Ford Endeavour 3.0L 4x2 AT - Design Review

Ford’s Endeavour has been around for quite some time now, even before I started writing about automobiles, and is probably one of the first international SUVs to hit India after the likes of Mistsubishi Pajero.  I wouldn’t count Honda CR-V and Hyundai Tucson. This Ford is what separates boys from men. It is one butch SUV that knows its trade pretty well.

Over the years, fierce competition and price wars have forced Ford to constantly keep upgrading the Endeavour. In its latest iteration, the car is available with a redesigned front and a torquey, more powerful diesel engine, not to forget an automatic gearbox and an electronic transfer case on the four-wheel drive variant. To determine if the Endeavour has re-acquired its competitive edge, we went hunting for waterfalls, splashed quite some water, got stuck in slush and traced our way out of everywhere in the new 3.0-litre 4x4 automatic. Here’s everything you need to know about the car.

The Endeavour looks barbarian. Unlike a katana sword that smoothly slits its opponents, it is more of a sledge hammer that will brutally mash everything that comes its way. Although it looks light years away from the concept of aerodynamics, the bulk grants it enormous presence.  Now, isn’t that how we like our SUVs? The Endeavour greets you with its large bulky front. Last year’s facelift has given it wraparound headlamps that are more stylish than the basic rectangular ones on the previous model. The grille is wider and trapezoidal now and features chrome slits and the car’s name embossed on top.  The bumper is all new and so is the silver finish fog lamp surround.

The side remains unchanged and is boxy as ever. The panels are flat but go well with the overall look of the car. The only new thing here is the silver finished insert behind the front fenders. This is further accentuated by decals. The Endeavour comes with 16-inch, twin spoke alloys that somehow make it look under-tyred as they don’t fill the wheel well completely. Blingy 18-inchers might just do the job. The Endeavour is a tall vehicle and looks intimidating even as you walk towards it.

Another design feature that I like is the extended glass panel between C- and D-pillar, which also merges with the tail lamps. The high-mounted tail lamps are visible from outside but what lends the Endeavour a lot of muscle is the tailgate mounted spare wheel with a plastic cover.

The Endeavour’s intimidating demeanor is enough reason why it is a hit among politicians, corporators and err…. local gangsters. White exterior colour, dark tinted glasses and a special number (in special fonts) seem like the perfect recipe for the ultimate bully-mobile around.