Maruti Jimny and Gypsy get stuck at water crossing: Mahindra Thar clears comfortably [Video]

Off-roading hasn’t been a very popular activity among car and SUV owners in India. Only a small portion of SUV owners have 4×4 capabilities, and even fewer have ever taken their vehicles off-road. Recently, several 4×4 groups have emerged, organizing off-road trips and workshops to give people a chance to explore the capabilities of their vehicles. In this video, a collection of SUVs including the Isuzu V-Cross, Mahindra Thar, Ford Endeavour, Toyota Fortuner, and Maruti Jimny navigate through an off-road course. While the Mahindra Thar handles the course smoothly, the Maruti Jimny and Gypsy get stuck at a water crossing.

The video has been uploaded by Small Town Rider on their YouTube channel. The vlogger and their friends are on a private property where they have set up obstacles for the SUVs. A type 2 Toyota Fortuner is the first vehicle to tackle an articulation pit. Since this is the older generation Fortuner, it lacks differential locks, which presents a slight challenge. However, with the right amount of momentum and acceleration, the Fortuner successfully overcomes the obstacle.

Next, the Isuzu V-Cross, a lifestyle pickup truck, faces the same issue, yet it manages to clear the pit as well. A Ford Endeavour also attempts the pit but becomes beached, requiring a bulldozer to pull it out. The subsequent obstacle in the video is a slush pit with high water levels. To address this, the vlogger instructs the bulldozer driver to create a drain, lowering the water level. After this adjustment, a modified previous generation Mahindra Thar is the first to tackle the water crossing.

The challenging conditions become evident as the area where the obstacles are set has experienced rainfall. The mud clings to the tires, causing reduced traction. Despite this, the Mahindra Thar 700 manages to climb the slope gradually and, before entering the water, the driver ensures there is enough momentum. The SUV enters the water and successfully navigates through without any issues. Subsequently, it’s the Maruti Jimny’s turn. The vlogger expresses concern about the pit’s depth due to the vehicle being brand new and unmodified.

The SUV climbs up slowly, and the vlogger cautiously enters the water. However, a mistake occurs at this point. The pit doesn’t provide enough space for the Jimny to gain momentum and clear the obstacle. The driver revs the engine forcefully in an attempt to free the vehicle, but it gets stuck. The video suggests that there might be some rocks beneath the water hindering the smooth ascent of the SUVs. The Mahindra Thar successfully clears the same obstacle, benefiting from a lift and off-road-specific tires. The Jimny requires assistance from the bulldozer for recovery.

The Maruti Gypsy faces a similar challenge, struggling with traction and failing to extricate itself. The Gypsy is also rescued using the bulldozer. The Jimny’s predicament is attributed to its use of HT tires and insufficient momentum to overcome the obstacle. Additionally, there’s not enough space to reverse and build momentum. A similar situation occurs with the Gypsy. The Mahindra Thar, being a diesel SUV with superior torque and modified approach and departure angles, performs better. The video also features another Mahindra Thar getting stuck in the same pit. Both vehicles excel in off-road conditions, yet like any other vehicles, they have their strengths and weaknesses.