This is exactly why you should not be too adventurous with your sub-compact so-called ‘SUVs’ as has rightly been demonstrated by a Tata Nexon trying to wade through very deep flooded roads.
Water logging is no new issue in India but this year has seen some unprecedented rain in many parts, leaving several roads completely submerged under water. And while SUVs make great sense in India because of our road conditions, most of these SUVs are typically urban and are barely any good at things we expect from SUVs. More so are the sub-compact SUVs which are only as good as hatchabacks, only with better ground clearance. While the added ground clearance will get you through certain conditions, its barely any effective in case of serious challenges as has been rightly demonstrated by a Tata Nexon here.
One of the advantages of driving SUVs with good clearance is their water wading capacity that can be very useful for driving through flooded roads in the monsoons. However, there’s a limit to the capabilities of these urban SUVs and that must be respected. This video below is from Sonipat, Haryana where two people are trying to cross a heavily flooded road in a Tata Nexon. This is one of the rare videos where the occupants have documented the car getting hydro-locked from inside the car. In fact, the water level is so deep that it entered inside the car and is almost up to the center console level.
The video shows the Tata Nexon gradually entering the flooded under pass and then the engine completely shuts off in the middle of the road while the Nexon is still in the water. It can even be seen floating about a little bit. When the occupants get out to inspect the car, we can see that the car is submerged almost till the upper grille and all four wheels are also completely underwater. They even tried to re-start the car when in the water and that was perhaps the most stupid act. Trying to start a vehicle in this condition may just kill the engine as water will definitely enter the combustion chamber.
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The Nexon was later rescued by a tractor and it was then taken to a service center. The engine would now require a major overhaul and since the vehicle was quite deep in the water, there must be some electrical faults as well. Even the battery was not in working condition while the vehicle was being towed. If the water had reached the ECU, the owner would be incurring a hefty bill for all the repair work.
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While their are insurance policies that cover against damages incurred from flood, insurance companies may sometimes deny the claim depending on the situation. It is thus always advisable to be careful while driving through flooded roads in the monsoons and if you are not sure about the depth of the water, its best not to venture in. Lastly, do not think of your sub-compact SUVs and mid-size SUVs to be true off-roaders and do not take them to their limits.
