Indian automobile history is studded with icons that have added memories to mankind for a lifetime and in that list stands the Tata Sumo, a name that refers to toughness, practicality, and affordability.
The Sumo has been a legendary vehicle driving across the roads in India since 1994 and has been diligently working towards betterment for not only families but also fleet operators and armed forces, along with thousands of rural communities.
In the year 2019, Tata Motors said goodbye to the Sumo as it had found itself to be on the wrong end of current market trends and the increasing stern emissions control regulations. There was still hope that the SUV would come back into the book of ardent fans.
Now, all these hopes are finally going to come alive in 2024. The latest and up-to-date model of Tata Sumo is all set under the flag of keeping as rugged in utility as it was previously. The new model is a perfect deal for bringing contemporary features, updated powertrains, and all the safety features along with this rugged capability that had made Sumo a household name.
Let’s dig up all we know about the 2024 Tata Sumo, from design to performance and new features expected, its expected price, and market positioning.
A Legacy Revived
The Tata Sumo initially designed to bring on an Indigenously developed SUV intended for India comprised accommodating the biggest group of clients-from families wanting space within a vehicle to businesses needing reliability in transport and even government agencies requiring a heavy-duty fleet vehicle.
It was robustly built but could take hundreds of people and, at the same time, was very maneuverable through the roughest of terrains, making it an all-around favorite both in the urban and rural areas.
With the 2024 model, Tata will certainly step into the shoes of the original Sumo in terms of ruggedness and strength but continue to answer the needs the market upholds today.
With SUVs now burgeoning on the Indian automobile landscape like never before, there couldn’t be a better time than now for Tata Motors to whip the new Sumo into the perfect buy for that one who is desperate to look out for something that clings to age-old values of practicality but boasts to come up with modern features.
Design: Modernised Toughness
As far as design is concerned, this 2024 Tata Sumo will be all-new design but still carry the street presence of the original with modern looks instead of old box shape which helps explain its old-school charm but now smoother lines and modern styling cues will be there, anyhow.
The tall and towering stance of the SUV would most probably remain the same.
So, up front, the Sumo can borrow from Tata’s Impact Design 2.0 philosophy seen in models such as the Tata Harrier and Safari. So do expect a bold front grille flanked by modern LED headlamps with integrated DRLs, as has been the case in some cars.
The front bumper now has been tweaked more towards an aggressive look with bigger air intakes that make the SUV appear even more muscular.
Side on, the new Sumo should have a classic boxy silhouette but this time with a higher beltline and more pronounced wheel arches thus setting it quite close to its siblings in the class, with respect to how modern and premium it sounds. They will use high ground clearance, roof rails, and some rugged alloy wheels to seal the vehicle with credible off-road wisdom.
Reproduction for the rear look should seem to be strength in the pillars, making use of the LED taillight of the flat tailgate in reaching cargo through the rear end. Being a multi-purpose vehicle, the seven- or nine-seaters variant should also be in really cutting across practicality for accommodating large families or commercial operators.
Engine and Performance: Contemporary Standards
Most importantly, under the skin, powertrains would undoubtedly be the most significant changes in the 2024 Tata Sumo perhaps in the form of powertrains since the erstwhile Sumo, most notably ran with diesel engines.
To meet BS6 Phase 2 emission norms in the new times, Tata Motors is likely going to put in its own nuances of contemporary fuel-efficient powertrains commensurate with the latest niceties.
The new Sumo will probably have diesel as well as petrol engines and will use a smaller capacity but this time more efficient unit than used by the old Sumo’s diesel engine.
The company may make use of the same 2.0-litre Kryotec diesel engine used in the Harrier and Safari, though detuned so it has less power but brings less emission and better mileage. A 1.9-litre, 16-valve mill will churn out about 170 PS of power and 350 Nm of torque, enough to give the vehicle the grunt for the size and intent of a Sumo.
There are some rumors that one would offer a turbo-petrol too. That would serve the customer who seeks something between power and fuel efficiency, mainly when driven within the urban towns. Manual and automatic variations would add an amount of flexibility to the user.
This is an off-road story because its off-road capability has made the new 2024 version not just be on fours with options for 4×4 drivetrains but the variants of rear wheel drive, making sure that this new generation of Sumo should still be a challenge to be completed in its most gruesome terrains too.
That way, it is still able to maneuver both the bad roads and the urban routes with much ease as well as with far better traction control systems.
Interior: From Utility to Comfort
The old Tata Sumo is made purely for use. A stark contrast will be seen in the new 2024 model; it has much more comfort and technological features and convenience within it.
The cabin will have to be premium, overall material quality enhances, and indeed the fit and finish. While the utilitarian essence of the Sumo will not be lost completely, Tata Motors will make sure that inside the car does feel fresh and premium.
Expect a dual-tone dashboard, premium fabric or leatherette seats, and soft-touch materials on key touch points.
This would then be flanked with enormous touchscreens on both sides infotainment, perhaps Tata’s new ConnectNext, which will support Apple Car Play and Android Auto besides featuring in-built navigation, Bluetooth connectivity, and reverse camera for added convenience.
Then there could also be a multi-functional steering wheel, digital instrument cluster, and automatic climate control, adding comfort as a feel of modern luxury to the rugged SUV.
It will still be a workhorse by nature, though. Its comfort benefits put aside, the seven or nine-seater shape will still make it possible to accommodate a lot of passenger space, and its variable seating and cargo space will ensure attractive payload capacity carry should that be necessary.
Apparently, Tata will make the most of all cabin space with loads of storage space aplenty, so it will be excellent for long-distance travel and heavy-duty application.
Safety Features: The New Sumo Priority
To begin with, Tata Motors is an engineering giant in vehicle safety features that had recently been implemented in models like Nexon and Altroz. These received high ratings in safety tests. The 2024 Tata Sumo should do similar things with many touted safety features.
It can also offer outright safety features, including double front airbags, ABS with EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution), rear parking sensors, and a rearview camera.
Many of the higher variants do offer side and curtain airbags, Electronic Stability Control assists the higher variants too, Hill Start Assist and Traction Control features, and it may even provide a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).
As such, another signal that Tata will surely pay much heed to safety in car manufacturing is that the new Sumo may be rating-shamed by Global NCAP ratings-an internationally standardized criterion for safety protection on crashes and security of road users.
Market Positioning and Competition
With the time when the Indian market is boiling for SUVs, comes with knocking at the door: the return of Tata Sumo. The new positioning of Sumo, going to take by Tata Motors in the highly competitive marketplace, will be very important.
The big competitor is an age-old competitor in the form of Mahindra Bolero and the other rugged utility-focused SUVs like Force Gurkha.
What the new Sumo will indeed come with in terms of price and features will see the 2024 Sumo contrasted against newer, more urban-centric SUVs.
Expect Tata Motors to price the new Sumo competitively at about an expected starting price in the range of ₹ 10-15 lakh, and with this, it makes for a solid yet affordable proposition to those who seek a good, reliable although tough, SUV.
Date of Launch and On Road date
Tata Motors hasn’t locked in the date for the 2024 Tata Sumo, but in-house say it will reportedly roll by the second half of 2024. A relaunch is sure to make plenty of noise, especially for the rural and semi-urban target audience, fleet operators, and revivers of the original.
Conclusion: Welcome Return
A true Indian automotive legend is returning again with the new Tata Sumo. Tough and rugged durability will be matched with great responsiveness in the brand-new Sumo.
The all-new Sumo will revive lost clout for SUVs with modern comfortable features in Indian markets. Its restored comeback will, therefore, be possible once Tata Motors attains a balance of legacy in the SUV with the old and the new.
Since Indian roads generally require rugged cars, no matter what be the scenarios, the new 2024 Tata Sumo again is perfectly placed to return back and regain its iconic status as the prime car of thousands of families, businesses, and adventurers for city commutes as well as off-road adventures.