an ubiquitous 8 Megapixel Android phone camera. Some of the photos are hazy, because we were at higher altitudes and in some cases there was fog (cloud?) around.

The W point near Mt Kalsubai


A clear view from the rear @ Konkan Kada, Bhandardara

 

[dr_desai]

Here are some photos from these trips.

Raigad Fort - Shivaji's Mausoleum
View attachment 109540

Thanks for posting pictures.Amruteshwar temple sounds very interesting.It must be about 1000 years old.My guess is based on my detailed study of Indian encient temples. I am pleasantly surprised that your Gold is giving average of 17kms/lit on highway.I am keen to buy Sumo Gold but afraid of small niggles.Looking for a Japanese option within my budget that is to say less than Rs 10 lacks. Or may be eventually end up with the GOLD !I will further follow this thread
and study your experience.