I have been using a Tata Altroz for about four years now. It has been good for city driving, but now I want an SUV for long drives, preferably a 7-seater. I am confused between the Tata Safari and the Toyota Innova HyCross. Which one should I buy?

Autocar India

•15w

Both the Tata Safari and the Toyota Innova HyCross have their own strengths and weaknesses, and it depends on what suits your needs better.

The Tata Safari has proper SUV looks, comes loaded with features, and is a lot more affordable than the Innova HyCross. The Toyota Innova HyCross, on the other hand, is a much better seven-seater. The hybrid is extremely efficient, even more than the Safari diesel, and it will prove to be a reliable and peaceful companion for years to come. The interior quality, though, is not fitting for a car costing over Rs 30 lakh.

The lower variants, which compete with the Safari on price, get a naturally aspirated petrol engine, which is efficient on its own but not as efficient as a diesel engine, and these variants also miss out on a lot of the wow features that the top Safari variants offer.

Explore cars mentioned

Tata

Safari

from ₹15.44 Lakh

Toyota

Innova HyCross

from ₹21.24 Lakh

Was this helpful? Ask a follow-up

Latest questions people are discussing

Sudhir Singh

•1d

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

•5h

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.

Tata Safari

Mahindra Scorpio N

Nitin

•2d

For a chauffeur-driven family of 4, which is the more comfortable car under a ₹35 lakh budget: Innova HyCross, the Skoda Kodiaq 5-seater variant, or the Jeep Meridian 5-seater variant? Which one offers the best second-row legroom?

Autocar India

•2h

Of these three, your best bet is the Toyota Innova HyCross. Apart from being the most affordable of the three, its MPV shape allows for maximum interior space and flexibility, and it has the best second row. It's flexible, too, with seats that slide, fold and flip. This Toyota car also has the most comfortable suspension and will transport your family comfortably and relatively silently.The Skoda Kodiaq Lounge, sadly, is outside of your budget. Although it's more luxurious and equally refined, it's simply not as spacious as the Toyota.The Jeep Meridian has strong badge value and a luxurious interior, but it's not as spacious, comfortable or refined as the Innova Hycross. Both SUVs are high on road presence, but just can't match the packaging superiority of the Toyota MPV.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Skoda Kodiaq

Jeep Meridian

Sanketh

•1w

Is it a good time to buy the Innova Crysta now, or should I go with the Safari? Which is the better option? I am looking for a 7-seater SUV. Or is there any other option to consider?

Autocar India

•2h

While the Toyota Innova Crysta does have its merits, namely reliability and resale value, the Tata Safari is a better choice in almost every other way. The Tata Safari uses a monocoque chassis with independent suspension, which gives it much better ride quality than the ladder-frame chassis and solid rear axle of the Crysta.The Safari also has a more modern interior, is much better equipped, and offers better performance, with the option of an automatic gearbox, which the Crysta no longer has. Considering all of these factors, the Safari would be our pick between the two.However, if you are looking for alternatives, the Mahindra XUV 7XO is a more direct competitor to the Safari. The ride quality with the new Da Vinci suspension is superb. It is better equipped with things like the triple-screen setup as standard, and its diesel engine offers better performance too.

Tata Safari

Toyota Innova Crysta

Mahindra XUV 7XO

View all Posts