Tata Sumo Gold

Tata Sumo Gold Review by Expert

Tata Motors presents its long and hard working horse ‘Sumo’ in a new and more powerful structure known as Tata Sumo Gold. There are few vehicles in India that hold the ruggedness of Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) together with the space of Multi Utility Vehicle (MUV) and Tata Sumo Gold is one of them. The vehicle competes with the likes of Toyota Innova and Mahindra Xylo in MUV segment, whereas it provides tough challenge to Mahindra Bolero and Mahindra Scorpio in the SUV segment.

The name ‘Tata Sumo’ has been serving the utility enthusiasts of the nation since its initial launch back in 1994. This was one the first Tata vehicle that was totally designed in India, for India. The first upgrade was done in 2004, when Tata Sumo Victa was launched, after which Tata Sumo Grande was introduced as a premium version compared to all the earlier Sumo models.

The New Tata Sumo Gold now comes with newly designed front grille and broader headlamps with new layout along with bigger body colored bumpers at front and rear. While there are stylish new graphics spread all over its body, while the rear has larger tail lamps cluster and the spare wheel now rests under the rear boot space. The sports ground like capacious interiors of Tata Sumo Gold takes away the monopoly of space from the existing MUVs in the country. Compared to all earlier versions, this has got the quantity with quality. As it has enough head room and leg room for every passenger in all rows along with decent approach towards fit and finish levels inside the cabin. The instrument cluster and centre console of Tata Sumo Gold is been kept uncomplicated. There is satisfactory quality fabric with modern design used in interiors along with fairly comfortable seats.

Tata Sumo Gold is made available in India with two emission compliant norms of Bharat Stage III (BSIII) and Bharat Stage IV (BSIV). Both the engines are powered by muscular 3.0L diesel engine with some differences in power outputs in technology. The BSIV is a 2956cc power train smoking out 82-85 PS, while the 68-71 PS is the maximum power generated by counterpart BSIII engine. The best part with Tata Sumo Gold is its fuel efficient technology that assists the engine to deliver an ARAI certified mileage of 14.3 kmpl and 14.7 kmpl with BSIII and BSIV engines respectively.

Tata Sumo Gold Mileage and Fuel Efficiency

There are very less utility vehicles in India that are light on pockets when it comes to offering satisfactory fuel efficiency. The Tata Sumo Gold has got the frugal diesel power train that has the capability to provide a decent mileage on tougher city roads and smooth highways. The two emission norm complaint engines of BS3 and BS4 offer different mileage. The BS3 model that has a 2956cc TCIC that gives out 68-71 PS of power and a peak torque of 223 Nm comes out with decent mileage figures of around 11 kmpl in city and 14.3 kmpl on the highways. Moreover, the Tata Sumo Gold mileage with BSIV engine in the country, which is 2956cc CR4 turbocharged diesel, yielding 82-85 PS of maximum power along with 250 Nm of topmost torque. This Tata Sumo Gold motor gets you 14.7 kmpl on the highways, while in city traffic conditions it delivers you a mileage of around 11.5 kmpl.

Tata Sumo Gold Models and Features

Compare Tata Sumo Gold Models

Tata Safari Storme Colors

Tata Sumo Gold is available in Six colors such as Arctic White, Light Gold, Dew White, Castle Grey, Arctic Silver and Sardinia Red.

Arctic White	Light Gold	Dew White	Castle Grey	Arctic Silver	Sardinia Red

Tata Sumo Gold Engine, Power and Performance

The 3.0L diesel power train of Tata Sumo Gold is made available in two different states of tunes for Bharat Stage 3 (BS3) and Bharat Stage 4 emission norms, while  displacements is same of 3.0L. The 2956cc 4SP TCIC diesel engine with BS3 norms smokes out a good 68-71 PS at 3000 rpm together with a peak torque of 223 Nm, which is reasonably good, at around 1600 rpm to 2200 rpm. This sort of performance with Tata Sumo Gold is not possible without the assistance of a five speed manual transmission that is much smoother compared to the older versions of Sumo.   

Now let’s have a look at the other counterpart of this power train. The 3.0 litre, 2956cc, Common Rail Turbo Charged and Intercooled BS4 norm abiding engine is skilled enough to provide a powerful 82-85 PS at the rate of 3000 rpm under any conditions. Whereas, Tata Sumo Gold engine has the capability to give out an outmost torque of 250 Nm at the rate of 1600 rpm to 2000 rpm in the BS4 compliant cities of the country. Here also, the 5-speed manual gearbox makes its presence felt and carries the vehicle with ease on any grounds, either on road or off road.  Both the variants of Tata Sumo Gold have got the same turning radius of 5 meters that is pretty sensible considering the segment.

Tata Sumo Gold Pickup and Acceleration

A suitable pickup is required for the vehicle to beat the city traffic conditions along with providing an appropriate drivability in highway conditions.  The latest Tata Sumo Gold engine with BS3 and BS4 complaint power train offers variety in churn-out figures with the same displacement.  The power generated might sound below satisfactory levels but the Tata Sumo Gold acceleration is not meant for racing or rally purpose; hence it doesn’t matters much, until it provides utility. It takes around 27.6 seconds for the BS4 diesel engine to reach the majestic 0-100 kmph mark.

Furthermore, the BS3 model of Tata Sumo Gold requires 34.5 seconds to grab the 100 kmph point from standstill, but the pickup from 0-60 comes in good 11.7 seconds. The top speed that is achieved by Tata Sumo Gold SUV cum MUV in both state of tunes of 120 kmph and 125 kmph for the BS3 and BS4 diesel motors respectively.

Tata Sumo Gold Interiors and Features

There are some sorts of things that one needs to keep in mind when it comes to exploring the interiors of Tata Sumo Gold. And that is this Utility Vehicle (UV) is developed to provide its consumers with a huge cabin space that is sufficient enough to carry more number of passengers along with their heavy and huge sized luggage. Therefore, one can expect a satisfactory quality (and not premium) material used in the making. Also considering the fact that this is one of the most reasonably price utility automobile, but still the fit and finish levels never make you realize that you have opted for a subdued product.

The central console and dashboard has got a novel look now, which was expected in this face lift as earlier one had started appearing outdated one. There is high grade fabric used that holds new style combined with new pattern in the cabin. The sensibly comfortable seats inside the cabin showcase plenty of comfort even after long journey hours, which add a statement to the plush interiors of the Tata Sumo Gold.

One task that Tata Motors has done comprehensively and that is providing ample sum of headroom to all the passengers in all the rows along with abundant of legroom and shoulder room that comes very handy while long hours of travelling. This all is possible with Tata Sumo Gold being one of the tallest vehicles in the segment that grants capacious compartment with best of the available comfort to all the occupants inside it.

Tata Sumo Gold Exteriors and Features

The Tata Motors products particularly the utility vehicles (UV) always pose a muscular and imposing stance. Hence, the new Tata Sumo Gold is no different with that fact, as it also carries a good amount of dominance and powerful attitude while moving or when still. The authoritative part is more elevated with its wide stable posture along with broad track-width, which adds to the high amount of steadiness while turning the Tata vehicle.

The proficient Tata engineers have given their level best to create this Sumo Gold with a separate identity and that actually reflects in the exterior designing of the vehicle. The fresh looking face of SUV-cum-MUV has got newly designed bigger body colored bumpers in the front and rear together with reworked front grille with big shining chrome badge of trust that goes well with the brawny image of the automobile. The new headlamps now look clearer and broader with its new design and structure. One of the most remarkable elements that all the older Sumo models lacked is the feel of urban-ness with the exterior appearance, which has been addressed with the addition of fresh new body graphics that are spread all on both the sides of the New Sumo. And with a distance you can feel the energetic youth appeal that comes out of those modern day graphics.

At the rear is the large clear lens tail lamps cluster that also stands out of the earlier version of the vehicle. In order to provide a global charm to its product the Tata has now bestowed the rear tail gate without the spare wheel, which is now placed below the cabin in the hidden boot space of Sumo. The clean back concept here adds to the status quotient to the vehicle along with safety for rear visibility and an adequate under body protection.

Tata Sumo Gold Safety Features

The safety elements provided include side intrusion beams on all the doors along with rear high mounted stop light that comes standard on all variants. The elevated stop lights carries importance, as the approaching vehicle from behind can sense the stoppage pretty early and respond accordingly. Furthermore, there is door open warning indicator that comes handy when there is involvement of children at the rear seats, whilst seat belt warning is presented on the top end model of the Tata Sumo Gold.  Moreover, there are clear front and rear fog lamps that provide safety in all weather conditions in conjunction with rear wiper and defogger.

Tata Sumo Gold Driving and Handling

The good thing about this renewed giant vehicle is that it now comes with some sort of pleasure to drive. And that is made possible by its reworked front and rear suspension, which are now softer against the predecessor, while the off-roading experience comes good by the 215/75 R15 tyres that ensure a decent grip. But the factors like big turning radius, wide dimensions, a bit heavy-sensing steering wheel and inflexible clutch can make the city commuting a bit repulsive. The Tata Sumo Gold is not offered with ABS, but the provided brakes are not at all bad either and don’t let the absence of ABS felt. The vehicle has now studied a better NVH (Noise Vibration and Harshness) on the go, as it filters out objectionable rattle and disturbance.

Tata Sumo Gold Conclusion

The amount of power that is generated out of the 3.0L diesel power train is pretty low on expectation compared to other models available in competition, while the mileage delivered is amazing. As far as safety is concerned seat belts for all passengers should have been kept standard on base variants along with dual SRS airbags for front passengers in the top model. Nevertheless, the warranty of 36 months or 1, 00,000, whichever is earlier, together with affordable price of spare and accidental parts combined with most economical schedule service cost makes it an above average bet to buy. Taking into consideration the ex showroom price factor and all the existing features offered by Tata Sumo Gold, undeniably the tall vehicle stands taller, as it is one of the best valued for money product by Tata Motors.