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-   -   2021 Tata Safari Review (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/official-new-car-reviews/232704-2021-tata-safari-review-44.html)

I took the test drive of Safari XZA+ 6 seater this week. Here are my observations -
1.) Seeing the car outside the showroom on the roads gave a better impression of the girth. As it's absolutely same as Harrier in proportions till C pillar, it is in the XUV category in terms of road presence and certainly not in Fortuner / Endeavour class.
2.) Since I also have a Nexon (diesel XZ+) in the house apart from the Hexa, the ride quality seems somewhere between the two. It's silent like Hexa but the ride is slightly better than Nexon. Plus it was clear the suspension doesn't have the same level of travel / articulation like the Hexa. It bottomed on a pothole I drive on regularly in my Hexa and though it unsettles the cabin, it still doesn't bottom out.
3.) From handling perspective, it's fantastic. High speed lane changes are a breeze and you don't feel nervous even at triple digits speed. This is where the Omega Arc chassis shines. It's no slouch in handling.
4.) However it doesn't feel as planted as Hexa. I guess it's more because of the approx 350 kgs of difference between Safari and Hexa in terms of kerb weight. The positive effect of that is when sat in the Hexa you feel like in a locomotive that barely gets jolted by the undulations underneath the surface.
5.) Family complained of the rocking side to side movement on certain bad roads which we all got weary of during our ownership of the XUV500.
6.) Hyundai automatic gearbox is smooth but slower than the one on Hexa. It makes up some of it via a higher power output and lower kerb weight, but in normal mode it certainly seemed hesitant to downshift. However, I couldn't really see an uptick because of this tuning on mileage as it is not very high compared to Hexa per my driving style.
7.) It's the sports mode when the pull off the car really comes into its own. But given I only use Sports mode in Hexa during ghat section driving or while some quick overtakes on single lane roads, I could see using the sport mode on Safari a lot more.
8.) Auto hold works but will be useful only on long signals. In short signals it will allow the 2 wheeler in front to get the window to slide into your lane and hence it's usefulness is questionable to be used persistently. May be we get used to it or may be not.
9.) The audio on Safari like Nexon is tuned for more bass in lower volumes vs the Hexa (tuned the equilizers to ensure it isn't a setting specific issue) though both share a 320W dual channel amplifier. Hexa has a wider soundstage while Safari / Harrier / Nexon have a more bassy soundstage. In ideal world I would prefer a portion of both but that's how it currently goes.
10.) Family felt shoulder room and legroom both to be higher in Hexa but also appreciated the theater seating in Safari in 2nd row. However the cooling in 2nd row was found lesser vs Hexa because of vents only on B pillar and nothing behind the central armrest.

11.) Forgot to add about the steering. It's miles lighter than Hexa on low speeds despite being heavier than most other cars being a hydraulic unit. However high speed sensitivity is high. It's not so much about the heft on the steering but more about not the gradual slowing down of response from the steering at higher speeds. I think adding the weight is not the answer but more about progressively reducing the sharpness of the steering as speedo climbs.

My only reason to look for an upgrade from Hexa is the fact it's discontinued and the availablity of spares and resale after few more years. I'm not the kind who holds on to cars for more than 5 years (haven't until now). Still undecided on the change but thought I should put up my experience nonetheless.

Best to find a buyer for your Hexa on one of the Hexa forums on Whattsapp/ Facebook. You will find buyers who value Hexa as a product. Otherwise it will be the same old story " Saar Tata Gadi ka resale kum hota hai" . Most dealership people don't try hard enough to get a good price for your vehicle. They just contact one or two used car dealers you end up giving you a ridiculous price as they ae interested in making a big fat commission foe themselves. The other option is OLX. Just make sure that you have the sale details so that you can try and get the Loyalty/ exchange bonus.

Buy it fast before they raise the prices. Most Auto companies are raising their prices on account of "higher input costs" and Tata will be no different. Buy it now at "invitation/inaugural price"

Booked it before a few days. :thumbs up

Your observations cement the fact that Hexa was a true gem, an absolutely underrated car.


As a person who have bought and sold expensive Tatas in the past, I am very sure the resale value of a full size Tata UV will be absolutely pathetic and it won't make sense to sell your Hexa before 8 years. Even the engine refinement is great in the Hexa.

Congratulations:D

Glad we were of help!

I see you have already changed your avatar to blue safari.

Your post reminds me of YOLO.

Wishing you speedy delivery and a fantastic ownership experience. Do post an ownership thread :thumbs up

Let's see. I'll be on the lookout for a reasonable resale price quote. It's nothing more than the inquisitiveness to keep trying something new - which I happen to do with my mobiles as well. However, if the trend has to break, there can't be a better car than Hexa to break it.

No doubt it is an absolute gem. I won't be missing much till I eventually upgrade. I also realized that my family doesn't really care about the panoramic sunroof (which I personally never cared for). Their feedback was - "We wouldn't really mind switching to the Safari if you are certain to replace it - but you need to opt for 7 seater instead of 6 as with reduced size of the car we must prioritize practicality over luxury. But Safari's cons against Hexa in terms of reduced luxury in terms of space offered, extra AC vents, ride quality and the overall choice of materials used, cannot be ignored. They aren't deal breakers but we will miss what was offered extra in Hexa at least in the initial few months, and probably longer as well."

This statement didn't include or consider what a person on the driver seat might gain in terms of extra features / gizmos / power / etc.

Man, what a post! Nails the fact that Tata killed a passion and went for mass market. The ride and handling of Hexa and the acres of space it offers is something I can't find in any vehicle downward of 20 big ones. Forget the market talk and the only product worthy of upgrade would be Toyota Fortuner and its Ford sibling. If you think Safari is an upgrade for Hexa, well what can I say, good night mate.:confused:

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I think the word "upgrade" has been taken too seriously. Let's call it "replacement" if that makes it sound better. Any car over another would always be an upgrade in some matters and not in some. That would be applicable even when upgrading to Toyota Fortuner or Ford Endeavour. Eg - the manual sunblinds in Hexa for 2nd row of seats. It isn't on the 40+ lacs Fortuner / Endeavour. So would these fall short as upgrades ? I guess not.

The argument can be though - How much better is Safari vs Hexa ? Again the answer will vary depending on whom you ask. For me personally its either a tie or Hexa slightly better. However if I have to wait for spares for months, 1-2 years down the line for Hexa, then for sheer mental peace I would pick an almost similar package. And that is where Safari fits the bill the best amongst all cars currently available at <30 lacs on-road.

Despite law of the land, there is a difference between ensuring support for discontinue cars for another 10 years vs ensuring parts support with reasonable SLAs, because its the SLA that remains undefined as per rulebooks.

Should I go >30 lacs after Hexa ? I don't want to yet for a number of reasons which are off topic for this thread.

I would say looks, weight and dynamics are 3 major fundamentals where they improved over the Hexa and these were deal breakers to a lot of people. What I feel the Hexa has over the Safari is suspension, that awesome automatic gearbox mated to a Varicor 400 and yes some of those thoughtful comforts like a hydraulic jack for the engine bay, 2nd row curtains etc.

Yes the multijet-automatic combo on the Safari is certainly very good but the exhilarating experience that the Hexa offers is something else.

I disagree. Having driven both I do not think they offer the same level of comfort/space especially in the third row. The suspension too at least in my opinion is not as planted. Yes they have an advantage in engines and 4wd hardware and more refinement in some areas but overall not a worthy upgrade especially at their price point.

Surprising that you want to give 30 lakhs again to the same manufacturer who is putting you through that misery. The very fact that you are afraid this scenario will come is enough reason to not give 30 lakhs again to the same manufacturer. I am a Hexa owner going through the same emotions, and I have decided that I am not giving them my money till they at least have some loyalty discount for Hexa owners. In my opinion, the only upgrade from Hexa as of now is a Fortuner. Crysta ZX is a better alternative to Safari if you have 30 lakhs of budget.

I thought that the Tata Hexa would be relaunched with BS6 engine sometime this year. Read some news articles claiming to have spotted the Hexa BS6 being tested on road. Not sure if the information is accurate. In 2019, Bangladesh Army ordered 200 units of the Hexa. It is the SUV for their officials and so probably might be different from the civilian version. Tata definitely should relaunch the Hexa with BS6. Would be a shame to see it being sunset.

The new Safari looks like an SUV, Its called a Safari and ticks many boxes for many prospective buyers looking for a three row vehicle. It has a nice big (factory fitted) sunroof. Tested and proven engine and autobox for highway munching. More than anything else, Safari '21 comes at a time when Tata enjoys better consumer perception in the market. Its got no direct serious rivals (yet) except the extended Hector and an ageing XUV 1st gen. Today, fewer people are dropping their jaws saying "25 lakhs for a Tata!?" . Safety champion Tata is able to sell flagships without GNCAP testing just based on the blinding halo of 5 shining stars established by cheaper models. Tata Designs look sharper than ever and for once Impact Design is a philosophy that actually works in real life.

The Tata Safari 21 has come into market at a more comfortable time compared to what the Tata Hexa was up against.

But I still won't stack Safari 21' against the Hexa.

The Hexa was an unarguably VFM package from Tata. 4x4 option, RWD, AT option, good ground clearance, ladder frame and that superb ride and good quality interior appointment. 'Everything' that we want from a proper SUV. Sunroof craze was just starting , but Webasto was offering an aftermarket Tata approved kit for that, albeit a tiny one.

But more than anything else the Hexa was let down by its looks. A great earnest effort from the design team did manage to make the Hexa look as good as it can ever get, but still couldn't hide the MPVish Aria shape underneath. The Hexa may just be the most handsome van that was, but it was still a van and many couldn't look past that. Those few who could, got an amazing car that's hard to beat in value and should hold on to it till they can.

Compared to competition, few bought Hexa then, few bought Safari then, but now with the new Safari launched, everybody is realising the strengths of these old timers and missing them dearly.

If the Hexa came wrapped in a shell anything like the Safari Storme, it would've plundered the market, despite weight, mileage or any other secondary parameter.

The Safari'21 is a good MPV that looks like an SUV.
The Hexa was a good SUV which looked like an MPV.

Absolutely agree clap:

If only Hexa looked less of a van, it would have sold in much better numbers.

I for one, wasn't able to convince my hardcore safari loving dad(I am too) to buy the Hexa instead of Safari Storme in 2018. Hexa made sense to the head but never pulled the heart strings for a safari owner like the storme did.

The same "safari" emotion has worked wonders with the marketing of the new safari for Tata. Imagine "Gravitas" being launched instead of safari, people will not look past the fact that it is a Harrier+.

Also correct about perception change of Tata in the market. If bs6 Hexa arrives now, it will definitely sell much better than it did, but will also cannibalise the harrier/new safari. IMHO the Hexa had plusher interiors and more comfortable seats than the newer flagships of Tata. I have not driven the BS6 2.0 diesel of Tata Harrier, but have driven the BS4 one. In comparison, hexa's 2.2 Varicor 400 is much much more refined and responsive than the harrier's 2.0

Tata should relaunch Hexa with 4x4 and additional bling, and place it above Safari, in Innova price bracket. May be they should limit the variant spread to manual, automatic, 2wd, and 4wd. But we can only keep hoping.

Would bomb. Dead on arrival.

The Safari now sits at the northern borders of Tata's comfort zone in terms of market acceptance. Even though fewer people are complaining, the Safari is still an expensive Tata car at 25lakhs.

Hexa (in its Achilles heel old shell) with a low demand 4x4 option sitting above this boundary is suicide. Not to mention the present product line up would make the Hexa stick out design wise.

The Nexon is the sweetest ode to Hexa and so nicely mimics the Hexa's front from some angles. Scale it up and you won't find it endearing anymore.

What Tata doesn't have ( and voluntarily moved away from) is a cheaper Scorpio competitor.

The Sierra EV is Tata's only hope to go beyond the Northern wall, eventually.