The Safari's powertrain story became considerably more interesting with the arrival of the 1.5-litre Hyperion T-GDI petrol in early 2026.

This all-aluminium, four-cylinder turbocharged unit is Tata's most advanced petrol engine to date and makes 168 bhp and 280 Nm. It is smooth at idle and refined in city conditions. 

Engine noise is well-contained at low and mid revs, though it becomes more audible when pressed hard above 3,500 rpm. For urban and mixed-use driving, it is a quieter, more pleasant companion than the diesel, and it is approximately 120 kg lighter, which gives the petrol Safari a slightly more agile feel on winding roads.

The 2.0-litre Kryotec diesel is a known quantity in the Safari and its sibling, the Harrier. It produces 168 bhp and a strong 350 Nm of torque, and the wide torque band makes it an effortless highway cruiser. 

Mid-range pull is strong, and at a highway cruise of 100 to 120 km/h the engine barely seems to be working. The diesel's weakness is refinement. Diesel clatter at idle and some vibration under hard acceleration are still present despite the claimed improvements in BS6 Phase 2 form. This is not a deal-breaker, but buyers moving from a refined Japanese or Korean rival may notice.

Both engines are available with a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed torque converter automatic. The automatic in particular draws consistent praise from reviewers for its smooth shifts and ability to pick the right ratio in mixed driving. The manual gearbox is well-judged with a light clutch and reasonably short throws.

Handling is where the Safari's platform heritage reveals itself most clearly. The steering is light and accurate in the city, which makes parking and low-speed manoeuvring easy, and it weights up progressively at higher speeds to give a more assured feel on the highway. Feedback through the wheel is limited, but directional stability more than compensates.

The petrol variant, being around 120 kg lighter than the diesel, has a slight advantage in agility on winding roads.

Ride quality is the headline, with the Land Rover-derived platform shining through in the way it shrugs off bad roads, feeling robust and well-damped, with only a hint of firmness at low speeds that never compromises comfort. 

On the highway it is particularly composed, staying flat and stable at high speeds. Body roll is well-managed for a three-row SUV of this size, and the electric steering is light in town and progressively weighted at speed.

The Safari is a front-wheel-drive vehicle across the entire range. There is no four-wheel-drive option, and anyone expecting the original Safari's off-road character or terrain capability will need to recalibrate expectations, or wait for the EV. This is a road-biased family SUV, and performs well as long as it is driven within its limits.

The diesel manual Safari's ARAI figure of 16.8 km/l is impressive for a three-row SUV of this size. Real-world figures from long-term reviews and owner reports generally land in the 12 to 15 km/l range depending on conditions, with disciplined highway driving capable of matching or approaching the ARAI figure. In dense city traffic, expect 10 to 12 km/l for the diesel.

The diesel automatic's ARAI figure of 14.1 km/l reflects the torque converter's efficiency trade-off, and real-world returns are typically somewhat below that in mixed driving.

The petrol manual's ARAI figure of 16.3 km/l is close to the diesel manual's, which is a notable achievement. However, turbo-petrol efficiency is more sensitive to driving style than diesel, and ARAI’s lab tested figures don’t tell the whole picture. City driving with heavy throttle use will return less than the number suggests, while smooth highway driving can approach or beat it.

Tata has not yet published an official ARAI figure for the petrol automatic. Real-world owner data is still unknown given its relatively recent launch.

The fuel tank capacity is 50 litres, which is on the smaller side for a vehicle of this size and may require more frequent refuelling stops on long-distance routes compared to competitors with larger tanks.

The Safari's cabin is one of the most well-resolved interiors in its price bracket among Indian-brand three-row SUVs. 

The 2023 facelift lifted the quality noticeably, and the additions that came with the petrol variants, particularly the 14.5-inch Samsung Neo QLED screen and the digital rear-view mirror in upper petrol trims, pushed certain configurations into territory that rivals more expensive European offerings on feature count if not on material quality.

The dashboard design is clean and functional. The large infotainment screen dominates the centre console and offers quick responses. The 10.25-inch digital driver's display is crisp and can mirror navigation from a connected phone, making it genuinely useful. 

The JBL audio system gets Dolby Atmos integration and is available from the Adventure X Plus variant upward. 10 speakers, a subwoofer, and 13 preset tuning modes give it a range of character options.

The piano black panel below the AC vents get touch controls for various functions. Fortunately, physical buttons are given foe tempererature controls.

The 6-seat configuration with second-row captain chairs is the more premium choice. It opens up a proper aisle for third-row access and adds ventilation to the second-row seats in Accomplished variants. The captain seats are comfortable on long journeys and the under-thigh support is adequate. The 7-seat bench configuration is more family-practical for buyers who regularly carry five or six people, though second-row passengers lose the individual armrest experience.

Environmental control is managed by a dual-zone fully automatic climate system working in tandem with a built-in cabin air purifier.

Unlike its direct rivals, the Safari’s third row is genuinely usable for adults on short-to-medium journeys. Children and shorter adults can even spend long hours fairly comfortably. Access via the folding second row is straightforward in the 6-seat layout but requires more effort with the bench. Headroom and legroom in the third row are reasonable for a vehicle in this class, and the dedicated AC vents for the rearmost passengers are a practical touch. 

The panoramic sunroof with voice-assist functionality is a genuine feature highlight. Voice commands to open or close the shade add an element of convenience in moving traffic, and the sunroof's size makes a noticeable difference to the cabin ambience for all three rows.

Storage around the cabin is well-planned. There are deep door pockets, a decently-sized centre console, front seat back pockets, and charging options at multiple points including a wireless charging pad in upper variants.

Boot space stands at 420 litres when the third row is folded down, expanding to 1,550 litres when the second row is folded down as well.

Overall, the build quality has improved markedly compared to earlier iterations. The switch quality, seat material, and dashboard plastics feel more premium than the generation that launched in 2021, though it still trails behind its Korean rival in material consistency and finish.

The Safari's visual identity went through a meaningful update with the 2023 facelift, and the result is one of the more imposing front-end treatments on any Indian three-row SUV. 

The connected LED light bar spanning the width of the grille, flanked by bi-LED projector headlamps with DRL integrated turn indicators, gives it a distinctive, modern face. The front bumper with skid plate accents and integrated fog lamps adds an element of visual robustness, even if the vehicle itself is not an off-roader.

The side profile is clean and well-proportioned. At 4668 mm in length and 1922 mm in width, the Safari is a sizable vehicle, and the upright greenhouse with large glass areas contributes to its commanding road presence. The 19-inch alloys in upper variants fill the arches well and add considerably to the visual impact. Lower variants with 17-inch wheels look more functional than sporty.

The tail lamps are slimmer and more premium, with sequential turn indicators adding a modern flourish. The tailgate is power-operated on top variants, which is a practical convenience for regular family use.

Colour options are extensive and include Cosmic Gold, Oberon Black, Supernova Copper, Stardust Ash, Stellar Frost, Galactic Sapphire, Royal Blue, Pure Grey, Frost White, and Daytona Grey, with many of these being available with dual-tone black roof options. 

The Dark editions add blacked-out trim elements and dark alloy finishes, the Stealth Edition introduces a matte black exterior with exclusive badging, and the Red Dark Edition is a cosmetic package available on the top-spec Accomplished Ultra trim.

Ground clearance at 205 mm is adequate for Indian road conditions including speed breakers, minor flooding, and poor road surfaces, though it is not in the same league as body-on-frame off-roaders. The high seating position gives the driver a commanding view of traffic and surrounding areas.

Safety is one of the Safari's defining strengths and a key reason for its popularity with family buyers. 

A five-star rating from both Global NCAP and Bharat NCAP places it among the safest three-row SUVs available in India at any price, and the fact that this rating applies across the variant/trim range is particularly meaningful.

Six airbags, Electronic Stability Control, hill hold control, ISOFIX mounts, and rear parking sensors with a camera are standard across the range. Top trims add a driver knee airbag to take the count to seven. 

The Level 2 ADAS package on Adventure X Plus and Accomplished variants is comprehensive by segment standards. It includes adaptive cruise control that functions even in slow-moving traffic, autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, blind-spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert, and forward collision warning. 

The 360-degree surround-view camera with 3D visualisation is a practical addition for parking and low-speed manoeuvring, and the blind-spot cameras integrated into the door mirrors provide active visual feedback in the instrument cluster.

The Mahindra XUV 7XO is the Safari's most consistent, and arguably, most complete competitor as well. 

It offers stronger petrol and diesel engines, six and seven-seat configurations, a more driver-focused twin-screen dashboard, DAVINCI dampers, Harman Kardon audio system, ADAS on top trims, and a five-star Bharat NCAP rating. It also offers an all-wheel-drive option on diesel variants, which the Safari does not. The XUV 7XO is more dynamically engaging on winding roads and has stronger brand momentum in the segment currently. 

The Safari counters with a slightly more premium cabin atmosphere, the addition of ventilated second-row seats, and a five-star Global NCAP rating alongside Bharat NCAP.

The Mahindra Scorpio N, just like its predecessors, remains a proper, rear wheel drive, body-on-frame SUV, unlike the Safari which has gone monocoque. The Scorpio N comes with stronger engines, updated interior technology with the recent update, a proper four-wheel-drive option, and a 5 star Global NCAP rating as well. 

The Safari’s monocoque architecture and front wheel drivetrain makes it easier and car-like to drive, and also offers a more planted highway feel. The Tata also edges ahead in safety with a 5 star GNCAP rating for child occupant safety as well, while the Scorpio N only managed 3 stars for the same.

The Hyundai Alcazar sits below the Safari in pricing on a like-for-like basis but overlaps on certain variants. 

The Alcazar offers a petrol and diesel choice, six and seven-seat options, and a refined Korean cabin experience. The Safari leads on overall road presence, more space, better safety credentials, ADAS depth, and a strong feature list at comparable price points.

Toyota’s Innova Hycross targets a similar family audience but from a different philosophy. It is available as a self-charging strong hybrid, which gives it a notable fuel economy advantage in city driving. 

It is an MPV by configuration, is longer with a larger wheelbase than the Safari, and prioritises passenger comfort over road presence and styling. The Safari offers a more solid highway driving experience and more engaging engine options.

The Tata Harrier shares its platform, powertrain, and features with the Safari but is a 5-seater, two-row SUV. It is priced lower and is the natural choice for buyers who do not need a third row. 

For buyers for whom the third row is optional rather than essential, the Harrier in its upper variants represents strong value. The Harrier is also lighter than the Safari, giving it an edge in performance and driving dynamics.

The Tata Safari in its current form is the most well-rounded three-row SUV Tata Motors has ever built, and it is a genuinely strong contender in one of India's most competitive segments.

The five-star safety ratings and Land Rover-derived ride quality make a compelling core case regardless of which powertrain or trim you choose. Add the choice between a smooth turbo-petrol and a capable diesel, both available with manual and automatic gearboxes, and the Safari covers more buyer profiles than most rivals.

The feature content across the range is generous, with the Accomplished X Plus variants in particular offering ventilated seats across two rows, a premium audio system, a comprehensive ADAS suite, and a large touchscreen at prices that are difficult to match elsewhere. The petrol entry variants bring a five-star-safe, three-row SUV to a buyer who previously could not afford the diesel range.

It has its limitations. The absence of four-wheel drive means the Safari cannot serve buyers who want their three-row SUV to be more than just a softroader, diesel's refinement still lags behind segment benchmarks, the 50-litre fuel tank feels modest for a vehicle of this size, and the cabin materials, while better than before, still have scope for improvement.

However, looking at it as a complete package, and the Safari makes a strong argument across most of its range. It is safe, well-equipped, comfortable on long journeys, and available at a starting price that is among the most accessible for a five-star-rated three-row SUV in India. Most buyers who shortlist it for a proper evaluation come away impressed.