Force Gurkha: When it comes to off-road transportation, it’s the long, low-slung, smooth-moving models that most people reach for, something like an SUV that combines comfort, technology, and a little showiness.
But for those who care more about raw mechanical capability than luxury trims, the Force Gurkha has something else to offer — a proper machine for rough terrains that most cars won’t even think of approaching.
It stands out in segment of popular names like the Mahindra Thar and while it has always been seen as that little underdog, the Gurkha has a singular identity. It doesn’t endeavor to be a city-friendly soft-roader or an urban crossover.
Instead, it remains faithful to its roots: as a rugged, go-anywhere 4×4 for those who don’t just talk adventure, but live it.
Force Gurkha Design That Speaks Utility
The Force Gurkha is a no nonsense, rugged looking vehicle. It is tall, wide and boxy — almost tank-ish in the way it commands space.
The squared-off stance, circular LED headlamps with daytime running lights, snorkel intake, and roof rails scream function.
Unlike some of the current bodywork-secobdary, aero-obsessed mall-crawlers, city slicker wannabes, the Gurkha is as honest and utilitarian as it gets.
Flat body panels, tough cladding and pronounced fenders. It’s a 4×4, challenging off-roader look—and that’s all part of the appeal to its niche market.
The presence of steel footboards, metal bumpers, and factory snorkel only serve to strengthen its identity. It’s not here to blend in. It’s here to take you where roads end.
Interior:
Simple Yet Practical The interior is not very aesthetically pleasing, slab-sided, and generally lacks any real appeal.
Climb in to the Gurkha and it is immediately obvious that luxury wasn’t a high priority. The dashboard is a no-nonsense, durable environment of hard plastics and straightforward design.
The basic connectivity features available on the touchscreen infotainment system are present, but there are no snazzy animations or voice controls here.
Seats are upright and supportive, and visibility from the driver’s seat commands. The current iteration has better ergonomics than its predecessor, but it still doesn’t display the kind of polish you might find in some lifestyle-oriented SUVs.
That, though, is its lack of flash in name and marketing, not necessarily in practical value. There is plenty of space between the head and the ceiling, as well, and the cabin is washable — a real selling point for off-road enthusiasts who upon returning from muddy excursions are accustomed to cleaning body-mud off the interior.
Powertrain and Off-Road Raggedness
The Gurkha comes with a 2.6-litre diesel mill which is sourced from Mercedes, and which churns out 91 bhp and 250 Nm. They’re not mind-blowing numbers, but the engine is made for low-end grunt, perfect for crawling over rocks and wading through streams.
But what really separates it is the G-Wagen’s mechanical tfour-wheel-drive system with manual lockers on the front and rear axles.
This arrangement is almost unheard of even in premium SUVs and provides the Gurkha with quite a bit of off-road grunt.
It is a highly capable machine, with its 4×4 lever, high ground clearance, solid axles and factory snorkel make.
Be it driving through slush, snow or sand or climbing up inclines—there’s little that can faze the Gurkha car.
Ride and Handling
The Force Gurkha comes rides on a ladder-frame chassis with independent front suspension and coil springs at the rear. Ride quality is on the firmer side, especially on uneven roads, though it feels surefooted and stable when shooting through rough roads.
It’s not great in maneuvering on highways. The steering is dumpy, body roll is obvious and overtakes need some forward thinking. But again, this is a machine designed for trails — not for traffic.
Pros:
Great off roading with reds and locker diffs front rear
Sturdy frame construction with authentic 4×4 mechanical setup
Snorkel for water wading (factory-fitted)
washable interior generous enough for a weekend adventure
Reliable Mercedes-sourced engine
Cons:
Simple interior with few bells and whistles
Highway etiquette is nothing special at all
Power output lags behind the competition
Not suitable from daily city runs
Constrained service network and resale compared to bigger brands
Force Gurkha Verdict
The Force Gurkha isn’t pretending to be everything for everybody—and in that is its strength. It’s designed for a purpose: to confront nature’s challenges confidently and with durability.
It won’t win over anyone who places creature comforts or luxury high on their priorities list, but it performs where it counts for hardcore off-roaders.
If you’re one of those people who doesn’t consider SUVs merely as conveyances but rather as tools for exploration and grit, the Gurkha has a lot to recommend it.
It’s raw, but it’s honest. And sometimes that’s just what you want.