Sedan or SUV? Choosing a car for hill roads

The question we hear most after "what's the fare" is which car to book. The honest answer depends on where you are going, not on how many people are in your group.

Where a sedan is fine

Below roughly 2,000 metres, on properly surfaced roads such as Gangtok, Darjeeling and Kalimpong town circuits, a sedan like the Dzire is comfortable and the cheaper choice. Most of Darjeeling and East Sikkim sightseeing falls in this category.

Where you want an SUV

Lachen, Lachung, Zuluk and the Nathu La approach involve loose surfaces, steep gradients and river crossings where the tarmac gives out entirely. A Scorpio or Bolero's ground clearance matters far more here than raw engine power, and it is why we do not send sedans north of Chungthang.

Groups and long circuits

Five or more people on a multi-day circuit are usually happiest in an Innova Crysta for the extra room on long driving days, even where the roads themselves would allow a smaller car.