2021 Tata Safari review: Same only in name

What’s it like on the skin?

And what it’s instantly identifiable as, a minimum of from up entrance, is a spinoff of the Tata Harrier. The break up headlamp association is shared and the one actual distinction is the brand new, chrome-finished tri-arrow sample for the Safari’s grille.

The design up entrance is sort of similar to that of the Harrier, save for the brand new chrome grille.

From different angles, although, you received’t mistake one for the opposite. Designed to accommodate a 3rd row of seats, the Safari sports activities the next roofline, an extended rear overhang, encompasses a full-size rear quarter glass, and the tail-end is extra upright too. Even the tail lights, although comparable in remedy, are totally different.

On the rear, the Safari a full-size rear quarter glass, a stepped roof design and a extra upright tailgate.

Including some taste to the Tata are its chunky roof rails which might be styled to counsel a stepped roof, considerably of a trademark aspect on the unique Safari. In dimensions, the brand new Safari is 80mm taller and 63mm longer than a Harrier, although width and wheelbase are unchanged. All in all, the brand new Safari has an excellent stance that’s solely helped by the 18-inch diamond reduce alloy wheels. Curiously, whereas the edges are a dimension up on the Harrier’s, they’re of the identical design.

What’s it like on the within?

Inside, issues are acquainted. Should you’ve been behind the wheel of a Tata Harrier, you will instantly really feel at residence within the Tata Safari. The smart-looking dashboard is frequent to the 2 fashions however what brings within the needed distinction on the top-spec Safari is its Oyster White inside theme. Positive, the cabin appears to be like actually upmarket consequently however consumers with a fetish for spotlessness will actually battle to maintain the sunshine leatherette seats clear. A welcome inclusion on the top-spec Safari is the easy-to-use digital parking brake that comes instead of the cumbersome thrust lever-like guide handbrake.

The dashboard design and format is much like the harrier, although the inside now will get a Oyster White theme.

Simply as on the up to date Harrier, you get a dominating view of the highway and far of what you contact inside is top of the range. Panel match can be a lot improved from the primary of the Harriers however some ergonomic points persist. As an illustration, the centre console fouls with the motive force’s left knee. You’d additionally want Tata up to date the infotainment system. The 8.8-inch touchscreen appears to be like a bit small by in the present day’s requirements and even issues just like the rear view digicam might have seen a number of extra pixels added.

The 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system appears to be like a bit small and dated by in the present day’s requirements. 

On the plus facet, the options listing is lengthy and is headlined (fairly actually so) by a panoramic sunroof, a sweet-sounding JBL sound system and a powered driver’s seat. Tata has additionally included related tech that permits you to remotely control your automotive, however there’s no wi-fi charging onboard. 6 airbags and hill-descent management are unique to the top-spec XZ+ variations however it’s commendable that ESC is customary match.

What’s it like on area and luxury?

It’s once you transfer to the center row that you just’ll sense a hyperlink between Safaris previous and new. Like the unique, the brand new Safari sports activities theatre-like seating by which the second row seats are positioned greater than those up entrance. This elevated seating will get you wonderful visibility not solely out of the facet home windows however the entrance windscreen as properly. As customary, the Safari will get seven seats with a bench-type center row. Seat consolation is great and the marginally greater H level (relative to the Harrier) has translated to a spot-on seating place. The Safari additionally goes one-up on the Harrier with the choice to slip the 60:40 seats again, and if you need much more room a ‘Boss mode’ lever helps you to regulate the co-driver’s seat from the again.

The second row seats are extraordinarily comfy and their capacity to be slid again provides to the consolation.

Additionally on supply on top-spec Safaris is a six seat choice that brings in captain’s chairs for the center row. These seats are fantastically cushioned, boast a variety of adjustment (there’s Boss mode too) and a fold-down armrest is included as properly. It’s simply that passengers with bigger frames will discover the seats aren’t the widest round. What’s additionally lacking are sunblinds for the rear home windows and finding the USB slots close to the centre tunnel is sort of the duty.

Switching focus to the third row, the information is nice. Entry to the rear-most part of the cabin is by way of the slender passage between the captains’ chairs or, within the case of the seven seater Safaris, from the kerb facet center row seat. This seat’s one contact mechanism for fold and tumble, and the damped operation is spectacular however the aperture isn’t all that giant so you’ll have to contort a bit to get to the third row.

Whereas entry to the third row is not the most effective, the seating place and area on supply is fairly good. 

As soon as in place, you’ll respect the area on supply. Common-sized adults will be capable to discover a glad legroom compromise with the center row passenger and even the seating place is just not as knees-up as in typical third rows. The comparatively giant home windows assist the sensation of area although the air-con vents positioned on the sill look like an afterthought. Tata has finished properly, nevertheless, to pack in blower management and a pair of USB charging slots for the final row.

With all seats up, there’s solely 73 litre of boot area on supply. 

Touring with a full home does, sadly, imply no room for baggage. Lifting the heavy, operated by hand tail gate is a job and isn’t definitely worth the effort given the mere 73 litres on supply. You possibly can break up and fold the third row seats to liberate extra baggage room once you want. The center row seats on 7 seat variations can be folded flat to create a big cargo bay.

What’s it wish to drive?

The Tata Safari makes use of the identical 170hp, 2.0-litre, four-cylinder diesel engine because the Harrier, and is obtainable with the identical 6-speed guide and automated transmissions too. Unsurprisingly, the driving expertise could be very comparable too. There’s good energy however within the case of the guide you need to deal with a heavy clutch that’s not progressive sufficient and gears that want some effort to fit. 

The two.0-litre Kryotec turbo-diesel engine produces 170hp and 350Nm. 

Surely, it’s the Safari automated that’s the one to purchase. The Fiat-sourced diesel engine branded Kryotec 170 by Tata works greatest with the Hyundai-sourced 6-speed torque converter automated transmission. The gearbox is properly in-tune with the engine’s traits, gearshifts are well timed and clean and it’s additionally responsive sufficient to guide shifts by way of the gear lever. As earlier than, the engine does groan and moan once you load it and sounds a bit gravelly when beginning out however issues calm down shortly sufficient. What you’ll like is the large unfold of energy and the way effortlessly the engine brings the big Safari on top of things. Driving modes, particularly Eco, Metropolis and Sport, that alter energy additionally assist fine-tune the driving expertise.

Preliminary timing runs counsel the Safari’s performce is on par with that of the smaller Harrier.  

Speaking efficiency, our fast timing runs did reveal the Safari, that’s heavier by 75kg, to be simply as brisk because the Harrier. What the Safari looks like with a full load of passengers is one thing we’ll put to the check quickly. On the topic, Tata has beefed up the Safari’s braking system to cope with the upper gross weight. The Harrier’s rear drum brakes have made method for discs and resultantly the Safari does shed pace extra successfully. That stated, the chew level is just too low on the lengthy journey brake pedal and this may be disconcerting in panic braking situations. 

Tata might have additionally labored on the Safari’s steering. It’s a contact on the heavier facet at low speeds and can be susceptible to kickback. At greater speeds, there’s an inconsistency too – the slack on the straight forward place is adopted by an overtly sharp response. What you’ll like is the benefit with which the Safari can cowl giant distances. It feels assured even when it’s not fairly as properly tied down as, say, a Jeep Compass. Notably, Tata has tweaked the suspension for added load and the marginally softer setup has enhanced low pace bump absorption. The Safari actually does make gentle work of potholes and dangerous roads, and it’s in settings as this that the Tata’s powerful construct shines by way of. Don’t overlook, there’s some Land Rover DNA within the Safari’s underpinnings.

The Safari’s softer suspension setup means it rides properly over dangerous roads and potholse. 

Now for the elephant within the room. Is the brand new Safari, Safari sufficient when there are not any roads? With its monocoque building, and entrance wheel drive format, it’s a radical departure from script to the previous body-on-frame and 4×4 mannequin. Frankly, any soul-searching missions to ‘reclaim your life’ can’t be too excessive. For its half, the Safari does get ‘Moist’ and ‘Tough’ Terrain Response modes and floor clearance is sufficient to sort out a light path. Tata says it’ll take a look at an all-wheel drive choice if there’s enough demand.

Do you have to purchase one?

Prone to be priced between Rs 15-21 lakh (ex-showroom), the Safari will command a premium of about Rs 1 lakh over the Harrier. The Safari goes up towards the MG Hector Plus, and also will see recent competitors from the brand new Mahindra XUV500 and 7 seat Creta over the yr. 

The brand new Safari is engaging, plush and properly outfitted, and with a genuinely useable third row is it makes a compelling case for itself. Positive, it’s not a flexible 4×4 as the unique Safari was however see it because the three-row SUV for the household that it’s, and also you’ll discover that Tata’s new flagship scores the place it issues.

Additionally see:

Tata Tiago Restricted Version launched at Rs 5.79 lakh

Tata Nexon EV gross sales shut on 3,000