The SUVs received 33.05 points for adult occupant safety and 45 points for child occupant protection.

The 2023 Tata Harrier and Safari have been awarded a 5-star rating by Global NCAP. The SUVs received 33.05 points for adult occupant safety and 45 points for child occupant protection.

As per the crash test report, the Harrier and Safari offered good protection to the driver and passenger’s head and neck in the frontal impact test. Driver and passenger’s chests showed adequate protection, while their knees showed good protection. Driver’s tibias showed adequate protection, and passenger’s tibias showed good protection. The footwell area and bodyshell were rated as stable.

The head, chest, abdomen and pelvis were well protected in the side impact test. Curtain airbags fitted as standard showed good protection to the head and pelvis, marginal protection to the chest and adequate protection to the abdomen in the side pole impact test.

The child seat for the 3-year-old was able to prevent head exposure during the frontal impact, offering full protection. The child seat for the 18-month-old was also able to prevent head exposure and offered full protection.

The test vehicles were equipped with dual front airbags, side head curtain airbags, and side chest airbags. The SUVs also get 3-point seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters, seat belt reminder, ESC and ISOFIX.

Deliveries of the Harrier & Safari facelift are expected to commence in the last week of October or early November.

Tata Motors opened the order books for the Harrier and Safari facelift earlier this month. The carmaker is all set to announce the prices on October 17, 2023.

Tata has given the Harrier and Safari a thorough makeover. The SUVs feature a heavily revised front fascia with sleek new LED daytime running lights connected by an LED light bar and slimmer tail lamp clusters.

Tata is offering the Harrier and Safari facelifts in four trims each. The SUVs now come equipped with several new features, including ADAS, with Adaptive Cruise Control, 7 airbags, a new gear knob dubbed ‘Smart E-Shifter’, paddle shifters and dual-zone automatic climate control with a touch-based control panel. 

The updated SUVs also get a new steering wheel with an illuminated logo, a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster with Navigational Display, and a 10-speaker JBL audio system.

Under the bonnet, the Harrier and Safari facelift continue to use the same 2.0-litre 4-cylinder diesel engine that makes 168 BHP and 350 Nm. The engine is paired with either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission.

The updated Harrier and Safari facelifts are slightly more frugal despite using the same engine and transmission combination.

Last week, Tata Motors took the wraps off the updated Harrier and Safari. Both SUVs get several changes on the outside as well as on the interior. While they are mechanically identical to their predecessors, there has been a slight improvement in claimed fuel efficiency.

Under the bonnet, the Harrier and Safari facelift continue to use the same 2.0-litre 4-cylinder diesel engine that makes 168 BHP and 350 Nm. The engine is paired with either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission.

The Harrier facelift has a claimed fuel efficiency of 16.80 km/l for the manual and 14.60 km/l for the automatic version. On the other hand, the new Safari returns 16.30 km/l and 14.50 km/l for the manual and automatic versions, respectively.

Tata Motors is offering the Harrier and Safari facelifts in four trims. The SUVs now come equipped with several new features, including ADAS, with Adaptive Cruise Control, 7 airbags, a new gear knob dubbed ‘Smart E-Shifter’, paddle shifters and dual-zone automatic climate control with a touch-based control panel. There’s also a new steering wheel with an illuminated logo, a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster with Navigational Display, and a 10-speaker JBL audio system.

The Harrier & Safari now get ADAS with adaptive cruise control, 7 airbags, and dual-zone automatic climate control.

Tata Motors has opened the order books for the Harrier and Safari facelift. Customers can book the cars online or at all authorized Tata Motors dealerships for a token amount of Rs 25,000.

Tata has given the Harrier a thorough makeover. The SUV features a heavily revised front fascia with sleek new LED daytime running lights connected by an LED light bar and slimmer tail lamp clusters.

The Harrier facelift is available in four variants: Smart, Pure, Adventure and Fearless. The SUV comes equipped with several new features, including ADAS, with Adaptive Cruise Control, 7 airbags, a new gear knob dubbed ‘Smart E-Shifter’, paddle shifters and dual-zone automatic climate control with a touch-based control panel.

The updated Harrier also gets a new steering wheel with an illuminated logo, a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster with Navigational Display, and a 10-speaker JBL audio system.

The Safari also receives similar exterior and interior updates as the 5-seater Harrier. It is also available in four variants: Smart, Pure, Adventure and Accomplished.

Both SUVs are powered by the same 2.0-litre 4-cylinder diesel engine that makes 168 BHP @ 3,750 rpm and 350 Nm @ 1,750-2,500 rpm. The engine is mated with either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic.

Bookings for the Harrier facelift will open alongside the updated Safari on October 6.

Tata Motors has released another teaser of the Harrier facelift. This time, the video gives a glimpse of the SUV’s interior.

The Harrier will feature a sleeker dashboard design with ambient lighting and a larger, floating touchscreen infotainment system. The teaser also shows the car’s new four-spoke steering wheel with its illuminated Tata logo and digital instrument cluster. The Harrier will also get Tata’s latest touch-based HVAC module.

Spy images suggest that the Harrier facelift will get a redesigned centre console with a new gear lever. The SUV will also be equipped with features like a panoramic sunroof, a 360-degree camera and ADAS.

The Harrier is expected to be offered with the same 2.0-litre diesel engine as before. This unit puts out 168 BHP and 350 Nm and comes paired with either a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission.

Bookings for the Harrier facelift will open alongside the updated Safari on October 6.

Tata will open the order books for the Harrier facelift on the same day.

Tata Motors has released the first official teaser of the Safari facelift. Bookings for the updated SUV will open on October 6, 2023.

The teaser video clearly reveals the heavily updated front fascia of the Safari. The SUV gets a brand-new grille and a new LED light signature comprising of a full-width LED light bar and vertical headlamp pods. The teaser also reveals a new bronze exterior colour.

Inside, the updated Safari will get a redesigned dashboard with a large floating touchscreen infotainment system, a sleek touch-based HVAC unit, a new 4-spoke steering wheel with an illuminated Tata logo and a digital instrument cluster. The SUV will also come with features such as a panoramic sunroof, cruise control, a 360-degree camera and ADAS.

The Safari is expected to be offered with the same 2.0-litre diesel engine as before. This unit puts out 168 BHP and 350 Nm and comes paired with either a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission.

So far I seem to have liked Honda Elevate reviews. But not sure if I should really switch from 2.2L Dicor to a 1500 cc engine.

BHPian mayuresh recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I have been a happy user of Tata Safari Dicor for 12 years.

I can still continue with it, but for some knee trouble that I have developed, use of clutch in heavy traffic causes a lot of soreness now. So, wish to switch to AT/CVT car. So AT/CVT is the primary requirement.

Usage pattern: City usage of about 100km per week, occasional long distance trips, may be around 4/5 times a year.

• 4 seater is ok but it should be spacious. 5 seats of Safari got utilized on very few occasions in my usage.
• Should drive well on rough roads, pothole ridden city roads as well as somewhat rough roads when we go for outings.
• I am a little over 6' and prefer tall cars with good leg room, also prefer good leg room for the rear seats.
• Would prefer higher GC and largish wheel base.
• Among comfort features: Good air conditioning for both front and the rear seats and low NVH levels. Prefer good thigh support for tall passengers.
• I am not much into ICE or other gizmos. All those are welcome but aren't a primary requirement.
• Basic safety features will do, whichever are a norm today. I am not very demanding about those.
• Good boot space for outstation travel. Safari has really spoiled us for this, but can settle for a little less.
• Good road presence and good view of the road, something I am used to in a Safari.

Budget : 20L (extendible).

So far I seem to have liked Honda Elevate reviews. But not sure if I should really switch from 2.2L Dicor to 1500 cc engine. How much will I miss the power of Safari on long drives? (I am not particularly sedate style driver when it comes to outings with good highways.)

Overall I find that there is a lot of crowding of SUVs in the under 20L range and then at the higher end they start close to 30L range, nothing much in between in terms of price. Curious why is that so.

Here's what GTO had to say on the matter:

Since you are already a Safari owner and well familiar with the pros & cons of Tata ownership, why don't you take a spin in the 2023 Tata Safari? Great looking SUV, but has its cons (refer to our official review). The AT & engine are well-matched.

Since you have increased your budget to 30-lakhs, the segment best is the XUV700 IMHO, followed by the Scorpio-N. If not an urgent need, you could also wait for the 4-door Thar that's coming in 2024. Will be style with practicality.

Also TD the Innova Hycross Hybrid. I'm a huge fan of this car. The mid-variants fall in your budget. It's now very SUV'ish in terms of styling and offers unbeatable practicality + fuel economy.

Here's what BHPian Arjun.hb had to say on the matter:

Scorpio N did have an AT in Z4 trim. Not as spacious as Safari but close. Does everything else better than the Safari.

Here's what BHPian 07CR had to say on the matter:

Scorpio N is something what TATA should have done with Safari facelift. You would not miss anything from the Safari, but feel upgraded in almost all parameters. Z4 AT seems best bet for you.

Mind you no other car in your budget will provide you the road presence and driving position of OG Safari. If you ready to let go that, Seltos FL (GT Line/HTX+ iMT), might be another alternative.

Elevate has good driving position. But road presence is a little awkward. Have read conflicting reports regarding the interior space for taller occupants. Many have found it uncomfortable due to angled flooring, which results in poor underthigh support. That along with the lazy 1.5 NA CVT Combo is something which might disappoint you on the highways.

Here's what BHPian Paddelshifter had to say on the matter:

If you are a happy Safari Dicor owner, you’ll have no problem dealing with TATA service in my opinion. Based on this, I’d suggest that you test drive the TATA Harrier (not Safari). You will be able to compare it with the Dicor and see if it fits your requirements.

This should be followed by the ScorpioN test drive combined with the XUV700 also. You can then shortlist the one among these three cars and compare it with the next car (i.e. Seltos) that is different than the three you have test driven.

Seltos is not in the same leagues as the Dicor in terms of space but excels at all other areas. If you like the Seltos after driving larger cars, then you should be able to pick Seltos easily without confusion.

Here's what BHPian BleueNinja had to say on the matter:

You have owned a Tata for 12 years hence I understand you would be quite familiar with Authorised Service Centres as well as FNGs. You are familiar with tata as a brand as well.

I would recommend Tata Harrier XZA (if sunroof isn’t a requirement) it gets all must haves plus some good to have features as well. This should cost you 24-25 lacs OTR pune.

The ride quality is great , drives really well and has street CRED. It’s spacious for a 5 seater and has a great AC performance. The automatic is really tuned well. It’s quite well balanced between efficiency and performance. I get a mileage of 10-11 km/ltr in heavy pune traffic and on highways I am able to get 17-19 km/ltr.

Since you will be going for an automatic variant you won’t be a victim of “knee console issue” as well once you have figured out a good seating position.

The boot space is good and 60:40 split seats can be utilised to get some more space. Also the front driver seat gets a lumbar support that you can adjust to provide adequate support to your back.

The one con that I would like to highlight is that I am 6’1 tall and I feel the under thigh support of front seat could have been tad bit better than what it is currently. However, a fellow Harrier owner who is as tall as me didn’t have any issues with under thigh support from his Harrier, so it’s better you check it out for yourself. Under thigh support won’t be an issue for your passengers though as the seats are really comfortable.

You can consider XUV 700 AX7 variant but won’t a 7 seater be overkill for you? AX5 variant isn’t speced out well for the price which it comes at.

Regardless I would say you can either go with ScorpioN, XUV 700 or Harrier.

Creta, Seltos or Elevate won’t appeal to you coming from a behemoth like Safari Dicor irrespective of how you look at it, whether it’s the build quality, engine power and feel or the road presence.

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

I agree that a car being a complex machine is fallible and likely to fail and this was the exact thought I had when I was stuck at the road.

BHPian Straight_curv recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I bought a Tata Safari XZA+ Dark two months back and driving it was nothing but a dream come true. I took it all around the city (Kochi), on a short trip to Ooty after which I got it serviced and followed by a long drive all the way to Mumbai. Everything was was fine and the car was all that I could ask for.

Until 22 Aug 23 when on my way from office at around 1745 hrs in Mumbai(dist 2.5km) the car suddenly stopped responding to accelerator and got stuck at 8kmph. I immediately dialed for Tata RSA who suggested me to drive the car in this condition till the nearest safe point and park it on the road side for towing. By the time I did the car showed all the warning lights possible(image attached).

I agree that car being a complex machine is fallible and likely to fail and this was the exact thought I had when I was stuck at the road. And then starts my worst service experience, first was the whole towing fiasco which as told by the RSA team should have been a simple task of 80-90 mins after which I hand over the car to towing agents and relax and wait for the service centre to contact me. In reality the agents took 3 hrs to reach my location and they reached around 2130 hrs (PS: the location in talks here is a prime one in south Mumbai) and too only two of them who asked my help in terms of sitting on the steering to steer the car while embarking it on the truck. I did so as I didn’t want any harm to my car and seeing their level of professionalism I decided to join them to the trip to service centre at Worli (on my bike) to ensure safety of my car. On reaching the service centre I was told by the watchmen that the towing guys are utterly unprofessional and have a history of damaging car while unloading, so here again I stepped up to unload my car and handed it over to the centre at 2315 hrs.

Still I had hopes that it might be a small glitch and I will get to drive my car in a day or two, but these were shattered the very next day. I got a call from the service centre asking for the issue in the morning and after explaining them the whole thing when I called in the noon to confirm what the issue is and when to expect the car back, I was shocked to find that they were clueless and were exploring the options of battery being drained out and what not. Regarding the delivery of the vehicle I was told that it will take at least 08-10 days for me to get back my car.

Frustrated from all this I decided to escalate the matter and wrote a mail with all the details to Tata Motors Ltd to only get calls again going around the loop of what the problem is and how can they help me. I also suggested as the vehicle is brand new within warranty and being my only mode of conveyance a standby vehicle maybe provided to me for the duration for which no action was taken.

I would like to ask this forum for help with ways to get back my car at the earliest and get compensated for the harrasment I am undergoing.

Update as of today I was told that the service centre is working in close coordination with TML and has been told to replace three major parts in engine and see if it solves the problem and if it does chances of which are 90% I can expect my vehicle by next week mid or end and if it doesn’t then no timelines

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

I'm upgrading from a 2015 VW Polo & have shortlisted Hyundai Alcazar, Tata Safari Facelift and Mahindra XUV700.

BHPian amods recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hi All,

I am in search of a new car for my (soon-to-be +1) family. Appreciate all the help from forum members.

Current drive:

I drive a humble 2015 VW Polo 1.2 petrol which has a mediocre engine. Bought it pre-owned in 2018 and is going strong 5.5 years later. Although it fulfils most of my current needs and is rock solid and well maintained, it has very low back seat space.

Why a new car:

• Need for space. Should accommodate a child seat + occasional family gang of 4-5 adults plus luggage.
• No child seat anchors in the current car.
• I'm done with driving a boring and noisy engine (Polo 3-cyl is loud and harsh and unsuitable for an otherwise great car). Need something decently powerful.
• Growing concern about E20 fuel and the falling price of Polo in the market soon.
• I'm a big supporter of used vehicles and most of mine are used, but this time is different. Parents are strictly against used vehicles, and somewhere I want a new car this time too (Although I'm still uncomfortable paying so much of tax and charges). So new it has to be.

Requirements:

• A 7 seater
• 4 Cylinder. I'm not buying a 3 anytime soon.
• Decently powerful. Though I feel anything will feel better coming from a Polo 1.2
• Petrol. Automatic. My running is comparatively low. Also no EVs and AMTs.
• Decently safe. Anything above 3-4 stars is fine.
• Budget: Preferably within 28Lacs on road (Bengaluru).
• Ventilated seats  My sweaty back needs it.
• I don't need gimmicky features, can drive with minimal electronics.
• Not in a hurry, need the car by March next year.

Shortlists:

Hyundai Alcazar

I love how comfortable Hyundais are and they are market leaders in providing a lot of features. Looks and feels premium.

• 360 Camera. I will need it, moving from a small hatch to a big car.
• Ventilated seats.
• At 158HP, engine is decent.
• Top end is 26 Lakh on road.

• DCT - Don't know how reliable it is.- Safety is not known.
• Facelift launch time is unknown.

Tata Safari (Facelift)

I love it and if it was available in Petrol, would have considered it. However, I'm hearing that the upcoming launch has Petrol engines.

• 360 Camera and ADAS. I will need a 360 camera moving from a small hatch to a big car. Not a fan of ADAS.
• Ventilated seats.
• Engine is nice. Have driven a friend's diesel.
• BIG and commanding stance. Don't want to be bullied on roads anymore.
• Safe
• Don't know if the upcoming petrol will have a TC gearbox.
• TATA's service.
• Price for top end has already breached 31-32L. Facelift will be more expensive.
• Facelift launch time is unknown.

Mahindra XUV 700

• Loved this one since its launch. Looks and feels premium.
• Drive feel is closer to a car than an SUV.
• Engine is very powerful.
• Safe
• Price is out of range (Same as Safari).
• Ventilated seats.
• Waiting time?
• Service is hit or miss.

Please help me out here if you can. Thanks in advance for all help.

Here's what BHPian zaveed had to say about the matter:

Make sure you take a long test drive with all the family members. None of the cars that you shortlisted would satisfy your requirement of a full-time 7 seater and space for your luggage.

3rd row seats are typically congested and are good for kids or short drives. IMHO better 3rd row space would be in Safari > Alcazar > XUV700. Luggage space is minimal when you utilize all the seat space.

Best of luck in your search.

Here's what BHPian CEF_Beasts had to say about the matter:

Since you need a car by March next year, please include the HyCross VX Hybrid on your shortlist as well!

It’s over 30L OTR but well worth it!

Here's what BHPian Durango Dude had to say about the matter:

I think you should also have a look at the Kia Carens that's selling better than Alcazar and is more VFM and has better space on the inside too. Powertrains are the same as Hyundai.

Here's what BHPian Bhodrolok had to say about the matter:

Would suggest the XUV700 based on your requirements, if the budget makes sense. Heck, you could safely go for a used one and restrict the budget.

If you are looking for something less expensive, why not the Toyota version of Ertiga? maybe wait for b-NCAP results to be released.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The other cars in the comparison include the Tata Safari, Mahindra Scorpio N, MG Hector Plus, Hyundai Alcazar and Toyota Innova Crysta.

BHPian RahulNagaraj recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Maruti Invicto

Maruti Invicto Pros

• A great-looking MPV. SUV’ish styling packs appeal
• Nicely designed interiors, good comfort in all 3 rows and usable boot (even with third-row up)
• Many Maruti dealers across the country are currently offering faster delivery than that for the Innova Hycross
• Loaded with features such as a panoramic sunroof, ventilated seats, dual-zone climate control, 360-degree camera, connected car features, leather upholstery, drive modes, paddle shifters, ambient lighting etc.
• Hybrid powertrain makes it lighter on the pocket than diesel and future-proof too. Very good fuel efficiency
• Lower emissions will appeal to environmentally-conscious buyers. And those who aren’t ready for an EV yet
• Impressively fast for a MUV. Very quick straight-line performance
• Monocoque construction results in sorted handling, comfortable ride quality & overall better driving experience than a body-on-frame UV
• Brilliant NVH levels result in a quiet and serene experience inside the cabin
• Toyota's bullet-proof reliability combined with Maruti's excellent after-sales service and fuss-free ownership experiences
• Safety features such as 6 airbags, ABS, ESP, TC, all-wheel disc brakes, hill hold, TPMS, ISOFIX & 3-point seatbelts for all

Maruti Invicto Cons

• Expensive with on-road price crossing Rs. 35 lakhs. This is the most expensive car Maruti has ever sold
• Toyota offers you a longer warranty, better badge (the big "T") and nameplate ("Innova")
• Top-end variant is only available with captain seats in the middle row. No bench option is inexplicable!!
• Innova Hycross has more features. Missing on the Maruti are Ottoman seats, ADAS, fore & aft adjustment levers on the second-row seatbacks, foglamps, 9-speaker JBL system etc.
• 17" wheels with 60 profile tyres compromise the overall stance; they look very small
• Monocoque construction won’t be as rugged & abuse-friendly as a body-on-frame build
• Interior plastic quality is very mediocre, some parts feel budget-grade
• Non-hybrid regular petrol engine unavailable on Invicto (it is sold on the Hycross). Further, Invicto is available only in 4 colours and 2 variants
• Poor sound quality from the 6-speaker system (subwoofer missing too), poor camera resolution and a basic infotainment system display
• Both cars - the Invicto & Hycross - don't offer rain-sensing wipers or lumbar adjustment
• The already-good ride quality could be even better with higher-profile tyres (e.g. on craters)

Link to review

Toyota Innova Hycross

Toyota Innova Hycross Pros:

• A great-looking MPV. SUV’ish styling packs appeal
• Upmarket interiors, good comfort in all 3 rows and usable boot (even with 3rd row up)
• Loaded to the gills with features such as a panoramic sunroof, ventilated seats, electrically adjustable rear ottoman seats, multi-zone climate control, connected car features, leather upholstery, drive modes, etc.
• Hybrid powertrain makes it lighter on the pocket than diesel and future-proof too. Very good fuel efficiency (expect city FE of 15-17 km/l)
• Impressive performance with a sub-10 second 0-100 km/h time (Toyota claims 9.5 seconds)
• Monocoque construction results in sorted handling and comfortable ride quality
• Brilliant NVH levels result in a quiet and serene experience inside the cabin
• Toyota's bullet-proof reliability, excellent after-sales service and fuss-free ownership experiences
• Safety features such as 6 airbags, Toyota Safety Sense (ADAS), ABS, ESP, TC, all-wheel disc brakes, hill hold, TPMS, Isofix & 3-point seatbelts for all

Toyota Innova Hycross Cons:

• Premium pricing. More expensive than the already-pricey Innova Crysta
• Top-end variants are only available with captain seats in the middle row. No bench option is inexplicable!!
• 18" wheels with 50 profile tyres compromise the overall stance; they look very small
• Monocoque construction won’t be as rugged & abuse-friendly as the Crysta's body-on-frame build
• Rear seat ottomans are useless for taller passengers
• Average sound quality from the JBL system, poor camera resolution and a basic infotainment system display
• Missing features such as rain-sensing wipers, lumbar adjustment, boss lever on the front passenger seat...
• The already-good ride quality could be even better with higher-profile tyres (e.g. on craters). 225/50 sidewalls are on the shorter side

Link to Review

Toyota Innova Crysta

Toyota Innova Crysta Pros:

• Indestructible build & durability. The Innova is known for its bullet-proof reliability
• Spacious, flexible & practical cabin. An extremely comfortable long-distance commuter
• Upmarket interiors. The ZX variant is plush
• Powerful diesel engines with user-selectable driving modes
• Balanced suspension & road manners. High-speed stability is rock solid
• Top-notch safety kit. 7 airbags, ABS, ESP, TC, Isofix & 3-point seatbelts for all
• Feature packed! Leather seats, LED headlamps, mood lighting, cruise control & lots more
• Toyota's excellent after-sales service and fuss-free ownership experiences

Toyota Innova Crysta Cons:

• Top ZX variant is unavailable with a middle-row bench seat (8-seater)
• Lower variant's interior looks too basic
• 2.4's NVH package still has holes to fill (engine clatter, dancing gear lever)
• Heavy steering at parking / low speeds. It can get cumbersome in the city
• Poor sound quality from the ICE. Cheap speakers beg for an upgrade

Link to Review

Mahindra XUV700

Mahindra XUV700 Pros:

• Handsome styling matched to solid build quality. Has street presence, feels robust
• Very spacious interiors with comfy seats and sorted ergonomics. 6-footer passengers welcome!
• 182 BHP turbo-diesel & 197 BHP turbo-petrol make for a potent line-up
• Smooth 6-speed torque converter Automatics available with both engines
• Sorted suspension with good road manners & high-speed stability
• AWD is available for the adventurous, unlike most FWD crossovers in the segment
• Loaded with features like radar-based driver assistance system, pop-out door handles, panoramic sunroof, driver memory seat, 360-degree camera, 10.25" infotainment & instrument cluster etc.
• 12-speaker Sony audio system is fantastic! You'll enjoy its sound quality
• Safety features include 7 airbags, ESP, all-wheel disc brakes, hill hold, hill descent control, driver drowsiness detection, TPMS, ISOFIX...

Mahindra XUV700 Cons:

• Negligible boot space with the 3rd-row seat up. Either 5 on-board or 7 with a roof-top carrier
• Cramped 3rd-row seat is best suited to children only. A sliding middle row is sorely missed
• Petrol AT is thirsty due to its hefty weight, 197 BHP & torque-converter AT
• Some cabin plastics & a few rough areas don't feel premium in an otherwise loaded SUV
• Missing features such as an auto-dimming IRVM, ventilated seats, paddle shifters, full-size spare wheel, ambient lighting, rear sunblinds...
• Concerns over niggles & bugs in a freshly baked, complex Mahindra. We saw 2!
• Mahindra's after-sales service is a hit or miss. Remains a gamble
• AWD is available just with the Diesel AT, and not the MT or petrol motor

Link to Review

Tata Safari

Tata Safari Pros:

• The iconic brand “Safari” is back! We agree with using the legendary nameplate for this car
• Stunning looks & strong road presence. Solid build too
• Classy, spacious cabin with comfortable seats & a chilling air-con
• Extra 3rd row of seats brings lots more practicality & utility
• Superb captain chairs available as an option for the middle row (top variant only)
• Extras over the Harrier include rear disc brakes, TPMS, e-parking brake, auto-hold, boss mode…
• Fantastic 9-speaker audio system. The sound quality & bass are enjoyable
• 168 BHP 2.0L diesel offers good driveability and a punchy mid-range
• Smooth & competent 6-speed automatic transmission
• Sufficient ground clearance + terrain response system for rough and wet roads
• Top-notch safety kit includes 6 airbags, ESP, rest break reminder, hill hold, brake disc wiping & more
• Features such as the panoramic sunroof, Eco & Sport modes, auto headlamps & wipers, cruise control…

Tata Safari Cons:

• Heavy steering gets cumbersome at parking / u-turn / crawling speeds (<5 km/h)
• 3rd-row access is too difficult in the captain seat variant
• Negligible boot space with all the seats up - a paltry 73 litres
• Safari AT’s focus is on smoothness & comfort; gearbox is not the most responsive
• Concerns over niggles & long-term reliability. Our test car had a problem too!
• Service visit every 6 months / 7,500 km (12 months is the norm today)
• Diesel engine does get loud above 3,500 rpm & its engine note is quite sad too
• No petrol option (almost all competitors offer it). No AWD for enthusiasts either
• Although improved, the Safari's steering @ 120 km/h is still a level too sensitive
• Tata's after-sales service quality is a hit or miss. Remains a gamble
• We don’t agree with the excessive chrome (outside), impractical white interiors & 18” rims (bit firmer ride)

Link to Review

Mahindra Scorpio-N

Link to review

MG Hector Plus

Link to Close Look

Hyundai Alcazar

Hyundai Alcazar Pros:

• A 3-row family car that's well-built inside out
• User-friendly interiors look really good (brown shade is awesome) and have quality parts
• Economical 1.5L diesel is available in MT & AT variants. Offers good driveability
• Comfortable ride quality with neutral road manners
• Unladen ground clearance of 200 mm is perfect for Indian roads
• The Alcazar's safety package includes 6 airbags, ESP, all-wheel disc brakes, auto-hold, TPMS etc.
• Impressive kit (fully digital instruments, 360-degree camera, 2nd-row wireless charger, panoramic sunroof, paddle shifters, Bose sound system, cooled seats & loads more)
• Hyundai's competent after-sales service & wide dealer network

Hyundai Alcazar Cons:

• Oddball love-it-or-hate-it face. We find the Alcazar's front design to be weird & overdone
• 2nd-row legroom is mediocre (captain seat variant). Compromises have been made to accommodate the 3rd-row & boot
• 3rd-row seat is best suited to kids only. Not really a place for adults
• Rs. ~3 lakh OTR premium over the Creta on the higher variants is too much!
• Diesel’s 113 BHP & 250 Nm – although adequate – is the lowest in the segment
• Competitors like the Tata Safari & MG Hector Plus offer way more spacious cabins
• Some misses (no auto wipers, illuminated window buttons, full-size spare tyres on top trims etc.)

Link to Review

Here's what GTO had to say about the matter:

XUV700 AT is my first choice. Would choose the turbo-petrol because my running is very low, and the motor is very fast. The car is nice to drive as well.

Hycross would be my second choice (very close 2nd choice). It's a great MPV, quick, efficient, spacious & practical. I'd buy the Hycross over the Invicto for the Toyota badge & the additional features that the top variant gets.

3rd choice would be Scorpio-N if I needed something brute. But I doubt I'd ever buy the Scorpio-N over the XUV700.

Love the Safari's styling, but not the unfinished areas & niggles. Hector is a great family cruiser, although not my kind of car at all. The Alcazar is flawed - the 2nd seat row isn't as good as the Creta & the 3rd is just there as a namesake. Plus, the styling of the new Creta / Alcazar is a big turnoff for me. Any car I buy just has to be good-looking, am a sucker for aesthetics.

Here's what BHPian mgastor2022grey had to say about the matter:

Tata Safari. Have always been a Tata fanboy since my childhood and I just love the way the new Safari has been styled. Its luxurious interiors, sexy exterior and subtle applique of chrome, are just the way I like. I also love the minimalist design and the powerful 2.0L engine is just like a beast who is tamed for humans.

I would have actually chosen the Hycross over the Safari, but I am a technology freak and those old and slow interiors in the front put me off. Also, I have always had the heart to appreciate Indian products more than other countries' products.

Here's what BHPian Bhalla had to say about the matter:

Toyota Innova Hycross. The main reason is Toyota’s proven reliability record. The second reason is the presence of a proper Petrol Hybrid. So reliable, future-proof proof and fuel efficiency at the same time. Hycross is mind over heart choice.

The second option is Safari. Loved Safari since childhood. Love the looks, space on offer and features of the current generation Safari. The biggest reason for not voting in favour of Safari is the reliability factor. Safari is going to heart over mind choice.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.