I have booked a Tata Safari Petrol AdvX+. However, I still feel sceptical about its power and performance with respect to hills or overtaking scenarios. I drive 1,500km monthly with a 60-40 city-highway ratio. Should I consider alternatives like 7XO or Scorpio? Also, if Safari makes sense, would upgrading to Accomplish X be a better decision?

Autocar India

•1m

During our first drive of the Tata Safari petrol, we were pleasantly surprised by its effortless performance despite its modest 1.5-litre displacement. Initial testing revealed a 0-100kph time of just 10.5 seconds, which is very respectable. Moreover, the engine has a lot of low-down grunt, allowing it to pick up speed effortlessly. On the highway, it was able to maintain high speeds with ease and make swift overtakes when required. We even drove it with six passengers on board, and even then, performance felt more than adequate. While we haven’t yet driven it in the hills, all the evidence suggests it should cope just fine.

That said, there is no denying that for similar money as the Safari Petrol Adventure X +, you could get a Mahindra XUV 7XO AX5, which produces 203hp and 380Nm, 33hp and 100Nm more than the Safari. This extra power means the Mahindra XUV 7XO always feels like it has performance in reserve, a feeling you don’t quite get with the Safari petrol. It is also very well equipped and rides superbly, although the third row is not quite as comfortable as the Safari’s.

Since you’ve already made a booking for the Safari, you can proceed with it, and you won’t be disappointed with the performance. However, do request a longer test drive of the Safari petrol, and if you still find it lacking, then consider the XUV 7XO.

Explore cars mentioned

Tata

Safari

from ₹15.44 Lakh

Mahindra

XUV 7XO

from ₹15.87 Lakh

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Sudhir Singh

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I am confused between the Tata Safari petrol and the Scorpio N. Which would be better, and what's the major difference between the Tata Safari Pure X and Adventure X Plus?

Autocar India

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The Safari's three rows are much more comfortable and spacious than the Mahindra Scorpio N's, and its suspension feels a lot plusher too, making it better to drive as well. Overall, the Tata Safari feels more polished in comparison, hence it gets our vote.The price difference between Pure X and Adventure X Plus variant of the Safari is approximately Rs 1.40 lakh (on-road), with the latter being more expensive. For the premium, the Adventure X Plus variant gets larger 18-inch alloys (vs 17s in the Pure X), drive modes, one-touch up and down driver's power window, electonic parking brake with auto hold, rear defogger, leatherette upholstery and an electric driver's seat with memory.While these are nice to have, none of these features is a deal-maker. Instead, the Pure X variant is very well-equipped and actually a better value for money.

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adarsh sinha

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I need a 7-seater SUV for my father. He currently has an Innova Crysta Z 2022 model. I’m confused between the HyCross and the Scorpio N. I know both are different. As we already have a Fortuner Legender, we are looking for a different company to get a taste of it. Kindly suggest if we are making the right choice, or advise us on anything under ₹40 lakhs on-road. Yes, 4x4 is not a compulsion.

Autocar India

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You should consider the Mahindra XUV 7XO AX7 L 7‑seater automatic for your requirements.Because you already have a Toyota Innova Crysta and a Fortuner, the Innova HyCross will feel too similar, and the XUV 7XO will give you a new brand experience without feeling like a step down in comfort. The XUV 7XO's sophisticated suspension features 'DaVinci' dampers and hydraulic bump stops, which make it noticeably calmer and pliant than the Scorpio N on the move. The AX7 L variant also packs in ADAS tech like adaptive cruise and lane‑keep assist, and you also get features, such as a three-screen setup, a large panoramic sunroof, Harmon Kardon audio system and cooled front and middle row of seats. The one thing you give up is the generous third‑row comfort and boot compared to the Toyota Innova HyCross.The Mahindra XUV 7XO comes with two engine options, a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol and a 2.2-litre diesel. Both of these engines are punchy and refined and can also be had with either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter automatic, with the diesel-AT also getting the option of AWD.

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Karunesh

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I am considering buying an SUV car, and my critical criteria are: 1) Performance, 2) Safety and 3) Boot space. A few options I was considering are: Tata Safari and Mahindra 7XO, but then I came across the upcoming SUV from JSW, the Jetour T2. I need advice on whether it is worth waiting for the Jetour by the end of this year.

Autocar India

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Go for the Tata Safari Accomplished+ diesel automatic. It best matches your performance, safety and boot-space needs today, with a strong 170 PS/350 Nm motor and a 5-star crash rating.For performance, the 170 PS/350 Nm diesel pulls cleanly from low revs, so highway overtakes feel easy even with 5–7 people on board. For safety, the new-gen Safari has a 5-star Global NCAP rating (2023), which gives more confidence than an untested newcomer. For boot space, with the third row folded, you get over 400 litres, enough for 4 medium bags. The wide opening also makes loading simpler. On waiting for the Jetour T2, there’s 0 India crash-test ratings published, no confirmed service footprint, and the launch/price by year-end isn’t firm, so you’d be betting on unknowns.The one thing you give up is a petrol option; the Safari is diesel-only, so if you want a high-rev turbo-petrol feel, this won’t suit.If outright acceleration becomes your top priority or you prefer petrol, consider the Mahindra XUV 7X0 AX7 petrol AT instead. Its 200 PS motor does 0-100 kph in under ~10 seconds.When you test drive, do a brisk 80-0 kph stop to judge brake bite and stability, and ask the dealer to fold the third row and load two 28-inch suitcases to verify real boot depth and loading height.

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