Tata Safari

I’m quite confused about my next car upgrade and would really appreciate some advice from people who have experience travelling with large families and pets. We are a family of six: my wife, our child, my parents, our dog and me. Until now, I’ve been using a Tata Punch, which has served us reasonably well. However, with our little baby, things have become considerably more complicated. A five-seater no longer seems practical, especially when we travel with luggage and our dog. My usage is a mix of daily commuting (around 20 km a day) and family road trips. We usually undertake 3-4 long trips a year with approx 3-4k kms round trip. I’ve been considering three options: 1. Tata Sierra The idea here is to use all five seats for the family and create a padded, bed-like platform in the boot for our dog. I could use the space underneath the platform for luggage. The ROX edition’s roof carrier is another interesting option, although I’m unsure about the legal restrictions on roof-mounted luggage carriers and whether they could attract challans in states such as Delhi, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. 2. Tata Safari The Safari offers the advantage of a third row. I’m wondering whether I could fold down half of the third row to accommodate luggage while keeping the other half for my dog. I’d probably need to install some sort of secure partition or cage to prevent luggage from shifting onto the dog or flying forward during sudden braking. However, I’m not sure how practical or safe this arrangement would be. 3. Toyota Innova Hycross (GXO) Given that my daily commute is relatively short, I’m not convinced that the hybrid’s additional cost would be justified by fuel savings alone. However, the Hycross’s cabin and luggage space are appealing. I’m wondering whether the third-row floor and boot could be configured to create a sufficiently large, flat and comfortable space for my dog while still accommodating our luggage. At this stage, these are just ideas, and I’m not sure how practical any of them would be in real-world conditions. I’d particularly appreciate advice from people who travel with their dogs, especially on long road trips. How do you manage luggage, ensure your pet’s safety and keep the cabin comfortable for everyone? Are there any other vehicles or practical modifications I should consider? One important consideration is that our baby is still very small, so we don’t have any major trips planned in the immediate future. I’m perfectly happy to postpone our next big road trip for a year or so. Consequently, I’m in no hurry to buy a car and am open to waiting for upcoming launches if something more suitable is on the horizon. I’d love to hear about your actual experiences, particularly with pet-friendly car setups, rather than just theoretical suggestions. Any advice on the choice of vehicle, safe modifications or alternative configurations would be greatly appreciated.

I currently own a 2016 Hyundai i20 Elite Sportz and am planning to upgrade to an SUV, but I am a bit confused. My budget is Rs. 20 lakh. I am looking for a reliable engine, low maintenance costs, and decent mileage. Since my family consists of six members, I am particularly interested in a 7-seater. Would the Tata Safari be a good option, or should I consider other alternatives?

Three months into my Safari diesel. Highway comfort's been the standout so far, still getting used to the size in city parking though.

I currently own a September 2019 Kia Seltos HTX IVT (petrol), which has covered around 73,000 km without any issues, despite a major accident at 17,000 km. I am now thinking of buying a new car. My first preference is the Tata Safari petrol. However, after seeing the recent results and user reviews of the Tata Harrier EV, I am in a dilemma about whether I should buy the Harrier EV or the Safari petrol, or wait for the Safari EV.

I currently own a Hyundai Venue 1.2 petrol. I am considering for an upgrade and my requirements include a 7-seater petrol or diesel automatic SUV under 25 lakh (on-road) with 80:20 city to highway ratio with maximum 15,000 km annually. Can I consider electric as well. What would be your recommendation? I am considering XUV 7X0, Safari or the Alcazar but I'm open to other options as well. Thanks in advance.