Under the hood of the Tata Safari Pure Plus lies a 2.0-liter turbocharged diesel engine that now delivers a robust 170 horsepower.

In terms of NVH the engine is a bit noisy than the comparative Mahindra’ diesel but only when you accelerate from a dead stop to about 3000 rpms. During highway cruising the it behaves quite well. 

Fuel efficiency is another area where the Safari holds its own. In my experience, you can expect to get around 17 kmpl on highways and roughly 12 kmpl in stop-and-go city traffic. These figures might not shatter any records, but they are realistic and practical. The Drive Modes are actually effective in Tata. We drove in mostly Sports Mode switching to ECo only near Udyog Vihar, our office. 

Safari’s independent suspension and long wheelbase means the ride is pretty superb on all types of roads. It chews through moderate size speed bumps and is plenty stable at high speed.

Stepping inside the Tata Safari Pure Plus feels like entering a space that’s been designed with real people in mind. There’s a tangible sense of purpose throughout the cabin—no unnecessary digital clutter or confusing layouts here. The dashboard is simple, yet it provides all the essential information in a clean and straightforward manner. I found that everything from the air conditioning controls to the multimedia system is positioned exactly where you’d expect it to be, so there’s no fumbling around while driving.

The cabin space is one of the highlights for me. Whether you’re driving solo on a long journey or transporting family and friends, there’s plenty of room for everyone. Ample kneeroom, legroom and shoulder room is there ensuring that even taller drivers can stretch out without feeling cramped

The rear seating, is bigger than in the XUV 700s as what you might find in some of the more expensive rivals, still offers ample space for adults to travel comfortably on longer trips. The third row also has AC vents with a 50:50 split. The second row has a much more conventional 60:40 split. 

The dual 10.2 inch displays have had a lot of complaints from onwards on Whatsapp groups and forums, and I wish I could say otherwise. The screen froze on us twice during a 10 min period and we had to reset it and pair our phones again. In a 23 lakhs car, this is just embarrassing, especially when everything has gone digital. The Mahindra is miles ahead in this regard. 

The audio system, with its 6-speaker setup, delivers a decent sound quality that’s perfect for casual listening. When you consider the practical aspects of storage, the Safari doesn’t disappoint either. The boot offers around 500 liters of cargo space, which means whether you’re packing for a weekend road trip or just carrying your daily groceries, there’s plenty of room to spare.

When I first laid eyes on the Tata Safari Pure Plus, its bold and muscular stance immediately caught my attention. This isn’t a crossover that tries to hide behind soft curves or overly sleek lines; instead, it proudly wears its rugged heritage on its sleeve. The front end is dominated by an sleek and imposing fascia that gives the car an unmistakable presence on the road

Strolling around the car, you can see that every line and curve has been designed to speak to its off-road aspirations. 

The 18-inch alloy wheels add a modern touch but will quickly get dirty in Gurgaon's dust riddled streets!

The Safari looks more like what Harrier should have been. Compared to XUV700's slight crossover styling, the Safari is unapologetically dominating in the way a Fortuner is on the road. 

Tata Safari is a 5star GNCAP rated SUV and comes with up to 7 airbags on top tier trims. You also get the usual electronic aids like ABS, EBD and TCS.

Tata Safari is a true blue seven-seater which has hardly any negatives. The buyers will enjoy a strong diesel engine, comfortable ride and head turning looks that rival everything else on the road.  Safari rivals the likes of Mahindra XUV 700 and MG Hector.