Tata Safari

Autocar India

•4h

The Tata Safari petrol is a very good choice for your needs. During our first drive, we found its performance to be quite effortless despite the modest 1.5-litre displacement. We recorded a 0-100kph time of just 10.5 seconds, which is very respectable for a vehicle of this size. The engine has strong low-down grunt, which helps it pick up speed effortlessly, and it felt adequate even with six people on board. On the expressway, it maintained high speeds with ease and made quick overtakes when required. We haven’t yet driven it in the hills, but all evidence suggests it should be just fine.If performance is still a concern, the Mahindra XUV 7XO is a good alternative. The best way to address your concerns is to take an extended highway test drive with at least five passengers on board. Assess whether its overtaking performance feels adequate for your needs and, if possible, find a hill to do a gradient test.

Tata Safari

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Autocar India

•3d

Purely financially, it isn’t optimal to sell your car so soon, as 12-18-month-old cars take the sharpest depreciation hit. Expect a resale value of approximately Rs 20 lakh for your outgoing car - a financial hit of around 20 percent. If you still wish to satisfy your itch to upgrade to a larger car, consider the Mahindra XUV 7XO. It is thoroughly modern, and it’s a genuine size upgrade over your Hyundai Creta with a punchier engine, and the nicest drive in this class. Of course, it isn't the most spacious 7-seater out there; space in the third row is tight, but for occasional use it does the job.If you plan to use all three rows regularly, you could even opt for the Tata Safari. It is more spacious than the Mahindra, and its road presence is great too.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Hyundai Creta

Tata Safari

Autocar India

•4d

Between your choices, the Mahindra XUV 7XO offers better value for your money. In terms of performance, the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine in the XUV 7XO has a definite edge over the Safari’s 1.5-litre turbo-petrol. In AX7 trim, it is also better equipped than the Adventure X trim of the Safari and is almost on par with the Accomplished trim at a significantly lower price.It also offers superior ride quality. The Safari does have a slightly more comfortable third row, but if this is not a priority for you, then the XUV 7XO is the better choice.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Tata Safari

Autocar India

•1w

For your requirement, the Kia Carens is actually a very good fit, and yes, it makes sense to consider it. Your usage is quite low at around 500 km per month, so a petrol automatic or manual is the right choice. Diesel is not required and may not suit such low running.The biggest reason the Carens works for you is the flexibility of 7 seats. It is also a comfortable car, especially for family usage. The ride quality is well-suited for city and highway driving, and the second and third rows are usable, which is important in your case.For your 1 km kuccha road, the Carens can handle it without any issues as long as you drive carefully. The suspension is compliant enough for mild rough roads, but it is not a hardcore SUV. So you will need to go slowly over bad patches.If you want something more rugged with better ground clearance, you can also consider the Tata Safari. It is better suited for rough roads and has a stronger SUV stance. While it is not as flexible or practical as the Carens as a 7-seater, it is still decent for family use. It is also a better 7-seater than something like the Mahindra XUV 7XO, where the fixed middle row makes the third row less flexible and more cramped.Go for the Kia Carens if your priority is comfort, space and flexibility for family use. Consider the Tata Safari if you want better rough-road ability and a more rugged feel, but with some compromise on third-row practicality.

Kia Carens

Tata Safari

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Autocar India

•1w

The Tata Safari is the model that fulfils most of your requirements. We say 'most' because fuel economy is a question mark for the moment, as we have not tested the Safari Hyperion petrol outside of the media drive. The Safari is a big SUV, and its weight could theoretically impact real-world fuel economy. If you need better efficiency, the Safari diesel is an option for you. Also note, Tata Safari Hyperion Accomplished Ultra prices range between Rs 27 lakh and 28.7 lakh, making the model slightly outside your Rs 25 lakh budget. You could consider the Accomplished X trim that fits within your budget. Key differences to the Accomplished Ultra are the X's smaller rims (18-inch vs 19-inch) and a smaller touchscreen (12.3-inch vs 14.5-inch).

Tata Safari

Autocar India

•1w

The top-spec Red Dark Edition of the Tata Safari is essentially an aesthetic upgrade. It brings a black finish for the 19-inch wheels, red leatherette upholstery inside, and a few exterior badges. Apart from this, it has exactly the same features as the top-spec Accomplished Ultra. If you like the way the Red Dark Edition looks, then go for it; if not, the Accomplished Ultra is the one to have.

Tata Safari

Autocar India

•1w

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.

Tata Safari

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Autocar India

•2w

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

Autocar India

•2w

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.

Tata Safari

JSW Motors Jetour T2

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Autocar India

•1w

Pick the Tata Safari Adventure+ 6‑seat (captain seats). For your highway‑biased driving and occasional 7‑seater use, it offers superior high‑speed stability, a wider cabin, and 5‑star Global NCAP (2023) safety.Since you’re on highways more than in the city, the Safari feels secure at 90-120kph. Cabin width is 1,894 mm versus your XL6’s 1,735 mm, so two adults in the second row stay relaxed on 1,000 km days. So, 1,000 km with six isn’t tough in the Safari. The 6‑seat layout keeps everyone comfortable for 6-8 hour stints, and the 5‑star Global NCAP rating adds real peace of mind over the Carens’ 3‑star adult score (2022).The one thing you give up is third‑row adult comfort and easy access; the Carens’ 2,780 mm wheelbase and lower floor make row three roomier than the Safari’s 2,741 mm. If most trips involve two adults in row three for 2+ hours, consider the Kia Carens HTX(O) A 6‑seat instead. It prioritises third‑row space and convenience at this size.On back‑to‑back test drives, seat six adults for 20 minutes each: assess row‑three knee room and head support, then cruise at 100 kph to check straight‑line stability and cabin noise.

Tata Safari