Rough highways and even rougher city streets mean SUVs are not just a symbol of luxury in Nepal
GOPEN RAI
No one knows quite for sure what SUVs stand for. Some in the auto trade told us it meant ‘Sports Utility Vehicle’ and others said the initials stood for ‘Suburban Utility Vehicle’. Either way, these outsized gas-guzzling behemoths have come to represent the ultimate in what many vehicle owners aspire to have at some point. The SUV has become the symbol of success, affluence and luxury in North America, Europe or East Asia.
However, in Nepal with its rough highways and even rougher city streets, the SUV is not just a luxury -- it has become a necessity. Car owners who have experienced their brand new sedans scrape pot-holed roads because of low clearance, or being bogged down on a muddy stretch of road at night have always wanted to switch to something bigger.
Many of Kathmandu’s roads need not just Suburban Utility Vehicles but All-terrain Vehicles. Weak joke. What is true, however, is that you need some kind of a 4WD to negotiate our suburbs. SUVs with their high ground clearance are convenient cars for Kathmandu’s roads and serve you well when you make trips to the countryside as well. Some brands have compact SUVs that are suitable even for narrow inner-city Patan or Kathmandu.
“When Nepalis put money in a car, they want to be able to drive it everywhere they go,” says a car dealer in Kathmandu preparing for the annual NADA Auto Show next week in Kathmandu.
Most SUVs are robust, stylish and ruggedly handsome. SUVs are also symbols of prestige and status of the driver. Which must be why SUV sales have gone up in recent years despite the heavy duty taxes, overtaking the sales of luxury sedans.
Over the years manufacturers are also trying to erase the SUV’s gas-guzzling image with engines that are also eco-friendly. The trend is also that India-made SUVs are meeting European standards in comfort, aestheticism and reliability, with an excellent value for money.
Mazda
CX-5
To be launched in Nepal in December 2015
Capacity: 2.0L / 2.5L Diesel
2WD / 4WD
Ground clearance: 216mm
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Manufactured in Japan
Special attributes: An interior that punches well above its weight, and handles like a sporty car
Rs 8,600,000
Kia
Sportage
Capacity: 2.0L Petrol / 2.0L Diesel
All-wheel drive (AWD)
Ground clearance: 173mm
Transmission: 6-speed manual / 6-speed automatic
Manufactured in South Korea
Special attribute: Sporty and refined driving experience
Rs 6,750,000
Hyundai
Tucson
Capacity: 2.0L Diesel
All-wheel drive (AWD)
Ground clearance: 163mm
Transmission: 5-speed automatic / 5-speed manual / 6-speed automatic
Manufactured in South Korea
Special attributeS: A silhouette blending gentle slopes and precise contours to redefine sporting prowess and sleek aerodynamics
Rs 7,296,000
Santa Fe
Capacity: 2.2L Gasoline
2WD / 4WD
Ground clearance: 185mm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic / manual
Special attribute: Flex Steer enables drivers to choose among three driving modes (normal / sport / comfort)
Rs 9,996,000
Creta
Capacity: 1.6L Petrol / 1.6L Diesel 4WD
Ground clearance: 190mm
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Manufactured in India
Special attributeS: Advanced high strength steel (AHSS) and Ultra High Strength steel (UHSS) create body structure improved body endurance, lighter body for better mileage and enhanced collision durability
Rs 4,000,000
Ssangyong
Korando
Capacity: 2.0L Diesel
All-wheel drive (AWD)
Ground clearance: 210mm
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Manufactured in South Korea
Special attribute: Eco-friendly Diesel technology
Rs 7475,000
Tivoli
Capacity: 1.6L Petrol 2WD
Ground clearance: 190mm
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Manufactured in South Korea
Special attributes: Stylish, versatile and practical
Rs 5,250,000
Daihatsu
Terios
Capacity: 1.5L Petrol
2WD / 4WD
Ground clearance: 190mm
Transmission: 5-speed manual /
4-speed automatic
Manufactured in Japan
Special attribute: Small and compact
Rs 5,900,000
Mahindra
XUV500
Capacity: 2.2L Diesel
All-wheel drive (AWD)
Ground clearance: 200mm
Transmission: 6-speed synchromesh manual
Manufactured in India
Special attribute: Cheetah-inspired styling breaks the mould of the ordinary
Rs 4,950,000
Scorpio
Capacity: 2.2L / 2.5L Diesel
4WD
Ground clearance: 180mm
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Manufactured in India
Special attribute: Micro Hybrid Technology which enables the engine to intelligently switch into standby when not required
Rs 3,295,000
Tata
Safari Storme
Storme facelift with masculine power of 150ps to be launched at NADA Auto Show
Capacity: 2.2L Diesel
2WD /4 WD
Ground clearance: 200mm
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Manufactured in India
Special attributes: Land Rover DNA, 7 seats, largest network throughout the country, lowest service cost
Rs 4,225,000
Ford
EcoSport
Three different variants available: Ambient, Trend, Titanium
Capacity: 1.5L Petrol / 1.5L Diesel / 1.0 Eco-boost Petrol 2WD / 4WD
Ground clearance: 200mm
Transmission: 5-speed manual / automatic
Manufactured in India
Special attribute: Innovative audio controls in the steering column including Bluetooth
Rs 3,190,000
Toyota
Land Cruiser Prado
Capacity: 3.0L Diesel
4WD
Ground clearance: 220mm
Transmission: 6-speed manual / Automatic
Manufactured in Japan
Special attributes: 8 seats, Injection engine with intercooled turbocharger
Rs 16,000,000
Rav4
Capacity: 2.5L Petrol
4WD
Ground clearance: 176mm
Transmission: 6-speed manual / automatic
Manufactured in Japan
Special attribute: LED-type daytime running lamps help enhance visibility to oncoming traffic
Rs 9,100,000
Fortuner
Capacity: 3.0L Diesel
4WD
Ground clearance: 221mm
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Price: Rs 11,600,000
Manufactured in Japan
Special attribute: Comfort and advanced technology
Nissan
Patrol
Capacity: 3.0L Turbo Diesel
4WD
Ground clearance: 215mm
Transmission: 4-speed automatic / 5-speed manual
Manufactured in Japan
Special attributes: Attractive price, low maintenance cost and strong after sales service
Rs 11,500,000
X-Trail
3rd generation model (T32) with a capacity of 2.0L
Gasoline is going to launch during NADA Auto Show
Capacity: 2.0L Gasoline
4WD
Ground clearance: 210mm
Transmission: Xtronic Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT)
Manufactured in Japan
Special attributes: Hill Start Assist, Active Brake Limited Slip
Rs 9,200,000
Honda
CR-V
Capacity: 2.0L
4WD
Ground clearance: 173mm
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
Manufactured in Japan
Special attributes: Large cargo capacity, high fuel-efficiency
Rs 9,500,000
Tiguan
Capacity: 1.4L Petrol / 2.0L Petrol / 2.0L Diesel
2WD / 4WD
Ground clearance: 200mm
Transmission: 6-speed manual / 6-speed automatic / 7-speed automatic
Manufactured in Germany
Special attribute: Panoramic sliding roof
Rs 7,400,000
Touareg
Capacity: 3.0L Diesel
4WD
Ground clearance: 225mm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: Starting from Rs 16,200,000
Manufactured in Germany
Special attribute: Comfort and convenience
Škoda
Yeti
The new facelift Yeti will be launched at the NADA Auto Show
Capacity: 2.0L Diesel
4WD
Ground clearance: 180mm
Transmission: 6-speed Manual
Price: Rs 8,499,000
Assembled in India
Special attributes: Safety features, strong body build, Euro Ncap tested with 5-star rating
Rs 8,499,000
Land Rover
Ranger Rover Sport
Capacity: 3.0L Diesel
4WD
Ground clearance: 213mm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Manufactured in UK
Special attributes: Acoustic laminated windscreen, Rain sensing windscreen wipers
Rs 36,000,000
Ranger Rover Evoque
Capacity: 2.0L Diesel / 2.0L Petrol
2WD / 4WD
Ground clearance: 215mm
Transmission: 6-speed manual / 9-speed automatic
Manufactured in UK
Special attribute: Electronic Power Assisted Steering (EPAS)
Rs 19,500,000
New Discovery Sport
Capacity: 2.0L Diesel / 2.0L Petrol
2WD / 4WD
Ground clearance: 212mm
Transmission: 6-speed manual / 9-speed automatic
Price: Rs 19,500,000
Manufactured in UK
Special attribute: Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Mitsubishi
Pajero
Capacity: 3.2L
4WD
Ground clearance: 235mm
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
Price: Starting from Rs 11,500,000
Manufactured in Japan
Special attribute: Electronically controlled Common Rail Direct-Injection fuel system for maximum output and higher fuel efficiency
Rs 9,500,000
Outlander
Capacity: 2.4L Petrol
4WD
Ground clearance: 190mm
Transmission: Continuous Variable Transmission
Manufactured in Japan
Special attribute: Mitsubishi Innovative Valve Timing Electronic Control System (MIVEC) DOHC engine for higher engine performance and fuel efficiency
Pajero Sport
Launched in Nepal in 2008
Capacity: 2.5L Petrol
4WD
Ground clearance: 218mm
Transmission: Continuous Variable Transmission with Sports Model
Price: Starting from Rs 10,500,000
Manufactured in Thailand
Special attribute: Common Rail Direct-Injection fuel system for maximum output and higher fuel efficiency
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Nepal’s autonomy, Elvin Shrestha
Carried away by car, Pankaj Rayamajhi
Here comes the hybrid, Kunda Dixit
Yeti comes home