In a market overflowing with compact SUVs and urban crossovers, the Force Gurkha 3-Door stands apart as a no-nonsense, go-anywhere off-roader that stays true to its roots. With its rugged styling, solid mechanical underpinnings, and serious off-road capabilities, the Gurkha is not your average city SUV. It’s a purpose-built machine for those who seek adventure beyond paved roads and shopping malls.
Let’s take a closer look at what makes the Force Gurkha 3-Door such a compelling choice for off-road enthusiasts and rugged-lifestyle seekers.
A Legacy of Ruggedness
The Gurkha name has always been synonymous with durability and rugged performance. Inspired by the legendary G-Wagon design and built for the toughest terrains, the Force Gurkha has been a favorite among defense personnel, off-road rally participants, and adventurers across India.
The latest iteration of the Gurkha 3-Door, introduced in its BS6 avatar, retains the core DNA of its predecessors while adding a host of updates to meet modern-day expectations. This model is not about flashy features or urban sophistication—it’s about raw power, reliability, and off-road prowess.
Exterior: Military-Inspired Toughness
The Gurkha 3-Door looks like it means business. The boxy silhouette, circular LED headlamps with DRLs, bold grille with ‘GURKHA’ branding, snorkel intake, and black cladding all around give it an aggressive stance. It rides on 16-inch alloy wheels wrapped in all-terrain tyres and offers a generous ground clearance of 205 mm.
Its tall stance, body-on-frame construction, and short overhangs make it ideal for tackling rough trails and water crossings. The factory-fitted snorkel allows the Gurkha to wade through water up to 700 mm deep—far more than most vehicles in its segment.
While many new SUVs are designed to look adventurous, the Gurkha is adventurous by design.
Interior: Functional and Comfortable
Step inside the Force Gurkha 3-Door, and you’ll find a utilitarian cabin that focuses on function over frills. However, Force Motors has made noticeable improvements in comfort and usability in this latest generation. The new dashboard layout features a touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, USB charging ports, and better plastics than previous models.
The Gurkha comes with four captain seats as standard, offering good support and comfort. There’s plenty of headroom and legroom, and visibility is excellent thanks to the large windows and upright seating position. The rear bench has been replaced with two individual seats, making the cabin feel more premium and spacious.
What you won’t find here are soft-touch materials, ambient lighting, or a sunroof—and that’s by design. The Gurkha is built for dirt trails, river crossings, and mountain passes, not mall parking lots.
Engine and Performance
Under the hood, the Force Gurkha 3-Door is powered by a 2.6-litre Mercedes-derived FM CR BS6 diesel engine that produces 91 hp and 250 Nm of torque. Mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox, the engine is tuned for torque delivery rather than outright speed, which suits its off-road character perfectly.
The real hero here is the 4×4 drivetrain with manual locking differentials on both front and rear axles. This gives the Gurkha unmatched traction in slippery or uneven terrain. Combined with a low-range transfer case, it can crawl over rocks, mud, and snow with ease.
While it may not be the quickest SUV on the road, the Gurkha feels unstoppable off it.
Ride Quality and Handling
The Force Gurkha rides on an independent front suspension and a rigid rear axle, which helps maintain stability on uneven surfaces. On the road, the ride is firm but not uncomfortable, and off the road, it shines with its ability to soak up deep ruts and sharp drops without complaint.
It’s worth noting that the Gurkha is not particularly agile in tight city traffic. Its wide turning radius, heavy steering at low speeds, and manual gearbox make it better suited to open roads and trails. But for those who value capability over convenience, it’s a small price to pay.
Safety and Features
In terms of safety, the Gurkha 3-Door includes dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, cornering lamps, rear parking sensors, and a steel body shell designed for durability. While it lacks advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), its focus remains on reliability and ruggedness over high-tech gadgets.
Verdict: A Niche SUV for a Passionate Few
The Force Gurkha 3-Door is not a mass-market vehicle. It’s a niche product for a specific kind of buyer—someone who values mechanical simplicity, durability, and serious off-road capabilities over plush interiors and touchscreen gimmicks.
Priced competitively for what it offers, the Gurkha is a solid alternative to the Mahindra Thar for those who want a more rugged, less flashy off-roader. It’s not for everyone—but for the right person, it’s perfect.
