2022 Tata Safari Review, Road Test

The Tata Safari. The iconic SUV from the manufacturer that aims to take on the likes of the Mahindra XUV 700 is finally tested by us. Tata has an aggressive strategy of giving a lot of features to models to make sure they stand out and grab attention. This SUV is no different either. Be it on the inside or outside, it has what it takes to impress a set of consumers as always. Like always there are core strengths and weaknesses of any product that comes from the Tata stable. We find out what Safari has to offer and doesn’t to its prospective buyers after driving it over 800 kms.

On the outside, the SUV is full size in height, length and width. The design elements of the car make it stand out. The large grille, the futuristic LED DRl and low mounted headlights look well-placed. The build quality on the outside seems and sounds excellent and as we know, most Tata cars score the highest marks in crash tests despite the Safari has not made it yet. The diamond-cut 18-inch wheels and the unique tail lamps over the Harrier, the C-pillar design LED DRL and LED Bar at the rear make it look premium. Overall, distinguishable enough over the Harrier.

On the inside, the build and quality are good and so is the not-so-expansive feature list we have explained in our launch reports. The white interior are downright brilliant with the dashboard being black along with brown inserts. You get a basic infotainment screen which is dated and does the job, nothing really exciting, fast or vivid screen quality on offer. Space is good with excellent Leg and headroom along with shoulder and knee room.

The 3-rd row of space is also good for medium size adults and easily excellent for kids. The boot space is good by segment standards. Road and wind noise inside the cabin is also well-controlled and it is a pleasant place to be. The safety kit continues to be high with electronic stability control and six airbags are for higher variants and Hill Hold Assist is with the automatic variant. ABS and EBD with two airbags come as standard.

Tata’s FCA borrowed engine is smooth, free-revving, and almost low on NVH. Be it in any part of the rev range, there is some noise that creeps inside the cabin. The clutch is light and so is the gearbox to operate once you get used to. Before that, it does take some muscle. The automatic gearbox was the highlight and the shifts are seamless and smooth and almost pair well with the engine. Low and mid-range are good on the diesel and so is the top end and ends up cruising easily at legal speeds. This makes the Safari good enough for highway duties but in the city, it can feel cumbersome thanks to heavy steering, higher turning radius and big dimensions. Fuel economy continues to be on the not-so-impressive side with 15 km/l for diesel on the highway and 11 km/l in the city.

The low to medium ride quality is stiff, but the high-speed ride is brilliant as it stays solid and is pliant enough to deal with anything at those speeds. As the suspension has been tuned the same way The body roll increases as speeds get higher while taking a corner or changing lanes at high speeds. Steering is precise and has almost medical feedback on offer which makes the car fun and confident but not at outright sportier SUV. The brakes are good with good pedal bite and enough power to stop at high speeds. Overall, a fun, solid SUV to drive by far compared to its rivals that feel light on their feet.

2022 Tata Safari Review, Verdict

The Tata Safari gets everything from the brand they can put in the SUV. The Safari continues to be the easiest choice in its class. With enough space, features and driving dynamics, it becomes an ideal no-nonsense 7-seater SUV in its class. We did see a lot of Safari to date and there was a reason for it. The deliveries were quicker there was much less to understand when it comes to reading the brochure and choosing the right variant for customers. Tata is set to add more features and a better infotainment system which will take the game forward, but that is going to be limited top-end variants only as these variants tested here will continue to be on sale. Apart from all that, the pricing seems ideal for a 7-seater SUV that feels luxurious and solid, a strong aspect a Rs 25 lakh SUV buyer always looks forward to.