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Delhi
VJ

Vishal Joshi

4w

Confused between the Safari petrol and the XUV 7XO. The reason is the future-proof claims of the Tata Hyperion engine being BS7-ready and E27 compliant. Please suggest what to do.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
4w
We wouldn't base our choice on the engine's compatibility with E20. It's not just Tata Motors, but most manufacturers that have upgraded their engines beyond E20 compliance to E27 to protect them against higher ethanol blends.
There are other reasons to choose between the Tata Safari petrol and the XUV 7XO petrol. If you want space and comfort, especially in the third row, the Safari is the one for you. The Mahindra XUV 7XO is the more enjoyable of the two to drive, thanks to its strong mStallion 2.0-litre engine and improved dynamics. The 7XO has more on-board tech and features as well.
Mahindra XUV 7XO

Mahindra XUV 7XO

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KA

Kapil

3w

Tata safari.. 3rd row is the best. 360 degrees camera is the best in the class. Best in class Suspension and tech is not glitchy like XUV 700

UT

Utsav

3w

Tata safari has lag and feels truck in smaller cities.. Not fun to drive at all.. Driving sucks in safari

RB

Rajendra Borade

3w

Hi My requirement is 7 seater family suv with usable third row and five star safety. My monthly running is around 700km mainly in city and occasionally hiway. Confused between safari petrol vs diesel due to DPF issue in diesel and E20 /E27 issue in petrol. Please give your valuable opinion on this or suggest any other options. Thanking you.

AH

ah

3w

hycross

NA

Narmada

3w

Xuv cheaper to maintain

Latest questions people are discussing

SA

Sandesh

1d

Hi team, I want to buy a 7-seater car. Need advice between Toyota HyCross GX (O), Tata Safari or Mahindra 7XO.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
10h

You should go for the Toyota Innova HyCross GX (O) if you want a true 7-seater with the roomiest third row of seats. The HyCross's 2,850 mm wheelbase and flat floor make the third row friendlier for adults than the Tata Safari or the Mahindra XUV 7XO. Furthermore, it's backed up by Toyota’s proven reliability and hassle-free ownership in India.However, you will have to compromise when it comes to the powertrain. The Hycross' 2.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine isn't as punchy as the Tata Safari and XUV 7XO's turbocharged units, and real-world mileage is quite poor, as we managed 6.9kpl in the city and 12.4kpl on the highway. The Toyota also doesn't get a diesel engine option like the other two.If you prioritise performance and high-end features, either the Safari or the Mahindra XUV 7XO makes more sense. As for pricing, the Innova HyCross GX (O) is priced between Rs 20.43 lakh and Rs 20.56 lakh (ex-showroom).

VehicleToyota Innova HyCross
VehicleTata Safari
VehicleMahindra XUV 7XO
MA

Mohammed Aaftab

2d

I am planning to buy a 7-seater, and my running is not very regular. Sometimes, for a long time, I don’t drive much, but when I do, I may cross 1000 km in a single trip. I need good space in the 3rd row as well. Which one should I prefer: Mahindra XUV 7XO or Tata Safari? I need full comfort and luxury, and my budget is around ₹35 lakh.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
13h

Between the two, the Tata Safari works slightly better as a family-oriented seven-seater. Its second row can slide forward and backwards, which helps create more legroom for passengers sitting in the third row. This flexibility makes the last row easier to use for adults on longer journeys.The Mahindra XUV 7XO, on the other hand, offers stronger performance and more features, especially in the higher variants. It is a nicer car to drive with stronger performance, but the third row is better suited to children or shorter journeys compared to the Safari.If your priority is maximum comfort for all passengers and better third-row usability, the Safari Accomplished+ diesel automatic is the better choice. If you prefer stronger performance and more tech features, the XUV 7XO AX7L diesel automatic is the one to consider.

VehicleTata Safari
VehicleMahindra XUV 7XO

Posted on: 14 Feb 2026