Force Gurkha

Engines, mileage, and running cost

The Force Gurkha is offered in a single powertrain configuration: the FM 2.6 CR engine, a 2,596 cc four-cylinder turbocharged common rail diesel unit with lineage tracing back to Mercedes-Benz. It produces 140 hp at 3,200 rpm and 320 Nm of torque across a broad band of 1,400–2,600 rpm, making it well-suited to low-speed crawling and sustained pulling on gradients up to 35°. The sole transmission is a 5-speed manual gearbox — there is no automatic option.

The claimed fuel efficiency figure is 15 km/l, but real-world usage tells a different story. User-reported mileage aggregated by Hindustan Times Auto puts the figure closer to 9.5 km/l in mixed conditions, which is consistent with the Gurkha's heavy ladder-frame construction, tall body, and all-terrain tyres. With a 63.5-litre fuel tank, the practical range on a full tank in real-world driving is approximately 600 km. Running costs are modest given diesel pricing, but the Gurkha is not a vehicle to buy for fuel economy.

Force Motors does not offer a petrol, CNG, or hybrid variant of the Gurkha. The entire lineup — both 3 Door and 5 Door — runs on diesel only.

Performance and drive

On paper, the Gurkha's 0–100 km/h time of 9.85 seconds and 20–80 km/h in-gear sprint of 5.75 seconds (third gear) are respectable for a body-on-frame off-roader. In practice, Autocar India notes that the engine feels agricultural and refinement is limited, with noticeable body roll on tarmac. The hydraulic power steering is accurate but heavy at low speeds, and the ride quality on broken urban roads is firm.

Off-road, however, the Gurkha is in a class of its own among Indian-market vehicles at this price. The 39° approach angle, 37° departure angle, and 28° ramp-over angle are segment-best figures. The mechanically actuated differential locks on both front and rear axles — the only vehicle in its class to offer this — allow the Gurkha to extract traction in situations where electronic systems on rivals would give up. The 5.50-metre turning radius, lowest in class, makes it surprisingly manoeuvrable on narrow trails.

The multi-link coil spring suspension on all four wheels (independent double wishbone at the front, solid axle with Panhard rod at the rear) delivers excellent wheel articulation. Water wading depth of 700 mm via the roof-mounted air intake snorkel is a genuine capability, not a marketing claim.

Cabin, space, and tech

The All New Gurkha generation brought a meaningful interior upgrade over its predecessor. The dashboard is finished in midnight black soft-touch material with a floor console that provides useful utility space. The 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and the digital instrument cluster replaces the old analogue dials. Tilt and telescopic steering adjustment, power windows, central locking, and mobile charging points for all occupants are standard.

The 5 Door variant seats seven and features four captain seats with armrests for second-row passengers — a comfort-oriented touch unusual for a hardcore off-roader. The 3 Door is a four-seater with a more focused layout. Boot space in the 3 Door is 500 litres according to Autocar India's data; the 5 Door's boot capacity is not officially stated. Panoramic windows for passengers and a wide windscreen improve all-round visibility.

Lighting technology is modern: Force LED Pro Edge headlamps with full LED high and low beam, cornering lamps, and the Follow Me Home / Lead Me To Gurkha convenience feature. Auto-dimming interior lights and intermittent variable-speed front and rear wipers round out the convenience package. The cabin is functional rather than luxurious, and long-distance comfort on highways is not the Gurkha's strength.

Safety and ADAS

The Force Gurkha comes with dual airbags (driver and co-passenger) as standard across both variants. Additional safety hardware includes a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System with live monitoring of all four tyres, speed-sensing door locks that actuate above 10 km/h, front disc brakes, and a full-size spare wheel. The full metal body structure adds passive safety.

The Gurkha has not been tested by Bharat NCAP or Global NCAP as of September 2026. There are no ADAS features — no autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep assist, or adaptive cruise control. For buyers prioritising active safety technology, this is a notable gap versus mainstream SUV rivals.

Variants and pricing

The Force Gurkha is available in two variants, differentiated primarily by body style and seating capacity. The 3 Door is priced at ₹16,25,013 ex-showroom and seats four. The 5 Door is priced at ₹17,58,013 ex-showroom and seats seven. Both prices are exclusive of insurance, registration, road tax, and accessories. There are no trim levels within each body style — each is a single, fully-loaded specification.

The price gap between the two variants is approximately ₹1.33 lakh, making the 5 Door a strong value proposition for buyers who need the additional doors and seating. On-road prices will vary by state due to differing road tax and registration charges.

How it compares

The Gurkha's closest rival is the Mahindra Thar, which starts around ₹10.32 lakh for the 3 Door but tops out well above the Gurkha's price in higher trims. The Thar Roxx 5 Door with a diesel automatic starts at approximately ₹23.52 lakh — significantly more expensive than the Gurkha 5 Door. The Gurkha's off-road hardware (dual diff locks, 233 mm clearance, 700 mm wading) is superior to the Thar's, but the Thar offers a petrol option, an automatic gearbox, and better on-road refinement.

Against the Force Gurkha, the Mahindra Thar Roxx offers more power (175 hp vs 140 hp), more torque (400 Nm vs 320 Nm), multiple drive modes, and a more refined cabin — but at a substantially higher price. The Gurkha's mechanical simplicity is both a strength (durability, serviceability) and a weakness (fewer creature comforts, no automatic). Buyers choosing between the two should honestly assess how much serious off-roading they will do.

Who should buy it

The Force Gurkha is the right choice for buyers who do serious, frequent off-roading — river crossings, rocky trails, deep mud — and want the most capable hardware available under ₹18 lakh. It is also a strong option for adventure enthusiasts, overlanders, and buyers in hilly or flood-prone regions where the 233 mm clearance and 700 mm wading depth are genuine daily-use advantages.

It is not the right choice for buyers who primarily drive in cities or on highways and want occasional off-road capability. For that use case, the Mahindra Thar, Thar Roxx, or even a capable mainstream SUV like the Mahindra Scorpio N will deliver a far better balance of comfort, refinement, and practicality. The Gurkha demands commitment — it rewards those who use it as intended.