2019 Mahindra Alturas G4 Review
Car Tested: 2019 Mahindra Alturas G4; Road Test No. 1022; Test Location: Lonavala
Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 32-34 lakhs (est.)
The Alturas G4 is the best Mahindra yet, scoring high on features and quality
Mahindra had launched the second generation of the SsangYong Rexton in India many years back but the SUV didn’t became as successful as other Mahindra cars. The automaker then skipped the third generation of the Rexton and the older one continued to be on sale till very recently. The home-grown automaker showcased the Rexton G4 which is the fourth generation of the car at the 2018 Auto Expo and while speculations were rife that it will be called the XUV700, the SUV will now be launched as the Alturas G4 and it is here to rival the Toyota Fortuner and Ford Endeavour.
Motor Quest: The SsangYong Rexton G4 has received a lot of awards and accolades in Korea and it is a popular vehicle there. The model which has been launched in India is largely similar to the Korean model and comes with just a couple of cosmetic changes.
The Alturas G4 is big in size, as much as its rivals
Exteriors – The Mahindra Alturas G4 looks similar to the model that was showcased at the 2018 Auto Expo. Compared to the Rexton G4, this one gets a tweaked grille which now houses a Mahindra logo. Rest of the styling bits are similar. The front of the Alturas does look bold and imposing while the side profile has a simple design. It comes with 18-inch alloys and since the SUV misses out on a rear quarter glass, some people find the side profile to be a bit incomplete in design because there’s a lot of metal area in the rear 3/4th. The rear looks good too but the Alturas G4 badging which is placed right in the centre of the tail gate in a large chrome font does look out of place.
The quilted Nappa leather looks very rich
Interiors – The cabin of the Alturas G4 is a pleasant surprise because not only is it finished with high quality bits, it also gets some class-leading features. The dashboard’s design is quite good and ergonomic and the quilted Nappa leather upholstery all around the interior lends a very premium appeal to this SUV. The design of the centre console does look a wee bit similar to the older Mercedes ML while a lot of bits look like they’ve been borrowed from Volvo cars such as the volume control knob and the 4WD knob. The colour theme on the inside is quite good looking and the interiors do feel like they belong to a premium car.
The second row has good knee room and head space
The interiors are very impressive; good quality materials and lots of features
Talking of features, you get equipment like TPMS, 6-speaker touchscreen infotainment system, navigation, 360-degree parking camera with bird’s eye view, automatic HID headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, sunroof, LED DRLs, 8-way adjustable driver’s seat with memory function, easy access mode wherein the driver’s seat moves backwards when you unlock the car so that you can get inside easily, ventilated front seats, dual zone climate control and AC vents in all rows. The audio system sounds very good and the AC has good performance too, cooling the cabin quickly and efficiently. The instrument cluster gets a beautiful screen with a lot of menus and displays quite a lot of detailed info.
The third row is super cramped with barely any leg space
The front seats are good on support and comfort. Finding the perfect driving position is easy thanks to the electric controls and also the memory function. Outward visibility is also quite nice because the front windshield and side windows are large in size. The second row also offers good knee room and head room and the seat back is also reclining. The centre armrest in the rear seat comes with 2 pop-out cupholders. The third row is quite a disappointment because the seat is almost placed on the floor and because of that legroom is seriously limited and it gets difficult for adults to sit there because the knees are always facing up. The boot has very less space if all seats are up but with the third row folded down, capacity is humungous. Plus, the second row also gets 60:40 split. There are lots of storage spaces in the cabin too, with all doors getting large bottle holders.
The Alturas G4 performs nicely on city roads and highways alike
Performance – Under the hood of the Mahindra Alturas G4 is a 2.2-litre diesel engine which produces 178 HP at 4000 RPM and 420 Nm from 1600-2600 RPM. Mated to this engine is a 7-speed AT which is borrowed from Mercedes and is popularly known as 7G-TRONIC. The oil-burner is BS6 ready. The engine delivers good performance and has more than enough grunt for daily usage. Low-end is responsive but it is the mid-range which has more punch while top-end grunt is a bit limited. In the mid-range, the Alturas accelerates nicely. The engine has good NVH levels and is pretty refined but gets vocal at high RPMs.
The 7-speed gearbox is sourced from Mercedes, it is smooth but not very quick
The Alturas G4 gets a shift-on-the-fly 4WD system with 4H, 4L and 2H modes
The 7-speed tranny is smooth but isn’t the quickest unit out there. Quick overtakes on the highway need some planning because the gearbox feels a bit laggy when you go pedal to the metal. The gearbox misses out on an S mode and also paddle-shifters but it gets a manual mode. The SUV also gets a shift-on-the-fly 4WD with modes like 2H, 4H and 4L. We didn’t get a chance to put it through hard-core off-roading but it performed well in mild off-roading thanks to the torquey engine and the high ground clearance.
The Alturas G4 is easy to drive but handling could have been better
Driving Dynamics – The ride of the Mahindra Alturas G4 is quite choppy and it gets unsettling for passengers when the car passes over bad roads. The tyres are good though, and do well to cushion out some of the bumps. The steering lacks feel and feedback, it is also very light which is a boon at city speeds but even out on the highways at high speeds it just doesn’t weigh up. The brakes have good stopping power with a sharp bite from the pedal but there is a lot of nose dive.
The Alturas gets top-notch safety features
Safety and After Sales Service – The Alturas G4 is loaded to the gills with safety features like 9 airbags (dual front, full length curtain, front seats, rear seats and knee), ABS, ESP, ARP (Anti Rollover Protection), HDC (Hill Descent Control), HSA (Hill Start Assist), BAS (Brake Assist System) and ESS (Emergency Stop Signal). Servicing the Alturas G4 shouldn’t be much of an issue because Mahindra has lots of service centres across the country.
Mahindra has a strong product on their hands with the Alturas
Verdict – The Mahindra Alturas G4 is indeed a nice SUV which looks good, has premium interiors with lots of features and a good engine. The SUV underperforms in the ride and handling department but is otherwise an impressive vehicle. It is likely to be priced below the Fortuner & Endeavour and if you’re looking for a large SUV in this price range, the Alturas G4 can be a good option, but if you can stretch your budget, the Fortuner and Endeavour give really tough competition to this.
The cabin has some proper premium touches
What’s Cool
* Styling is bold and attractive
* Interiors are superb, quilted leather feels great
* Tons of features on offer
* Engine performance on city roads and highways
What’s Not So Cool
* Ride quality isn’t very plush
* Steering is lifeless and lacks feedback
Alternatives: – Toyota Fortuner, Ford Endeavour, Isuzu MU-X
The ease of access function comes in to be useful
Mahindra Alturas G4 Specifications
* Engine: 2157cc, 4-Cyl, Diesel
* Power: 178 HP @ 4000 RPM
* Torque: 420 Nm @ 1600-2600 RPM
* Transmission: 7-Speed AT
* Fuel Consumption: 8-10 km/l
* Fuel Type: Diesel
* Tyre Size: 255/60/18
* Suspension: Double Wishbone (Front), Independent (Rear)
* Brakes: Disc (Front), Disc (Rear), ABS
* Safety: 9 airbags, ABS, ESP, HSA, BAS, ESS, ARP
Mahindra Alturas G4 Dimensions
* Overall length x width x height: 4850 mm X 1960 mm X 1845 mm
* Ground Clearance: 180 mm (laden)
* Wheelbase: 2865 mm
* Turning Radius: 5.5-metres
* Fuel Tank Capacity: 70-litres
* Kerb Weight: 2050 kgs (2WD), 2150 kgs (4WD)
Will you buy an Alturas over a Fortuner or Endeavour?
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