Tata Safari

Viewed head-on, it is very similar to the Harrier, with a slim connected light bar and a large grille with intricate detailing. From all other angles, the Safari is a taller and therefore more imposing vehicle. The roofline rises from front to rear, accentuated by the roof rails, with a kick-up at the C-pillar to accommodate the third row of seats.Nineteen-inch wheels are standard from the Accomplished X+ trim onwards, with a blacked-out finish on our Red Dark variant. No surprises at the rear either; full-width LED tail-lamps differ slightly from the Harrier’s, and a neat script spells Safari. The petrol version is visually identical to the diesel model, with no exterior identifiers to tell them apart.

The Safari’s front seats are large and comfortable, and the high seating position delivers a commanding view. Both front seats are powered and ventilated, with memory for the driver. Cabin quality is generally strong, with good fit and finish and premium-feeling touchpoints, though some hard plastics remain, and the heavy use of gloss-black surfaces may prove prone to scratches and smudges. Captain’s chairs for the second row are also available as an option on the Accomplished X+ trim and above, and they come with a ventilation function. Access to the third row via the flip-down seat is straightforward, and once back there, knee room is quite good with the middle row slid forward. You do sit in a knees-up position, but it is still better than most SUVs of this class.

The 10.25-inch digital driver’s display looks crisp, is easy to use and can show a connected phone’s navigation full screen, though it sits a bit deep in the binnacle. The diesel gets a large 12.3-inch touchscreen – slick, responsive and loaded with features including wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a 360-degree camera with a 3D view, air purifier controls and JBL sound modes. The petrol gets the 14.53-inch Samsung Neo QLED infotainment screen and the digital rear-view mirror from the Harrier EV. The safety kit is comprehensive too, with six airbags, ABS with EBD and ESP standard. Top trims add Level 2 ADAS with over 20 features and seven airbags.

The 2.0-litre diesel feels familiar, with a strong mid-range, wide powerband and effortless cruising ability. It still feels punchy, but refinement remains its weak spot, with noticeable noise and vibrations at low speeds and under hard acceleration. The petrol tells a different story. Despite its 1.5-litre capacity, the Hyperion turbo delivers strong low-end performance, making this heavy SUV feel surprisingly quick off the line. There’s no mid-range turbo shove or top-end zing, but performance is more than adequate, with most of the power concentrated low down. Refinement is significantly better than the diesel, though a mild drone creeps in around 1,500rpm. The smooth 6-speed automatic suits the petrol particularly well.

Tata Harrier diesels ARAI mileage is 16.8kpl for both manual and automatic versions. ARAI-certified figures for the petrol are yet to be released, but Tata claims best-in-class efficiency.

Ride quality remains a highlight. The platform’s Land Rover lineage shows through in the way it shrugs off bad roads, feeling robust and well damped. There’s a hint of firmness at low speeds, but comfort is never compromised. On the highway, it feels particularly impressive, staying flat, stable and composed at triple-digit speeds. The petrol version is around 80kg lighter than the diesel, which should translate to a touch more agility on twisty roads. Body roll is well controlled, grip from the wide tyres is reassuring, and the electric steering is well judged – light in the city and nicely weighted at speed.

Prices for the Safari diesel start at Rs 14.66 lakh and top out at Rs 25.95 lakh. Pricing for the petrol-powered Safari had not been announced at the time of writing, but we expect it to be around Rs 50,000 to Rs 80,000 cheaper than the diesel. On the whole, the Safari is a very well-rounded SUV, and the petrol broadens its appeal further by bringing a level of refinement the diesel never could.