Milestone Report for Tata Sumo at 2,30,000 kms

The Tata Sumo is a compact and versatile SUV that has been on the Indian roads for over two decades now. I have been using the Tata Sumo as an office runabout from 2007 onwards. It has done many long-distance drives and but nowadays it is mostly restricted to short distance. After driving 2,30,000 kilometers in a Tata Sumo, I can say that it is a rugged and dependable vehicle that has served me well.

The ride quality is smooth and comfortable, even on rough roads. The cabin space is ample and can comfortably seat seven people, even though the legroom is limited in the second row. The car is equipped with basic features such as power steering, power windows, and AC.

Fuel efficiency is average for this class. It delivers around 9 to 10 km/l on city roads and around 12 on Highways. The diesel engine is reasonable enough for daily driving and light load carrying. Although it lacks enough punch for overtaking and quick acceleration, the ride quality is adequate, and the suspension system copes well with rough roads and heavy loads. The car has a tough and boxy design that gives it a bold and commanding presence on the road. Maintenance costs are reasonable, and spare parts were widely available.

In conclusion, the Tata Sumo is a budget-friendly option and a good choice for those in need of a reliable and spacious SUV. It may lack some of the bells and whistles of more premium SUVs, but it delivers where it matters most.

 

What I Like About the Tata Sumo:

1.      Good ride quality

2.      Sturdy Air conditioner

3.      Airy cabin

4.      Commanding view from the cabin

5.      Front seats are comfortable

6.      Spares are cheap compared to the competition

7.      Glides over broken roads

8.      Oil and filter change can be done at approximately Rs 4,500/-

9.      Engine noise lesser than the Bolero

10.  Second row A/C Blower cools the cabin faster

 What I Dislike About the Tata Sumo:

1.      Engine is not powerful

2.      Cannot overtake in a hurry

3.      Not very fuel efficient

4.      Ponderous handling

5.      Lot of steering play

6.      You can feel the weight

7.      Not advisable to drive above 80km/hr

8.      Cannot do sudden lane changes

9.      Lots of body roll

10.  Little difficult to procure spares nowadays

11.  Bare basic vehicle compared to the competition

12.  Short wheel base and high centre of gravity makes it unstable at high speeds

 

Parts Changed Over the Years

1.      5 sets of tyres changed (Tyres used MRF, Good year, Yokahama, Michelin)

(Note: Good year is good for front end and MRF for rear tyres).

2.      Battery: Currently on 4^th battery

3.      Clutch changed: Presently on 3^rd set

4.      Suspension done up: Presently on the 3^rd set

5.      Shocks Changed: Presently on 4^th set

6.      Pump nozzle overhauled 3 times

7.      A/C compressor changed once

8.      Condenser and evaporator changed twice

9.      Painting redone once completely

10.  FC done last year

11. 

Third row seat completely removed to save weight and now can be used to carry extra luggage

12.  Many electricals switches replaced over the years

13.  Timing belt and Water Pump changed 3 times

Concluding Remarks:

Parts are not freely available as before. Is the company d
eliberately cutting parts supply even though it produced it for nearly 25 years?