Indian SUV giant, Mahindra, launched the second generation of the SsangYong Rexton in India a few years back but the car failed to make an impact in the SUV segment. Hence, the carmaker skipped the third generation of the Rexton. The domestic manufacturer showcased the fourth generation of Rexton G4 at the Auto Expo 2018 and many expected that the company will call this vehicle as the XUV700. But Mahindra launched this vehicle as the Alturas G4 and it locks horns with the Toyota Fortuner and Ford Endeavour.
Exteriors – The Mahindra Alturas G4 is very similar to the model which was showcased at the 2018 Auto Expo. The front of the car gets the revised grille with Mahindra logo sitting proudly on it. The styling and design of the vehicle looks bold and imposing. The SUV sits on 18-inch alloys and with the absence of rear quarter glass, the side profile looks a bit incomplete. The Alturas G4 badging is chrome treated and it sits exactly at the centre of the tailgate. The chrome bar along the Mahindra logo complete the rear of the SUV.
Interiors – The cabin of the Alturas G4 uses very high-quality materials and is loaded with features. The dashboard is ergonomically laid out and the usage of Nappa leather in the interior gives it a very upmarket appeal. The design of the centre console is inspired from some European cars. The dual-tone colour of the interior looks appealing and gives a premium feel.
Feature list of the car includes 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 driver’s ingress is easier, ventilated front seats, dual zone climate control and AC vents in all rows.
The front seats offer good support and comfort. The driver's seat is electrically adjustable and has a memory function. The cabin feels very airy due to the large size of the windshield and side windows. The second row of seats offers good knee room and headroom. It also comes with a centre armrest with two cupholders and has a reclining function. The third row is strictly for children because the legroom is almost negligible. The boot space is also very less when all three rows of seats are up, but once you fold down the third-row seats, there is plenty of boot space. Moreover, the second row gets 60:40 split.
Performance – Mahindra Alturas G4 is powered by a 2.2-litre BS6 ready diesel engine which is rated at 178 BHP and 420 Nm of torque. The engine comes mated to a 7-speed automatic gearbox which has been sourced from Mercedes. The power from the engine is good and is more than enough for the daily usage. The low end is responsive but it is the mid-range which is punchy and the top-end isn’t that exciting. The NVH levels are good and the engine is quite refined but it is noisy at high RPMs.
The gearbox is smooth but a bit slow. It takes time in changing gears and overtaking on the highway requires some planning. The gearbox neither gets an S mode nor pedal shifters but has a manual mode. The SUV comes with a shift-on-the-fly 4WD with modes like 2H, 4H and 4L. The SUV performs very nicely in off-road conditions.
Driving Dynamics – The ride quality of the Alturas G4 isn’t great and the vehicle unsettles over broken patches of tarmac. The steering lacks feel and doesn’t provide proper feedback, moreover, at highway speeds it doesn’t weigh up properly. The brakes are good and have great initial bite but the SUV nose dives a lot.
Safety and After Sales Service - The Alturas G4 is loaded 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 SUV shouldn't be much of a hassle as Mahindra’s service network is present all across the country.
Verdict - The Mahindra Alturas G4 is positioned above the XUV500 and boasts of a very premium appeal. The SUV underperforms in the ride and handling department but is otherwise an impressive vehicle. The performance from the 2.2-litre engine is also good. The Alturas G4 is priced much cheaper than the Fortuner and is a good alternative but the segment best is still the Ford Endeavour.
