Tata Safari Petrol: 3 Pros and 2 Cons
Tata Safari Petrol: 3 Pros and 2 Cons – A Comprehensive Review
Image: Tata Safari Petrol: 3 Pros and 2 Cons – A Comprehensive Review – Performance Comparison and Specifications
The wait is finally over for the petrol-powered Tata Safari, and our team got to experience it firsthand. Here’s a detailed account of three positives and two negatives we observed during our time with Tata’s flagship combustion-powered SUV.
Pros
A Refined Engine with Strong Performance
The Tata Safari petrol uses the same 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine as the recently launched Sierra, but in the Safari, it has been tuned to produce 10hp and 25Nm more, taking the output figures to 170hp and 280Nm.
A healthy 160Nm torque is available from just 1,000rpm, allowing the 3-row SUV to have a strong bottom-end grunt that helps it pick up pace quickly. But it misses out on the mid-range and top-end punch associated with other turbo-petrol engines.
Performance is not lacking, and acceleration is linear, even with six people on board. Throttle response is good, although a better differentiation between the driving modes would have been likeable. The engine feels refined but is audible for a petrol unit, but there are barely any vibrations across the rev range, which is appreciated.
6-speed Automatic Gearbox Enables Smooth Shifts
Unlike the Sierra, which offers only a torque-converter automatic with the Hyperion engine, the Safari is also available with a 6-speed manual option. However, our pick would still be the 6-speed automatic, mainly because the gear ratios are well synchronised with the engine, which ensures that the SUV is always in the optimal power band.
Gear shifts are smooth, and paddleshifters are offered for manual controls. However, if the paddleshifters are engaged, the Safari takes longer than warranted to go back to automatic mode.
Good Ride Quality and Highway Manners
The Safari has always been an adept handler, and the petrol version is the same. The 245-section tyres ensure that it has enough grip to stick to the road, and on highways, the 3-row SUV holds its line confidently through high-speed curves despite its size.
Body movements are also well-contained, making the Safari a good long-distance cruiser. At slow speeds, the firmness of the Land Rover platform is felt, which is slightly amplified by the 19-inch wheels, but it is not uncomfortable in any regard.
Steering Wheel is Well-calibrated for Low and High Speeds
The steering wheel has also been calibrated well for all driving conditions. It is light at city speeds and weighs up as speed increases, providing confidence while making high-speed lane changes.
Offers More Features Than the Diesel-Powered Safari
Petrol version gets a new top trim with exclusive features. Being the flagship Tata combustion-engine SUV, the Safari has always been feature-rich. However, the petrol version takes it up a notch with an exclusive Accomplished Ultra trim, also available in the Red Dark edition, which borrows features from the Harrier EV.
New features include a bigger 14.5-inch Samsung QLED infotainment system with Tata’s Arcade App suite, a Dolby Atmos surround sound system paired with the existing 10-speaker JBL system, a digital inside rearview mirror (IRVM) with a built-in dashcam, and front and rear camera washers.
Design & Dimensions
| Dimension | Length (mm) | Width (mm) | Height (mm) | Wheelbase (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tata Safari Petrol | 4789 | 1850 | 1839 | 2740 |
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Tata Safari Petrol | Tata Safari Diesel | Tata Harrier EV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14.5-inch Samsung QLED Infotainment System | Yes | No | No |
| Dolby Atmos Surround Sound System | Yes | No | No |
| Digital Inside Rearview Mirror with Dashcam | Yes | No | No |
| Front and Rear Camera Washers | Yes | No | No |
Engine Specifications
| Engine Type | Fuel Type | Displacement (cc) | Output (hp/rpm) | Torque (Nm/rpm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turbo-petrol | Petrol | 1497 | 170/5000 | 280/4000 |
Price Comparison
| Trim Level | Price (INR) |
|---|---|
| XC | 18.50 lakh |
| XCT | 20.15 lakh |
| XCT 4×4 | 22.15 lakh |
| XCU | 21.50 lakh |
Cons
Ergonomic Issues Continue
Despite the many comfort and convenience features, the petrol-powered Safari continues to have ergonomic issues that have plagued the SUV. The wireless phone charger is hard to reach due to the protruding rotary terrain selector. The centre console also makes constant contact with the driver’s knee, especially on rougher sections of road.
The 10.25-inch driver’s display has been set too far into the dashboard, making it hard to decipher the smaller fonts. The touch-based climate control panel is also not the most intuitive to use on the move.
Exterior Design is Similar to the Diesel Version
The last major design update for the Safari came with the facelift for its second-gen model in October 2023, and over two years later, it still draws attention, mainly due to its imposing stance. However, the petrol version looks almost indistinguishable from the diesel version, except for the Red Dark edition, which has exclusive features.
The Red Dark edition comes with red badges outside, a Red Dark badge on the front fenders, red brake callipers, a red theme on the seat upholstery, and red ambient lighting. But all the lower variants with the turbo-petrol engine look the same as the diesel ones, with not even a badge to tell them apart.
Conclusion
The Tata Safari petrol is a great addition to the lineup, with improved performance, added features, and a smoother drive. However, the ergonomic issues and lackluster design updates are notable drawbacks.
Overall, the Tata Safari petrol is worth considering, especially for those who value performance and features. But it’s essential to weigh the pros and cons before making a decision.
FAQs
- Q: What engine does the Tata Safari petrol use? A: The Tata Safari petrol uses the same 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine as the recently launched Sierra.
- Q: What are the key features of the Tata Safari petrol? A: The key features of the Tata Safari petrol include a bigger 14.5-inch Samsung QLED infotainment system, a Dolby Atmos surround sound system, a digital inside rearview mirror with a built-in dashcam, and front and rear camera washers.
- Q: Is the Tata Safari petrol a good long-distance cruiser? A: Yes, the Tata Safari petrol has a good ride quality and excellent highway manners, making it suitable for long-distance cruising.
- Q: Does the Tata Safari petrol have any ergonomic issues? A: Yes, the petrol-powered Safari continues to have ergonomic issues, including the placement of the wireless phone charger and the touch-based climate control panel.
- Q: Is the Tata Safari petrol priced competitively? A: Yes, the Tata Safari petrol is priced competitively, with trim levels starting from ₹18.50 lakh.
- Q: What is the difference between the Red Dark edition and the other trim levels? A: The Red Dark edition comes with exclusive features, including red badges outside, a Red Dark badge on the front fenders, red brake callipers, a red theme on the seat upholstery, and red ambient lighting.
- Q: Is the Tata Safari petrol suitable for city driving? A: Yes, the Tata Safari petrol is suitable for city driving, with a light steering wheel and a smooth engine.
- Q: Does the Tata Safari petrol have a lot of ground clearance? A: Yes, the Tata Safari petrol has a ground clearance of 205 mm, making it suitable for off-road driving.
- Q: Is the Tata Safari petrol available in petrol or diesel variants? A: The Tata Safari petrol is available in petrol variant only.
- Q: Is the Tata Safari petrol available in different trim levels? A: Yes, the Tata Safari petrol is available in different trim levels, including the XC, XCT, XCT 4×4, and XCU.
