Expert Review
4.38/5
The Safari is Tata's three-row SUV for buyers who want the road presence of a Land Rover without the service bills of a Land Rover. Under the bonnet, you get a choice between a 1.5-litre Hyperion turbo-petrol (170 bhp, 280 Nm) or a 2.0-litre Kryotec diesel (170 bhp, 350 Nm) . Both are mated to a 6-speed manual or 6-speed torque converter automatic. The petrol is Tata's answer to buyers who want to avoid diesel bans, but the diesel remains the pick — that 350 Nm wallop makes highway cruising effortless. ARAI claims 14.1-16.3 kmpl, though owners report closer to single digits in city traffic . The ride is composed, the steering is light at low speeds, and the 205 mm ground clearance handles Indian roads with authority.
Who should buy it? Large families who want a big, bold three-row SUV with genuine road presence, European underpinnings, and enough tech to impress the neighbours. Anyone who thinks the XUV 7XO is too new and the Scorpio N is too truck-like.
What will bug you? The fit and finish — panel gaps, uneven boot alignment, and left-pulling steering issues are common complaints.
