Overview
This Review talks about my opinions on the Sumo Victa GX Turbo. I am not a hardcore techy when it comes to cars, all I know is what feels good when I drive one, I am not the type who can explain how the CRDI works and shit, so
dont be expecting that kinda technical mumbo-jumbo, All I can say is my review will give a average car buyer what he needs to know about this vehicle.
Also, in the review you will find comparisons made to the Bolero and the Scrorpio, two of the other UVs that I have had first hand experience with.
What I was looking for?
A lot of SPACE, Looks, Decent top-Speed, Power, affordability.
My Options
After a lot of options (that fried my brains for 2 whole months), starting from a small car to estate I finally graduated to UV state-of-mind and then there was no turning back. I finally nailed it down to two contenders the Bolero GLX and The Victa GX Turbo.
What I chose, and why...
The Bolero test drive that I took failed to hit the spot for me, although it was cheaper than the Victa, it was horrible in build quality, lacked power and speed (107KMPH max!) and while people call it a value-for-money proposition, I think it is only an excuse for a bad decision, (Heck a Maruti 800 has better build quality and is cheaper, and THAT is Value for money!!) for details look at my review on the Bolero in the M&M section...
Now the Victa GX Turbo on the other hand, had everything right and all that I was looking for, build quality for one that stunned the living crap out of me on the bolero was a hearty pleaser this baby...
And SO, the Victa GX Turbo, Ladies and Gentlemen!
Delivery Date: 19th June 2005
The Sumo
The sumo is one vehicle that has always sparked interest in me, since I grew big enough and confident enough to drive... and now when I reached the time and age when I was ready to buy a car, the Sumo Victa GX Turbo with all its advancements seemed to be the right pick for me. I was in love with the sumo even before I had driven one, and touchwood the Victa was an improvement launched at a time that was right for me, because I had read a lot of negative reviews about this vehicle, but with the advent of this model a lot of all those complaints had been
taken care of. Good for me.
Some of the striking/Useful Features of the Victa GX Turbo
Power steering, Central locking, Roof Airconditioning, Power windows on all four doors, Keyless entry with engine immobiliser, Internally operated ORVM, Floor console with utility box & cup holder, Digital clock, Tachometer, Rear viper-washer-defogger, Gas balancer on tail gate (badly needed), Door Ajar & Seat belt warning, Light intensity adjustment for instrument cluster, Front and Rear fog lamps.
A little for the techies...
Engine
1948 cc Diesel
Maximum Power
90 PS
Maximum Torque
19 m-kg
Emission Compliance
Bharat Stage II
Gearbox
5 speed dual synchro
Steering
Power Steering
Brakes
Front: Disc
Rear: Drum
Tyres
215 R 15 Radial
Ground Clearance, mm
160 mm
Turning Radius, m
4.9
Thats should be pretty decent enough to know what this vehicle is all about...
Now, back to me.
What I liked about the Victa GX Turbo...
- Top on the list ’’The Drive Feel’’ its a REAL pleaser,
the sales guy told me that TELCO had strived to achieve
a car-like feel for the Victa, I would say they
did a good Job! It truly feels like a car. My brother who
drives a Scorpio GLX agrees the feel of the Victa is much
better than the Scorpio. IT IS BEAUTIFUL!!
- The Space, it feels like you are driving your bedroom
around... seriously, NOTHING, no other vehicle in this
price range and category comes even a mile close to this
kinda space. Even a fully grown adult could move to and
fro from back to front over the seats, while the car is
running, making it fun on long trips.
- The Gear Shift is soft-smooth and sure! As good as my
dads Toyota corona, and much better than the scorpio
which is really stiff!
- The Pedals: Clutch and Gas are so sensitive, result of
their efforts to make it more car-like, it makes driving
in stop and go traffic effortless.
- The instrumentation cluster and mid-console, not the
best around but very nice upgrade, touched up by a dimmer
switch for the display lights.
- The long travel suspension, is on the softer side and
is really comfortable (in front and back) over rough
patches and potholes.However it feels a little too soft
at times and you kinda get the feeling that a little
strength could do the trick.
- The steering radius has been reduced, making city
driving and tight U-Turns a breeze.
- The Cabin is really quiet, they have insulated the
hood well enough, NVH has been drastically reduced, so
the cabin with the windows rolled up, you can keep a baby
sound asleep, again...quieter than the scorpio and bolero.
- The 1948 CC Diesel engine is amazingly smooth and
coupled with the turbo charger, throws a better and badly
needed punch. Without the turbo charger the Sumos engine
is otherwise pretty sluggish.
- The view from the drivers seat is unmatched, you get a
really commanding view of the road including the hood of
the car, which makes driving and judgement safe and
precise.
- The amazing split air-con which is unique to the
victa. Even on a hot day, you could be comfortably cool
inside.
- I like the tyres that this vehicle come fitted with
they are good on wet and dry and also look good to
compliment the vehicle. (JK TYRE 215 R 15 Radial)
- The headlights and fog lamps are brilliant!! The rear
foglamps look neat at night with their low position.
- I like the whole package as being a perfect car for
the family. It really is a decent contender to be a
family car.
I will come to it a again, The DRIVE-FEEL of this vehicle, is the best thing ever, it makes you forget everything else behind you, when I get in my car, its like a little world of my own, my own little private space (a large one), where I can leave the world behind. LITERALLY! I am so thrilled with it that I always looking for excuses to get the behind the wheel and drive, I even drop my girlfriend to ambernath and back every time possible, hehehehe, its worth the ride!
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