It has been 77 years since India became an independent and sovereign country. With time, India as a nation developed in many spheres, automobiles being one of the major ones. Over the course of so many years, the Indian market has been witness to several iconic cars and SUVs.Â
As we celebrate the 78th year of our independence, Mahindra is gearing up to launch the all-new Thar Roxx, a larger and more spacious version of the existing Thar. The latter is already a legend in the off-roading space. Let us look at five of the most iconic off-roading SUVs to grace Indian terrains ever since independence.
Mind you, we aren’t considering vehicles equipped with electronically controlled all-wheel drive setups but only vehicles which came with pure mechanical 4×4 drivetrains with a low-range transfer case.
1. Willys Jeep (1947)
The original off-roader, the Willys Jeep, was introduced in India in 1947 and quickly gained popularity for its ruggedness and versatility. It was initially reserved for the Indian Army but later found its way to the consumer market where it became a big hit thanks to its insane off-roading capabilities. However, the vehicle was just bare bones and came with an open top, so it became a cult among serious off-roading enthusiasts.
2. Land Rover Series 1 (1950)
The Land Rover Series 1 was launched in India in 1950 and became a favourite among off-road enthusiasts for its four-wheel drive capability and durability. This model essentially laid the foundation for the first generation Defender which can still be seen plying on parts of North East India like Darjeeling.
3. Mahindra CJ3B (1960)
A successor to the Willys Jeep, the Mahindra CJ3B launched in 1960 and was manufactured in India by Mahindra under the licensing of Jeep. It was more affordable than Willys yet equally competent off-road. It found its way to the armed, police, and paramilitary forces along with the masses.
4. Maruti Suzuki Gypsy (1986)
Maruti Suzuki Gypsy, launched in 1986, was a popular off-roader known for its simplicity, ruggedness, and affordability. It was based on the second generation Suzuki Jimny sold in Japan and continues to be the most favoured vehicle for the Indian armed forces till date. It was in production till 2018 before it was discontinued due to outdated safety norms. However, it was an indomitable vehicle even with its small size and modest petrol engine.
5. Mahindra Armada (1993)
Mahindra Armada, introduced in 1993, was a more refined and comfortable off-roader that offered a balance of on-road and off-road capabilities. It was a successor to the 3-door Mahindra MM775 Hardtop and remained in production till 2001. It was replaced by the Bolero which continues to be one of the best-selling Mahindra SUVs till date.
