Tata Sumo Gold

The Tata Sumo Gold isn’t one of those models you buy for the way it looks. What you do buy it for is its ability to transport a lot of passengers; the Sumo offers seating for up to nine people. Sure, four adults will be a squeeze on the third row’s side-facing seats but there’s stadium-like room for passengers in rows one and two – but that’s all there is to like in the car's basic cabin.
The Sumo Gold’s 85hp, 3.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine with its 3,000rpm redline is very industrial, but also offers incredible tractability with virtually no turbo lag. Do note: You’ll need long arms to operate the wide-gated gearbox and a wrestler’s legs to depress the heavy clutch fully. Furthermore, a huge turning circle and heavy steering make the Sumo cumbersome. Low-speed ride comfort is surprisingly good, although the tall Sumo feels quite top-heavy at high speeds.

The Sumo Gold feels ancient to drive in. If you still want one, the fully-loaded GX is the one to buy. Creature comforts on the GX include air-conditioning, power windows, central locking and a Bluetooth-ready audio system. Modern safety essentials such as airbags and ABS are conspicuously absent.