Tata Safari Pure X Dark 7 seat 1.5 Turbo-GDI AT

autocar.india

•1d

With a family of six and a Rs 20 lakh budget, the Carens Clavis is worth considering before the Safari. It offers genuinely usable space across all three rows, a comfortable ride and a proven 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine. For a buyer prioritising reliability, low maintenance and reasonable running costs, it is a more natural fit.The Safari is the more SUV-like choice, with a spacious cabin, good ride comfort and strong highway manners. Although the Safari itself has not been tested, the Harrier uses the same 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine and returned just 6.17kpl in the city and 12.49kpl on the highway in our testing. The Safari is heavier, so expectations of fuel economy should be realistic. The diesel is more efficient than the petrol, but it is not particularly frugal either, especially in city use.The Clavis therefore makes more sense if mileage and running costs are important. The Safari becomes more attractive if you specifically want the larger SUV experience, higher seating position and stronger highway character.

Kia Carens Clavis

Tata Harrier

Tata Safari

autocar.india

•3w

Recommendation: Tata Safari petrol for now, rather than the Harrier EV. Since your 2019 Seltos has already done 73,000km without major mechanical issues, there is no urgent need to move to an EV simply because the Harrier EV is newer. The Safari petrol gives you the larger, more comfortable SUV you are looking for, along with a conventional powertrain that is easier to live with if you plan to keep the car for many years.The Harrier EV is the more attractive proposition if you have home charging and do substantial running, particularly in the city. It offers excellent performance, refinement, ride comfort and a premium cabin. However, it is still too early to call it the safer long-term ownership choice.

Tata Safari

Tata Harrier EV

autocar.india

•3w

Given your requirements, the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel automatic would be our recommendation. With an 80:20 city-to-highway ratio and 15,000 km a year, diesel still makes sense because the XUV 7XO's diesel engine is refined, efficient and well suited to both city driving and long highway runs. The 7XO also offers a usable third row, strong performance and a well-equipped cabin, making it a proper upgrade from your Venue.The Tata Safari is a strong alternative if you prioritise ride comfort and a more spacious third row, but the XUV 7XO offers a better overall ownership experience and a more modern feature set. The Hyundai Alcazar petrol automatic is the more refined and easier-to-drive option in the city, but its third row is tighter and it does not feel like as big a step up from the Venue.On the electric front, the Mahindra XEV 9S is worth considering if you have home charging and predictable daily usage, but at Rs. 25 lakh on-road you are likely to be looking at the lower variants, and the XUV 7XO diesel still makes more sense given your usage pattern.Overall, the XUV 7XO diesel automatic strikes the best balance between space, performance, efficiency and long-term ownership.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Tata Safari

Mahindra XEV 9S

Hyundai Alcazar

Hyundai Venue

autocar.india

•4w

Go for the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel automatic. With your 30km daily running and 75% city usage, diesel still makes sense because the 7XO’s diesel engine is efficient, refined and well suited to both city and highway driving. The XUV 7XO also offers a more modern cabin, better tech and a more premium feel than the Harrier and Safari. It is also a genuinely comfortable 7 seater with a usable third row, which gives you added flexibility. The Tata Harrier petrol automatic is a good car, but the petrol engine is not as efficient and the overall package feels a bit older compared to the 7XO. The Tata Safari is essentially a 7 seater version of the Harrier, so the same comments apply. The 7XO diesel automatic is the best fit for your priorities of safety, driving comfort, mileage and automatic transmission.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Tata Harrier

Tata Safari