Under the bonnet sits a 2,596 cc FM diesel making 140 PS and 320 Nm through a 5-speed manual — no automatic, no petrol, no second engine option. That single-mindedness runs through the whole car: one variant at ₹17.27 lakh, seven seats, a factory air-intake snorkel for water wading, and 233 mm of ground clearance, the tallest figure in this comparison set by some margin. The 2,825 mm wheelbase and 2,095 mm height make it a genuinely large, upright machine, and the 63.5-litre tank gives it long legs between remote fuel stops even at its claimed 9.5 kmpl.
Under the bonnet sits a 2,596 cc FM diesel making 140 PS and 320 Nm through a 5-speed manual — no automatic, no petrol, no second engine option. That single-mindedness runs through the whole car: one variant at ₹17.27 lakh, seven seats, a factory air-intake snorkel for water wading, and 233 mm of ground clearance, the tallest figure in this comparison set by some margin. The 2,825 mm wheelbase and 2,095 mm height make it a genuinely large, upright machine, and the 63.5-litre tank gives it long legs between remote fuel stops even at its claimed 9.5 kmpl.
That 9.5 kmpl claim is the honest price of the hardware — 37% below the segment median, and the worst figure among its cross-shopped rivals. The equipment list is functional rather than plush: full-LED headlamps and DRLs, a digital cluster, leather upholstery, rear AC vents, rear parking sensors and keyless entry, but no ADAS and no sunroof. At 8.1 PS per lakh it is not a value-for-power buy either. This is a tool for terrain, ranked 52nd on entry price among 144 segment SUVs, and it makes no apology for the trade.
| Variant | Fuel | Transmission | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel | Diesel | 5 Speed Manual | ₹17.27 Lakh |
Ex-showroom prices. See the city-wise on-road price for your city.
2596 cc · 140 PS @ 3200 rpm · 320 Nm @ 1400-2600 rpm · 5 Speed MT · ARAI 9.5 kmpl · BS VI 2.0
Length: 4390 mm · Width: 1865 mm · Height: 2095 mm · Wheelbase: 2825 mm · Ground clearance: 233 mm · Fuel tank: 63.5 litres
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Brake Assist, Central Locking, Child Safety Locks, Driver Airbag, Passenger Airbag, Day & Night Rear View Mirror, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), Engine Immobilizer, ISOFIX Child Seat Mounts, Hill Assist.
Around 10,000 km / 12 months; more frequent underbody checks if regularly wading or on rough tracks (indicative)
The big-capacity diesel and ladder frame are mechanically simple; expect roughly ₹8,000-12,000 a year scheduled, plus suspension consumables if used off-road hard (indicative)
First-year comprehensive around ₹55,000-70,000 on the ₹17.27 lakh sticker; declare any off-road accessories at proposal stage (indicative)
At the claimed 9.5 kmpl, diesel works out near ₹10/km — the 63.5-litre tank still gives a useful 550-600 km between fills (indicative)
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Gurkha 5 Door vs MG Hector Plus: From ₹17.49 lakh, a road-biased 7-seater claiming 13.79 kmpl — plusher and more efficient, with zero interest in riverbeds. See the MG Hector Plus.
Gurkha 5 Door vs Jeep Compass: From ₹17.99 lakh with a 170 PS diesel claiming 17.1 kmpl — the refined all-rounder that covers 80% of the Gurkha's ability at far lower running cost. See the Jeep Compass.
Gurkha 5 Door vs Isuzu S-CAB Z: From ₹15.9 lakh — the diesel pickup alternative if your rough-road use is about hauling loads rather than carrying seven people. See the Isuzu S-CAB Z.
Gurkha 5 Door vs Hyundai Creta N Line: From ₹19.03 lakh claiming 18.2 kmpl — the tarmac-performance opposite: 160 PS turbo-petrol, DCT option, no off-road pretence. See the Hyundai Creta N Line.
There is no variant strategy to discuss — it is one car at ₹17.27 lakh, and the only question is whether your life actually contains the terrain that justifies it. If it does, nothing else in this price band has a snorkel, 233 mm of clearance and seven seats, and the 320 Nm diesel with a 5-speed manual is exactly the kind of unglamorous drivetrain that survives abuse. If your off-roading is aspirational rather than scheduled, buy the Compass or Hector Plus instead; the Gurkha's 9.5 kmpl and firm ladder-frame manners will tax you daily for capability you never use.
₹17.27 lakh (ex-showroom) for the single diesel-manual variant — there are no other trims or drivetrain options.
It carries a factory air-intake snorkel for fresh-air supply during water wading, plus 233 mm of ground clearance — equipment specifically fitted for exactly that use.
Seven, on a 2,825 mm wheelbase — one of the few ladder-frame 7-seaters at this price point.
No. The 2.6-litre diesel comes only with a 5-speed manual. If you need an automatic in this band, the Jeep Compass offers a 9-speed AT.
The claimed figure is 9.5 kmpl — low against rivals, and the honest cost of a heavy ladder-frame off-roader. The 63.5-litre tank compensates on touring range.