Tata Safari: After ruling the Indian highways for years, the Tata Safari made a comeback this time more powerful, modern and re-imagined.
But can the pumped-up new Safari really rise to the enormous shadow cast by the old, rugged beast that was the definitive statement of status and adventure of its time?
Lets get into what makes the current-gen Safari tick, and if it deserves your attention in todays crowded SUV land.
Brash Styles, by the Book
The new Tata Safari looks dapper but not without that evergreen stance. It is based on the same Omega ARC platform as the Harrier but is add muscle at the right places.
The front grille is big, the LED DRLs are aggressive, and the stance is imposing.
But what truly makes the Safari special is the road presence. With its tall ground clearance, massive 18-inch alloy wheels and the stretched-up body to accommodate the third row, the Safari has every bit the full-size SUV that it promises to be.
There’s also a Dark Edition and Adventure Persona trim, so buyers have some personality-injected choices if the standard look feels a bit too tame.
Premium Cabin for All to Enjoy
Open the door and you’re met by an upmarket-feeling, thoughtfully-designed cabin. The dashboard is neat, the soft-touch plastics are well positioned, and the overall layout is smart and usable.
The Safari is available in several seating configurations — 6-seater (captain chairs) and 7-seater (bench seats) — hence a family-friendly vehicle.
First- and second-row space is great and while the third, the best for kids or short trips, is usable and not an afterthought.
You also receive a panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay (in new versions), ambient lighting and a 10.25-inch infotainment system that’s now even quicker and more responsive than before.
Performance: Confidence in the DieselrapyroersPOLICE TESTIdle Procedurespyroers/By CyrusThere’s a Wide World of Diesels Out There, We Test Two of the ToppyroersAfter taking a dive in the water, pyroers turned to the air, the last stop on the way to patrol here.
The Safari is powered by a 2.0-litre Kryotec turbo-diesel engine that produces 170 PS and 350 Nm of torque.
It’s the same motor seen in the Harrier and Jeep Compass, and it’s a well-behaved, solid piece with enough grunt to take on the open road and the stop-go chaos of our cities.
You get the option of a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission. And the automatic, in particular, is slick and softens city traffic.
The engine feels quite torquey for overtakes, and when it gets into its stride, the Safari is a confident highway tourer as well.
But there is no petrol or AWD option — which adventure junkies or its fuel-micro collecting customer base might miss.
Ride & Handling: Tailor Made for Indian Roads
Tata has found a good middle ground between ride comfort and handling.
The suspension easily absorbs bad patches, and even at higher speeds, the Safari remains calm. It feels well-planted, especially during long drives, and doesn’t get upset too easily.
At low speeds, steering is light, which is a blessing when navigating through packed urban centers; however it could have been more communicative on twisty roads.
Safety: Top Priority
The Safari has one of the better safety kits. It is equipped with 6 airbags(In top trims), ESP, hill hold, traction control, disc brakes for all wheels and an electronic parking brake.
Some models can even add in ADAS features such as lane departure warning and forward collision alert.
Tata has been always emphasizing on safety in its newer models and the Safari continues to do so.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Upscale, roomy cabin with flexible 3rd row
Diesel engine is strong with good highway performance
Commanding road presence
Loaded with features, more so on higher-spec versions
Tata Concentration on safety & build quality
Cons
No AWD or petrol option
Third-row kids-only and short-trip space
Gearbox can get caught out under heavy acceleration
Some fit-and-finish details could be nicer
Tata Safari: Final Thought: A Legend In The Making
The Tata Safari isn’t merely a rebadging exercise, it’s a well-pitched reinvention. It has the emotional bond of the old with the modern conveniences, safety and road presence of the new.
Sure, it’s not perfect, and off-road purists may turn up their noses at the absence of 4×4.
Sure, it won’t have a patch of dirt it wouldn’t take head-on, but for most Indian families looking for a plush, capable and stylish SUV that has equal measures of weekend getaway as weekday school drop, the Safari has that sweet, sweet spot.
In short? The king is back. And this time, it’s here to dominate with comfort, confidence and class.